Between the police and the preachers

July 12 - Yet another post -- we're a little behind in the paperwork... We stayed at Shearwater Resort near Bella Bella on Friday night. The docks, showers, laundry and pub were all great (the pub even serves breakfast) The store has limited stock, and depending on what day you arrive (freight delivery is on Sundays) the stock is even more limited. There was no potable water available on the docks while we were there, due to a boil water advisory from the health authority. People were friendly and helpful, the chandlery was well stocked and there's a boat yard here if repairs are necessary (thankfully, not needed !) On Saturday, the fog started to lift around 10:00, and after a leisurely breakfast at the pub and a trip to the chandlery for charts, we headed over to Bella Bella for fuel and, we hoped, water. Fuel was available, but water was in short supply due to little rainfall, and we could not fill the tanks. We were happy we had invested in a watermaker (it produces about 4 litres an hour and the noises from under the V-berth bunk sound like the windshield wipers on a '56 Chevy, but the water quality is fine! )

After leaving Bella Bella, we motored west towards Ivory Island, and ducked up Reid Passage for the more scenic route. After a serene trip up Mathieson Channel, we anchored in a quiet bay at Arthur Island. The fog, which had played with us all day crept in, not on little cat feet , but rolled up the channel at about 5 knots. We woke on Sunday morning to a damp, grey, isolated world of our own.

As the day progressed, the fog gave way to brilliant sun, and a great sail through Oscar Passage to Finlayson Channel as we headed up to Klemtu. Great downwind run through Finlayson to Cone Island and Klemtu; managed to sail wing-on-wing, which Turicum normally doesn't do very well. Docking at Klemtu was a challenge, as the boat was being blown off the dock by a very brisk breeze, but all was well as we tied up opposite the RCMP boat. As we were still tying up the boat, a mission boat arrived as well and tied up as well. So, we're on the dock at Klemtu between church and state -- carousing kept to a minimum tonight! The fog has crept back in, and with it, about 15 knots of wind...(I know, fog and wind don't usually go together, but they do here). The people we've met here in Klemtu have all been welcoming, friendly and very helpful.

Cheers,
Turicum