Category: 2019 Down East Circle Route

Left Shediac at 9:30 on calm seas with very light winds. Sailed (slowly) for a little if the way but it was mostly motoring sails up or no. And aren’t we fortunate, the RCMP again stopped both boats although this time it was just questions and we did not have to produce papers. The RIB was from the same ship that had stopped us in the St Lawrence just different crew. It was a pleasant experience and they gave us a float key holder with a number we can call if we see anything untoward.

We arrived at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club about 3:30 and geez was it

 

 

 

 

 

hot 36C. However late afternoon winds blew in and the temperature became instantly more pleasant. Weather, eh?

Tarja arrived about 4pm and we all went for a drink to celebrate!

? Heat !!! ? After freezing our bunnies off for 7 weeks we awoke to a heat warning. And sure enough the temps were over 30C. Instant summer (finally).

Our friend, Chris McDonnell, arrived from Florida and will be on Finnish Line 2.0 until the Bras d’Or Lakes. Chris kindly drove us around for groceries and suds and to pick up Chris and Linda’s Andrew from the airport the next day. Other than that it was boat clean up with bouts of relaxation thrown in. And because of the heat G&Ts were served.

Calm, sunny and warm motoring the 20 nm to Shediac YC. Club has a lot of boats and nice facilities with pretty views across the river.

 

 

 

 

 

We had a romantic dinner for three to celebrate Linda and Chris’ 3rd anniversary at a French style restaurant.

We are here for 3 nights …. the ‘other’ Chris arrives tomorrow to ride with me to PEI and then on to the Bras d’Or Lakes in Cape Breton. The following day Chris’ son, Andrew, arrives and will be with us until Charlottetown. It’s wonderful to share our adventures with family and friends.

 

The yacht club land and clubhouse are owned by the Irving family. KC Irving was born and raised here where his father had bought and run a sawmill now the site of the club. There is a lovely walk along the shore from the club into town that is all park land. Originally it was housing and dockage for sailing vessels but a fire burnt down all the buildings. Bouctouche, unlike Kingston, turned its waterfront into parkland.

The first day we had breakfast in town and then Tom and Sue came by and drove us to liquor and grocery stores and then a quick tour around including the Irving Arboretum across the road from here. It’s very beautiful with many well maintained flower beds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off the dock at 9am and carefully made it out of the harbour seeing 5.2’ on the way out … both boats draw 4.5’. There was a hint of sun which quickly ended giving way to light rain as we neared our destination.

Just out of the five mile channel I heard a slight change in engine noise and realized that water was no longer being pumped through the engine. Radioed Ramble On and they stood by as I dropped the anchor in about 12’ of water. Sure enough the strainer was clogged. I had noticed a nearby lobster trap as I dropped anchor. What I hadn’t noticed was how slack the line to the trap was, almost parallel to the surface! Hauled up the anchor and reversed rather going forward to avoid the line. Whew.

Out of the Escuminac Harbour at 9:30 after paying out $15 per boat! We asked what time the fish processing store opened. The office woman said 9am but she’d call over. Sure enough we were told just to go over and they’d open the door for us. Got some shrimp, scallops and lobster meat.

Dull, grey day and another exciting lobster pot avoidance day which lasted for

a few hours. After that was it was a straight run in the Northumberland Strait. Saw one other sailboat on the horizon going the other way otherwise it was just us —— guess it was too far for the fishing boats.

A dull and rainy morning. We set off at 1pm to make the short 15 nm hop to position ourselves for the calmer weather tomorrow in the Northumberland Strait. many hundreds more lobster pots and we crossed over (according to the chart) The Lump and The Swashway.

We are in a harbour that has the largest fishing fleet in the Gulf of St Lawrence. There are two basins. We went into the inner one to get diesel but at times we only had a foot under of water under our keels. A lot of fishing boats had just come in and were refuelling so we were directed to the outer basin where we tied up and rafted together. Fuel dock opens at 8am with no competition as all the boats will be out. However it’s also low tide so we think we’ll carry on and get fuel at the next stop.

Off the dock at 4am along with the rest of the fishing fleet. Calm seas, sunny skies and little wind meant for a calm voyage across Chaleur Bay into New Brunswick waters. Surprised to see how many lobster pots there were even in 350’ of water.

Off Miscou Island we encountered all the fishing boats in the world and lottsa and lottsa of lobster pots. No straight course here!! Several friendly waves from close by boats and one radioed us to find out where we were from and going to … he then wished us a good voyage.

Left at 9am with a send of party of the kind folks who entertained us in Gaspé.

For the first 3 miles it was rolling with the waves a beam but after we turned to travel the 17 nm down the bay the winds and waves were behind us. Still rolling but more tolerable. Winds in the 20s and gusting to high 30s.

Turning around Pointe Pierre we could see the awesome sight of Percé Rock. We were able to sail some of the 5 nm under jib only. Each boat took pics of the other around the famous Rock.

Gaspé was discovered/found by Jacques Cartier in 1534. Many french left when the British under General Wolfe seized the area and later the British had an initiative to settle the british here. Today there is a strong english and french community.

Linda has very good friends here who loaned us their car to get privions and sight see. They gave us a big lobster dinner with their extended multi-generational family. Great hearing their views of life and country in this part of Canada. A wonderful group of people, indeed.

Went to Percé Rock today and to visit l’Anse-a-Beaufils where we hope to overnight soon. Good thing we went as the docks are not in yet! However, we did have lunch at La Vieille Usine. All 3 of us had smoked salmon pizza …. yum-yum!

After we bought 6 pints across the harbour from Microbrasserie Pit Caribou.

Tomorrow we leave *IF* the winds die down. The last 2 days have been gusting to 35 knots. The winds were supposed to be diminishing noonish tomorrow but now some wind apps are showing 50+ !