Cape Cod Bay
9 juli, Förenta staterna ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Up very early from our found anchorage to get to the Cape Cod canal for a 7am tide that would push us through from Buzzards Bay to Cape Cod Bay. The canal is 7.4 miles long and the current can run up to 5miles/hr. Once through we put up the sails again and headed for Wellfleet. There was little doubt we had entered the heart of New England as we maneuvered our way, like the game of twister, through the 1000’s of lobster pots. We arrived to the anchorage closest to the town (although still almost 2miles away) and dropped anchor amount some derelict vessels.
The passages have become much more exhausting as we have to constantly keep our attention on the water to avoid pots, and wrapping their line around our prop. Sadly, we also see a lot of helium balloons that look like pots, littered across the American waterways. They should be outlawed!
We arrived on July 2nd by noon and decided to just relax for the day. We even went for a dip and cleaned the waterline on the boat. The following day we spent in town… it was uncomfortably hot, but between the Market and the Used Bookstore, we were able to escape the warmest blaze, and by late afternoon we made our way to outdoor seating g at Winslow Tavern for “happy hour.” Most people think of discounted booze but sometimes it means “buck a shuck” oysters! We met the owner Tracy (he husband is the chef) who have owned the restaurant for 20 years. Great conversation, including her coined phrase “deficiency culture” she used to speak of the mindset of youth today (not being able to afford a house, not having g kids due to environmental conditions, etc). On Independence Day (July 4th) we hoisted the anchor at 5am and had a glorious sail to Provincetown. We got there before noon and found a great spot to anchor, which gave us front row seats for the evenings fireworks celebration. We swam again (suspecting it might be the last time, and finished cleaning the waterline). This was my second time to P’town and I enjoy the openness of the culture. It’s like a mini Burning Man where people can be whoever they want or need to be with no judgement from others…. A strong rainbow culture.
We visited the town a few times over the 4 days we were there and went to the Lobster Pot for a meal (they have a GF menu). We met James who was sitting beside us and cautioned us about swimming due to the increased presence of the Great Whites.. We also ran into Jim and Arden Bradley, who we last saw in Trinidad.
We had hard rains on the third day we were there, and were reminded of all the leaks yet to be fixed on the boat. At one point the winds got really stiff and Brian thought we were dragging. Between the rainy periods we varnished. We left early on July 9th and made our way across the Bay to the Gulf of Maine and Kittery.Läs mer
Maine
16 juli, Förenta staterna ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
We arrived in Kittery with a glimmer of light left and rather than anchor, we picked up a mooring. Something I’m not used to doing but it wasn’t too bad. We only stayed on the ball for the night, and then headed to Plymouth, NH just across the water, to get some fuel and water. Then onward to Cape Porpoise on July 10th.
Wearisome from watching for pots, I got the lines ready for mooring as we were picking up a ball that Brian’s friend owns. The line dropped overboard and I couldn’t pull it in, Brian was convinced it wrapped in the rudder. We were close to the narrow entrance with rocks and lots of lobster pots. He shut off the engine and hoisted the sail and called the Coast Guard. Meanwhile, I was sure the line wasn’t 60ft long (to reach the propeller), eventually it became unstuck from whatever it got caught on under the boat. He called off the CG and we continued into the Bay, barely skirting the pots. We picked up the mooring and let out a sigh of relief.
We explored the town of Cape Porpoise, and found a great coffee spot and a grocery store. We also went to a lobster Car (looks like an ice fishing hut) and bought some lobsters (on two different occasions) directly from the fisherman. We also visited the lighthouse and climbed to the top, and rang the bell on the odd triangle structure.
We rented a car from Enterprise in Biddeford. It was the same morning as a man was shot by ICE. After renting the car we went to the Laundromat, and learned about it after a confrontation happened with a man wearing a MAGA hat.
We visited several bookstores in the area and a health food store.
We returned to explore and visited Kennebunkport. Lots of neat shops, bookstores and trees. I think we bought nearly 20 books between all the stores we visited. We also bought SeaBags for the kids (beverage bags, made out of sails). We put wine, Perrier, sprinkles, nuts, chocolate, and a book and card from Dad. When we weren’t shopping we installed a new faucet in the forward head.
