The only reason the word almost was used in the title is that the temperature is still a bit nippy. Other than that, yesterday was almost perfect sailing conditions. A big blue sky sunny day and a nice breeze; allowing us a beam reach out of the harbour. We decided to visit a small island off the coast which has a lighthouse on it.
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It was a day to really show my Daughter and Son-In-Common-Law the magic of sailing.
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An electric anchor winch was installed on the Makina earlier this spring. We thought we would try it out for the first time below the old lighthouse on the island. We carefully tiptoed through the minefield of lobster pots into the cove which lay below the lighthouse.
Once in the cove we dropped anchor. It bit bottom the first try. You may see the pleasure in my face below. You might also notice the up and down foot pedals for the anchors just to my right in the pic. There is also a toggle switch installed in the cockpit should Makina be sailing solo.
Confident that our anchor was firm we turned our attention to the picnic which our wonderful Galley Chef, my Daughter, prepared for us.
After some digestive relaxation we brought Makina out of the cove, hoisted sails and found the same favourable wind allowing us a beam reach to port again.
After such a wonderful sail the crew deserved a treat, so we went to the Fish Shack to dine.
The fellow in the red jacket on the left of the image is Pierre. He has taken most of the award winning photographs of the passage.
The crew had a few beers onboard before turning in to an early night as the plan was for Pierre, my Daughter and Son-In-Common-Law to catch the 9:00am shuttle to Halifax. Hopefully they will all return again during the course of the summer.
My feeling is that my Daughter and Son-In-Common-Law have been bitten by the sailing bug; which Pierre and myself have succumbed to years before. āļøš
A listing of my sailing posts:
@novacadian/categories-of-novacadian-s-sailing-seasons
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