tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48319679430397098042024-02-19T02:08:40.788-08:00 Easy Go AdventuresEasy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-45104223590573821772013-11-24T08:06:00.000-08:002013-11-28T07:10:55.380-08:00Easy Go Lost<br />
Easy Go was lost on November 5, 2013 while on our way to the Caribbean directly from Cape Breton Island. This is a mid ocean route crossing the Gulf Stream around 60 degrees west. We found ourselves in very strong storm conditions in an area of the Gulf Stream with strong current some 700 miles off of Cape Cod. We were unable to work our way out of the complex conditions presented by wind over current after 5 days while steadily being driven east. We normally try to get across the Gulf Stream in less than one day. We left with a favorable weather forecast but found ourselves in trouble with many miles to go. Early winter brings on changeable conditions that make this particular passage challenging, even for those of us who have done it a number of times.<br />
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Easy Go performed well in beating to windward in 45 knots of wind for four days with the wind aligning with the current favorably. While rough Easy Go persisted. I was unable to cook or rest adequately in these conditions. When the wind shifted to NE and increased the situation became overwhelming with wind over current. The current in this area was running in excess of 3 knots. A series of small equipment failures (sails, electronics and water ingress), that in lesser conditions could have been rectified relatively simply, could not be addressed. My own fatigue and deteriorating condition was a major contributing factor. Making the decision to call for assistance while still afloat and with the energy to save myself was not easy but was necessary. I felt conditions would deteriorate further and this proved to be the case over the next few days with continuous gale to storm force winds followed quickly by Tropical Storm Melissa.<br />
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I put out a Mayday via SPOT. AMVER, via the US Coastguard arranged for two ships, Bishu Highway and Athina L to attempt a rescue. After waiting for conditions to improve we decided to abandon ship, in consultation with Athina L, in 6 meter waves and 40 knots of wind in the dark. More info about the rescue will be available at a later date.<br />
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Athina L took me to her next port of call in Hunterston, Scotland where I spent time recovering from injuries with the assistance of friends from the Ocean Cruising Club (OCC). I have since returned home to River Bourgeois, Cape Breton where I continue to recover. I mourn the loss of Easy Go. She took great care of me for a lot of ocean miles as did her predecessor the first Easy Go. There was no insurance so the next Easy Go will take some time to come to be. Lost everything but my life; the adventure continues.<br />
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In this article the "We" referred to is myself and Easy Go. I was sailing single handed. No lives were lost.Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-30268100817913391262013-10-28T08:10:00.000-07:002013-10-28T08:10:35.453-07:00Sailing South<br />
The time has come again to sail off south for the winter. Planning to head for Dominica directly from River Bourgeois, Cape Breton this time. Sailing single handed this trip. We'll see how it goes!<br />
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An additional feature on Easy Go is the SPOT Tracker located at:<br />
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<a href="http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0MrmEs6Ec6hKuuzlzQKpeI7W8uhdztG95" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">http://share.findmespot.com/<wbr></wbr>shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?<wbr></wbr>glId=<wbr></wbr>0MrmEs6Ec6hKuuzlzQKpeI7W8uhdzt<wbr></wbr>G95</a><br />
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This page will keep a running tab on the noonsight inputs from Easy Go for those wondering where I am.<br />
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<br />Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-3214992025958252252013-10-17T11:22:00.000-07:002013-10-17T11:22:01.208-07:00Return From Newfoundland to Cape Breton via St. Pauls Island<br />
All good things must come to an end. Cooler nights and the first forecast of northerly winds encouraged me to take a turn to the south and start working towards the Bras d'Or Lakes and home. After sitting out the winds that came before the wind shift I got in the anchor, which had slipped a bit on the shelf, and set off in relative calm with the motor to get out of the fjord and Bonne Bay. Winds were forecast to the NW and that is directly into the mouth of the Bay. Didn't want to get caught in a head wind and hoped that the promised shift would not be too long coming.<br />
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On the way out I saw Pelorus Jack anchored near Norris Point.<br />
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We got out of the Bay and the promised winds came up and rose quickly. Setting sail then taking in a reef as the wind came up was a great way to say goodbye to Newfoundland. The front passed through putting the winds into the high 20 knot range but with small seas. Great sailing with the wind on the starboard quarter, sails out to port and Reggy doing a fantastic job of steering. The winds diminished a bit after the passage of the front and we settled into our passage routine of watchkeeping, eating and sleeping. Good to be back at sea again putting the land behind us. Later in the day Pelorus Jack showed up on the AIS having left Bonne Bay shortly after I saw them. We had a nice chat on the radio. They were cruising down the coast while I was heading offshore. Old habits of sailing without an engine are hard to shed. I like to get at least 20 NM offshore before I can relax and get a little rest.<br />
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The winds diminished overnight but we were still able to sail well into the next day. During the night there was a display of Northern Lights. I woke up at one point and looked around. Sure enough there was a ship going by without displaying their AIS. Likely Coast Guard of Military. They routinely leave the AIS transmit off but keep good watch so not to worry.<br />
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Southeast of Cape Anguille, NFLD. the winds went very light and I decided to motorsail towards St. Pauls Island and Cape North, Cape Breton Island both of which were now clearly visible. I can see how the First Nations people travelled bewteen NFLD and Cape Breton without problem and never out of sight of land.<br />
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St Pauls Island has two lights, one at either end, and is the site of many ship wrecks. The tides conflict with the currents of the St Lawrence River and create serious rips. In heavy fog conditions one would not see the island before running into it as many ships have done over the centuries. No one lives on the island any longer but there are still lighthouses and the remains of the lifesaving station. There is no safe anchorage here and winds were forecast to rise so I decided to head towards Dingwall in behind Cape North to take a break and visit this part of Cape Breton.<br />
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While passing by St Pauls Island and crossing a current line I had the distinct priviledge of seeing the first of five leatherback turtles that I would see over the next three hours. These turtles are rare and seeing one is fortunate, five almost unheard of. A couple of turtles came as close as ten metres from Easy Go giving a great viewing opportunity.<br />
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Arrived at Dingwall around midnight on a clear but moonless night. Felt my way in with the digital charts picking out the mostly unlit buoys and through the narrow entrance to the harbour. Found the fisherman's wharf and tied up for the night. Up early the next morning in calm conditions and headed towards the Bras d'Or Lakes but once out of the bay I ran into head winds from the south so returned and anchored for the day and night while I explored the area of Dingwall. This predominantly fishing harbour has seen better times but I still got to speak with a few people and took a tour of the St. Pauls Island Museum located there. Also took a walk to the beach which is miles long and had no one but myself there.<br />
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The next day promised northerly winds so I set off towards the Bras d'Or Lakes early. The winds strengthened from the south so we spent the day tacking towards the entrance to the Bras d'Or Lakes. Arriving after dark at the entrance with an opposing tide we motored in making, at times, only one knot against the current. Fortunately the wind died down at sunset and the waters were calm. There are not many lighted buoys so using the digital charts on the tablet and a flashlight I was able to feel the way up the channel and pass through the Seal Island Bridge. Once past the bridge the fog started to settle down on the top of the hills. Time to find a place to anchor.<br />
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A large harbour, appropriately named Big Harbour was close by and being around 2:00 am was an easy place to get into and get the anchor down. Quiet and peaceful. I fell asleep quickly and soundly. Woke at 7:00 am completely fogged in. I had hoped for an early start but enjoyed a leisurely breakfast instead. The fog was starting to lift around 10:00 so I got in the anchor and headed towards Barra Straits.<br />
