A HARD DAY FOR SMALL GAINS

I woke up this morning feeling great.  Green Island anchorage is the best so far, like being in a big wild garden anchorage, sheltered and safe.  As today is Friday the 13th I considered not going anywhere today – sailors are superstitious.  In hindsight staying put and exploring may have been a good option.

We set of in the normal morning calm and headed out into Fitz Hugh Sound.  The place was littered with logs, easy to spot when its calm but more difficult when there is a sea running.  Well we hit one, a sickening dull thump that goes right through the boat.  I was in the cockpit and looking out but I just didn’t see it.  The log was about 4 meters long, old and weathered and low in the water.

I was hopeful for a good days sailing as the forecast talked about southerly winds.  But of course the normal N Wly wind arrived mid-morning and blew solidly in our face all day.  We ended up only doing 29 miles in nearly 9 hours.  Progress was so slow I reckon I could have walked faster.  Mr. Yanmar buzzed away all day, drinking valuable diesel but for not much gain.

So far we have had either calm or headwinds.  Its very tiring and I don’t want to have this all the way to Alaska.  We need a break.

Coming up Fitz Hugh Sound there was a steady procession of motor launches heading north, most were from the USA.  I suppose the large cruise ships will start appearing soon for the annual Glacier Bay trips.

Apart from the headwinds and seas the weather was perfect today.  The sky was clear and the sun shone all day.  The temperature got up to 18 degrees and was of course much hotter in the sun.  The scenery was stunning.

This evening we are anchored in Codville Lagoon.  It’s a bit blustery with winds attacking from all directions off the hills.  There is a warm water lake about 20 minutes’ walk from the anchorage and there is supposed to be a trail leading to it from the beach.  I packed my towel and shampoo and set off in the pig to find it.  Really looking forward to a warm wash and shampoo.

I got to the beach in the bay but could find no trail.  I made a couple of attempts to get inland but there was no way and I didn’t really know the direction to take anyway.  I got acquainted with a couple of million sand-flies, covered in smelly mud and arrived back at the beach hot and sweaty.  I retreated back to the boat in a worse state than I had set off.

After a cockpit shower and a beer, I am back to normal.  Total voyage distance 387.3 miles.

 

Logged 13th May 2016