Pacific SwiftTrip 2 2008

A great sailing day! The day dawned early with forward watch at 0545
to weigh anchor in hopes of reaching Hornby island this afternoon. By
0600 the anchor was aweigh and the course sails were set before a
beautiful sunrise and a freshening northwest breeze.  At 0630 the breeze
and promise of greater speed to Hornby awoke all hands to set the
mainsail and topsails. Many were groggy but happy to turn to and set
sail, a few brave souls hauled aloft to loose the topsails. After
breakfast we were skimming along at 7 knots as the juniors wrote their
exams and the intermediates finished up their last lesson. The good turn
of speed found us at Hornby near midday and as we rounded into the bay
we swapped our square sails for full fore and afters (all sail was up
for several minutes). The slackening breeze didn´t deter us as we beat
into the crowded anchorage and anchored under sail power alone. A task
that required all hands to pitch in to handle all the lines and gear to
anchor a tallship under full sail! It was all handsomely done and there
was much anticipation to launch dories and head ashore to play games and
perhaps find the fabled store. Not even a long row and a headwind would
deter the enthusiasm for a trip ashore. Tribune Bay has a lovely sand
beach and seemed a bustling metropolis compared to Desolation Sound. A
couple games and then to "downtown". A fun time with icecream, fresh
fruit, the odd candy bar and all accompanied to live gypsy jazz guitar.
We plan to spend the rest of the evening playing games, singing and
having a whole ship talk or "rap" to continue in community growth.