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The route through the lake is well marked and straight forward so I was able to enjoy the scenery as the skies cleared. Went through the bascule bridge at Barra Straits against the tide and continued on to St Peters Canal.<br />
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Outside of the canal I saw my friend Greg with a day charter on his sailboat. They came along side and we chatted while I prepared Easy Go to transit the St. Peters Lock and head on home. I called the lock. No Answer and only 4:15 in the afternoon. I got a call back from Gerry at the St. Peters Lions Marina that the lock was closed for the day. Parks Canada, managers of the lock, have reduced the hours considerably this year negatively impacting tourism in the area and inconveniencing local sailors. Hope they find the resources to get back to longer hours. Oh well, tied up to the wall below the lock, close to the swing bridge to get protection from the strong North East winds predicted for the night.<br />
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Walked over to Greg's house to use the phone and call Kathy to let her know I was staying in St. Peters for the night. Five more miles and I would have been home. Saw a few other people around the village and went to the Bras d'Or Lakes Inn for a beer and fish and chips. Nice change from my own cooking. After supper I went for a walk to the ocean side of the lock and saw Pelorus Jack tied up but no on aboard. Georgie and Harold from River Bourgeois were there in the car having ice cream so we visited for a while. Georgie looked down the wharf and said that she could see Kathy walking along. I said I didn't think so but Georgie was pretty sure she was right. And sure enough she was. Karin had brought Kathy to the lock to find me and say hello. A definite surprise! Thanks Karin for the very thoughtful gesture.<br />
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Kathy spent the night at the boat but the winds that were predicted made it impossible to continue the next day so we stayed tied to the wall. A few boats transited the lock towards the ocean side but went no further and tied up above the lock for the day. We spent the day visiting and getting some supplies.<br />
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The next day dawned calm with a little fog and drizzle but we locked through at 8:00 am with a couple of other boats and made our way home.<br />
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By noon Easy Go was tied to her mooring in River Bourgeois and the Newfoundland adventure was at an end.<br />
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<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249722133644145266/albums/5930968807340294337">See the photo essay with pictures of Dingwall.</a><br />
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<br />Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-75110613757777853942013-10-05T06:21:00.003-07:002013-10-05T06:34:27.489-07:00Bonne Bay - Gros Morne National Park - Part 2<br />
I cast the lines off from Woody Point early in the morning with mist and light rain falling and little wind. Later in the day the weather forecast indicated a strengthening of wind that could mack teh wharf at Woody Point a little uncomfortable.<br />
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Motoring, what a great new experience, over towards Neddy Harbour in behind Norris Point was the initial destination but I wanted a little wilderness experience to break up the visits to the communities. Decided to continue up the the East Arm after passing through the Tickle off Norris Point.<br />
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There is a small pocket bay at the very end of the East Arm that is reported to be very protected. I went in there to tray and find a place to anchor. The digital charts are way off in this area. Apparently I was tring to anchor part way up a mountain. Set the anchor five times on the shelf in this bay but the incoming brook has shoaled the waters so that in the swinging room after I anchored in two fathoms I found that I would dry out at low tide on one side while the other was in about six fathoms of water. Finally gave up and moved over to Lomond Cove where another sailboat and a motor boat were anchored in from of the beach. This is a Gros Morne National Park campsite and I thought it might be too busy. Not busy at all while I was there with the campsites in the woods the more popular location. Met the folks on Pelarus Jack and we had a good visit in in their covered cockpit sitting out the rain. We were both anchored in 5 to 6 fathoms on a sandy bottom that gave good holding.<br />
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The next day dawned sunny so it was time to go for a walk on the trails and scope out the services in the campground. There are indoor and outdoor showers here that are well appreciated. Decided to take a hike over to Stanleyville. This is the site of an old lumber camp and sawmill that predated the site of a similar industry that was once located in Lomond Cove. These two communities were rare in that their existence relied on the forest industry rather than the fishing industry. Both communities were abandoned after the supplies of logs dwindled.<br />
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Forgot to bring my camera for the hike and regretted the oversight half way across the trail. I saw one of the largest bull moose I have ever seen lumbering along the trail coming straight towards me. at least 20 points on the immense rack, large dew lap and not a concern in the world. I spoke to him, clapped my hands, shuffled my feet and on he came. When the big boy was about 20 feet away he stepped off the trail a little to let me pass. This is not a tame animal and I treated him with respect while quickly moving by. After I passed he slowly made his way back onto the trail and continued along. I met a group of hikers who had been following the moose for half an hour and a couple of hundred yards watching him eat and meander his way along without fear.<br />
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After crossing a couple of ridges along the well trodden trail I came back to sea level and the clearings of Stanleyville. Ample evidence of human activity is still to be found with some domestic plants in the clearings where houses once stood and various pieces of metal showing that industry had been here. More than 100 years have passed since Stanleyville was occupied. The forests have regenerated and some day all that will be left of this old outport will be memories in some archive. The beach is nice and one could anchor off in calm conditions.<br />
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The hike back had me a little apprehensive. The bull moose might still be on the trail. I followed his tracks while keeping an eye out along the sides of the trail Sure enough he had gone along the trail and stepped off before coming back a short distance to lay down and digest his meal. he was set perfectly to watch his back trail while catching the scent of anyone who might approach. When he smelled me he lifted his head to check me out but stayed laying down to let me pass.<br />
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The next few day were sometimes windy and stormy but the anchor held well. Made a few more trips to shore to walk around and enjoy the scenery during the nice parts of the day. Fishing for mackerel was really good so I had lots of fish to eat.<br />
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The weather was starting to change. The mornings were starting to get a little colder with lots of sea smoke.<br />
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Time to think about heading home to River Bourgeois. There were northerly winds forecast over the next few days. Nice to be able to sail downwind. Plans have been working out riding the late summer SW winds north and catching the first Northerly winds of fall to get home on.<br />
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View the Photo Essay of <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249722133644145266/albums/5930913105292343185/5930913146519887122?pid=5930913146519887122&oid=115249722133644145266">Bonne Bay</a>Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-75762691638160906882013-10-04T11:13:00.002-07:002013-10-05T05:48:40.174-07:00Bonne Bay - Gros Morne National Park - Part 1<br />
I have wanted to visit Gros Morne for more years than I care to remember. The Gros Morne National Park contains some of the more interesting geological features to be found in Canada along with memorable hiking opportunities ashore.<br />
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To get started to Bonne Bay I waited for the the weather reports to indicate that a good window would appear. Getting in the anchors and motoring out of Goose Bay was the start of the next passage. After getting in the anchor I motored up the Goose Bay Arm to ensure that I had not missed a better anchorage. While very scenic there was not another anchorage I would have preferred although there were others that would be serviceable.<br />
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The weather called for calm conditions with a promise of SW winds later in the day. Well, the calm certainly existed and with glass calm waters we headed out of the Bay of Islands and north. A sloppy swell was left over from the more recent winds. Once into the Bay proper sails were set that made Easy Go steadier and gave a little boost motor sailing.<br />
