La Boheme

06.29 This morning, most of the boats tied to the wharf left around 0630 in order to catch the slack at the rapids. So, instead of getting back to sleep, I got up, talked a little with my friendly dock neighbour aboard 'Adele' and then, moved Y-Knot right at the foot of the falls, almost, where I will stay until I depart, God knows when! In the mean time, the freh water will clean the hull just nicely! Docked at the foot of Chatterbox Falls It may be my only chance this year to dock so close to the falls because I have a feeling that the place will be crammed with boats when I return with Georgette. (hopefully). 2310 Day has passed. Very tranquil, just stayed put around the boat. Met some very interesting folks. Talked about my book, of course. One fellow from Washington, showed great interest and, once he had read the prologue, he gave me his card and insisted that I let him know when the book is published. He then said that if I had copies of the book with me he'd give me $35.00 (that's american dollars) for his copy, right away! Very encouraging indeed. I will keep in touch with all those who show interest and leave me their names. They were sailing a beautiful 33' ketch. Hitting the sack now as I have to get up at 0630 in order to catch the slack at the rapids. I will try to make Egmont tomorrow as I need eggs, etc. And I will try to find a piece of plywood to use as a chart table, like the one I have left at home. I also installed the stay with a turnbuckle so now, I can remove it more easily and also adjust the tension as desired. Dodo! Aubrey was her name. 06.30 Up at 0630 after a very restful night, right at the foot of the falls. Breakfast, then departed at 0700, as planned. Caught the slack at the rapids at 0705, right on time, then just killed the outboard and drifted with the tide for a long time while listening to some James Last. All alone on this big expanse of water and not a care in the world! Well, at least until I turned into Princess Royal reach at the Deserted Bay turn-off. Then, all hell broke loose. I tacked from eleven o'clock until around four o'clock when, very tired after sailing nearly twenty miles to cover but four or five miles of actual ground, I turned around and ran with the wind until I dropped anchor in Deserted Bay. I was even too tired to tie up at the dock and talk with Vick, the Native caretaker. All in all, it was a gorgeous day and beautiful sailing but, as there was no safe anchorage within miles downstream, there was no use to keep on tacking. I hit the sack early, ready to tackle another run tomorrow. Still, goodnight world.