I had called the Border Protection in Portland about checking out of the country. Talked to a great guy, who wasn’t going to be working on the 15th when I would be in town but told me to call the 14th and set a time with them. I called back and they said they don’t do check-out and that we would have to use a form 1300. I downloaded it, but it has no spot for listing people onboard, so there was no point. I guess I’ll deal with the USA again when I go back. 🙄
On July 15th we went to Portland and walked through the museum, then to Mr Tuna to meet the kids. Then we went to the Airbnb in Old Orchard Beach (Pine Point). Phoebe and Ian went to the grocery store and the rest of us went for a walk on the beach, then the kids cooked supper and we went for another beach walk (the Canadian fires were making the air very thick, and cool). In the morning we went for another walk, and I made a big breakfast for all. We had gotten the sailing report from Chris Parker, who recommended we leave on the 16th. We said goodbye to Phoebe & Aiko, Marly, Ben and Bailey 🐾 and Ian at the 10am checkout and drove back to the boat, hoisted the dinghy and left by 12:30. We were glad we stayed the whole time in Cape Porpoise verse trying the anchor close to the Airbnb, a much safer alternative.Läs mer
Passage to Nova Scotia
20 juli, Gulf of Maine ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Within the first several hours of leaving Cape Porpoises we encountered squalls and winds gusting to 47knots, flying along and dogging pots with only the stay sail up. Sadly, that was about the only wind we encountered on the whole passage.
We had already dug out hat and sweaters, but on the passage, it was time to find more warmth. We got out the icing glass, the barrier for the back of the pilot house and tried to install it after the sun went down. The track then came out of the ceiling, so I found and installed three new screws and the clasp on the Dutch door broke, so Brian installed a new one. We also played around d with the wiring for the helm heater and got it working by using the power input to the fan, and the fan switch (which we use to cool the Garmin in the warm climate). We saw the Bluenose on our screen coming up the coast of Nova Scotia, going 3knots, as there was NO wind.
We made it to Lunenburg, and took a mooring ball as it was supposed to be messy weather the next day.
We called immigration, the same as we did 2 years ago. Then they told us to go to the Fisheries Museum and call them from land. We headed to shore and called them, and they said that local agents would be on their way. I hadn’t brought our papers with us, so I called them back to see if I should get them. Finally I called back after 20-30min of being cold and asked when the agents would arrive and if they were coming from Halifax, which they did not know.
We were supposed to wait, but I needed warmth, so we walked back to the dinghy to get jackets, and then to the coffee shop, and finally to the bookstore across the street.
I left the store to go to the bathroom, then popped back to the Fisheries Museum and I saw them looking for us. I waved, and they were friendly, but annoyed that we had left the area, and gone to the bookstore. We explained that there people in Ontario need to be better trained on what to tell people and where to go. They asked some questions and gave use our clearance papers, afterwards we went for Sushi.
The following day we returned to Lunenburg, walked through the town, to the Academy, and to the three bookstores. We had
dinner at the Saltshaker and went to Cafe No.9 and listened to some live music and sat beside a young man who was working on the Bluenose II for a few months.
Then we made our way to Dartmouth and unfortunately they had no moorings available for us, so we anchored, in a beautiful spot! Lots of chores to do on Lorena now.
We had dinner (and brought our laundry) to Reed and Naomi’s home (and Wes and Kai) the night we arrived. It was nice to see them and we brought turkey burgers, hummus, cheese and crackers, and a Mola from Panama (San Blas) to gift to them.Läs mer
My Tribe (Moncton / Halifax)
27 juli, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
On Wednesday (July 22nd) I took the bus to Moncton. Daniel picked me up and we had a nice coffee before heading to dad’s in his right side drive Land Cruiser. I stayed with Dad and Wavey for a night, and helped Dad with some technical things like connecting email to his phone and ordering supplements. On Thursday I taught a class and then went to the house with Dad to look at the windows and fence. Then met Andréia for lunch and went to the Dobson Trail for nice walk in the woods. Later, I went to TD Bank and spent an hour or so trying to get my Otesha Bank Card and combine personal with business. On my way to meet Sarah at my Dads house, I stopped into Youth Impact and had a short visit with Mel.
