Monday, June 30, 2025, Tobermory

I woke up too early today and couldn't get back to sleep. Different sounds, I guess. Flags flapping, docks creaking, water slapping the hull and I thought I heard thunder. I checked the radar on the phone to see if I needed to close up. No rain was imminent, but it did appear we would have midday rain. Darn. We plan to walk to the grocery, do some shopping and I hope to do a little boat cleaning before we leave. 

We are getting near the part of the vacation I have been concerned about - that is getting the dingy out, inflated and towed safely from place to place. We also will find out if the choice of an electric motor was a good one or not. As I said before, Kerry is already experiencing range anxiety. At least all screw ups will be unknown to the Orros unless we tell on each other - which is what usually happens. 

The Chi-Cheemaun Car Ferry visits Tobermory daily

I took on a couple little tasks after coffee, cappuccinos and donuts with Peter. First, I checked that the windlass worked. Then I scrubbed the starboard water line to remove the dirt from the "sewer area" where we were docked at VYC. Finally, I cleaned and shined the rub rails on the starboard side. All the white dock pole paint on them (where did that come from?) is now gone! Peter even documented me at work.

Once Kerry was up we took off for the grocery store to get final supplies before anchoring. It's a 5,000 step round trip walk. We're set now.We even got some frozen bread we can bake at anchor, which we love to do. One of us enjoyed the walk, the other thought it too hot, too long, and had no shade. 

Lunch was leftover tacos from last night. Still good. After that Kerry, Marianna and I went shopping while Peter investigated our obtaining fishing licenses. Shopping wa successful as we each found a treasure. Rain was promised all day. It never came but still was a nuisance as we always had to be prepared for it to rain. 

After much discussion we decided to buy one sportsman's fishing license and one conservation license. The sportsman license allows you to catch more fish, but costs more. A blend of the two will save us money and allow up to four bass, for example, to be in our possession at one time. Traditionally, the limit has not been a problem for us, sorry to say.

We drank leftover, unfrozen margaritas for our happy hour. They were pretty terrible. If we are going to keep leftovers, we now know they must be kept frozen. They were in the freezer, but obviously in a space not cold enoigh.

There was a Mexican restaurant on the highway that came highly recommended by the dock staff. We walked there for dinner. We were not impressed. Seating was on dirty picnic tables by the highway and the food was served in styrofoam containers. We decided not to eat there and instead went to the Princess Hotel. We had Pizza and wine there and were happy with our choice. 

Peter and I had another after dinner cigar on the bridge deck of Voyager. It was a very nice evening so we sat for awhile after the cigars were done and discussed everything and nothing. The crews stayed on their own boats and made preparations for travel in the morning. We'll leave early tomorrow, but nothing close to the 5:30 AM departure we had from Kincardine. Our trip is about 48 miles and should take 5 1/2 hours.