Sunday. Father's day.

Had a most restful night although some boats left around 0430 and 0530; both times waking me up. But I don't mind so much as it gave me a chance to check for drift. There was none. Finally got up at 0900 hrs. The cruiser Lady Brenda is now sitting in my backyard as it dragged anchor quite a lot during the night. But there is no chance of hitting. He's still dragging though! I took it very easy and made myself some super pancakes with strawberries and syrup. Yum, yum. I intend to stay here today then go to Nanaimo tomorrow. They are now forecasting unsettled weather for the next two days. Whatever goes, I will try my sailing schedule so as not to ever be caught in the rain while underway. Much more pleasant that way!

1545: Most boats departed this morning and new ones started arriving. Very, very windy today and cloud covered. Not the best of weather but ideal for sailing. I sanded and varnished all the woodwork in the hatch entrance and the rudder. It looks beautiful. Next time, I will do the bowsprit and the rails on the pop top. Then, she'll just glisten.

I also started reading (doing some research for the book). I do it about one hour at a time, taking notes as I go along. I have a hunch that I will have much work to transfer to the word processor when I come back this fall. That is good as it will keep me busy and out of trouble for another winter. As I write this, the wind is howling mad but the anchor seems to be holding . As I have no rudder (I dismantled it to varnish it), I better change the sparkplugs just in case I have to move out fast!

I don't know if I'll be able to take all that quietness for four weeks or so. it sure makes one think when one is all alone, in a quiet bay, and with no one to talk to. But anyway, this is the way I like it. I have enough to keep me very busy during all waking hours and this is as it should be. Boy, that boat is swinging around like a spindle. Even the big sixty-footer anchored next to me is doing the same. I can see thousands of white caps whizzing by the bay. And the howling! Wow!

Spent some time sanding the bowsprit and generally took it easy for the rest of the day. Hit the sack at 2200 hrs.

Area covered first 40 days

06.22

Up at 0920. Again, slept like a log. Made good pancakes for breakfast and ate the last of the fresh strawberries from the garden.Mium, mium, mium. Prepared coffee for the thermos and made a sandwich to eat along the way then departed under sail at 1020 and switched to power at 1345 when I was abeam of the mid channel buoy at the tip of Thetis Island.

Got a fantastic run down Trincomali Channel but the wind died down and I reluctantly had to go to power if I was to make it through Dodd Narrows during the slack water. I hit it right on the nose. The O/B works fantastic. At 40% power setting, it goes 5 knot! it is not even working hard. I arrived at Nanaimo at 1600 hrs. The bank's machine was out of order (as usual in Nanaimo) and to compound problems, the Safeway store has gone bankrupt! Had to shell out $11.00 for a jar of Nescafe! at the local 'friendly' corner store. At this rate, I'm sure to becomne a tea-totaller (not a typo!) before this cruise is over!

There is no longer any big food store downtown! The City Marina now charges as much as the public docks. Man oh man, pretty soon I won't even be able to sail anymore if docking fees keep climbing as they do. I dread that day. The jib got stucked again today. Once in Nanaimo, I fixed the rigging so that now, the jib is much looser and it seems to work. I'll see tomorrow when I cross over. I also re-adjusted the side stays and they are now much looser. I also re-installed the front stay (better play it safe) and I varnished the bowsprit and the hand rails on the roof. Looks good now. I will have to go to the bank and do the shopping early in the morning then, leave for points north. It is very quiet here tonight. I talked with quite a few fellows around the docks. Some helped me out with the re-rigging. Nice people. I should sleep well tonight.