2010 Trip 5 - Pacific Swift

Last night´s adventure was a great success, ending under a twinkling
canopy of stars and moon bathed hillsides. We were up and underway at
0800 again today to begin our journey south towards Victoria. It was a
clear sunny morning, affording excellent views of the mountainous sound
and humpbacks lazily foraging at the surface. Two black bears were also
spotted, tumbling rocks in search of their breakfast on the beach while
eagles swooped overhead.  Exiting Nootka Sound we picked up the offshore
breeze and set courses and square topsail to bear away before the
building NW. Spirits soared as the canvas glowed in the mid-morning sun
lifting us to speeds in excess of 9 knots while we surged down the face
of the rolling sea. Rounding Hesquiat Peninsula the wind drew abeam and
we hoisted the main, fore, staysail and jib. There was an exciting
flurry of activity to hoist, douse, sheet and trim a multitude of canvas
on the sharply heeling deck as we raced around into Hesquiat Harbour. It
was excellent sail training and all hands acquitted themselves superbly,
culminating in the teamwork of anchoring the ship under sail deep in the
harbour. The trainees are starting to open up to each other and the
sense of community is growing noticeably day by day.