Second half of July: OCC / RNSYS Rally - by Elsie

We arrived in Shelburne, Nova Scotia on 12th July after a fantastic passage from Provincetown. The rain hit us as we turned into the bay and it was cold enough for four layers.  After the lovely customs and immigration people paid us a visit and stamped us into the country, we both collapsed and slept. A good tip, stick the cruising number customs gives you in a window so that if you are not there or asleep they can still check up on you and don’t need to revisit.

Shelburne Yacht Club (temporary clubhouse)

The next morning, we awoke to wall to wall sunshine. The yacht club kindly let cruisers use their dingy dock and showers even when they are anchored. Sadly, the club house had a fire on the 19^th May and they were housed in a portacabin with tables and chairs under a huge Bimini to shade from the sun and make sure you don’t get wet in the rain. They thoughtfully provide garbage disposal as well. Friendly folk who stopped to ask if you wanted a lift to the Mall were politely told no thank you as we needed to stretch our legs. The laundry was only up the road and there was a change machine, hurrah, and the Farmers Market was on the go down on the shore, it being a Saturday. Not many vegetables left when we got there but lots of home baking, loaves of bread and cake. We passed many establishments with menus and one of the items that caught my eye was haddock in beer batter and chips, yum. I haven’t had a decent fish supper for about a year so I persuaded the skipper that he didn’t want to cook a meal on the boat and we should go out for our supper. To be honest it didn’t take much persuading.

 Looking at the weather, before we left Ruby, for the next week, there were three days of wind that we could move north with. We are joining a cruise in company in Halifax by Thursday 25^th run jointly by OCC/ Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron. We have never been on a rally before and didn’t know how we would like it. It was an experiment. One of our objections in the past has been that no matter what the weather is if the rally says go you must go. We would try this two week cruise in company. As we want to make good progress north, we decided we would only stop in Shelburne for a couple of days and sail north on Monday. Therefore, the priorities were food shopping, laundry and water.  We took a stroll up King Street to the supermarket which was surprisingly cheap with lots of fresh fish and a good bakery department, so we bought what we needed in the next 24 hours then returned to the boat for the laundry. While we waited for the washing machine to do its stuff, we picked one of the many pubs and had a leisurely meal of fish and chips and sampled the local beer and cider. My cider, No boats on a Sunday, was delicious, but expensive. One for a wee treat every now and again. Lionel seemed to like his beer as well. The food was good. Haddock is such a treat for this Scots girl. My only criticism would be the batter was a little doughy, the oil must have not been hot enough. We checked with the bar maid about tipping in Canada, as we did not want to seem stingy. 10 to 15% seems to be in order, a bit like USA.

The afternoon was spent drying laundry, finding out about Shelburne, sleeping and reading. Shelburne was settled by the French in the late 17^th century but after several reincarnations it became a viable town when Loyalists, escaping from America during the War of Independence, came in huge numbers. The name was changed from Port Roseway to Shelburne to honour the then prime minister of the United Kingdom. Ship building and fishing have been the main industries in the town which have a number of museums dedicated to those subjects. There seemed to be lots to do and see and it is a very friendly town so after looking at the weather again we decided to stay till Wednesday and recharge our batteries.

The next few days were wall to wall sunshine so we didn’t visit any of the museums, instead we took advantage of the rail track that the district had made into a walking trail and did some exercise. The countryside is very like the north of Scotland, shady lanes, pine forests and marsh land. The first part of the trail was a three mile walk through the town itself. Very nice but as we progressed out into the country it got wilder with lots of marshland on either side of the track. Marshland means bugs and we both got eaten. I would highly recommend carrying good bug spray with you if you ever go walking in Nova Scotia and wear a hat. One spray in the morning is definitely not enough. At one point we had to wade through a flood, I did ask if there were any snakes in these parts! As we walked back to the town along quiet lanes, I remarked on the similarities to Rhu Na Haven Road in Aboyne but on a much bigger scale. The houses were built in clearings on huge plots surrounded by trees. Sometimes there was just a glimpse of a chimney from the road. All of them were either built of wood or some sort of tongue in groove plastic. They must be very well insulated as it goes down to -15C here in winter. There were a lot of the plots undeveloped and we speculated on the price. After checking out some estate agents’ windows we found that a plot of a few acres was affordable but it’s too cold in the winter to settle here.

