Yesterday was a very exciting, anxious and nerve-racking day. Why, you ask... well, Ron and I will be going where we have never gone before. To get to Johnstone Strait we will be transiting 5 sets of rapids: Yuculta Rapids, Gillard Passage, Dent Rapids, Green Rapids and Whirlpool Rapids. Why would we choose such a route you might ask...Well because we can and thought it the best route for us considering the other choices. Our considerations included weather forecast, flood and ebb tides and the time of the flood and ebbs. Also consideration was given to where we could duck out of any unfavourable weather if needed.

We left Gorge Harbour at 1100. Again, no wind for sailing so we motored and explored Von Donnup Inlet. Last time we were in this area with Figment Too we were afeared of 'the rock'. So, we went exploring today on Ta Daa which is longer and wider and we went in at low tide. No problem at all and what a beautiful anchorage. From this anchorage you can beach your dinghy and walk to Squirrel Cove as both places are on Cortes Island. Being conscious of the time we motored north to Harbott Point on Stuart Island to wait for the ebb tide. We met strong current so it did take us a little longer than expected but that was fine - extra time was factored into our calculations.

As many of you know Ron - we have reference books on the reference books! That is why we needed the bigger boat - hee hee. Following the reference books, advice of old salts (Sue and Ralph, SV Mariah), the tide and current schedules, our chartplotter predictions and our trusy paper chart we headed through Yuculta Rapids at 1700. We took advantage of the back eddies and made great time and only slowing to 3.6 knots. There were no whirlpools that threatened to swallow us, no rapids that threatened to return us from whence we came - it was uneventful - as it should be if you follow the sage advice of all mentioned above.

Next came Gillard Passage - again uneventful but put on the way as we still had a bit of a flood. We motored across to Dent Island where Ron treated me to the bestest meal I have EVER had and may not eat in a regular restaurant ever again. We celebrated 13 years since our first date. If the truth were known we actually haven't stopped dating.

Today we will stay put as the slack and ebb tide in daylight for Dent Rapids is tomorrow morning. We are having a lazy morning sipping coffee and refraining from going outside where one raindrop is big enough to kill man or beast.

It is actually starting to brighten a bit so in a short while we will trundle off with cameras and Winston to do a bit of exploring.

Until next update...

For those of you who have not been to Gorge Harbour, by boat, it is well worth visiting. They have all new facilities; gas dock, docks and swimming pool as well as previous facilities; canpground, laundry, store, showers etc.

It is a great little marina and prices are fair - including internet which is how I am reaching you now. Thank You Gorge Harbour Marine.

We are full of steak and prawns - Ron did an excellent job on the barby. The wind is building so it was a good call to come in and get a good night sleep.

Ta Ta For Now - time to piddle the dog and hunker down.

Hello Followers. We are in Gorge Harbour on Cortes Island. We had plans to leave this morning but due to weather forecast of winds up to 50 knots we, being the purdent sailors we are, stayed hooked for the afternoon and moved to the marina due to 3o knot forecast for the night.

Let's do some catch up - in the Comox Valley we had 14 guest aboard to celebrate Juliet's fourth birthday - she is a big girl now. The following night Ron and I had friends over that we had not seen in some time - Donna and Eddy, Bunty,and, Leanne and Gracie.

Dad came over yesterday to have coffee with us and say good-bye before we headed north. When leaving Comox to head north you have to cross the Comox Bar. It was a beautiful morning and lots of boats were out fishing. We had light SE winds - thought we could do some genneker sailing but alas, the winds were tooooo light. We motored to Gorge Harbour.

On the way to Cortes Island there is a small island called Middlenatch. This is approximately where the tides that flood around Vancouver Island meet. When Ron and I now look at the charts we need to remember and check that the ebb tide is north and flood tide is south. That is opposite to when we are in the Victoria area.

Middlenatch is also the island that my Dad was stranded on for a night or two abut 38 years ago. If you ever meet up with a fellow by the name of Bud Hayward buy him a beer and he will tell you the story.

Prior to getting to Gorge Harbour we spotted a boat perched on the rocks at the SW corner of Marina Island. Poor folks had to wait for a high tide.

We had a great night on the hook (anchored) last night but the winds did pick up fairly early this morning. Winds were gusting to 25 knots so gave our new Rocna anchor a good test.

I forced Ron and Winston to walk to Whaletown and wouldn't you know it -it poured rain too. We have all the rain gear but left it on the boat. Who knew...

The good news - this morning Ron added another strip of copper foil for more grounding. The SSB worked and we finally made connection with Barbara of the Great Norther Boaters Net. I am not sure who was more excited-us for contacting Barbara -or Barbara for finally hearing from us! It was wonderful to check in. Tomorrow our plan is to transit the Yuculta Rapids and Gillard Passage then stay at Dent Island the night. The following day we will transit the Dent Rapids and then pick a spot to anchor before heading out to Johnstone Strait. The winds are 30 knots in Johnstone Strait right now but will calm before we get there.

Winston is enjoying having Ron and I with him 24/7. He is getting lots of attention from other boaters we meet.

Tonight we are going to feast on steak and prawns - yes Bill, they are OUR prawns!

Finding internet connection is getting more difficult but say tuned and I will update in a day or two.

Cheers for now!

Happy September 1st Everyone!



