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1830, Tuesday, July 3, 2023
Happy 4th of July to friends back in the United States!
Today was a long, wet day. We left the dock in Bonavista at 0645 this morning with a 45-mile run ahead of us. We had to cross the entrance to Bonavista Bay, round Cape Freels and head into the small port of Lumsden. Each day we move further north.
Last night it rainbuckets. At times it woke me from my sleep to hear the rain pelting down in sheets. At least we were cozy in our bunks. We departed Bonavista and pointed north towards our destination. The day was a Newfie mix of RDF (Rain, Drizzle & Fog). The breeze was well aft and some of the time up to 25 knots true on our starboard quarter. Other times the wind went light and we motorsailed with the mainsail up and the now trusty diesel purring away.
We only saw two other boats. The first was a fishing trawler headed home. The second was Coast Guard Canada's fisheries patrol vessel the Vladykov. She is named in honor of Dr. Vadim Vladykov, a fisheries biologist who was the first to put forward the idea of protecting the beluga whales of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The 80-foot, red ship with the iconic white slash on her bow was powering southward into the wind and waves. The Vladykov now patrols Newfoundland to make sure the fishery is not abused.
We finally made it into Lumsden at about 1545 and tied to the wharf along with the fishing boats. It turns out we are the first sailboat they have seen here this season! Greg, the friendly harbormaster, offered us a ride into town in his truck. We had heard there was a small eatery and he dropped us off outside "DD's Bar," the only place in town. It was a classic. We were the only people in the place, along with a tired pool table, dart boards and a few Lotto machines. Burgers and fries were the choice; the burgers were good. The atmosphere was a little dark and quiet. Somehow, I think my dad would have enjoyed it.
Lumsden, where we are, is busy with crab being offloaded. The buyers have to pay offloading fees, which is the norm here. The money helps maintain the wharves. We will long remember DD's Bar and the family staff.
Photos below...
Bill
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