Lionel contacted the OCC Port Officers as a courtesy and it happened their boat was in the marina being readied for their cruise to Barbados in the Autumn. We went over to meet them and swapped stories about mutual places we had been and people we both knew. The club has an active social wing as well as sailing and we invited them to join us on Tuesday evening, our last night here, for a drink but it was their wedding Anniversary and they were going out for a romantic meal.  There was easy access to the fuel dock so instead of carrying water back and forward in jugs we took Ruby over and filled up the tanks. Lionel was rather disappointed to find the diesel and petrol was cheaper here than in USA. We had specifically filled up before we left Marion because he thought Canada was more expensive for fuel and finding fuel docks in remote areas is always problematic. And then we realised that we were buying litres, not gallons.  Another bonus, the water was free and drinkable. The anchorage and moorings were quickly filling up and we spotted another OOC pendant in the bay so the next morning we dinghied over to say hello. It turned out that Ann and Frank on Scot Free crossed over the Atlantic the same year as us and have spent the last three years doing more or less the same, Caribbean in the winter and USA in the summer. We were on our way for yet another walk so we asked them if they would like to meet that evening for a drink and natter, which we did and a good time was had by all. The Commodore  of the club came from Dundee and she joined us and told us the story of how she and her husband ended up living in Shelburne. We knew we would be up early the next morning so we excused ourselves before the pub quiz started and retired to bed.

On Wednesday 17^th July we regretfully left Shelburne with a light south westerly wind forecast. We had identified a few possible anchorages on our way just in case we got bored with the light winds but our preferred destination was Port Medway on the River Medway, about 60 miles away. We left around 8am giving ourselves plenty of time. The wind can be fickle in these river bays as it is in the sea lochs on the west of Scotland so one minute, we were sailing along nicely with the sails full the next the sails were flogging around looking for a breeze. The decision was made to motor sail to the mouth of the river then try to goose wing north east. We are now quite slick in setting up the preventor and pole to goose wing. For you landlubbers, goose wing means putting the main sail and jib out on different sides of the boat when the wind is directly behind the boat. The wind should be slightly more in favour of the main sail, sailing by the wind, so the main is in less danger of an accidental gybe. A good preventor is a necessity when doing this as it is (supposed) to stop the wind getting on the wrong side of the main and causing it to fly over to the other side (accidental gybe) which may damage or even break the boom and rigging. There are many theories about how is the best way to rig up a preventor and really it is personal preference and wind strength that dictates which way a sailor will use. In fickle winds we always try to get the best leverage which means stringing the preventor from the end of the boom to the most forward cleat and back to the back cleat in the cockpit so it is easily tightened or slackened. With the sails set and one reef in the main we made good speed with the wind building as the day progressed Early afternoon we put in another reef after we hit a maximum speed of 10.7 knots. We had been hampered with fog most of the day, not dense fog, but it was good to see the land as it lifted late afternoon and we had an easy passage into the River Medway and up to the town. In seeing a lone yacht moored in a bay just before the village, Lionel decide to anchor there for the night as it gave more shelter from the expected wind than the suggested anchorage around the corner opposite the town. We arrived at 5:30 pm just in time for a rest before cocktail hour and dinner. It took us just over 9 hours and our average speed was 6.9 knots.

We awoke the next morning to the sun splitting the sky. It was going to be hot and we needed some exercise so we prepared well with bug spray and hats and lots and lots of water. There was no obvious place to land a dingy at the harbour but after some discussion with two old sailors they thought it would be best if we tucked ourselves in a corner which was barred off by a hanging loose rope. The ladders were long and steep but I managed. Lionel did cheer me up by mentioning the climb back down would be even longer as the tide would be out by the time we got back. We had decided to walk out to the lighthouse in the river, about a six mile walk there and back. The town is a sleepy little place with houses strung along the main streets with large gardens, some tended, some left to nature. The French originally named the place Port Motare and it was a thriving shipping community, shipping salted and dried fish to the US, Caribbean and South America and lumber all over the world. Alas, it now has some very small fishing boats and relies on tourists as its main occupation. There is maybe a couple of hundred people who live in the community. As a local pointed out, you can’t come to Port Medway on the way to somewhere. The road ends here.