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Sailing up the coast the winds failed to appear. Motor sailing the 25 NM or so was no great hardship and being close in to the shore in fog free conditions was an opportunity that is rarely available.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Incredible geology combined with towering waterfalls make this a trip not to be missed. The approach to Bonne Bay cannot be missed. The sailing directions give precise directions to line up Gros Morne Peak with Rocky Harbour. We were too close in to shore to make this connection but did manage to make Bonne Bay before dark and appreciate the majesty of Gros Morne.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">We doused sails just before dark in calm waters and motored on towards Woody Point, a small community that promised a wharf. Arriving in the dark and passing the lighthouse indicated on the charts I was unable to find a wharf to tie up to. The fish plant wharf was completely full and appeared to be much smaller than the charts indicated. Many of the wharves indicated on the chart were gone. A small floating dock with a sign indicating that it was for the water taxi was all that was available so I drifted in and tied up. In a few minutes three of the local teenagers came down to the wharf to say that the water taxi would be in and it might be better for me to tie up in the ferry slip that was now abandoned and offered a better dock. Thanks boys! Slipped the lines and went to the indicated wharf where the boys caught the lines and helped me secure. A gentleman came down and also gave assistance. He went away for a few minutes an came back with a print out of the tide tables so that I could adjust lines for the tides. Such is Newfoundland! Nice people.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The next day I went looking for Internet Access. The local Legion offers WIFI and is one of the nicest places I have ever visited. I was able to get online and make the necessary communications to home, have a few beers and become informed on local info.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The Writers at Woody Point Festival was in full swing. Able to take in a few of the events and mingle with people in town and long the docks was really a pleasant time. Looking for a good festival in Newfoundland? This has to be one of the best. There is great music, readings by the authors and a sharing within the community between visitors, Come From Aways and local residents. More information on the <a href="http://writersatwoodypoint.com/">Writers at Woody Point Festival</a></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Provisioning and a meals ashore were no problem. A small well supplied grocery store is clsoe by on the water front with fresh produce, canned goods and frozen meats. It is also the local beer, wine and spirits outlet. After eating my own cooking for quite a while I had a craving for some hot fried chicken. Found a little restaurant that made good fried chicken and fries served up in a home like atmosphere. One is not a stranger long where ever you tie up the boat.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">A stay of a few days. Met some other cruisers and it was time to move on to some other places in Bonne Bay.</span></div>
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<br />Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-11558032127806138442013-09-23T10:49:00.001-07:002013-09-23T10:49:21.499-07:00Middle Arm, Cox's Cove, Goose Arm, Bay of Islands, NFLD<br />
I really didn't want to get up the anchor and leave Wood's Island Harbour. the day I left was to be a very busy one as the Homecoming Day. A ferry was bringing back residents and descendants to visit the island and pay respects to the ancestors in the cemeteries, Catholic and Protestant.<br />
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The dinghy was on deck then I got up the fisherman anchor and everything put away. Retrieving the Bruce anchor I found the cause of the dragging in the heavy winds of just a little while ago. The remains of the steel frame from a chair were tangled and mangled around the anchor flukes. No wonder we dragged!<br />
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The morning was calm and I left under power for the next anchorage. Cruising past Blow Me Down with clear skies and just a little swell coming in from the ocean allowed me to travel close to the coast and see all the new homes, one can hardly call them camps, that were being constructed on Wood's Island.<br />
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A short motor across the mouth of Humber Arm, the route to Corner Brook, and a turn north brought me to the entrance to Middle Arm in short order. The terrain is much more rugged here than it was at Wood's Island. Travelling up Middle Arm the swell from the ocean disappeared completely and I was able to cruise along the shore taking in the rugged scenery and the outports.<br />
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Cox's Cove was my first destination. It is an active fishing community with many many dories pulled up on skidways on the fronting beach. There are no wharves here for transient yachts. One can tie up to the wharf at the fish plant, however, or anchor off the beach in a more exposed location.<br />
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The weather was calm so I continued on to the entrance to Penguin Cove and Goose Arm. One of the members of the yacht Club at Corner Brook had told me there was a nice little anchorage in the narrows of Goos Arm so I headed in that direction. There is a little more boating traffic in this arm with all the camps and outports but not so much as to call it busy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the narrows in Goose Arm</td></tr>
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The anchorage in Goose Arm is on a small sand bar along the edge of the shore below the cliffs. It is quite well protected from waves but the wind can get up as it funnels along up and down the fjord. I set a Bahamian mooring with two anchors on the sand bar/bench so that Easy Go would not slide off into deeper water.<br />
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A gale set in for a day while I was here and the anchors kept everything secure even with the wind blowing up and then down the fjord. There is not really anywhere to go to shore and walk around. Lots of new development is occurring as people come back to traditional family lands and build recreational properties. There area few anchorages in this area. I think that this area is one of the more scenic and protected areas to be found along the west coast of Newfoundland.<br />
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To view the photo essay go to <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249722133644145266/albums/5926797953791352049">Goose Arm, Bay of Islands, NFLD</a><br />
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<br />Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-71404653237646366612013-09-23T05:22:00.005-07:002013-09-23T05:23:25.970-07:00Iron Bark at Ambos Mundos<br />
Its been more than a year since we had a visit with Trevor Robertson of Iron Bark. That was back in Lunenburg in the early summer of 2012 when he was planning to head north to Greenland for his second overwintering in the Arctic. We also had a great visit with Annie Hill in Lunenburg garnering new ideas from the vast store of knowledge and experience they both have gathered over the years.<br />
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I am recently back from Newfoundland and while I was on the west coast Trevor was cruising down the east coast. I was out in the yard on Saturday September 21, 2013 when I saw a familiar mast enter Bourgeois Inlet. Sure enough it was Iron Bark. Trevor anchored Iron Bark and I rowed out to meet him at the same time he was rowing in.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron Bark (left) and Easy Go at anchor in Bourgeois Inlet, 2013</td></tr>
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We had a pleasant visit for the afternoon and evenning sharing our summers adventures and winter cruising plans over supper. Trevor had wintered over at 73 degrees north and spent the summer cruising in the Arctic before heading south. It is always nice when friends stop in unexpectedly for a visit, especially after being out of contact for so long!<br />
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Visit Trevor's and Iron Bark's blog at <a href="http://iron-bark.blogspot.ca/p/iron-barks-travels.html">http://iron-bark.blogspot.ca/p/iron-barks-travels.html</a> for their travels.Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-51994866525433650892013-09-14T12:39:00.000-07:002013-09-14T13:09:42.667-07:00Woods Island Harbour, Bay of Islands, Newfoundland<br />
After spending a few days in Lark Harbour it was time to move on and see some of the other beautiful locations in the Bay of Islands. Woods Island is located about 5 miles away and is my destination.<br />
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Getting away from the dock in light winds the weather was threatening rain and a mixed bag when I left the protection of the harbour. Dories and some larger boats were coming in and out of the line squalls and fog banks as I headed towards my unseen destination. The Navionics charts indicated that I was on the correct bearing and that I should approach the narrow entrance after going through a heavy squall.<br />
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The tablet showed a weakness at this point that made me glad I had taken a compass bearing to the destination as well. Heavy rain drops affect the touchscreen much in the same manner as touching all one's fingers to the screen in a random touching fashion. Chaos ensues and no information can be read. The tablets, with electronic charts are best left below in heavy weather and traditional piloting with the compass and watch take over. Back to basics and it works.<br />