The last couple days have been very busy. Ron and I left Salt Spring Island at 0500 hrs. Did you know it is very dark at 0500. We had to make Dodd Narrows for the slack or at the least the turning of the ebb to a flood tide. Our speed in the dark was half the normal speed. The sunrise was beautiful and we arrived at Dodd Narrow as predicted. The winds were either right on the nose or very light. Ron and I were in agreement that we would forego the sailing (as we would have had to tack to Lasqueti Island) to get to the Comox Valley.



The Comox Valley is where I (Janice) grew up. It is also where my dad, my sister, two kids (Stewart & Meghan), grandchildren and countless friends live. We have spend the past two day having a birthday party on board for Juliet, who is now a BIG girl of four, tidying the boat for guest arrivals and planning our new route.



Tonight we are having a few friends aboard to catch up from the last time we saw each other.



To say the least, the SSB radio is giving us a bit of grief. It seems that we have too much interference and Ron is trying to solve the problem before we head north.



Speaking of heading north, mother nature has a way of calling the shots - she has re-routed us thrugh Desolation Sound and the Yuculta and Dent Rapids. Seymour Narrows at this time of year with the full moon brings higher tides. And to boot, the tide would be changing from and ebb to a flood which was not in our favour. So, we will go to plan B. It will all be new scenery so it is all good.



For those of you who have not been to the Comox Valley by car or by boat - it is a stunning place to visit. The Marina is lovely and very convenient to anything you could possibly need and by foot. No car needed.



Having a couple days rest is just what we have needed. We didn't realize how tired we were from getting the boat ready for our trip and after putting in two long days to get here. From now on, our days will be shorter with time to explore.



Ta ta for now...

Well, what can I say... we have had a very long day that started at 0600 and is just about to end at 2130. Alas, no wind to sail with but that was OK. We are making a bee line to the Comox Valley to be there for Juliet's fourth birthday (our grand-daughter).

Today has been a full day of motoring to our very dear friends dock on Salt Spring Island. Bud and Pat also known as Mom and Bud had us rummage through some nautical books no longer needed at the Friele home. We now have lots of reading material.

No sooner had we made our selections of true boating stories, marine engine maintenance and weather books and it was time to board L'il Viking and head off to Thetis Island for burgers and sweet potato fries. On our return, we just had to stop and pull the prawn traps. We are now the proud owners of 100 prawns to enjoy as we sail north.

Tomorrow morning we get an early start - 0500 - to catch the slack water at Dodd Narrows. We will then make our way to Comox Valley and expect to arrive about 12 hours later.

Needless to say we are a bit pooped and ready for bed.

Winston says to all his doggy friends that he is doing great and had some fun running around with his friends Truffy and Shorty.

Until next time - smooth sailing everyone!

Here we are, Friday night, August 28/09. We have the larder packed, the water tanks are full, the holding tanks are empty and plans to leave at 0800 tomorrow. The weather report calls for a gale warning in Juan de Fuca - Mother Nature calls the shots. We just might not be leaving tomorrow but we will get up and be ready to head off.

We have just been to our neighbours to wish them well for moving aboard. They, too, will be setting out to circumnavigate Vancouve Island. We will catch up to each other at or just north of Campbell River.

My chores now are to put a few items away so we can just get up and go in the morning. I wonder if we will sleep mucy. Perhaps we will be up earlier than when we go to work.

Good night for now. Will update soon.

O My Goodness, where do I start? Well here we sit anxious to be done work and ready to pull out on Saturday morning - August 29.

First and foremost - THANK YOU - to all who have supported us in our adventure and to all the well wishers.

Some of you may not know that our original plan was to leave on June 15. That plan changed when we entered a 'too good to be true' deal to purchase a new boat and three feet longer.

Figment Too, our previous boat, a 42' Hunter Centre Cockpit was our home for nearly 5 years. We now own Ta Daa - another Hunter Centre Cockpit but she is a little longer and a little wider. What is great about Ta Daa is her sailing ability, she balances nicely and the overall newer technology.

A lot of people ask what have we done to prepare. Well, here is our list so far:

• stainless steel arch to hold solar panels
• 3 large solar panels
• SSB
• Hydrovane
• Upgraded VHF and...
• just getting to know Ta Daa before setting out on such a journey.

This journey around Vancouver Island is a milestone for me and Ron. It is our dream transitioning into reality. The VI 360 voyage is our shakedown cruise for heading off shore. That trip will not happen for a couple years but we are getting there.

What is next - grocery shopping for our trip. My plan is to stock the freezer and non perishables for what we need for the trip. The perishables we will acquire as we progress; likely stopping in Port Hardy and then again in Tofino.

Ron and I have both talked about how this trip will be a test: physically, mentally, emotionally and a test of our skills. Thank goodness we compliment one another.

Yes we have filed a sail plan. Our primary holder of the plan are good friends and fellow boaters Len and Dawna Burton. Len is very familiar with the whole of Vancouver Island and the owrking of Coast Guard. We have no doubt we are in good hands with Len.

We will also be checking in with Barbara Hodgson of the Great Northern Boaters Net. Barbara is on the net (SSB 3.870) each and every morning at 0800.

Stay tuned for updates as we merrily roll along. Updates will be pending internet connection and technical stuff.

Cheers

The Crew of SV Ta Daa

Janice, Ron and Winston