The walk to the Medway Head Lighthouse was a hot one but once there we were rewarded with views out to the Atlantic and the buoys at the entrance to the river booming out their fog horn warnings on a spectacularly clear day. The horn is wave activated and must boom 24 hours a day, seven days a week as the swell is constant. There were no tours of the lighthouse that day. The tours are Saturday to Monday and Wednesday 11am to 3pm. As we had come that far we decided to walk to Long Cove another half mile or so to get the full tour.  This was a little harbour with maybe half a dozen houses round it, some were just ruins but others looked lived in. The path stopped here abruptly. Time to turn back.

As we approached the junction of the roads which was all intent in purpose the centre of the village, a lady shouted us over to the Baptist Church and congratulated us on our epic walk. She had been doing her house work as we had walked out the road earlier, and now, she was the custodian of the church. The church had been closed a few years ago, there had been only three parishioners and it was not viable to employ a preacher so she opened the church for a few hours every day during the summer months, sold second hand books and told tourists the story of the church and the village. The money she made paid for the building insurance. The love of her church shined out her eyes as she eagerly told us her stories. She asked earnestly if either of us played the piano, we could play this one if we wanted. Regrettably we said no. Sighing, she wished us well and suggested we deserved an ice cream from the local café next door after our long sticky walk which we thought was a great idea as well. It was delicious and very good value for money. An old man came in for his lunchtime coffee and plonked himself down at our table. He introduced himself and we got a potted version of his life story and the story of the village. He had worked in the merchant navy for most of his life and liked to tell a tale. He mentioned the history weekend which started the next day and the fact that the café became a pub on the Friday night with live music supplied by a local band. The waitress told us if we wanted a meal, we would be better to come in early as it got very busy. Early to us is around 7 but she said no, be here for 5:30 if you want a seat. They did not take any reservations, it was first come first served. She wasn’t kidding.

 We bought a few supplies and then returned to Ruby for a well deserved rest. It sounded fun so we decided to stay for another day, having a lazy forenoon and turning up about 3pm to have a look round the history exhibition and eat some free food put on by the committee. It was interesting to see the different eras of Port Medway. It had been a busy little place in the past with a population over 5000. The main industries were well documented but Port Medway also had a part in the gold rush, it being a very small short part. The gold was hard to get to and too much time and effort was needed. Ah well. There were also many school and church pictures and some of families picnicking on the shore. Many locals were oohing and aaing at them, reminiscing about bygone days and family members no longer alive.  We had a short walk around the rest of the community then went for our pub meal and entertainment at the Grocer. The place was packed and we got the last table. There was a birthday party going on which seemed to have taken even the staff by surprise. We didn’t mind waiting as it was far too early to eat, in our opinion, so we amused ourselves by watching the band tune up and play a few familiar (and some not so familiar) tunes. Our meal eventually appeared. We didn’t mind the wait and tried to put the staff at ease as they seemed to be very harassed. The food was good. The music was OK. The dancers were hilarious. In the break, the owner of the restaurant came out and gave a speech thanking people and telling the audience to enjoy themselves. “We’re going to part all night long, the band stops playing at 10pm” This had us in stitches, our kind of party. No late nights here!

On Saturday 20^th July we upped anchor and headed out. The wind was forecast to be light and variable. We didn’t know how far we were going to go, so we identified a few anchorages along the way just in case we got fed up motoring. However, the wind was kind although it was from straight behind again so with one reef in the main and the cruising chute deployed, we goose winged up the coast. It got no stronger than Force 3 or 4 so it was safe to leave the cruising chute up. We don’t like using the chute in winds over maybe 15 knots as experience tells us that the safety line, a small piece of string that is statically placed at the foot of the chute, breaks. For a few years we had this at the top and when the wind got too strong the sail was dumped into the water. Lionel had to then rescue it and we had to somehow rinse it in fresh water and dry it off. Not an easy job. Now the safety line is at the foot which means it just flies and doesn’t get wet although it is far easier for it to get ripped on all the stuff attached to the mast. We had a good sail and turned into Sambro Bay at 4pm. There we took the chute down and motored towards a nice anchorage opposite the fishing pier at the town. I’m calling it a town, a few large houses. This could be a suburb of Halifax as the city is just round the next point and maybe 15 miles away by road. We had our small anchorage to ourselves and it was very comfortable with the prevailing south westerly wind. Another yacht was anchored the other side of the small island we were beside and we noticed that two boats were anchored just off the passage between the mainland and some very large rocks, This would be OK if you managed to get the prime spot but the swell would have made the night quite uncomfortable for the other boat.