Sarah and I went to her place in Harvey (15-20 min from Big Stop) for a nice evening relaxing with the dogs, catching up, and having pizza and wine.
In the morning, I taught again and headed to walk with OWE friend Manju and Evie, sadly a slow tractor on route 112 subverted my time with these two beauties, before heading to the bank again.
Then an afternoon spent zooming to Fundy, grabbing an ice cream and back to Sarah’s with Kirsten in her little 2 seater BMW-Z convertible.
Another nice evening at Sarah’s with great food and conversation, and meeting her friends Jeremy and Angela, who took us on a 4-wheeler drive down to their cottage (that used to be owned by the Noddin family).
On Saturday morning I spent some time working at a “real” desk and it felt so nice! Then off to another visit with Sean (who was an hour late) and Dad, before heading back to Halifax with Sarah. She wanted to drive me down and surprise Mike and Leanne, the reason I was going back early.
We picked up Brian and went to Bass Pro, then met Mike, Leanne and the van in the parking lot. Sarah came for the surprise 10mins later and we all went to Sushi. Sarah drove back to Moncton (as she had mortgages to close and a 4-wheeling opportunity with Luke).
We spent the day on Sunday with Mike and Leanne. They came to the boat and I cooked breakfast, then we all went and walked the waterfront, went to Pier 21, and then an Italian restaurant that had GF pizzas, and back to Dartmouth Yacht Club.
On Monday I had coffee with Grant, nice to catch up and hear about his Caribbean adventures. Then I raced (co-skippered) with Sue on King of Normandy. After the race we went to the club house… Grant’s daughter won the Women Series night, we came in 5th (out of 9). Brian picked me up on the dock, and then we hoisted the dinghy to prepare for a Tuesday departure to Cape Brenton.
So grateful for all the beautiful people in my life and the opportunity to see them, exchange energy with them and just be me around them. People like this are rare and special! People who will except you as you are, not place demands or expectations on our relationships and just enjoy the moments we have together, is such a blessing. Living a strange, un- relatable life can sometimes be difficult… but these photos bring me such comfort when I am longing for connection, Canada, home and friendship! 💕🙏🏻Läs mer
Cape Brenton arrival
1 augusti, Kanada ⋅ 🌧 17 °C
We left Dartmouth on July 28th and headed to Saint Peter’s. The fog in Halifax Harbour was thick and we motored nearly 26hrs, arriving to the canal around 10am, grateful the fog had lifted enough that it was clear through the canal and I to the Bra D’Ors.
We called Garry and took a slip at the Marina. Ended up staying two nights. We provisioned, check our Blood Pressure, did laundry, took showers, waited out the rain storm, and bought and installed a kitchen faucet that we returned the next day to the Hardware Store (they no longer sell the filters for them). We went to a Ceilidh in the basement of the Marina and surprisingly, Brian really enjoyed it. Lots of great local talent. Fun to introduce him to the kitchen party concept.
A final shower and then we were supposed to be off the dock. Came back, blow dried my hair then plugged the Starlink back in. Apparently it surged and Starlink wouldn’t work. I had a grant due the next day and without Starlink, it wasn’t happening, so I went to the kitchen and finished up the grant amidst the nose and chatter (my poor ADHD brain). We were docked next to a boat with two small children (Norden and Karissa) and parents Bridgette (or perhaps Brittany) and Brian. The two Brian sat and talked math and philosophy.
After I hit submit we left and sailed to Pellier Island. We were there twice two years prior and loved the solitude and the few. We had a bit more difficulty anchoring this time as it was hard to find a place that wasn’t too deep, but that the swing wouldn’t put us on shore.
The next morning we went to shore for the great oyster hunt, finding 40-50 plus mussels. We put them in our Ram Island bag and a bucket on the boat.
