2010 Trip 3 - Pacific Swift

Yesterday marked the beginning of the Swift´s annual
circumnavigation of Vancouver Island. The first leg from Victoria to
Port Hardy began with the embarkation of 28 trainees. There is an
overwhelming amount of returning trainees coupled with several fresh
faces. It is great to see the mix of the experienced and more familiar
trainees working alongside and encouraging  those new to the programme.
Yesterday we wasted no time pushing north towards Desolation Sound. We
found a small favourable breeze once clear of Active Pass and out into
the Strait of Georgia. We spread our canvas in the evening´s coppered
light and drifted gently during mug-up, which nightly consists of games
and singing. However the breeze was fleeting and we lowered sails along
with the sun and continued north under power. It was a gentle starlit
night, with a beautiful harvest moon on the rise. Late overnight the
wind turned fresh against us and  the building steep seas of the Strait
were not the most kind to our 18th century lines. The wind died down mid
morning and we were able to gather speed again towards Savary Island. We
anchored off it´s sandy shores around 1430 and wasted little time in
rowing the ship´s dories ashore to play games on the beach.  This
evening we will select "secret friends" and carry on with the regular
mug-up programme.