The next morning, as we were having breakfast, a commotion broke out at the fishing pier. One large boat seemed to have taken a smaller boats space and they were not happy. Horns were blown and lots of shouting but eventually the big boat moved over to let the other boat in so they could unload that nights catch. Having made excellent time yesterday, we had a late start, 10am, and motored towards Halifax. We were not due to be at the Yacht Club till Thursday so Lionel had identified an anchorage on McNab’s Island. There was very thick fog, so I set the fog horn and we motored slowly round the point and towards Halifax, trying to make out buoys as we went along. It helps that Lionel understands the radar because of his work on “big” ships many years ago and he watched the screen closely. At one point another boat went down our port side but we never even got a glimpse of it.

Approaching Halifax

 As we passed Duncan Cove, the fog lifted and yes, there was a city there.

First glimpse of Halifax

 We were in the correct spot. At midday we hoisted the sail with two reefs and sailed along the west shore. The wind was very fickle and there was the added problem of staying outside the separation zone, a motorway for large boats going in and out of Halifax, so we dropped the sail and motored into a beautiful anchorage in Ives Cove. The whole island is a designated park with the usual rules and regulations but there seemed to be a little landing jetty which meant we could take the dingy over and go for a walk if we wanted to.

McNabs island

However, us being lazy, and it being a Sunday we opted for books and sleep. We had found out on Active Captain that it was possible to take the boat into the city and tie up during the day for free. There was about four or five floating pontoons where you could do this, one very close to a large supermarket. We needed stores and provisions so we made this our plan for the next day. Lionel phoned the published number to register and we were given a number which we had to display while we were on the dock. Sounds easy. We were also told that we could tie up anywhere on the pontoons as long as there was not a reserved sign. These spaces were for boats who were staying the night and paying for that privilege so they got priority. Sounds fair to me. After dinner we watched the black clouds gathering. We were in for a bit of a wet blow. It only lasted ten minutes but the thunder and lightning were spectacular and the rain did fall. Thank goodness we were anchored with 40 metres of chain out because we swung about like a cat on speed.

The next morning, we had breakfast then lifted the anchor early. We thought the earlier we went, the more spaces there would be. Our preferred pontoon was Bishop’s Landing, right in the heart of downtown Halifax. We found a vacant spot and quickly secured Ruby. There was one other yacht on the 30 minute waiting dock but the rest were empty. The pontoons are run by Develop Nova Scotia Waterfronts and their office is beside the tourist information centre. There is no need to book in unless you are staying the night. There is water and electric on the pontoons. The water is free, use your own hose, and it is potable. We did speak to one of the employees. The 30 minute dock is no longer time constrained – use it like the rest. The water has to be turned on by taps which are hidden in the old pylons, the taps on the consoles are not connected and there are lots and lots of spaces further down the water front which are a bit more private but are further away from the shops and attractions.

Ships stores were at their lowest for a long time so we decided to walk to the supermarket and see what we could see. The supermarket was only a very short ten minute walk from Bishops Landing and it was very well stocked with lots of bargains – coffee, tins of mushrooms, maple syrup, honey, cranberry juice, - everything someone needs to make the cruising life bearable! Having bought as much as we could carry, we returned to Ruby. Lionel’s first career was in the merchant navy and he spent some time in Nova Scotia working on an oil support vessel. One of his favourite pubs in Halifax was called The Split Crow which I had found out was still there. We decided to have a bit of a nostalgic lunch and walked there along streets that had definitely changed since he was last here 40 years ago. However, the pub hadn’t, although he was not greeted with “your usual is it?” The lunch was good and we wiled away a few hours listening to stories of Lionel’s misspent youth!

There was a guided walk done by students starting at 3pm so we hurried up to the Citadel, a very long climb, and joined Katie for an informative walk round downtown Halifax. Katie was a music student at one of the many universities in Halifax and had lived just across the water in Dartmouth all her life. Her chosen instrument of torture was French horn which impressed us as it is a very difficult instrument to play. The tour took over two hours and ended at the water front next to the pontoon Ruby was on. As well as interesting historical facts, Katie littered her commentary with personal anecdotes and quirky stories making it very entertaining.

