We shared the marina with boats arriving for the Old Wooden Boat show! So our night was filled with galavanting around with sparkling wine visiting antique vessels and proud boat owners! Victoria’s waterfront was buzzing with boaters!
Crew arrived from Detroit and Brentwood bay.
What an amazing First Leg! To my surprise, we ended up with the wind pushing us at 6-7nm/hr, downwind (and broad reach). We rounded Race Rock in no time and tucked in at Becher Bay!
Strolling around Victoria with a short list on my mind trying to make sense of emotions! Chasing feelings that are perhaps just suppose to be or not to be. I’ll just walk further and take in the moments! I’ll ‘worry’ about feelings later🤔
Quiet streets of the BC Capital!
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….and were on the boat today and said everything looks great. They will return tomorrow to service all winches, take head sails down and service drums on furlors. They’re also going to replace some halyards that they didn’t like.
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I also took the batteries out and replaced them with new Victron ones, as I didn’t like the old ones and how they performed! Tomorrow I’ll secure them with straps (in case boat rolls) and blocks of wood!
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160 gallons of clean water and both propane tanks 🔥are full!
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This weather is shaping up but it will be a headwind getting out to the coast! It could take days! I think we will be doing some big tacks from Victoria to the outside!
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Being hyper aware of flashing buoys, airplanes and the Coho, I still managed to get a talking to by Victoria harbour officials. Entering into the channel by Ogden point and Shoal point (outer harbour) the airplane strip begins which I did take note of, and decided to get away from it so I apparently crossed over it. Prior to crossing over I thought to myself I don’t think I should be in this lane so when I had made sure the coast was clear I crossed to be in the other side where I was out of the area of traffic. Within minutes a black zodiac arrived to escort me back to where I was and “to have a longer chat”. What I didn’t know is that Victoria harbour is the only place in Canada to be an International Airport on water. I had no idea! I don’t think this information was on any test I’ve ever taken. I felt like a kid going to the principal’s office! This past month has been nothing but learning! Forever humbled😔
It’s been such fun sailing around the San Juan islands in the past few days! I was nervous about crossing the BIG straights on my own, with lots of freighter traffic, potential fog and low wind, sailing through channels with strong currents and kelp beds and then the rain started. Rain brought solitude, journaling, reflecting on past events, reading and exploring the forest trails in yellow wellies on remote islands! And looking forward❣️smiling…
The day that I leave the coast of BC is nearing and today I arrived in Cadboro Bay again to do my last bit of laundry, top up the 90 gallon tank with diesel, fill up the 160 gallon water tank and stock up with fresh fruit and veggies! Tomorrow I’ll go to the local chandler and grab last items! A rigger will come out and tension the rigging and that should be it!
Sailaway Sarantium 