Saturday, July 12, 2025, Gore Bay

Apparently it was pretty noisy in the anchorage last night. I was out and heard nothing until I awoke at 5:00 AM and heard the water really slapping on the hull. Kerry had trouble sleeping she said because of the noise. I actually had an 83 sleep score.

We left right at 6:00 AM. Kerry was up and chomping at the bit to get going. She was pushing me to move along - rather unusual. The anchor and chain came up with no mud and no seaweed. Really a pleasure to anchor up here without seaweed to deal with. Fortunately we only had 10,000 bugs because we did not have time to deal with them. I passed a pair of loons on the way out. They were really crying out this morning, a sound that I love hearing. 

The trip to Gore Bay was delightful. The travel conditions were perfect. It would have been fine if the trip was longer, although it is forecast to become breezier and rain later today. We traveled 18 miles in 2 1/2 hours, arriving at Gore Bay at 8:30. Initially we were assigned to "G" Dock. But it's really far from everything. So I had us changed to "F" Dock, where we normally stay. I took a port side tie so I could clean the rub rails if the motivation level rises. Once docked, Kerry made a beeline for the laundry while I got out a hose and washed off bugs. It's pretty hot in the marina so the air conditioners were  quickly on again. 

Annie at her favorite "F" Dock

I plugged in my mighty little towing motor. It was at 50% charge. I'll be interested to see how fast it charges. (It took 1 hour and 45 minutes to charge from 50% to full. They advertise a full charge takes 4 hours.) Gore Bay has a lot of interesting things and boats so see so I imagine we will be doing some sightseeing while here. And of course I have my hardware store shopping list all prepared.

For some reason, 10:30 seemed to be a good time to have my first rum and coke of the trip. Maybe it's because the day started at 5:00 AM. Or maybe it's because I just finished my third day of  washing off bugs. I didn't have my usual Sailor Jerry's rum, so I made it with Canadian Captain Morgan's Dark Rum and did not enjoy it as much. This cruising life can be cruel!

Once again in the small world category. A Nimbus 30 powerboat docked next to us shortly after we arrived. It was Ann and Juan from Vermilion, Ohio! They dock at Moes. We had not met them before, but they recognized Annie. Nimbus says the W9 model they have is a day cruiser. They are day cruising the North Channel for 6 weeks. They have every inch of the boat packed and seem to be doing very well. They travel at 28 knots which does make me a little jealous. The ability to travel at that speed instead of 8.5 knots would really change our trip planning.

Ann and Juan from Vermilion Ohio

We went downtown shopping about 11:00. There are quite a few stores here for this being a small town. Of course the grocery and hardware stores got most of our business. I got 4 of the items on my hardware wish list, including a cigarette lighter USB adapter, shite electrical tape, and a hose nozzle. Kerry got some items at the grocery, For some reason we never think to bring our reusable bags with us and always end up buying another. This one was only $.45C, not so bad. 

Kerry made us a little pepperoni pizza on a tortilla for lunch. I usually cook these on the grill but rain seemed imminent so we did it in the oven. They were good. Then I met Peter at the hardware store. I got a container for my paint supplies after I had measured the space available. We each bought a new fishing lure the store employee said was a killer. It has a swivel that produces a vibration that attracts fish - I'm told. I wasn't going to buy one, but Peter was. And if it worked like the employee said it would, I would hate myself for passing up the chance to get one. Nancy Clark's grandson says we should use hot dogs. I do have two in the freezer. (I'll put my money on the kid!)

The weather has been very unsettled today. Big storms all around us. Most have missed us, but we have had some high winds and rain. They came and went all afternoon.

We had dinner at the Purvis Fish Restaurant right next to the Marina. Kerry and I had a three piece fish and chips dinner and the Orro's enjoyed fish tacos. The food was great and we bought a piece home for today's lunch.

Purvis Fish and Chips Restaurant right near Annie. Perfect!

We visited on Annie until time for the theater. We passed a blooming Catalpa Tree on the way to the play. my parents used to have two in their front lawn. They are a very dirty tree and you rarely see them. They are pretty in bloom though.

The play was "The Woman in Black". I always have enjoyed these summer theater productions in Canada. Until tonight. I thought this production was awful. It was very hard to follow and none of us had a clue after the first act what was happening. The second act was a bit better as a narrator explained what was going on. It must have been this adaptation that was the issue, because the movie was quite successful and the play ran over 10 years in London with over 13,000 productions. 

On the way back to the boats we passed a deer peacefully munching on someone's lawn. It was quite a coincidence because Peter had just said earlier tonight that if there were so many deer here, how come he had never seen one. 

Seeing is believing

I hit 10,000 steps on the way back To Annie. I think this is the second time that has happened.