Time to Fly the Mapleleaf Flag

Ganges Harbor on a Hot Summer Afternoon

Talented Accordianist at Ganges Saturday Fair

Sculpture in Ganges

Saturday morning early, Henry pulls the anchor in hand over hand, first line, then chain. We have no windlass; it's his most demanding exercise. We take our time crossing to Bedwell, hoping that there will not be much competition for dock space at Canadian Customs. When we duck inside the harbor, there is a large white yacht, maybe 75 feet just ahead of us jockeying for position. Henry hails it on the VHF radio to ask what its intentions are. Fortunately, it's going for the far side of the dock and a space for our Jules has opened up on the near side. A kind gentleman from another sailboat helps us land just behind the seaplane spot. We never refuse help in these situations. Customs by phone there is perfunctory, with only a few questions. Their computers must know us by now. Since there is no space at the Poet's Cove Marina, we leave for Ganges.

We had vowed not to return to Ganges, with its crab pots all over the inlet. We caught a crab pot last year. That resulted in some heroic sailing by Henry and a virtuoso landing under sail. Then Vessel Assist dived the boat to get the offending lines and floats away from our shaft and propeller. So this year we navigated straight to Ganges under power. Only when we got close in did we encounter myriads of boats, all sizes and shapes, anchored off Money Maker Rock. We docked at Salt Spring Marina in time to walk to town for the Saturday fair. On Sunday, the forecast gale winds arrived late morning, and some of those boats in the harbor dragged their anchors. Last night we had halibut and listened to a jazz combo at Moby's. The wind howled until about 11pm and finally died down. The winds are back today, though not as extreme. We took a little hike up the forested hill close by, looking for a view. Tomorrow we sail north to Telegraph Harbor.