Halifax claims to be the second largest natural port in the world, the biggest being Sydney. They have a few places who would like to argue that point though. The city was named after the 2^nd Earl of Halifax and it became the colonial capital in 1749. Major employers are Department of Defence, seven Universities, Halifax shipyard, various levels of Government, Port of Halifax and fishing, mining, forestry and natural gas extraction. Because of the large natural harbour, it has always had a military link and this is where the Atlantic convoys gathered before they crossed the Atlantic in the war. They also lay claim of the biggest artificial explosion (apart from the nuclear bomb) in the history of man. In December 1917 a French cargo ship, SS Monte-Blanc, and a Belgian relief ship, SS Imo, collided in dense fog in The Narrows. The French ship was carrying munitions and it caught fire. When the fire reached the hold there was an almighty explosion which killed 2000 people outright and 9000 were injured. The Richmond District was flattened. To make it worse, during that night a blizzard started and people froze to death as they had no shelter. The people of Nova Scotia and Boston rallied round. Some of the stories told are heart breaking. A film crew had interviewed survivors in the 1990s and they have tapes of their stories which people can hear in the Maritime Museum. I am glad that someone had the foresight to do these interviews so that the eye witness accounts will never be lost.

On Monday evening we returned to the McNab’s Island anchorage for our very light dinner and a very peaceful night. Tuesday followed the same pattern – in the morning we tied up to the pontoon at Bishops Landing, did some shopping in the morning, some sightseeing in the afternoon and returned to the anchorage at night. The OCC Port Officer, John, kindly gave Lionel a lift to fill our propane bottle. His help was much appreciated as it was some distance. There were a lot of spaces reserved on the pontoons but we managed to squeeze into a space on a 90 foot pontoon. There was a 35 foot boat due late afternoon but Lionel measured the space we had left and there was plenty of room for them to tie up and some more space left so we were surprised to get an email in the afternoon asking us to move as there was not enough room for the boat. Lionel replied that we had left enough and we settled down to watch a film at the Maritime Museum. When we returned to Ruby, we saw the problem. Yes, the boat was 35 foot but their dingy was up on davits at the stern, adding on another few feet. However, they managed to get in and be quite comfortable.

On Wednesday we hurried alongside to do some shopping then went around to the The Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron where we took a mooring. We were going to a “posh” dinner here on Thursday evening to mark the beginning of our cruise in company. I thought clean clothes would be a good idea as there would be a lot of socialising in the next few weeks. I also discovered that my “dress” sandals were no longer wearable. They were covered in mould which would not wipe off and the metal buckle had gone rusty so some shoe shopping would have to be done. We had a look round the club and spoke to John again. Very nice place but the emphasis is on racing more than cruising as we found out that evening. 35 boats went out for Wednesday night racing evening and yes, 35 boats came back in.

Race Night

 I did the laundry on Thursday morning and we caught the bus at the main gate of the club into the shopping mall, a journey of about 20 minutes. It was exact change only and they did not have card facilities but the bus driver let us ride for free. I eventually found a pair of acceptable sandals and we arrived back at the club in time for a rest then off we went to the dinner.  We had met six other sailors who were on the cruise on our return bus journey. They seemed nice chatty people and we exchanged news about where we were going and where we had been. Little did we know that this small group were the nucleus of another 4 boats which was going to make our remaining time in Nova Scotia a remarkable trip. The dinner was good, we got more information about the cruise and met most of the people who we would be cruising with. There was no grand departure planned. It was go at your own pace so we decided to go back to our little anchorage beside McNab’s Island on Friday morning and relax before the social whirlwind of the next few weeks happened. Two cruise liners were in the harbour, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

This was unusual so the harbour authorities asked them to do a parade around the harbour bay before they left for their separate next ports. It was spectacular to see the two Queens together and of course Theodore Too had to show them the way. Theodore is a tug boat in a children’s TV program. Think of Thomas the Tank Engine but on water. The fire boat was out there as well, spraying everyone who came too near. Spectacular.

On Saturday we lifted anchor at 0910 and motored out of Halifax Harbour and towards Rogue’s Roost, our first night’s destination of the cruise in company. We knew Halifax was our turning point this year but people kept on telling us that the further North you sail the more scenic it gets so we might be back. It would not have been a day that we would have chosen to sail 25 miles but this was what we were going to have to learn to do in the next few weeks – go with the fleet. The wind never got over a southerly 2 but we did sail for part of it and arrived in Rogues Roost ahead of the main fleet. It was a small anchorage for so many boats so we decided to put out an anchor marker and put out fenders on both sides, yes it was tight. However, almost everyone got in and those who did not anchored in the next even smaller bay. It was a picturesque spot with no houses but also no place to land. Our intrepid leader Dick came alongside to introduce himself, followed by a few others, all experienced long distance sailors who had a lot of knowledge about this part of the world to share. We decided to have a quiet night and were in our beds by 10pm. I think some of the parties went on a lot longer.

