AUGUST 3-4, 2011 - LITTLE CURRENT, MANITOULIN ISLAND

August 3, 2011
Generally speaking this day turned into a very good day. It started off with my attempting to create a to do list. Good intentions have led to progress but have not accomplished all that is required. I will not bore you with the contents of the list but suffice to say I think we will need another day. The Dell computer tech and the Cummins guys are supposed to call today to make appointments for tomorrow. I have a certain amount of faith in Dell but only by default. Cummins-not a chance, for they are stumped and will forward their problems to their American cousins.

Well we have been in Little Current before and expect nothing new or different. We enjoyed a pleasant evening with Mike and Liz off Fridays Child when they took us to the Anchor Inn for a bon voyage dinner and then back to our boat for a night cap. They were heading East tomorrow and we were heading West. They, back home to Goderich and us back to the North Channel. It was an early night for all but by about midnight I had I removed myself from then Master Cabin and went to sleep on the couch. Now many of you might think the couch is a major down grade but you must understand that it is very comfortable. I was not going to allow Terri to sleep if I continued tossing and turning. Even the CBC radio could not settle my mind. It seems Jack Layton’s replacement …….. was a previous member of the Bloc Quebecois as well as the provincial counter-part.  But now all is well, for she has renounced her separatist notions and is now a strong federalist.  She is now ready to communicate and discuss her plight with all Canadians. (According to the CBC). Now in Canada we do things differently. It seems that for the second time in a decade the official opposition and its leader have a mandate to break up and separate from our country. What the heck. All of the excuses and incantations mean nothing. She is a separatist and a socialist. Grrrrr! enough of politics.

As I said we did have a good day otherwise and did not want it to end. As the sun sets we recount the day and count our blessings.

August 4, 2011

Today Terri has slept in as she is want to do. It rained last night and I was up to close and check the windows and hatches. Little Current is so peaceful at 0300 hrs. Back to bed, but all too early the sun is up and it was time to prepare the coffee, only this time there were fresh croissants from the local bakery as well. We met a couple of Looper Boaters today. Frank and Carrie aboard “Once Around” and Jill and Glenn aboard “Last Dance.” We hope they both enjoy the North Channel and take their time as they journey west. We all met because we all fly the AGLCA burgee. This burgee is a common one to all looping boats. It is a quick way to recognize a looping boat and of make a friend and share experiences.  We did the boat tour thing on each other’s boat and ended up on our boat. Great company!

Well the Dell guy will be here at 7:30 tomorrow. Let’s see. We have heard nothing from Cummins though. Ter says she is up at 6;30. Strong coffee it will be.

A note on Little Current: Something that always occurs when we spend time in Little Current is that the current continues to cause havoc with visiting boaters. This current, while it is wind driven can change direction in a very short period of time and can also increase in speed up to about 4 knots. Surprising but not very believable unless you have experienced it! This current is definitely on an insurance adjuster’s beaten path. It grinds gel coat like powder as the boats mash against each other and the docks and walls. It unnerves the most experienced captains, and offers more business to marriage counselors than infidelity. It is a cruel teacher.

 Today the victim was to be a tall ship known as Path Finder. This is a teaching type of ship for teenagers who are schooled and taught more than sailing skills. Life lessons are also a valuable lesson taken home by the crew. Today their slip assignment had been on the wall that was in between two sets of finger docks. While this might not be a problem for them in many harbors, Little Current is not like any other harbour. Long story short, they managed to scrape the sterns of about three boats as the current took them for a ride. There was not a lot of damage I don’t think but a lot of frayed nerves. Chalk up another one for Little Current.

TER AT WORK

Wow the Dell guy has arrived as promised and he is here and gone in an hour. Very likeable chap who knew his business.  At the same time, I had a Mechanic from Boyle’s marine in to swap a freshwater pump. The old one quit during our last visit to Eagle Island and I was able to make arrangements for another one to be shipped to Boyles Marine. The only problem was that the long weekend was coming up and that would have meant that we would have been without water for about 5 days. So not being afraid to get my hands dirty I pulled off the old pump and replaced it with another pump that we use for a wash down pump. While it didn’t have the same water pressure it was a lot better than going without any water. North Pacific Yachts helped out a lot as this pump was still under warranty. They made sure another pump was shipped express and paid the labour for the reinstall as well. Good service!


VEGGIES

The balance of the day was spent resupplying and stowing ships stores and Terri doing more work as she has an internet connection to the office. A BBQ dinner of Pork Loin with all the fixing's capped off a long day. We are ready to head out tomorrow. But where should we go? Next chapter…….

Cheers,