Monday, July 7, 2025, Little Current

Well, we made it safely through the night. Kerry and I were up a couple of times to peak out and check our position. I looked at our tracking on my phone too. I don't think the wind and storms lived up to what was predicted, fortunately. 

The weather looks good for travel today. Winds are forecast to continue to diminish as the morning matures. We planned a late morning departure when discussing it last night with the crew of Voyager. 

The 19 mile trip down the Landsdowne Channel to Little Current

We pulled out just about 10:00. The anchor was solidly dug in so we would not have had to worry about it's dragging if we knew. The chain was full of mud which took a lot of hosing to clean. It took us 2 hours and 45 minutes to travel to Little Current at an average speed of 6.8 knots. We always go slow up here. 

We towed our dinghy with no problem. Here is a shot of the rig we used. Notice the pulley to keep the tow line centered on the boat.

Kerry made us a nice PBJ lunch today

The lighthouse marking the entrance to Little Current

I called the bridge tender to double check clearance. He said it was 17'8" which is way more than enough for Annie's 13'. I always lower Annie's  antennas when I pass under this bridge. We zipped right under it and headed for our dock. I asked for a port tie so I could clean the rub rails on that side. 

What a disaster we had docking.The two sides of the well were open. We were taking the port side. I nosed the bow in perfectly and the dock boy caught the bow line. We were a bit slow in getting them the stern line, so Annie, assisted by wind and current, decided the bow should stay on the port side but that the stern would be happier on the starboard side of the well. So here we are 45 % in the dock. Our neighbor suggested we just take the starboard side. Great idea as the thrusters would not move the stern in to port. And while trying to thrust the stern over, the dinghy tow line wrapped on the rear thruster propeller making it inoperable. After a big bang on the starboard dock we had Annie in and secured. Damage to Annie - none thankfully. The rub rail on the swim platform took the dock hit and it was not damaged. 

I thought I might be unable to get the tow line free from the thruster. I had visions of hiring a diver to accomplish it. I kept working at it, and to my amazement, it popped free. The tow line though had been chewed a bit and will need to be replaced. Easy enough as I have another floating line that I think will work. I always hate docking here because of the current that can flow in either direction up to 5 MPH. My expectations were met today. I really am glad I asked for docking help. Most of the time I do not - but here - always! No photos though, as I was too distracted. 

We had a debriefing afterwards with a couple of beers on the top deck. Kerry decided she would take over line management in the cockpit to make it easier to know which line is which. Extra ones will now go in the locker. The only somewhat redeeming factor is that our neighbor said the same thing happened to him. So, I decided to deploy our brand new red fenders in case some other unsuspecting captain tries for that port dock!

Grocery shopping was on today's agenda. We took a marina cart and the 4 of us hit the Canadian Dollar Store and the grocery. The grocery is small and we could not get some of the items we wanted, like tortillas and little powdered white donuts. Oh no! Marianna and I hit the LCBO store for vodka and wine on the return trip. The ladies decided to skip doing laundry here. They have been washing clothing items on board as we dirty them, so dirty laundry is minimal. Gore Bay has a nice laundry and sheets will get washed there. 

It was about 5;00 when we returned. I had time for a quick shower before we were entertained on Voyager for appetizers at 6:00. As always, we had a good time eating and drinking our dinners. Kerry might have had a half too many vodkas so we were careful to make she she made it back to her bed safely. 

Peter, Marianna and I are meeting at 8:45AM tomorrow to attend Roy Eaton's Cruiser's Net live. It's a VHF and internet program designed for North Channel Cruisers, and is on air in July and August. It's a North Channel tradition. 

Tomorrow I need to deal with replacing the dinghy's towing line and doing a little testing to make sure the thruster still works as it should. The blades are plastic I and I hope to find them all still in place. I know the motor runs. 

Our next photo contest is "Docks/Docks". Entries are due by 8:00PM tomorrow.