Position           44:28.09N 063:45.74W

Date                1705 (Canadian Atlantic) Monday 22 July 2013

Passage Run – 30.1nm – 28nm over the ground in 5hrs 00mins

It was sad to leave the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron as we had had a very comfortable time there, very much enjoying the company firstly of Ben Blake, From the s/v Atlantic, a J160 from Stonington, CT, and then with Dick Oppenheimer and Linda Dalton from the s/v Second Chance, a Hylas 46 from San Francisco, CA.  We had first met both of these boats in Shelburne and they were great company.  We hope that we have persuaded Dick and Linda to join the OCC.

Originally we intended to go much further east however delays earlier and other considerations have made us change our minds and we are now setting off back west to allow time to explore some of the many great sounding anchorages between here and Shelburne.

Today’s run may be only 10nm as the crow flies but there is a lot of ground in the way that you have to go around and very unusually for us, we tacked all of the way back to Chebucto Head, to boot.  In fairness it should be said that there were other yachts doing the same and it was necessary as a matter of pride to join in with some happy port and starboard cross tacks to show gentlemanly behaviour.  Caduceus performed unusually well, no sea running helped, despite our having to ¾ furl the genoa every time we tack in order to clear the staysail stay.

On the way to Chebucto Head we were passed by the experimental solar powered vessel, Turanor SolarPower that we had seen moored on the waterfront in Downtown Halifax. 

This Swiss registered motor vessel has circumnavigated relying purely on solar power.  It is a very strange looking craft and it was a great treat to see it underway.

Going west and having been assured that it was very well marked we used the Sambro Channel which, especially as we were rounding the headland to go north west cut a great deal of distance off. 

The chart shows our tracks inbound and outside the Sambro Ledges and outbound today through the Sambro Channel.  It also shows the many reefs and rocks that are scattered around and over which the sea breaks even in the benign conditions that we encountered.

Our destination, chosen from the pilot was the bay east of Hearn Island, just outside the narrow and difficult looking entry into Rogues Roost, of which more tomorrow.

The actual channels between the islands in this part of the world are often deep but fringed with rocks either breaking at low water but certainly to be respected.  We came to anchor off a delightful beach where three families were enjoying themselves with their boats drawn up on the beach beside them.  All waved cheerily as they set off home later in the day.  We are in a very friendly part of the world.

This coast is called the White Granite Coast for a good reason.  The sun setting cast a wonderful pink glow over the boulders.

Foodies note:  dinner as the sun set was Salmon and Scallops in a white wine sauce accompanied by roast potatoes and broccoli; the benefits of a shopping expedition whilst in Halifax.

The new screens over the rear cockpit windows provided ventilation and kept the mozzies at bay.