Day 46-we escape Bamfield!

We were away at 06:00 into the fog, dodging the sports fishing fleet.
The weather reports from the adjacent lighthouses had reported 1/8 mile
to zero visibility. However the winds were light, so we took our chance.

Turned on the nav lights, radar and GPS(s) and off we went. The fog had
visibility down to about 1/2 mile at worst and by the time we hit
Carmannah point it was up to 3 miles. The strangest thing was we seemed
to be in the wind equivalent of the Bermuda triangle; everywhere was
reporting strong NW winds; except for Carmannah; we had SE, 10kts right
on our nose and motored the whole way except for about 1 hour; then
outside of Port Renfrew the wind died and we motored in. We could have
tacked against the wind but that could have added hours to our transit
time and put us at risk of being on the water when the late afternoon
gale was to arrive.

Not far north of the entrance to Port Renfrew harbour is where we passed
the latitude of Sidney; so we are now south of where we started and
definitely on the way back to home port.

There is minimal shelter here for anchoring. The small area near the
wharf/pub had 3 boats in it (including Delua). It took us 5 attempts (
yes, down, raise the anchor..which entails me having to jump down the
hatch 3 or 4 times to flake the anchor chain so it doesn't pile up and
jam the winch). There is a lot of rock and kelp on the bottom but we are
finally well set. Anchor was down at 15:30 for a total time today of 9.5
hours and 42 miles
Ralph's suggestion of letting the anchor settle then slowly backing up
to let it sink below the kelp seemed to work. We are not out of the
swell and the boat is rocking enough to generate all the creaks and
groans we hear during a passage. BTW, there is a new creak from the
bulkhead between the skipper's cabin and the galley that is guaranteed
to drive him crazy and ensure he has zero chance of a good sleep. The
gale that is forecasted to blow in this evening along with worries about
anchor dragging should ensure that little sleep is had.

Not even the draw of a pub after 10+ hours in the fog and swells was
enough to overcome the reluctance to go through the dinghy launching
ritual. We had leftover canned ham with curry, rice and left over canned
corn a la Ralph. We are munching our way through the canned stores as
our fresh stuff is finished. Down to our last few pieces of bread but no
signs of scurvy yet!!
Skipper and crew are looking a bit weary and I'm sure there will be no
late night frolicking this evening.

Tomorrow's plan is similar to today: early get away to miss the
afternoon gale and pull into Sooke harbour, hopefully at pub dock but if
not, we'll anchor inside at Sooke Basin.

Fog rolled in here as we started to eat dinner, hopefully it is not too
thick in the morning.
There is nothing to recommend Port Renfrew other than it is the only
bailout between Bamfield and Sooke. Its main claim to fame is that it is
the start of the West Coast hiking trail that finishes at Bamfield.

One day closer to home!
Two more legs (37 miles to Sooke, then 45 miles to Canoe Cove) and the
adventure will be over.

Cheers from Port Renfrew, anchor position is N48 33.36/W124 25.14