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The rain eased, the fog lifted and Woods Island came into view just about where I thought it would be. The entrance was at close to high tide and with the calm waters I could not see any evidence of the rocky shoals guarding the entrance. The <a href="http://www.bayofislandsyachtclub.com/">Bay of Islands Yacht Club</a> has placed some range markers to give a safe entrance when combined with charts. Take caution on the entry as it is narrow and well guarded. We motored into the entrance and close to the shore before taking a dog leg to starboard which took us into the large basin for anchoring.<br />
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The basin has a few moorings, a large floating dock and small wharves and skidways. The docks are also part of the Bay of Islands Yacht Club and are used by members and non members to access the trails of the island. The docks are in a very well protected bay.<br />
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I brought Easy Go to anchor close to the eastern end of the bay in about 5 fathoms to avoid the shoaling bottom closer in. A good mud bottom took the anchor well. A nice day without wind invited me to put the dinghy in the water and go to land for some hiking and explorations.<br />
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The Blow Me Down Mountain has a magnetic attraction for me. I head out on the trail that I think will lead me there. On the way I get some great views of the entrance to the Bay of Islands, ruins of old dwellings and finally come out of the woods and there is the mountain in all its majesty. These mountains are not as large as those in the west but they exude the same majesty in this rugged environment. Looking out the harbour entrance and noting the location of the range markers I can't help but appreciate the view from the cabins overlooking this scene. There is a person sitting out on the porch taking in the beautiful day. I walk down to introduce myself.<br />
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Liz is a friendly lady, born just up the hill in a house that no longer exists greeted me with a "How do you drink your coffee, with powdered or canned milk.She and her family, were forced to move away in the 1960's. The church and the school were burned and the more than 1000 residents were forced to move to the mainland. At one time Woods Island had the largest population on the west coast and was the centre of the herring fishery along its shores. Many of its residents also fished for cod on the Labrador.<br />
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Liz's uncle, Earl, stopped by with a couple of cod fillets. Liz went to make him some breakfast and brought out a plate full of sandwiches. Such is Newfoundland hospitality. Breakfast, coffee, good company and lots of stories. Liz's daughter and new son-in-law were also visiting and rose late to join us having just arrived the day before from Ontario. Liz stated emphatically that this was family land and would be passed on to the next generation and kept in the family, never to be taken away again. It is refreshing to see the residents claiming these lands back for future generations before their history is lost.<br />
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There are some very interesting references, historically speaking, to Woods Island to be found via a Google Search. One interesting fact that I was told indicated that this, now very well wooded island, was entirely cut over by the 1960's. The community collectively cut firewood on the mainland of Newfoundland and brought there firewood home by horse teams during the winter. The island is now very well forested.<br />
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Back to the boat and the next day the forecast weather brought in the wind. Winds of 48 knots were predicted. Redirected by the hills they came in from the SE and blew all day and night. Sitting to one anchor seemed secure, however the next morning it appeared that we were starting to slip a bit. Using the motor the boat was shifted to starboard and the second anchor, a sturdy 40 lb fisherman, was set out on a combination of chain and rope rode. We now sat secure as the gusts healed Easy Go.<br />
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The next day the winds diminished and I was able to go for a walk on more of the trails. Also had the opportunity to meet Mike and Jayne on Phantasia. They had moved from a mooring to the Bay of Islands YC wharf in the wind and were now comfortable and safely out of the winds that were forecast to swing to the SW. The forecast proved to be correct and I got back to Easy Go just before the winds picked up again.<br />
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I had the opportunity to get to shore one more time and met more of the members of the Bay of Islands YC and get some local advise on where to go and anchor for the next part of the trip.<br />
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Next stop is Goose Arm with Cox's Cove and some interesting topography on the agenda.<br />
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View the <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249722133644145266/albums/5923203331265340289">Woods Island Harbour Photo Essay</a>.<br />
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<br />Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-53513830360200920672013-09-09T11:33:00.001-07:002013-09-09T14:41:41.026-07:00Lark Harbour Newfoundland - Summer 2013<br />
I finally got away from Ambos Mundos in River Bourgeois on July 31, 2013 after some enjoyable family visits and less enjoyable spring weather. With a new landbase it is nice for family and friends to be able to come for a visit.<br />
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The weather window looked good for a direct non stop single handed trip to the west coast of Newfoundland. I planned to go to Lark Harbour in the Bay of Islands as the first stop. Reviewing the charts showed that this would be an easy spot to get into regardless of the time of day or sea state that I might experience upon arrival.<br />
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After dropping the mooring and motoring out of Bourgeois Inlet I found a little breeze near Cap Ronde and got up the sails. A little beat into the wind and then time to slacken the sheets and let Easy Go head off to the North East with Reggy, the self steering, masterfully in control. A kindly F4 wind and seas less than a meter was a very good first day out. Visibility was down in the mist but there were no ships showing up on the AIS and fishing was between season. The first day of any trip, for me, is to leave the shore as far behind as possible.<br />
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The AIS is the best aid for the single handed sailor. While nothing can replace having enough people on board to have manned watches 24 hours a day, the AIS does make the odds better for collision avoidance. Sleeping in naps of 20 minutes to a few hours gives enough rest. I always, without exception, do a visual check when I wake up during a nap. More times than once there has been a reason to check from setting the sails to seeing a whale or another boat. The closest a commercial ship came to Easy Go during the entire month of this trip was about one mile. I was amazed that I was able to see ships that were sometime eight miles off and on one occasion 12 miles with the refraction of the light. Getting a better sense of distances between myself and others is a calming experience.<br />
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The other new addition this year, a SPOT Location device, is allowing friends and family to keep track of my whereabouts on a daily basis. Traditionally sailors would take a noon sight with their sextant to plot their boats location on the chart. In the digital era I activate the SPOT and send a message via satellite giving my location and the everything is OK aboard Easy Go. This message is distributed via a preferred email list and Kathy has been sharing highlights on FaceBook, although I can configure the unit to post to FaceBook directly. When I arrive I press the Arrival/Departure message and everyone knows I have safely arrived at a destination and that a few days without messages will not cause alarm.<br />
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The trip had mostly good weather and the winds were from astern all the way. A little rain in the Cabot Strait and a frontal passage near St George's Bay provided a little variety. Lots of shipping in the Cabot Strait so I paralled the shipping lanes until I could make a good perpendicular crossing. Winds went light so the new motor came in handy to get across in a timely fashion.<br />
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After 4.5 days I arrived at Lark Harbour at around midnight. There is a very good light at Little Harbour, just before the southern entrance to Bay of Islands, and again at the south entrance of Bay of Islands. Sailing Easy Go as far as she could we were becalmed from the SW winds by the wind shadow of a large hill. Stowed the sails, put out the fenders and mooring lines in this area of calm and then motored into Lark Harbour a few miles away. Using the new Le Pan II Android Tablet and the Navionics HD software made the arrival at Lark Harbour significantly uneventful. The Le Pan II has a built in and very accurate GPS and when combined with the accurate charts I was able to pick out the wharf in the dark and head towards it. Indeed there were not many other lights on so the wharf stood out. Approaching the wharf a car parked along the waterfront turned on its headlights to check out Easy Go.<br />
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Tied up to the wharf in a calm with no wind and had a little snack before turning in for a night of uninterrupted sleep. I woke up in the morning to the sound of a fishing boat returning to the wharf. The Home Fishery opened the morning that I arrived and many boats were out for the few days it is open trying there luck at the various ground fish in the area. Most people wanted to get a few of the abundant halibut. Talked with a few of the fishermen and bystanders then had some breakfast.<br />
