Captain BrewSea's Blog Log

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Day 15 - Rebecca Spit

Day 15 – 3 July 2009

Departure – Octopus islands
Destination – Rebecca Spit (Taku resort & Marina, Quadra Island)
State of The Sea – calm waters
Wind – none
Weather – Sunny and Bright not a cloud in the sky! HOT

Captain / Admiral’s report:

What a great day... AGAIN...

We woke to an awesome bright and sunny day.

The admiral has staked her claim to her own island... albeit underwater at high tide. (see photos below)

We had a community breakfast hosted by the Admiral and crew of Justavacation. As you can tell from the photos below, it was a good old Alberta pancake breakfast.

As we weighed anchor, it was with some trepidation that we leave the Octopus Islands. We have come to love these islands for its peaceful beauty and sense of belonging here.

The short cruise to Rebecca Spit through the Surge Narrows was both calming and exciting. The trip through the narrows was exciting because they were running at a flood tide combined with our boat speeds of almost 30 knots SOG. (According to Pat’s calculations).

The water on both sides of the narrows was glass like and afforded us some exploration time along the shore lines at cruising speed of 23 knots.

Our destination was Taku Resort and Marina next to Rebecca spit. This too, is a jewel for anyone with an adventurous spirit could fall in love with.

We enjoyed a prawn feast on the dock followed by buffalo burgers; all compliments of Pat and Claudine. ( Bootlegger)

Pancake Breakfast

Admiralty Island partially under water...

The Admiral "stakes" claim...

The Admiral made me post this one....

Minivacation at anchor on her new "anchor buddy"...

Rebecca Spit

Port Handy Boy

Rebecca Spit

Going out fishing off the outside of Rebecca Spit.

leaving the dock to go fishing....

glass like water for Salmon fishing

supper on the dock...

the end of day 15

Friday, July 3, 2009

Day 14 - Octopus Islands (again)

Day 14 – 2 July 2009

Departure – Octopus islands
Destination – Octopus Islands

State of The Sea – calm waters
Wind – NW 5
Weather – Sunny and Bright not a cloud in the sky! HOT

Captain / Admiral’s report:

We spent the day in the Octopus Islands, fishing, crabbing, sun tanning, gossiping and just generally relaxing!!! What a great day! What an awesome location!! We will be back!!!

The boys depart for a day of fishing.

The hunter gathers leave the poor farmers home to tend the homestead...

The bounteous harvest from the Sea...good boys!

Enough Crab for everyone...

Appetizers in the hot afternoon sun, before supper...

We invited another couple who were anchored near us for an afternoon, “tea party”)...
Steve and Jeannie from Comox

The afternoon Tea Party

Everyone is on Justavacation

Admiral Sheila and Claudine

Pat extolling the “fish story” of how he harvested the crabs for supper...

Our newest friends Steve and Jeanie from Comox

A small portion of the left over crab shells....

Day 13 - Happy Canada Day

Day 13 – 1 July 2009
(we finally have internet after 3 days)

Departure – Gorge Harbour
Destination – Octopus Islands

State of The Sea – 1 Foot Chop
Wind – NW 5

Weather – Sunny and Bright not a cloud in the sky! HOT

Captain / Admiral’s report:

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

The winds have subsided a bit on the southern coast. And so there is a window of opportunity for Pat and Claudine to make the run north to rendezvous with us.

The rendezvous was to be in Octopus Islands. And so, we made the 30 minute run back north.

The area here is so well protected from the winds and the scenery is beautiful. The area is pretty good for fishing as well.

After a leisurely Canada Day morning we were off on our short 30 minute cruise back up to the Octopus Islands. The cruise was as expected... another spectacular run.

The water was mostly flat, the sun was hot, the winds were light and of course the scenery is breathtaking.

As we arrived at the entrance to the Octopus Islands, we were hailed by “Bootlegger”. It was Pat and Claudine. They were right behind us! Talk about coincidence. They had left Sechelt at 0530 this morning and just happened to arrive via Hole in the Wall at exactly the same time as we arrived.... Ahhh, serendipity at its finest.

After setting anchor and rafting up, we spent the afternoon getting acquainted again. Good times, good people and good vistas.

Then it was time for the aqua ballet. We took to the “tender to’s” and set off for a little choreographed exploration.

Pat & Claudine provided an awesome salmon supper tonight, complete with Pat’s own smoked salmon appetizers. Well done guys!

After the lighting of the ‘Pink Flamingos”...it was time to turn in from another “ ho hum day in Paradise”

Canada Day on the dock in Gorge Harbour

It is only 0900 and Captain Tom is passed out!

Hoskyn Channel dividing Reed and Quadra Islands

Pat, Claudine, Susie (behind camera) Tom, Captain and the Admiral.

Polish games??

Tom on top of the world...

the 3 flamingos?

Pat & Claudine

Susie in T/T Maresia

Water Ballet

Pass navigable with high tide.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Day 12 - Heriot Bay (Gorge Harbour)

Day 12 – 30 June 2009

Departure – Octopus Islands;

Destination – Heriot Bay (changed to Gorge Harbour, see below)

Arrival Time –
State of The Sea – 1 Foot Chop
Wind – NW 10 – 15

Weather – Sunny and Bright not a cloud in the sky!

Captain / Admiral’s report:

(We have not had internet or cell connection for a couple of days now)

What a beautiful day. Other than the wind it is a perfect day. Sunny, hot and dry.

Last night’s sky put on a dazzling display of extraterrestrial spheres!

We took “Minivacation” for a tour this morning to enjoy the many coves and possible anchorages of the Octopus Islands. This area is definitely on our will return list! See pictures below and we are sure you will agree.

After an early lunch compliments of Susie, we set out to gather our crab and prawn traps from yesterday and then be on our way to Heriot Bay.

The crab trap yielded 10 (too small) red rock crabs. All had to be returned to the Sea.

The Prawn traps had a far more interesting yield. In all, we collected:
2 – Star Fish
2 – Shrimp
1 – Prawn
1 – Sea Cucumber
1 – crab
4 – scallops
1 – squat Lobster
All of which was returned to the Sea. (see pictures below)

After cleaning up our tools, we were off to meet Pat & Claudine in Heriot Bay.

The short cruise of 13 nautical miles was very pleasant with a following sea and 1 foot chop.

As we approached Heriot Bay the wind had picked up and made Rebecca Spit and even the docks at Heriot Bay would be very un comfortable for an overnight stay.

Tom contacted Pat to find out when they might arrive. Pat and Claudine have not been able to get out from Secret Cove for a couple of days now. The winds have been too strong for them to come North.

Because of Pat and Claudine not being able to join us and the state of the Sea at Heriot Bay, we made the decision to make a run for cover into Gorge Harbour for the evening. You may remember our stay in Gorge Harbour from a few days ago.

We arrived without incident at Gorge Harbour for a comfortable stay at the dock.