This update combines several stops on my return south. Shorter stays as I stop for supplies and dodge weather make for a bit less to say. However, with one exception all of these places are new to me so I have been able to stay with the plan to see new locations on my return journey home.
From Handfield Bay I hopped down to an interesting little cove on the west side of Quadra Island called Small Inlet. Reached by passing through a narrow, kelp chocked pass, it provided decent shelter from some strong NW winds for a couple days. I anchored in the very back behind a couple small islets. There was room for maybe two or three boats. I had only one other power boat join me for one night. I didn’t bother to put the dinghy in the water given the windy conditions and knowing I was leaving soon.
Small Inlet and the islets at the very back. The last day the wind had let up.
From Small Inlet it was down the last part of Discovery Passage, through Seymore Narrows and to the Discovery Harbour Marina at Campbell River. The Narrows rapids were a non-event as the tide this day was a neap one. I had good current helping almost the entire way. Two nights in the marina let me top off the water tanks, batteries, dispose of the trash, do a load of laundry, and visit a big market (twice) to stock up on fresh food items. This is a very convenient place to do this. I wanted to visit their museum but just didn’t have time given my list of chores. Boats have never ending maintenance lists.
A long day of motoring took me to Hornby Island and Tribune Bay. A repeat visit from a few years ago where I spent some time here with my friends Dan and Irene. However, the forecast was for strong SE winds the next day so it was up and out of there the next morning and off to Lesqueti Island. I had wanted to visit this island on my way home and so I made the choice to head there despite some unsettled weather.
Looking south out of Tribune Bay on Hornby Island. Only a few boats here.
Because of the rain and wind due in this day I made for False Bay which I knew would offer good protection from the strong SE winds. It was also the closest. A bit crowded with private moorings, something I have noticed more and more in a lot of anchorages, but I got lucky when another sailboat was departing and a spot opened up.
The next day the wind was supposed to switch around and I wanted to head south so I decided to trust the forecast. Typical, it was wrong. Not sure why but the Canadian forecasts are generally not too reliable. We’re spoiled in the US with excellent and detailed weather data. I explored several coves on the west side of the island but they were all to exposed or too deep. I ended up in Boat Cove on the west side of Lesqueti. It’s a bit lumpy but tolerable and hopefully the wind will eventually turn and things should calm down. Based on the forecast, if it’s remotely correct, I’m here until Tuesday when I will head south again for the Vancouver Island side and get back into the Northern Gulf Islands. I want to get into more protected water with these frontal systems that seem to be rolling through almost weekly now.
Leaving False Bay, Lesqueti Island, after one night.