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A local retired fisherman offered to take me in his car to the local store and bank machine. I had left home with only $5.00 cash in my pocket. Not only did we visit the store but we drove to Little Harbour and Blow Me Down Park before returning to Lark Harbour for a tour of the offerings to be had.<br />
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Two young fellows came to the wharf on their reduced size ATV and motorcycle to try their luck with getting a few fish from under Easy Go. It is very refreshing to arrive in a community where the young people are welcoming and not afraid of a stranger. We had long talks about all sorts of topics.<br />
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Walking in the area is very nice. Lots of people to talk to and with the ferry schedule back up people from away were coming to the end of the road and having a look around in their cars and RV's. The local watering hole, Drop In Lounge, offers free WIFI along with drinks and food. Had a few brew and a meal here while checking out email and making contact with home.<br />
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Three days in Lark Harbour and a forecast for higher winds in the near future encouraged me to cast off the lines and head to a new location, Woods Island Harbour located about 5 miles away.<br />
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<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249722133644145266/albums/5921681222024045681">View photo essay of Lark Harbour, Newfoundland</a>Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-61505874705745274852013-06-12T10:29:00.001-07:002013-06-12T10:29:36.170-07:00Challenge of ChangeI am experiencing change right now. We all experience change but in my case it is a total change of mindset. After ten years of Live Aboard Cruising with no land base or storage facilities I now have the pleasure of a land base for storage and a cruising boat located centrally to my favourite cruising grounds. These cruising grounds are thousands of miles apart but we are in the centre.<br />
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For more information on the landbase, Ambos Mudos, we have established go to <a href="http://sustainablenovascotia.blogspot.ca/">http://sustainablenovascotia.blogspot.ca/</a><br />
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So what is the big deal? How different could it possibly be to have two places? After working on upgrading the boat for the better part of the past cruising season in Lunenburg I was able to return home this spring and start the process of offloading everything not necessary to the next cruise. Extra tools, extra food, extra fuel tanks, extra water tanks, clothing, charts, books, books, books, cooking paraphernalia. Dinghy after dinghy load came to to shore to be stored in the work shed or the trailer.<br />
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We had the opportunity to empty out the original Easy Go and we were absolutely amazed at how much we had collected while cruising on her. We promised ourselves to be more careful with the present Easy Go but failed miserably.<br />
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While working on the boat here I don't have to put everything away to cook or sleep. I can just stop at the end of the day and start over tomorrow. Meals and sleeping in Ambos Mundos are saving prep time. Washing bedding, clothing and the covers from the settees, while never an easy chore, is easier with unlimited fresh water, a clothes line and not having to get everything completed during the daylight hours.<br />
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Her waterline is now higher and Easy Go is prepared for cold weather high latitude sailing for the summer. At the end of this cruise I will return to Ambos Mundos to offload the majority of the cold weather gear and convert the boat over to warm weather tropical gear for the winter before heading south in November.<br />
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The permanent mooring is a joy. No launching and retrieving the anchor while I'm here. Saves a lot of wear and tear on the ground tackle and makes day trips considerably easier and more enjoyable.<br />
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These changes are providing the contrast in life that we originally set out to find. We have found that all the changes in our life have involved the completion of circles.<br />
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Another circle closed. Another circle begun!<br />
Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-62157479333181355942013-06-12T04:03:00.001-07:002013-06-12T04:03:36.960-07:00Sliding Down The Slippery SlopeOkay, now Easy Go has electricity and a few electronics. Still pretty primitive by most cruisers standards. Been busy this month, June, getting a few lights onboard. Adapted the traditional copper and bronze kerosene Navigation Lamps to work with LED lamps and kerosene, if needed. Much brighter than with the kerosene. The Fresnel lenses are really very effective at amplifying the light regardless of the source.<br />
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Put a plug adapter in for the computer and a 750 watt inverter for tools. Eventually want to put in some cabin lighting as well but will stick with the kerosene lights for this summer. Time is coming to get out cruising for the summer not wanting to lose this season to boat or house projects.<br />
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Kathy and I have been getting the kitchen garden in and starting to scythe the field to tame the weeds and encourage the grass.Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-29931921635059869952013-06-12T03:57:00.003-07:002013-06-12T10:10:16.913-07:00Sailing for 2013I went to Lunenburg on April 19 to get Easy Go ready to launch and do sea trials on the new BetaMarine Engine on April 22. The launch was uneventful as was the sea trial. After the sea trials I went to the Zwickers Wharf for a few days to start the install of the AIS/VHF antennae, splitter and electrical. The only glitch I experienced was needing an MMSI number to activate the AIS. After making application to Industry Canada this was obtained and the miracle of AIS was activated. One little problem with the signal splitter was resolved with a rerouting of the antennae cables. I had an overlap on the incoming and outgoing cables that apparently was creating some kind of magnetic interference that caused the AIS to malfunction. All is working well.<br />
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The only other cruiser that was in the harbour was the Dutch yacht, Bo with Ronne, Bouke and family aboard. We had a nice visit before they headed off to River Bourgeois to visit Kathy then on to Newfounland and Greenland for the summer.<br />
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Went to anchor for what I hoped would be a short time but actually lasted until May 19 when the first weather break occurred. Bo had left earlier while I was waiting for the MMSI number then the weather closed down with easterly winds for a couple of weeks. Had the chance to meet old friends and enjoy the spring weather of Lunenburg.<br />
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Got in the anchor on a beautiful May 19 morning and motored out of Lunenburg Harbour. Dodged the lobster trap lines heading towards Halifax. I don't know why the lobster trap lines in this area seem to be more problematic. The lobstermen of Lunenburg and Mahone Bay seem to need between 100 and 200 feet of extra line on the surface to retrieve their traps. Unique to this area as most other areas I have travelled in weight their lines so that they go straight down and are less likely to get tangled on the keel, rudder or propeller.<br />
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Once clear of the lobster pots I put up the sail, had Reggie the self steering wind vane take over the steering and settled down for an enjoyable solo sail back to River Bourgeois. We had clear weather to Halifax then the fog closed in. Limited visibility with fog and light winds were in order for the rest of the trip. Didn't see the shore again until the fog lifted at Canso.<br />
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The AIS proved its value off shore where I was able to check if there was any shipping in the area before putting my head down for some sleep. This works offshore but I would not trust the AIS inshore where lobstermen and a small fishing boats infrequently have AIS. A dutch Cruise Ship was on the same track as me. When about 1/4 mile to my stern it steered to Starboard and made a safe pass. Spoke to the ship on the radio. They had me on their AIS for more than 20 miles. Good feeling that this system is working well.<br />
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Passed in close to Canso on the bright sunny morning of May 22. The water was looking glass calm, seals were playing and the only sound was that of the diesel engine pushing us along. Moto rsailed to the area of Petit de Grat on Isla Madame where I took down the sail to motor exclusively through the lobsterpots in this area. the pot lines are well weighted and easy to avoid.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85w8tYI_QfpB5ZU0agUlslAgjz9rMA4nm1s98i6nGXwPlwHJsc-J7PM4XZHBnKxa7s6ZKnkkZT3P32A1yBag29h2ghFBdJRkaqNYb07TnOdyO0IFpVDUt6nX__VVvrE29fhF0c5Yx9NFR/s1600/IMG_2978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85w8tYI_QfpB5ZU0agUlslAgjz9rMA4nm1s98i6nGXwPlwHJsc-J7PM4XZHBnKxa7s6ZKnkkZT3P32A1yBag29h2ghFBdJRkaqNYb07TnOdyO0IFpVDUt6nX__VVvrE29fhF0c5Yx9NFR/s320/IMG_2978.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Bourgeois Inlet at the top of the tide.</td></tr>
