10:00 Up at 0800 hrs after a relatively good night sleep. The wind was howling all night. It was the first time I anchored in eight fathoms of water with the new 'light' Danforth anchor and the heavy chain. Although the rigging was 'singing' due to the strong gusty winds, the anchor held very well.

I am still debating whether I should move to a calmer spot within the cove or whether I should go to the store (a mile away) soon. In any case, I will have to wait for a calmer period to lift off the anchor as there is no way I could do it now. Besides, the bay is filled with expensive-looking cruisers, with three of them right behind me. I may still head to Prideaux Haven today but the winds will have to abate somehow before I attempt the passage through Malespina Strait. Too bad because it would be a hell of a run, in those 30 knot winds. But, who's in a hurry, anyway?

Weather-wise, it looks like a winner again. If it weren't for the high gusty winds, it would be a scorcher of a day already and it is only ten o'clock. If only that weather could hold till I come back in the area with Georgette (I hope).

15:30 Hrs: This may well turn out to be the worst day of this trip. Weather-wise, it is still nice and sunny but, those winds! They had gale warnings on the VHF this morning and, I believe it, judging by the number of 'Maydays' calls on the radio. The 'Sally Ann' is presently being towed to Westview. I had dropped anchor next to that boat in Ballet Bay.

Although the anchor was holding, it was so windy and gusty in the middle of the bay facing the rapids that I decided to look for safer, calmer anchorage. I had definitely given up the idea of even going the one mile to the store in Squirrel Cove Village. As they were forecasting such high winds, at least till evening, I went to drop anchor between the tiny island, left of the rapids, and the shore.

Y-Knot at anchor.

Even here, in the lee of the island, there are some gusts of wind strong enough to tilt the boat over. And I am sitting tight on the bottom! Wonder where I'll drop the hook tonight, assuming I can get the boat aflloat again? Well, at least it is not raining! Must look on the bright side, no? The same type of weather is forecasted for tomorrow. That's the part that's getting me down a little.

18:00 hrs. The day is not turning out so bad, after all. I have finally left my grounded spot and dropped the hook in the space between the larger island on the west side of the cove and the shore. But the winds are still 'gale force' at times. Right now, I can hear the rigging singing 'Alouette', so strong is the wind. But the anchor is holding well. I wish I would have brought a couple of window weights as 'sinkers' as I sure could use them now to prevent me from bobbing up and down as I do. Big waves!

I don't know how long I will have to stay here. But I won't move until those winds abate some. The barometer is sinking slowly. I hope this doesn't mean rain as I have had all the rain I want for a while.

22:30 hrs. My God! What a wind. It has not let up one minute. Some of the gusts cause the boat to 'swing' over 180 degrees around! In a way, it is a good thing it did this many times so far. If it should have done that for the first time during the night, I might have been a little worried. But the anchor keeps holding well. Hope it continues to do so all night as there is a heck of a big (read:expensive to patch big holes) cruiser yacht right behind me.

Free as a bird
Sound Arrangements by Phil Smith
Just the right beat for that windy day....

Clyde came in around 2100 hrs. He'd been sailing all day in that weather. Said it was some mean out there. As a matter of fact, he motored all the way from Refuge Cove, against the tide and head winds. He has a good diesel and that helps.

Our son Dan onboard HMS Margaree
Halifax Harbour - 1981

Clyde even brought over some fancy Moka coffee. Said he didn't want to deplete my stores. Nice fella! We exchanged addresses and he promised to write me about his travels in the Queen Charlotte's area. Sure hope he does; at least, I will write him.

To sum it all up: it has been a hell of a day! If it lets down somewhat tomorrow, I will try to go to the public wharf at Squirrel for provisioning and to call home. I hope there won't be any bad news calling for my immediate return because, even if there was, I could not start my journey back in the present conditions. But then, knowing me, I probably would attempt it anyway.

Clyde said that the sail from Comox down the East coast of Vancouver Island is quite nice and that, contrary to what it says in the reference books, there are several safe anchorages along the way. I will try to get a chart covering Nanaimo to Comox and if so, I might cross over at Powell River. I'll have to wait and see.

Hit the sack at 23:00 hrs, listening to Paul Mauriat. Not that I wanted to listen to music all that much but it helps kill the sound of the wind in the rigging. Oh what the heck,.... goodnight world!