Bernie was meeting us in Baddeck at 5pm so we had to be on our way. We had one more draw bridge to enter, and apparently they are concerned about opening them the entire way as they get stuck open… however, going through a half opened bridge can be scary…. Not much room for error.Läs mer
Cape Brenton with Bernie
9 augusti, Kanada ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Before stopping in Baddeck we stopped to see a house on lower Washabuck, that had a mooring and wharf. It is beautiful on the outside, but rooms are small and driveway long and steep. Not for us. We continued on to Baddeck and had to squeeze into a docking spot, and came in quick, scaring the boat behind us: Life of Reilly. Brian went to talk to them (and met Peter Blunden) in the meantime
Bernie arrived and we decided to go to the Telegraph House (GF restaurant) even though they said they had no tables available. We gave them our story and they found us one! The food was amazing!! We then went to another Ceilidh and at the break they served oatcakes. I couldn’t have one, but was happy that Brian and Bernie did as my mom (from Cape Brenton) used to make them.
The next morning Bernie left for a walk, and came back with GF oatcakes for me … such a treat…. And a croissant for Brian. We took a walk to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum and it was interesting to learn about his role in flight and about his wife life (she was deaf, published bits, first Funder of airplanes).
We needed to wait untill the boat behind us left, before leaving. So we took a shower after washing all our oysters and mussels on the dock. A great feast!
We left at close to 5pm and headed for Maskells Harbour, as did Life of Reilly. We went for a swim before the sun set. In the morning, the water was so calm and the mist hung above the trees. However, the forecast suggested it was going to blow the following day.
We took the dinghy to hunt for oysters on shore, and found lots! We stopped by Life of Reilly and chatted and invited them to Lorena. They came with the kids and Greg brought his kids back and came to fetch James and Dad, Peter, who stayed on the boat. They left due to weather concerns the next day. We waited out the weather and then left for Chapel Island shortly after noon… a spicy sail with lots of wind to take us to the next oyster place! In the morning Brian rowed to shore and grabbed some more appetizers. Then we made our way back to Saint Peter’s Marina. We stayed for the night of the 5th, provisioned, got some ice cream, saw a Beluga whale and had showers.
The next day we went through 3 bridges and two canals, taking Lennox Passage to Canso canal and on to Hauve Boucher. The next day likewise, a full day of sailing 25nm to Ballantyne’s Cove, at the mouth of George’s Bay.
Our anchor has been very temperamental and lifting the last 20-25 feet very difficult. In PEI we will order a new Gypsy. For now, grateful that Bernie is on deck to help pull the chain and 125lb anchor onto the boat.Läs mer
PEI
10 augusti, Kanada ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Arrived in Charlottetown and we were able to secure a face dock. Surprisingly, from Murray Harbour to Woods island there were lobster pots in plenty. The guys got to see the red clay shores as we sailed close to land .
Once on land, we made quick plans to see Anne of Green Gables (I was hoping for Come From Away…. But it wasn’t playing). Bernie headed off to explore and we had some oysters and met him at confederation centre.
The following day we walked around town, visiting coffee shops, bookstores, and Cows Ice Cream, and churches (Brian had never heard of Saint Dunstans). We stumbled onto an outdoor market and Brian was mesmerized by all the instruments in the symphony group that was playing. They asked me to conduct (for fun) and later gave Brian the cow bell, which he got into at the end.
My cousin, Steven and his wife Mary, arrived back to PEI after sailing their Aloha 34 (Mischief) back from NS. We showed them Lorena and went to spend some time on there boat (with grandson and puppy - Hailey). We met with Bernie at an Irish pub and then went for Indian Food…. And rolled back to the boat, we were so full!
The following morning we headed back to the bookstores to drop off our lovingly read books for a store credit, and then to Leonard’s Cafe for a wonderful breakfast. Then to meet Dad back on the boat.
He and Wavey met us on the wharf and took a tour of the boat. Then, after I packed up my gear for Chester Raceweek, we headed to Brackley Beach and had a meal at the Dunes Cafe, admired the galley grounds and bought an outfit for Ashlynn’s wedding.