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Entered the harbour of River Bourgeois at about 5:00 pm local time. Kathy, Gordon, Ingrid, Sarah and Brooklyn were on the wharf to greet me as I motored past on the way to our mooring. The mooring was a little tangled have been laid last fall and never used. Got the chain up, untangled everything and brought Easy Go to rest after 56 hours on the first passage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOeTvSHOh3hhar1BIoVgfWn9x_-n5SSDSpjwZSX-nKvGFNQbPSkIRhbCzwxeScWctZyc7VeNNhe1iv300uCMh8iXxOauBIUtisWTXYIE8jmn1ibuYShj8KpoH38J78ibsJ5OyrPvewocG/s1600/IMG_2984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOeTvSHOh3hhar1BIoVgfWn9x_-n5SSDSpjwZSX-nKvGFNQbPSkIRhbCzwxeScWctZyc7VeNNhe1iv300uCMh8iXxOauBIUtisWTXYIE8jmn1ibuYShj8KpoH38J78ibsJ5OyrPvewocG/s320/IMG_2984.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the mooring.</td></tr>
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Great to be home!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnoBgdFuLDj9z77ZwoyQwsCqTuEEeEF4B14b4ga65HbvioLHIs5nreuSoQUGcmI03T6YY-8fV-e7MoH2yrEsdNzo36JtAEwJgvZ0wSaqPbAZOAPnYwx9FF9hqLcSre-RhyphenhyphenkIgIoz0sx-Z/s1600/IMG_2986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnoBgdFuLDj9z77ZwoyQwsCqTuEEeEF4B14b4ga65HbvioLHIs5nreuSoQUGcmI03T6YY-8fV-e7MoH2yrEsdNzo36JtAEwJgvZ0wSaqPbAZOAPnYwx9FF9hqLcSre-RhyphenhyphenkIgIoz0sx-Z/s320/IMG_2986.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting up the mooring chain.</td></tr>
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<br />Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-61711081857662575052013-04-02T15:35:00.000-07:002013-04-02T15:35:15.725-07:00Frugal Sailor's Weather FaxSailing offshore has always left us out of the information loop when it comes to weather forecasts. This has not been all bad. We have developed the skills to deal with weather of all kinds, however it would be nice to try and duck out of the way of major weather systems when possible.<br />
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<img alt="Grundig YB-400PE" src="http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/portable/0400.jpg" /></div>
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We don't have, and can't foresee having, a SSB transceiver. We do have an older Grundig Yachboy that we have used for voice weather forecasts from NOAA with good success. We have now added the software, actually two pieces of software, to the Acer laptop that will allow us to receive weather faxes where ever we might be. The only hardware purchase we needed was a mono 3.5 mm sound cable to attach the radio ear phone jack to the microphone jack on the computer.<br />
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The software we are testing are <a href="http://www.jvcomm.de/index_e.html">JVComm 32</a> and <a href="http://www.dxsoft.com/en/products/seatty/">SeaTTY v2.37</a>. Our preliminary testing is showing that both are very good but we are leaning towards the SeaTTY due to its less expensive registration.<br />
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<img alt="[Screenshot of SeaTTY (21 kbytes)]" src="http://www.dxsoft.com/image/screenshot/seatty_sm.gif" /></div>
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<img alt="[Screenshot of SeaTTY (31 kbytes)]" src="http://www.dxsoft.com/image/screenshot/seatty_2_sm.gif" /></div>
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We will need to work up a better antennae and will be assembling a wire in a rope antennae to run up a burgee halyard. It would be nice to have the antennae inside the mast but this is only possible with wooden masts, not our aluminum masts.<br />
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We saw a rig such as we have now a number of years ago while circumnavigating Cuba. It worked very well using a lead from an old extension cord as an antennae.<br />
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Another slide down the slippery slope of technology now that we have electricity. What will the next item be? I have some ideas!<br />
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Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-87709613550228061422013-03-30T10:59:00.000-07:002013-04-02T15:19:15.555-07:00Frugal Sailor's Chart PlotterWe have a Chart Plotter aboard Easy Go. This is not new technology and has been around in many forms for a number of years. Electricity is a new addition to Easy Go after so many years of cruising without an engine. Sliding down the slippery slope of technology is tempting and I have fallen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVg3jGp9UTXSQcuS3BU2je39jY9xOp5TNLb-wUdfLrYQRUsK27_ikCmuwMewUnFfrrVrNFoCJSzRdap6uoBEYFj_IscGy-2obeBYGwgzCrSTuOn5amrD2z3Y8Fj4NVHtC1niumk1g3vdJ/s1600/River+B.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVg3jGp9UTXSQcuS3BU2je39jY9xOp5TNLb-wUdfLrYQRUsK27_ikCmuwMewUnFfrrVrNFoCJSzRdap6uoBEYFj_IscGy-2obeBYGwgzCrSTuOn5amrD2z3Y8Fj4NVHtC1niumk1g3vdJ/s320/River+B.GIF" width="320" /></a></div>
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Utilizing an old Acer Computer with <a href="http://opencpn.org/">OpenCPN</a> charting software and the addition of a <a href="http://www.globalsat.com.tw/products-page.php?menu=2&gs_en_product_id=2&gs_en_product_cnt_id=76">GlobalSat BU-353-S4 GPS</a> unit has given us the power of International Charting and Plotting position.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37v8Ee_NZjxG9ufF0H9uP5oM5NtTeYGDjED4g_i3nbPIIIWPgSZEQeqpaO8Wwj1oPb6f03sKWJDpZpblWq8O8qvy5eFZoBk0Nx4wP86Dist_sXNLZ5Kx_t6xgqtJ1kPY4WYnWghNCnCvr/s1600/GPS.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37v8Ee_NZjxG9ufF0H9uP5oM5NtTeYGDjED4g_i3nbPIIIWPgSZEQeqpaO8Wwj1oPb6f03sKWJDpZpblWq8O8qvy5eFZoBk0Nx4wP86Dist_sXNLZ5Kx_t6xgqtJ1kPY4WYnWghNCnCvr/s1600/GPS.GIF" /></a></div>
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I find this addition will be useful in planning of routes and the finding sea buoys at the entrances to harbours. Will I use it all the time? No, I still prefer paper charts to navigate with. I can print out harbours from the software, I can use the GPS and computer in the fog to locate my position when near hard places.<br />
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It is a nice and inexpensive addition to the boat that will become just one of many aids to navigation that we use every day while sailing.Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-21603127297575526452013-03-29T17:19:00.000-07:002013-03-29T17:19:22.075-07:00Winter, Winter Everywhere...Sailing Soon<div style="text-align: left;">
The winter seems to be dragging on well into spring this year. Here on Cape Breton Island the float ice has been coming and going in the Lennox Passage and our anchorage is still covered in enough ice to drive a large car on. Ice flows are still pouring out of the Cabot Strait and floating on off shore from us. Easy Go is resting in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.</div>
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.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTbtOFoTV4TKcHN6RUYqmNliNYMa2ROUNUXNgD055nKVQiwBW7THH0okgUQjNZF5hqdPW2vxbMeqM8SxMKcu0DQzLO6Cfr7GE3UF3VXfQNGO0DwsHl-zE89mACuDudPWLQBuI_z1AQwCD/s1600/DSCF0262.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTbtOFoTV4TKcHN6RUYqmNliNYMa2ROUNUXNgD055nKVQiwBW7THH0okgUQjNZF5hqdPW2vxbMeqM8SxMKcu0DQzLO6Cfr7GE3UF3VXfQNGO0DwsHl-zE89mACuDudPWLQBuI_z1AQwCD/s320/DSCF0262.JPG" /></a></div>
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The winter had not been all about shore based life however. I have looked at and implemented some new systems for Easy Go. With an engine producing electricity we are able to slide down the slippery slope and put some electronics aboard. In addition to the new AIS and Radio I'll be taking a laptop computer with charts and a USB GPS aboard. The SPOT Satellite Communications Device will allow me to communicate important location information and emergency messages (hope I don't need this feature) to family and friends. After all the years of independent sailing this is quite a change mentally. </div>
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Having purchased Pilots, Cruising Guides and the latest Jimmy Cornell Ocean Atlas I have lots of dreams ahead to fulfill. This years plans include heading back to Newfoundland and on towards Greenland if the weather and wind gods are willing.</div>
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This winter has been the longest ashore in many years. That will be ending in the near future as I head back to Lunenburg to launch Easy Go and head out on the ocean again.</div>
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To see what we've been up to over the winter visit our other blog at <a href="http://sustainablenovascotia.blogspot.com/">Building Bodega....An Experiment In Off Grid and Sustainable Living</a></div>
Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-80666129409584060312012-11-20T04:21:00.000-08:002012-11-20T04:21:28.156-08:00What A Wonderful World!<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/53624508?byline=0&portrait=0&color=4e9d44" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe>Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-79631990565842204492012-11-14T05:08:00.001-08:002012-11-14T05:08:39.768-08:00Easy Go Mooring<br />
A group of like minded friends got together and installed some really good moorings for our boats. They are made from surplussed railway car wheels with the axles cut in half. To the top end of the axle a one inch chain link is welded. To this link is added thirty feet (9m) of one inch chain and a swivel at the surface end of the chain. In our installation the chain is longer than the depth of the water so that the swivel can be raised to the surface for checking and replacement as necessary. A buoy is also attached at this point so that in the event the riser chain is dropped a diver can still located the ground chain for retrieval from the bottom mud. The mud here is very deep!<br />