The next morning, we awoke to thick fog which made the anchorage look rather eerie.

 Some of the boats had been invited to a pot luck supper on Young Island. Peter and Terry, OCC port officers welcomed us to their beautiful log cabin house.

Our host

That makes it sound basic and primitive, it was not. It was everything I would love in a house, open plan living area with kitchen and dining incorporated in it, a mezzanine den and bathroom and bedrooms tucked into the space left. They had sailed a 40 foot boat and yes you have guessed the house was 40 foot long but I am guessing far more luxuries than their boat. There were 2 moorings out in the cove which they allowed us to use but we opted to anchor in the cove behind the island. It was a beautiful peaceful place.

What a setting!

The company was great fun and the food was good. Stories were told and I think firm friendships were made that day. Great group of people which we are looking forward to getting to know better.

On Monday morning we left rather reluctantly and managed a good sail in a south westerly 3 to La Have Yacht Club. I know I am using “spectacular” and “wonderful” too many times but this place was both and some more. We have always said we are floating about the world looking for our forever home and I think we have just found one of our top three. There are all types of properties along the river and on the numerous islands. We were only sorry we would not have the time to explore the area fully as we were on a time schedule with the cruise. We anchored off the La Have Yacht Club and ashore we received a rousing welcome from the members and volunteers. As we had bought a load of fresh food, we opted for a starter between us but the meals served looked appetizing, the drinks were cold and the company was chatty. We eventually dragged ourselves away at about 8 and returned to Ruby for our evening meal and sleep.

It had been arranged the next morning that there was going to be a collective trip to the bakery which was just down the river. Instead of everyone taking their dinghies or walking the three miles, Grayce (with a Y) had volunteered to pick people up, motor down to the pontoon at the bakery and bring everyone back. I decided not to go as I had a lot of tidying up to do and with Lionel out of the way the job would be so much easier. After the 8am roll call, it was decided that Jim and Joanne would start their taxi run at 9am. They skilfully swung round Five and Dime and picked up the waiting hungry sailors and away they went.

 What we did not realise was that everyone was going for breakfast and the bakery was only a small part of the shopping complex. At around midday they returned with all sorts of crafty things, glass rings, enamel earrings and of course yummy pastries and fattening cakes. A good time was had by all. We had a very lazy afternoon and last nights drinks and snacks were repeated at the Yacht Club. Good conversation, a few laughs, lots of eating and drinking and meeting and greeting new friends. It was a good night.

We headed up the La Have river to Bridgewater the next day. The town had the same idea with the pontoons as Halifax but on a smaller scale, a boat could tie up during the day for nothing but either had to pay or leave at night. The river was still and there were very few boats on it. The banks had a scattering of houses, some large, some small. It looked very beautiful and peaceful. Some of the riverside properties had a private pontoon at the bottom of the garden and some had moorings as well. I could definitely see us living in such an environment when we give up full time sailing. Bridgewater is the end of the line of any large boat as there is a low bridge over the river. As we tied up, we saw Scott Free tied up at the marina. Ann and Frank were just getting their bikes of the boat so Lionel hopped into the dingy and sped over to have a catch up. They were enjoying Nova Scotia as much as we were but taking it at a far slower pace and doing far more exercise on their bikes than we were walking. It was good to catch up with them and they pointed out where the start of todays walk was. We had decided to walk to Rhodenizer Lake via an old railway track that had been made into a trail. It was scenic countryside but very hot and I was glad we had taken two bottles of water with us. It was a bit disappointing when we got to the lake as there were private houses all around it and no public access so we had to turn around and walk back without a paddle. Next stop was the supermarket. I have to admit I did spend a lot of time round the freezer section just to cool down. After lunch, Ann and Frank appeared, to invite us to join them at one of the small microbreweries in the town. I know its not like us but we declined, the walk had exhausted both of us. We blamed the heat of course. We motored back to the yacht club and dropped anchor for the night. Everyone had moved on so we did not bother to go ashore but spent the last evening of July quietly on Ruby contemplating how lucky we were to live the life we do.

Monthly stats:

Over ground   577
Log                 681