We dropped Brian off at the Yacht Club and made our way back to the bridge….. with a pit stop at Cows for an Ice Cream!Läs mer
A Moncton minute
11 augusti, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
By the time we got back to Moncton it was too late to go to Melanie’s, so I stayed with Dad and Wavey and helped Dad with getting email onto the iPad.
At 8am I went to Melanie’s and had a short visit with her ( 2 hours is never long enough)! I went back to Dads as my car was not running (a started issue), and Sheila picked me up and we went to Loli…. And again sat for a couple hours and chatted over coffee. It is so great to be in the presence of friends, to be around people who love you as you are!!
Sheila dropped me off to my house and Dad and I met the Costco rep to get a quote on my basement windows. Then I had to dig out all the material that we made for Breathe Yoga Fest. Kelly had so much stuff piled in the basement and elsewhere, I was surprised at her comment that I should get a storage unit for my stuff. She will have to move her things around when the windows get finished, and I will sell or get rid of the couch and mattress downstairs, plus do some gardening, when home in September.
At 4pm a friend of Dads (Saw) came to his house, after we vacuum sealed bags of material and got them into 3 suitcases. Saw drove me to Truro and Sue and her crew (Chris and pup, Carmy) picked me up at the Irving.
We drove the backroad as Chris was buying a transmission for Sue’s Dad’s (Jim) car. Then drop it off at a shop and picked up their trailer, which will be our home in Chester (he’ll drive it down). Sue and I did a grocery shop before retiring with a glass of wine for the evening.Läs mer
Chester Race Week
16 augusti, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Chester Raceweek was a fantastic blur! Sue an I left from Fall River in the morning, and met the boat in back harbour. It was red shirt day and we got two races in, placing third overall. We went to the club afterwards and I spotted some old crew I used to race with in Siren (with Mickey Cormier): Derek & Doug. The results were delayed so we left and went home. Chris had arrived at the cottage in Chester Grant, with the RV and was setting it up (however all my GF food was still in Sue’s fridge).
Since I was affectionately know as the Dillon fill-in (and have been each time I’ve done Raceweek on King of Normandy), there was a bag full of outfits to wear each day.
On day two the winds went light and we had only one race…. Louis and Allison went for a swim.
Day 3 we had three races to make up for the day before and one of the legs of a race we couldn’t get the spinnaker up (it was packed bad, put up wrong and on the third or fourth try we got it up in time to cross the finish line).
We were racing in the Bravo fleet, class 3, and had two Sonars in the fleet, one owned (and helmed) by an Olympian sailor. First was out of reach.
However, on day 4, with one long race, we placed 1st overall that day, and solidified a 3rd place overall.
Some of the crew went back into the club for ABBA night, and dancing, but I was tired and happy to stay behind and relax in the RV. It is great to be with someone when you don’t need to talk… you can just be. Sue and I have been racing Chester since 1998 or 99, and friends since 1986.
Even though I live on a boat, racing felt so great. It was nice to have a role (flying the spinnaker) and owning it. To be part of a team, and to be light hearted and forgiving when things go wrong. King of Normandy is a great boat, and Francois a likewise, great captain. The crew are fun and authentic, and no subject is restricted. We had meals and breakfasts together and Louis made sandwiches on the race course. A tiring but fabulous time, doing what I love, with awesome people and a long time bestie!Läs mer
Lunenburg, Mahone Bay & Prospect
26 augusti, Kanada ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
On August 16th, with Raceweek packed up, and keys for the RV off in the car with Allison, we were stuck at the cottage. Chris had come to get the RV and Sue was taking me in his truck to Lunenburg. The upside of the wait was spending time with Carmy (short for Carmelo) their three legged rescue dog.
Allison returned and our home/ bed for the week drove off. Sue and I went to Chester and walked around, had a coffee and then made our way to East Lahave to see her Dad and grab him some groceries (from Rose Bay General Store). Then to Lunenburg to meet the boat.