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For the Easy Go mooring we attached fifty feet of riser chain to the ground chain swivel with a loop in the end so that the chain can be led over the bow roller and slipped over the bits providing a chain connection from the boat to the mooring anchor. A snubber will be attached to the chain to provide some shock absorption. The mooring ball is attached to fifty feet of floating half inch rope so that the chain rests entirely on the bottom when not in use. This reduces wear and corrosion on the chain considerably.<br />
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The mooring weight is about 1500 lbs and with the extra chain is approaching one ton of anchoring weight. The location for these moorings is relatively protected and the bottom is deep mud.<br />
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If one were to locate these on a hard bottom in an exposed location considerably more weight and potentially a different design of the anchor would be required.<br />
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We have a photo essay of the process located in our <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/115249722133644145266/albums/5810648608896423137?authkey=CMqHzpXWp5H68QE">Picassa Web Albums</a>Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-9390370663779487292012-10-25T07:17:00.000-07:002012-10-25T07:17:07.372-07:00Easy Go Has a Motor!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdnJ-dZY1FytwWpD9xbLTrU2uJ2Hmoc3uCqNtGv19umCtHzdjLIXpj6wEP5xhfA2Xe7IrzOsNOYOmGpDIGqqwku3kSDUuoP6vG-oTTQ-hNh7FyrI1w2hKg0VzpN2mIkrqms_VTcVmEqY6/s1600/IMG_2724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdnJ-dZY1FytwWpD9xbLTrU2uJ2Hmoc3uCqNtGv19umCtHzdjLIXpj6wEP5xhfA2Xe7IrzOsNOYOmGpDIGqqwku3kSDUuoP6vG-oTTQ-hNh7FyrI1w2hKg0VzpN2mIkrqms_VTcVmEqY6/s200/IMG_2724.JPG" /></a></div>We completed the motor install on Easy Go and gave it a test run and winterizing before heading back to Cape Breton Island for the winter. The Beta Marine 14 HP engine came to life without a glitch after we had bled the system thoroughly. Ran some fresh water through the raw water system then anti freeze to make sure that Old Man Winter would be deterred in his damages.<br />
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We're keeping our yuloh for more than nostalgia. Our experience with motors has, more than once, proven that they are good as long as they are working. We won't be caught with a broken motor unable to get moving again.<br />
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Easy Go is asleep for the winter but totally prepared for next seasons travels. Looking forward to getting back on the water in April!Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-50069685075262401292012-10-18T05:53:00.004-07:002012-10-18T05:53:49.160-07:00Kobo Touch E-Readers<br />
We've knocked a couple of hundred pounds in weight and freed up valuable storage space with purchase of new Kobo Touch E-Readers. I didn't think that I would like this new technology as it would intrude into our simplified lifestyle. <br />
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Wrong!!!<br />
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We still carry paper charts, although there are electronic charts on a computer for planning with, and now carry our recreational reading books electronically while reserving the space for paper books that are necessary for navigation.<br />
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Thousands of books are available for free, the price that we like the best. New books are also available for modest prices compared to paper versions.<br />
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The Kobo books use the E-Pub format which is the same as the libraries use in Canada so we can get loner books as well. In addition they display PDF publications broadening how they can be used.<br />
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Taken from KOBO's Hompage:<br />
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<i>"Inspired by a "Read Freely" philosophy and a passion for innovation, Kobo is one of the world's fastest-growing eReading services. Read Freely stems from Kobo's belief that consumers should have the freedom to read any book, anytime, anyplace – and on any device. As a result, Kobo has attracted millions of readers from more than 170 countries and features one of the world's largest eReading catalogues with over 2.5 million eBook, newspaper and magazine titles."</i><br />
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In the first few months Kathy's E-Reader refused to charge. After a brief email exchange she was informed that a new one would be sent immediately and she could return the defective reader in the prepaid envelope that would accompany the new reader. Yep, Kobo paid for the shipping both ways and trusted Kathy enough that she would return the broken unit. <br />
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Refreshing way of doing business.Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-14700403005670516882012-10-13T12:11:00.000-07:002012-10-13T12:11:13.144-07:00Simplicity, Sustainability and Self Sufficiency<br />
We are spending the winter in our new land base, Ambos Mundos, in River Bourgeois, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. We have started a new blog at <a href="http://sustainablenovascotia.blogspot.com">sustainablenovascotia.blogspot.com</a> to share some of the experiences that we have had in Simplicity, Sustainability and Self Sufficiency in our marine and land based lives.Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-2511668738999498002012-07-11T03:18:00.001-07:002012-11-07T05:56:39.375-08:00Green Sailing - Fuels, Land Travel, WaterWe have looked at our fossil fuel consumption on Easy Go for the past year and were pleasantly surprised at how little we actually used. Easy Go was idle lastsummer 2011 relaxing at anchor. We filled our Jerry cans with 25 gallons of kerosene for the lamps and cooker and another 15 gallons of diesel fuel for the heater in September 2011. We purchased 5 more gallons of diesel fuel when we arrived in Lunenberg, May 2012 but have not used it yet. We have 7 gallons of kerosene left over as well. Not bad considering we lived full time aboard Easy Go between October 2011 and June 2012.<br />
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While abroad or at home we don't have a car. We use public transit and shuttles to get around when walking won't get us where we want to go. We don't use bicycles in foreign countries as an accident is more likely to happen with the complications that may come from such an event.<br />
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We carry approximately 90 gallons of water on Easy Go. This lasts us two months or more. We can collect rainwater or haul water in Jerry cans from a safe source of potable water.<br />
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Our blown out sails were converted to a sun shade on Easy Go and the remainder were donated to various people in Antigua. One industrious fisherman reworked our foresail to make an emergency "Get Home" sail in case his motor failed.<br />
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Being Green allows us to have more money to support our cruising lifestyle and tread softer on our planet, both at sea and on land.Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-71767557333943525312012-06-04T09:00:00.003-07:002012-06-13T10:42:46.982-07:00BACK IN NOVA SCOTIA<br />
We're not quite home to River Bourgeois on Cape Breton Island but we're very close with a stop at Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. We had a great 21 day trip north this spring in relatively light winds and no problems. We decided to put a new motor in Easy Go and we found the one we wanted right here in Nova Scotia along with everything we needed to get the job done. Not an easy decision with all the motorless miles we have achieved, however, getting in and out of Bourgeois Inlet with its strong tidal stream will now be easier and allow day trips while we are home. We are looking forward to getting to some of the places that proved difficult previously. There is also that slippery slope of what we can power with the new energy source. A new radio and AIS Transiever are on the list along with some LED navigation lights. We're not getting rid of the kerosene lights and the yuloh. We like the redundancy they offer and for long passages we won't need to run an engine to generate power for batteries. We planned this as a hybrid type of boat for the future.<br />
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Leaving the Caribbean for the colder climes of Canada is always a hard decision. We left early enough to miss the first Tropical Cyclones of the season but late enough to miss the last of the Nor'Easters that tend to come out of nowhere once we are north of Cape Hatteras. The last of the goodbyes from the Caribbean came from a couple of humpback whales. One on either side of Easy Go they serenaded us with their beautiful vocalizations while we bid the island of Barbuda goodbye. We have never had this happen before and it was a moving occurrence. <br />
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We had our usual escorts of sharks that mutilated our fishing baits. We had no success catching fish coming north which may be in part contributed to the Chinese Fishing boats that we encountered with their driftnets as we came north outside of the territorial waters of any country.<br />
