Pacific Grace 2009 - Trip 4

Well, it feels good to be sitting in my familiar spot of a year ago, starboard side of the aftercabin table, behind the computer, pulling thoughts together on our day together.   Our days feel long and full; after only four days there is already a strong sense of community. We have experienced twice over what many people will never see in their life;  first there was Triangle Island and its colonies of birds and sea lions, and today, a spectacular hike along the southern beach of Brooke´s Peninsula.  We raised anchor shortly after second sitting breakfast and motored our way along Brooke´s Peninsula, back towards its western extremity.  Skipper jogged with the engine while Tristan and Sam shuttled trainees and crew to the beach to walk the full extent of the south beach. It was a wet and tricky landing, as waves, swell, and a rocky shore made exiting from the zodiac somewhat difficult.  Everyone took it well and although some were damper than others, we started out in good spirits.  When you are spending your days with 40 others on a ship on the wet west coast of Vancouver Island it helps to have a patient and accomodating attitude and I felt that the group had this.  We spent the next 4 hours walking along log strewn beaches, clambering over and around stunning rocky points of land, collecting amazing treasures washed ashore by vessels as far away as Japan, climbing along solid ledges of beautifully coloured and textured stone, and wading through sea water in narrow chasms of rock.   Alongside us were the magnificent rain forests the coast is known for. The vegetation was incredibly lush and green, trees sprouted from the tops of magnificently shaped pinnacles of rock that jutted out from the shore and often created passages into the forest. We followed some of these passages of rock and found ourselves in giant caves; it truly was spectacular. Crew and trainees fell into groups chatting and laughing, getting to know each other better, all the while watching their footing, as the terrain changed often.  Mist and rain accompanied us for most of the hike but we soon became oblivious to it.   One trainee, Jack, commented that he´d  "never worn his raingear as much as in the past few days . . . especially in August."   Tristan, our bosun, picked us up at the end of the beach, the eastern end of the Peninsula, and brought us back ´home´ safely to a nice warm ship with lunch waiting, thanks to Krystle and Keisa, our two cooks.  Trainees were tired, and happy to return to the "Pacific Grace," and, I think, deservedly proud of what they´d accomplished. We continued on, motoring, in the pouring rain and blowing wind to Kyoquot, a small village in a very beautiful and protected harbour, called Walter´s Cove.  Watches stood their watch together huddled under a tarp set up around the wheel, keeping each other entertained.  I was impressed with their attitudes in the somewhat trying westcoast weather we´re experiencing.  We arrived at the government dock about 2000hrs and are now nicely tied up.  This means that tonight everyone will get to sleep through the entire night, as there is no anchor watch.  We´re quite excited.  After all mooring lines were secured and the fender board was put into place, we pulled out the sun/rain tarps used so often during offshore, and put the foreward tarp up over the hold hatches.  It allows people to come on deck for air without getting soaked.  Over the aftercabin we left the small tarp up which prevents water from entering the hatch.  Trainees were very willing to help get the tarps up; it´s wonderful.  Last night Skipper and Jacob put 2 salmon in brine and then into the smoker for the night and some of today.  Tonight after dishes everyone who wanted was able to have a taste; it is absolutely the most delicious snack and we are planning on making more.  Tristan and Sam organized a massive ´tuck and tidy´ which pits the foc´sle (the guys) against the hold (the girls).  Both parties go ´all out´ to impress their judges, fluffing pillows, presenting nice poems and snacks for them, and creating the nicest ´space´ they can in order to win points.  We spent an hour singing heartily with Sarah and Sam playing guitar, and then launched into a discussion entitled "What matters?"  Keisa made delicious lemon squares for Mug-Up which we ate with some vanilla steamed milk.  By midnight everyone was in their bunks.  Tomorrow morning we are looking forward to a visit to Kyoquot´s General Store and a stroll around the tiny village.  Pray for sunny, dry weather, we have a lot of damp clothes hanging around!  Until tomorrow, good night, Bonice.