The boat is docked at its new home in Deep Bay, we all had a delicious sleep in our own beds and last night I sat on the couch working on a puzzle surrounded by no one. It was great. That being said, I could have stayed out wandering the unknown inlets of Desolation Sound for another month.
Here are a few tips I learned while sailing:
1. You don’t need to pack a bra. You won’t wear it, in fact you won’t wear much of anything. You are in the middle of nowhere with no one around. Remember sunscreen on those bits that haven’t seen the light of day since your early 20’s.
2. You will eat more. I don’t know why, as you are sitting most of the time. Maybe wind makes you peckish?
3. Bring more games for the kids. They start to go squirrelly after a couple days and thrive on driving eachother mad.
4. Bring more wine. That goes without saying.
Gigi was the only one to catch a fish, although Nick did catch 6 prawns and a fish in our prawn trap. The first time we put the trap down we didn’t put enough line with it so when we came back about 8 hours later we couldn’t find it. We searched and searched and finally found it way out at sea, we were so excited to just have the trap back we didn’t care about it being empty.
We hit as many of the must see’s as we could and rarely stayed in one place for more than one night. Nick and I are now masters at anchoring and stern tying as we only docked for 2 nights during the trip. The best marina in my opinion was Refuge Cove, it;s unpretentious, well stocked, interesting, great showers and has a used book store. All it needs is free wifi and it would be set!!
Refuge Cove, a co-op marina shared amongst 18 owners who also live there.
Madeline on her way to the bookstore and to get a treat.
I tried to keep rules on the boat to a minimum but one did come into effect after day 2. No talking after 9:30pm. Honestly, the chatter of my children. I love them to bits but I really don’t care about anything anyone has to say by that time. It had been oh, 14 hours everyday of talking and it was taking its toll. Also, why do the kids HAVE to tell me something the second I pick up my book? Or, the minute Nick nods off for a nap in the hammock, the kids find him irresistible? Oh, and no farting in the boat. Ever. This rule was widely ignored to my dismay.
A rare moment of relaxation for Nick.
Showering. I never thought how much I appreciate the act but now, let me tell you it is a luxury we should all take a moment to reflect on. Granted we were in the sea a lot and that makes you itchy and your hair start to dread after a couple days but also it’s hot, quarters are small, clothes are limited so a funky smell started to permeate the boat. We did find some amazing freshwater lakes to swim in and a couple of waterfalls so I carried soap with me everywhere just in case an impromptu cleaning opportunity arose.
Shower time!! Freezing water but oh so gratifying. Immediately after I was walking back to the shore and got my feet stuck in gooey mud as the tide was going out. Super.
Nick having his shower. Teehee.
Cassell Lake at the tip of Teakerne Arm. You have to use the ropes to get in and out as it is a slippery rock.
The kids are now saying that instead of going to Europe next year that we should sail to Mexico. Hmm, maybe.
onesmallboat 