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2030 Monday, August 21, 2023
Yesterday's blustery southeasterly followed the forecasters plan. Overnight the breeze swung around into the southwest. As I came on deck around 0530, it looked promising to be able to lay Bonavista, some 35 miles away across the mouth of the Bay. For over two months now, each day starts for me with checking weather forecasts and weighing options. After a glance toward the brightening east, I decided to motor out and set sail.
It proved to be a fantastic sail, much of it hard on the wind with a 20 to 25 knot breeze that sometimes gusted higher. We reefed both main and jib. We sailed past the little island community of Greenspond, perched at the ocean's edge. We were doing 6 to 7 knots as we weaved through the ledges off of the Puffin Island Lighthouse. Beyond, the crashing surf brought a nist to the air around offshore rocks. Small, white fishing boats were out checking traps, jigging or hauling nets, some men discussing the morning's catch. Annie seemed to enjoy the exhilarating sail. As whitecaps dotted the seascape, Tazzarin's bow continued to part the seas and make good progress to Bonavista.
By 1415 we were tied to the dock in Bonavista. We strolled the town and then took hot ahowers at the Harbour Authority where the Harbour Supervisor, Jerry Moreland, happily greeted as and remembered my last visit over a month and a half ago.
Just after 1700 the couple aboard Astrolabe, a 53-foot sailboat out of Hobart, Tasmania, invited us for a drink and the special type of shared comeraderie that sailors in the same port, away from home, can share. Kim and Ian were delightful!
We decided the long day and miles covered merited a good meal. The quaint Boreal Diner was just the spot with all local ingredients. Annie finished the meal with a yummy pink desert.
Photos with captions are below....
Bill
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