Eastbound!

Tuesday August 26

Kent, Stewart and Ali arrived at 2pm…thank you Air Canada! The fog lifted enough for Stew and Kent to see Marble Mountain, Corner Brook and Cox’s Cove. But this wasn’t a sightseeing tour, we had 590nm to Quebec City. Broomstick Brew Pub, Corner Brook, was the first stop!

A few more groceries and then the boat safety briefing, head (loo) briefing!, gear distributed and cabins allotted. PredictWind had changed over the weekend (red is ok but strong winds) so departure was to be early the next morning for a 36 hour sail.

Wednesday August 27

Left Cox’s Cove at 9am after Banana Pancakes. It was sad to leave NL; skies were clear and we had magnificent views of the vertical topography and amazing geology of The Rock.

It was 2 hours of flat, wind on the nose, motoring before we got to open water so a good acclimatization to a ‘moving’ Tikaani. However, that was not to last. We hoisted sails with the winds 15kts and on the beam but the wave action was squirly and built up quickly. Stew had taken a gravol, but it didn’t work and he was down. Sailing was great at 6-7kts while we kept Stew hydrated, warm and hoped it would pass quickly. Not much ship traffic. With 3 on watch, the night shift was unstructured – we all watched the slivered moon descend at 9:30 and stars light the sky. The next harbour was to be the Quarry Island bay in the Mingan Islands, PQ. We had stayed there in June – it’s a very sheltered bay. There is something very calming about entering a familiar anchorage!

Thursday August 28

Crossing the Gulf was a ‘ride’ – winds consistent but waves building from aft to beam. Lots of tea/hot chocolate and warm clothes despite the sunshine. Almost 24 hours to the minute, Stew emerged fully recovered! So much so that he made a delicious pasta that night. As we approached the Mingan Islands the wind and waves calmed and we started spotting Minke and Fin Whales, Porpoise, Seals and Puffins, Shearwaters, and Northern Gannets. A Fin Whale crested right in front of our bow – our closest encounter yet! Arrival time at Quarry Is was 9:30pm, and it was a little worrisome as we ploughed through a fogbank to get there.  Happily we put the anchor down in the dusk; a beautiful, quiet night.

Friday August 29

Left Quarry as the fog was lifting (after bacon & eggs!). Mingan Islands are beautiful and we continued to spot lots of sea life. PredictWind forecasted East winds for the day and, Hallelujah!, they were right! Under Main, Genoa and Staysail (adding 3^rd sail added 1 kt of speed) we were able to maintain 8kts in a calm sea state – WOW! Considering we were mentally prepared to motor the whole way home because of prevailing winds and currents, we were feeling very lucky! The new crew worked the helm – tricky on a downwind with the waves building on the back quarter. Shifts were 9pm-1am and 1am to 5am. Good sailing into the evening, a little drop at midnight but back sailing by nautical dawn, 5am.  

Saturday August 30

Hot oatmeal and tea, all morning! Naps through the day, motoring in a calmish sea state. Turned the corner at Pointe Des Monts and fighting current… so it starts.

Next destination: Tadoussac; this is where the tidal currents start and timing makes all the difference. Need to arrive 3 hours before high tide or 1 hour after. Winds supposed to be benign. Steve our Tide-mathematician!