Bernie was off on the August 18th early am. He did a hike to Mahone Bay and back, and found GF treats at Coffee No. 9. Brian and I went to see a house close to city hall, with a great view, above the bandstand, but not a great layout. Stephanie was our agent. On the walk to the grocery store, I laid eyes on another house for sail and we hoped to see it before we left. It was pouring rain on the 18th, Bernie got a cab to the bus station (and forgot his PFD and EPIRB)… and we got chased off the dock at Zwickers around d 3pm. We left in heavy fog and started to call around for moorings. Lunenburg Yacht Club didn’t have any space but Mahone Bay had space on the wharf (no mornings till Thursday). We got settled in around d 6pm.
The following day we went for a walk around Mahone Bay, had coffee at The Barn and Social Gathering Place (as we did in Lunenburg). We followed the fairy lanes and enjoyed the town. Stephanie picked us up at 2:30 and we saw a house in Lunenburg (perfect place if we were both ready to settle — but we aren’t). She drove us past Dads old homestead on Kissing Bridge Road. Once back on the boat, at 5pm, I logged onto the computer to do more work on the Trillium Foundation grant for Freeing the Human Spirit, and realized the deadline was a few days earlier then I expected…. Gratefully I’d don’t lots of prep works and got it in on time, although the adrenaline was rushing as the deadline counted down. Once done we went out to a restaurant and had calamari and Brussels sprouts and mussels… a feast!
The next day I booked a pedicure… pretty toes for Ashlynn’s wedding…and we walked around more, had an ice cream and tried to get another night on the dock (but they only had a mooring according to Richard and Wes). They did however call the fella that was booked into our space and asked him to wait until the mechanic, Zach, saw the boat.
Zach reviewed the boat, was really knowledgeable and Will met us in Prospect Bay on Tuesday morning. He comes highly recommended!
We had mooring 48 reserved but at the last moment a father and son came to the wharf beside us and told us about MIRA (Mahone Islands Restoration Association) and the Public mooring balls. We left and found a beautiful spot on Bella Island where we stayed for two nights.
We intended to head to Prospect Bay, Peter and Marge Blunden’s mooring ball, on Monday…. But a big rain storm was going to blow throw on Sunday, so we headed there Saturday. We sailed in close to Peggy’s Cove so Brian could see it from the water. We arrived around 4pm and came to the dock, intending to grab water and have Marge for supper (Peter was still in Cape Brenton). Once tied up, Brian decided it would be better to leave as the wind had started to pick up. We immediately left and went to the mooring (grabbing the lines was NOT graceful).
I got a meal ready to take to the house, and Brian dropped the dingy, we rowed ashore (23 strokes) and had a lovely evening with Marge and their Pitty named Layla.
Sunday and Monday we were ensconced in rain and fog…. I love the fog, having grownup with it… Brian is disquieted by it (mainly while sailing).
We decided to take a Hotel at the Hilton Garden Inn on Tuesday as our flight left on Wednesday at 6am. Tuesday Zach arrived and pulled out the injectors and reviewed work he was going to do while we were gone. Then Chris came with a new Turbo jacket. By 2:30 we were saying goodbye to Lorena (Brian had the nervous zoomies ….not in movement like a dog… but in speech).
Marge was generous and drove us to the Hotel, with a stop at Il Mercato in Bedford along the way, for a nice afternoon meal. The room was comfortable and we went for a little walk around the property before I took and Uber to Sue’s to pick up the suitcases full of “Breathe” tent decorations for Ashlynn’s wedding (both weighing 21 kilos each). Two more suitcases that will be abandoned on the trip. And two suitcases left at Sue’s that became Kevin’s newest resting spot.
A shuttle to the airport, baggage drop that was not over weight, and a smooth flight for both legs (yhz to yyz & yyz to yyj)! Brian got to see the Rockies from the air 🏔️🏔️…. 30 minutes till we land.Läs mer
I'll try again [Pasqualino]
ResenärWhat are you trying Pasq? Sorry for such a short visit in July, but all be back in Sept for a week or two. Looking forward to spending more time with you and Manju then!