Thessalon, Ontario Moorage
I'm happy to report that washing Nellie twice yesterday rid her of the nat infestation. Serendipitously, the nat hunt ridded us of many stowaway spiders too. Their webs were so clogged with nats that the spiders were easy to find. Also, the spiders were easy targets since they were lethargic from all the nat feasting. The really good news for Nellie is that Canada dropped all the charges related to importing invasive species.
Breakfast of Champions
So, what does one do when there are places to go and things to do? Taking a page from my brother John's book, we went to breakfast. Thessalon only has one shop open at 6 am. They serve fresh cinnamon rolls and coffee. It's a great start to any mariners day.
With Rocks Everywhere We Can't Have Too Much Information
Last week I couldn't identify the North Channel on a map. Today we have to navigate along it. What I've learned so far is that it does look very much like the Puget Sound only it's shallower and littered with rocks. We need to remember the advice the new aircraft carrier captain got from the admiral, "Keep the boat off the rocks and the water out of the boat and you'll be fine."
Steaks on the Barbie
So what's cruising all about? The picture above sums it up beautifully. Why, at times like this does John Masefield's Sea Fever come to mind?
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.
Thessalon, Ontario to Turnball Island, Ontario
Another thing I didn't know about the North Channel is that the best anchorages don't start until Turnball Island which is 40 miles east of Thessalon. But what an Anchorage it is! Nellie is in 13' of very clear water with 60' of chain out; we plan to sleep well. Today's journey ups our total to 1443 miles. DBH