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In the area of the Gulf Stream we had great luminescence in the ocean waters for several nights. A vist from a pod of dolphins was so incredible that I had to wake Kathy so she could see this rare opportunity. Each dolphin was lit up so that every detail was visible and they left long sparkling trails as they played in the bow wave and around the boat. We could see them approaching Easy Go from quite a long distance. The animators ad Disney haven't even come close to producing something as spectacular. <br />
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Once on the continental shelf off Nova Scotia we encountered huge, I mean really huge ocean sunfish. We had one just to port that was at least one third the size of Easy Go. It would have been a serious bump if we had struck this slow moving and very strange looking fish. It was nice to see sword fish swimming nearby with their telltale dorsal and tails skimming the top of the water. We would not feel at home if we had not seen familiar whales. At the edge of the continental shelf there can be a strong tide rip that is frequented by whales. We were not disappointed this year when a large solitary Blue Whale blew nearby and welcomed us home. <br />
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Coming into Lunenburg we met the lobster fleet out harvesting the last of this years bounty. We wove our way through the floats without incident and came to anchor under sail just as the morning winds died away. After clearing Immigration and Customs we went ashore to meet old friends and catch up on local news.<br />
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Looking forward to heading back to River Bourgeois soon and seeing home for the first time in more than eight months.Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-19910493357845504082012-04-03T11:28:00.003-07:002012-04-03T11:34:00.906-07:00Relaxing in DomincaThe winds of March came in like a lion and went out like a lamb. <br />
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Dominica has kept us here with her charms and we have no regrets at taking an extended stop here this year. We have met quite a number of cruisers we haven't seen for years. Nice to touch base and see what everyone is up to. <br />
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We've managed a few boat jobs such as painting the fore and aft deck, some interior work and fine tuning the new sails. We've been installing canvas on those areas of the interior of the boat that take constant wear from our hands. Applying light canvas to the painted surface and then a couple of more coats on the canvas gives a resilient textured surface that will stand up to heavy use. Not a great deal of work as we've enjoyed relaxing from our hectic travels and projects of the last two years.<br />
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I've had the time to learn a few new tunes on the guitar and Tin Whistle. Hoping to share these when we get home to Cape Breton Island.<br />
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We've taken a number of extended tours of the island with guide and friend Michael "Boudah" Francois and his lovely wife Barbara. Visits to the Carib Territory, various waterfalls and sections of the National Hiking Trail have all been highlights. <br />
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I think the best time that I have had, however, is travelling to the south end of the island with Boudah to collect some tropical woods from the tropical rainforest high up on Souffriere Mountain overlooking the Caribbean and the bay at Scott's Head. We hiked into the forest on a very old track where the locals from the village of Gallion had cut and milled the trees into planks with a chainsaw. A half dozen or so residents came with us a carried the planks back up the mountain one a t time to place in the truck. Quite the community effort.<br />
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We were able to get a couple of dozen Red Cedar planks more than ten feet long by eighteen inches wide and close to one and a half inches thick. They are perfectly clear with no imperfections. <br />
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Boudah and I have started building a small twenty foot boat in traditional techniques using hand tools, local woods, galvanized fittings and no epoxy. I won't be around to see the end of the project but a start has been made. The boat will have oars, a sail and a small motor to use for fishing and taking tourists out on day excursions. A very exciting project for both of us.<br />
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I've also had the chance to design a couple of lateen rigs for local small oopen boats that travel well off shore with motors only. It is not at all unusual for a fisherman to head out and never return after having engine troubles. It is satisfying to see some interest in having a small emergency sail aboard in the event of an engine failure.<br />
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We have collected souvenirs, memories and new friends during our much to short visit this winter. Soon it will be time to up anchor and start heading home. We're planning to stop at Nevis and possibly the Virgin Islands before heading on towards Bermuda and Nova Scotia.<br />
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Fair Winds<br />
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BobEasy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-89659422020058588272012-02-27T09:43:00.001-08:002012-02-27T10:05:34.804-08:00Wind, Wind and More WindYesterday we were able to get to shore and have a really nice hike along the new National Trail that follows the coast. Starting near the Fort Shirley National Park this trail gives access to one of the largest fresh water swamp ecosystems in Dominica. The wind had kept us on the boat Saturday as it was just too blustery to row to the beach.<br />
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We went and visited with Peter and Riah along with their friend Guy, another Canadian, as they are setting off to Florida.<br />
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Last evening we stayed at the beach and went to another PAYS barbecue and dance evening. Good chicken and fish supper with that bottomless rum punch glass again. The punch was far too good last night and we are relaxing today.<br />
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A couple of the Tall Ship Cruising boats came into the anchorage this morning. A testament to the wind strength was the blown out sails of the Star Clipper <a href="http://starclippers.com">http://starclippers.com</a>. It had a blown out square sail and the fore and aft mainsail on the third of four masts. These are very large sails on conservatively sailed ships. We have never seen this kind of damage on these well run ships before. The remains of the square sail were flapping in the rigging until one of the sailors aboard was able to get out on the yard and get it down this morning. Royal Clipper is also here but without any signs of sail damage.<br />
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A number of yachts also came in last night with damaged sails. Exciting times I'm sure.<br />
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Its good to be at anchor even though we are veering around with chains grumbling on the rocks. Hope it eases soon.Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4831967943039709804.post-68572270003114031392012-02-25T13:28:00.000-08:002012-02-25T13:28:41.274-08:00Strong Trade WindsLast evening we went to Peter's Bar and Grill in Logon, Dominica for the traditional Friday night barbecue. I had my favorite ribs while Kathy had chicken. Joined by our friend Peter we had a pleasant social evening on land. On the way back to Easy Go Kathy and I stopped at a new beachfront bar called Barbed Wire and owned by "Spesh". He had invited us to visit as it is his new endeavor and he is trying very hard to make a success of it. We left our dinghy at Big Papa's beachfront restaurant and bar where we visited with Big Papa and some other boaters before rowing back out.<br />
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The winds have been getting stronger over the week and were freshening up as we got back. During the night they picked up even stronger causing the boat to veer around on its chain and heel over to 10 and sometime 15 degrees in the gusts. We have 150 feet of 3/8 inch chain on a 44 lb Bruce anchor that is holding quite well in 30 feet of water with a mixed sand, rock and weed bottom.<br />
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As today progressed the winds picked up higher with a few boats dragging anchor and having to reset. Those boats on moorings have not experienced any failures yet.<br />
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One boat came into the anchorage with the mainsail blown out and another with its roller reefing head sail looking somewhat worse for wear. Lots of sails will be resewn over the next few days.<br />
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Winds appear to be gusting strongly off the mountains well in excess of forecast wind speeds. To make ourselves more comfortable and minimize the veering in the gusts I put our 22 lb Bruce anchor out over the bow roller on about 50 ft of 5/16 inch chain so that is is hanging straight up and down. When the boat starts to veer this anchor has a braking affect and the boat's motions are subdued. The added benefit is we have another anchor on the bottom in the event that the first one starts to slip. We can rapidly deploy more chain and rode if needed. <br />
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We've used this setup numerous times to sit out gales over the years. We'll be sleeping soundly tonight even if the wind is piping up.Easy Go Adventures - Bob and Kathy Groveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14990055773115198095noreply@blogger.com0