Day 35

Day 35 – July 16:
Today’s position report: 49-23.892/126-05.5

A short 13 mile motor today to “friendly dolphin cove”; so named by the
guide book authors, but officially unnamed. It is a hidey-hole inside of
a hidey-hole; very protected and quiet and picturesque.

It was so quiet that at one point I could hear hummingbirds buzzing
around the cockpit. When I poked my head up they were unperturbed by me
and went about trying to get nectar from the centre of the mast winches
and my duvet which was airing out on the foredeck! They also
investigated our flag and life-ring. One even landed on the lifeline…
and no, I’m not as good as Robin in identifying birds, so I don’t know
what kind they were. I can say there are NOT ruby throated.

We have a new modification to the ships articles; not only does the crab
trap not get deployed from the stern (recall us having to unwrap it from
around the prop shaft) but it does not get deployed from the bow either
( it was wrapped around the anchor chain ); beam only from now on!

In researching in our “Pacific Coast” flora and fauna book, it says that
the tail slapping behaviour is a humpback whale behaviour. That plus the
fact that the grey whales are migratory to this area and don’t hang
about confirms that all of the whales we are seeing are likely humpbacks.

For those of you keen on details how about hearing of tonight’s gourmet
feast which came out of 3 cans, one box and 2 packages. It was 2 cans of
tuna put into a dehydrated mushroom pasta sauce which was then gooped
over dehydrated mashed potatoes. Dessert was canned peaches on instant
vanilla pudding…… now you know why a simple hamburger is now so compelling!

Tonight I tested out my tutelage from Ralph on celestial navigation. On
our way around Estevan point I had taken 2 sun shots, but did nothing
with them in Hesquiat because I was too tired. This evening I reduced
one of them and turned out I was only out by 1 mile, which is as good as
being 100% in my books.

That is it; a short, quiet and SUNNY day. Second sunny day in a row!!