After a good night in Granite Bay, we decided to have a look in Small Inlet, it is a marine park, and at the head is a wonderful hike to Waiatt Bay, which we had done before but from the other side.    We anchored along a granite wall, very steep, it was still blowing like crazy, well over 30 knots, williwaws i thought……..and yes, we got pounded by them, but, this was after the hike.  We stayed two nights, because the wind was just crazy out there, in Johnstone Strait.   Waiatt Bay has been mentioned in books for the large clam gardens and shell middens, actually, the whole beach, where it goes into the shore is all midden, i could not even try to guess how old these are.   The forest is marvelous, deer ferns, maple trees, large firs , Sitka  spruce, and the total peace and quiet only a forest can give you. We left on July 22, and i received well over 10 birthday wishes, the only thing missing was the cake……

We left Comox on the 18th of July, and actually did some sailing, the current runs hard as you come towards Discovery passage, crazy wild water at Cape Mudge, it was very busy there, lots of people fishing, apparently the fishing is very good right now.     We decided to anchor in Gowlland harbour, nice and quiet in there, plus we discovered that Camp Homewood is there.   Maybe our granddaughter Jess was there……     We went across to Campbell River in the dinghy , not until the next morning though, Bert was tired, and the wind just howled outside of the harbour. Plus,  It runs at 6 knots there, so we really wanted the tide with us!!!!     The next morning we had coffee with Toni and Bill in their 5th wheel, so good to see them again, it was high time!!!      We stayed two nights, on the 20th we planned to motor towards Seymour Narrows, planning for slack turning to ebb, but we started out too soon, and had to head back into Gowlland, it was still running at 6 knots, we were going backwards.!!!!!      Hour and a half later we tried again, this time it looked ok, but at the entrance to Gowlland harbour we heard “Opa, Opa !!!!!   thats my Opa’s boat!!!!  And there was Jess , in a canoe , together with a friend, so we chatted for a bit, i took some photos of her, and by that time the current had really settled, so away we went.    I dont want to go through there again, really dont, the wind came up and it blew 38 knots, NW, right on the nose, so, current with us, but you could have fooled me, we hardly moved at all!!!!      The waves built to 4,5 feet, but we pushed on, oh joy, and after 5 hours, ended up at Kanish bay, and anchored in Granite Bay.  Its quite protected, and quiet.  We had a good night.

We have been travelling a while now again, mostly motoring, some sailing, as we motor , we use the watermaker, usually making about 18 to 24 gallons per day.  We try to keep the tanks full.   Bert cleans the filters every day, plus runs water, made by the watermaker through the system, to prevent crystals from forming, and keeping it all clean.     He just did an oil change on the engine, and every thing works well.     We are extremely grateful for this every day.  Our anchor really is my best “friend” on the boat, we have not had any trouble , it sets well, and holds very good. It is a 60 lbs.  Manson, from New Zealand.  We also have a CQR, 35 lbs. which is now our spare.      I am growing the vegies again, never did stop, and have bok choy, spinach, basil, purple basil, chives, peas, and mustard greens ,growing in the small containers, we use them all for salads, and their food value is enormous, better then the vegies themselves.     I have also been making kale chips, takes forever, but are they ever good!!!    Rip small pieces off the large leaves, clean them, dry them, put in large bowl, add 2 tbsp. of olive oil, some salt, stir well, put on baking sheet, they cannot touch each other, or they will become soft, then bake at 325, for about 10 minutes, they will turn color, and crisp.  Soooo good!!!!!!!