Pacific Grace Trip 5

Pacific Swift & Pacific Grace both had a uneventful motor north to the Brooks Peninsula. Both had a great morning fishing and enjoyed the spoils for dinner. We are both anchored at "Paella" beach and have had time ashore yesterday. Plans are to begin heading south slowly enjoying the coast along the way. All are well.

From Brooks Peninsula Pacific Swift and Pacific Grace made thier way south, Swift to Rugged Point(49 58.3n 127 14.7w) and Grace to Kyuquot Sound and into Easy Inlet(50 07.5n 127 17.8w) Swift enjoyed the afternoon on Rugged´s beach and Grace spent a glorious afternoon swimming in Jansen Lake, a short hike from the head of the inlet. Today(sat), Swift made her way south to Hesquiat Harbour (49 28.2n 126 25.8w) and Grace sailed down Kyuquot Sound amidst the humpback whales and sea otters to enjoy the afternoon at Rugged Beach. Rugged Point Beach is like Long Beach on Vancouver Island but there are no other people there, we have the whole beach to ourselves, delightful. All aboard are tired, satisfied and ready to enjoy a delicious dinner followed by an evening of games and singing.

Regards,
Tony
For Pacific Grace and Pacific Swift

After Rugged Beach we motored to Estevan Peninsula where we found a lovely west wind blowing, our evening was spent catching fish and sailing to our anchorage in Hesquiat Harbour. We dropped anchor under sail just as the sun was setting. A great 30kt north wind blowing Monday morning so all decided to try and sail off our anchor. Everything went off well and we spent the middle part of the day sailing to Hotsprings Cove with an average boat speed near 10 knots. After an evening soak in the pools all enjoyed smoked salmon fresh from the smoker as mug up concluded our day, heavenly. Another quick soak in the morning today before leaving Hotsprings and once agian a glorious north-westerly wind is moving us down the coast wing and wing between 7 and 9 knots. All are well.

Our sail down from Hotsprings Cove to Barkley Sound lasted from 1100 to 2000, broad reaching most of the way with beautifully clear weather. Our cooks prepared the traditional boat Sunday roast beef dinner complete with mashed potatoes and yorkshire puddings which everyone enjoyed as the Grace sailed gently up to her anchorage. Today was spent in light winds motoring south towards the opening of Juan de Fuca Strait. A sad time for us all as it is during this passage that we lose the great Pacific swell which always seems to be life giving during our time on the West Coast. It will not be until June 07, 2007 and the beginning of the next offshore voyage that the Grace will enjoy this motion again. All are well, but I must be honest no one is really looking forward to returning home. We have a wonderful group of trainees that have grown very close during the last eight days.