September Cruise: sidney, vancouver island
Date: September 19, 2015
Time Start: 10:30 a.m.
Time Finish: 2:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Conover Cove, Wallace Island
Cruise To: Sidney, Vancouver Island
Engine Hours Start: 323
Engine Hours Finish: 327
Weather/sea conditions: Rain, windy, drying late afternoon, low 60's
It rained hard overnight and showers continue this morning. Southwesterly winds are putting ripples on the water here in Conover Cove. Our plan is to cruise to Sidney on Vancouver Island and tuck in at the marina while stormy weather continues for another day or so. We take advantage of a break in the showers to pull the anchor and release our stern tie, getting underway on a gray northwest day. We enjoyed our stay at Wallace Island.
We circle around Southey Point at the north end of Saltspring Island, turning into Stuart Channel and then heading south between Saltspring and Vancouver Islands. The Satellite Channel takes us to Sidney after we pass through the lovely Sansum Narrows. The cruising is wet today, mostly due to the waves generated by the wind. Spray is coming up over the bow and washing our windows. As we approach Sidney, Dan has an additional challenge. Sailboats are screaming by us one after another, and we need to keep a safe distance as there is an ongoing race.
Time Start: 10:30 a.m.
Time Finish: 2:30 p.m.
Cruise From: Conover Cove, Wallace Island
Cruise To: Sidney, Vancouver Island
Engine Hours Start: 323
Engine Hours Finish: 327
Weather/sea conditions: Rain, windy, drying late afternoon, low 60's
It rained hard overnight and showers continue this morning. Southwesterly winds are putting ripples on the water here in Conover Cove. Our plan is to cruise to Sidney on Vancouver Island and tuck in at the marina while stormy weather continues for another day or so. We take advantage of a break in the showers to pull the anchor and release our stern tie, getting underway on a gray northwest day. We enjoyed our stay at Wallace Island.
We circle around Southey Point at the north end of Saltspring Island, turning into Stuart Channel and then heading south between Saltspring and Vancouver Islands. The Satellite Channel takes us to Sidney after we pass through the lovely Sansum Narrows. The cruising is wet today, mostly due to the waves generated by the wind. Spray is coming up over the bow and washing our windows. As we approach Sidney, Dan has an additional challenge. Sailboats are screaming by us one after another, and we need to keep a safe distance as there is an ongoing race.
We pull into a slip at the Port Sidney Marina for the next two nights, a protected place to be while the winds blow. North Star gets a rinse and we enjoy hot shore showers. We take a walk into the town - lots of boutiques, bookshops, and a good bakery. Cinnamon rolls for breakfast tomorrow! The waterfront promenade and fishing pier are blustery today. But, we can see blue skies and sun over the Olympic Mountains to the southwest as a Washington State ferry arrives. Tonight we are dining out in the nearby pub restaurant.
Date: September 20, 2015
Port Sidney Marina
Weather: Strong winds, clouds and sun, mid 70's, a fun weather day!
Clouds are zipping by, and seagulls are floating in mid air, making little forward progress. The winds are 30 to 40 knots today and we are happy to be in the marina! Our granddaughter Skye is 8 today! Happy Birthday, Skye Bird!
We go for a blustery walk. The wind is whistling through the halyards on the docked sailboats. A race is ongoing just off the breakwater and promenade. The boats come close to shore before jibing right in front of us. We can feel the tense excitement as they make their tight turns, passing one another and heeling steeply, rapidly adjusting their weight and sails. Somehow they avoid collisions with one another.
Port Sidney Marina
Weather: Strong winds, clouds and sun, mid 70's, a fun weather day!
Clouds are zipping by, and seagulls are floating in mid air, making little forward progress. The winds are 30 to 40 knots today and we are happy to be in the marina! Our granddaughter Skye is 8 today! Happy Birthday, Skye Bird!
We go for a blustery walk. The wind is whistling through the halyards on the docked sailboats. A race is ongoing just off the breakwater and promenade. The boats come close to shore before jibing right in front of us. We can feel the tense excitement as they make their tight turns, passing one another and heeling steeply, rapidly adjusting their weight and sails. Somehow they avoid collisions with one another.
We head into town, where it is less blustery. We replenish our perishable grocery supply at the "Save on Foods", and make another stop at the bakery for our bread needs. Skies clear in the afternoon, the wind lessens, and the temperatures pop up to the mid 70's. Dan goes off with his folding boat bike while I walk the promenade once again. A band is playing in the amphitheater, and a crowd has gathered to celebrate a peace day. Crab pots are being dropped off of the pier. Sidney is a good stop over, and we note that it is also very much a retirement center.
Evening brings us some spectacular skies.