Malcolm Island - Mitchell Bay - Sointula

Just catching up - this blog post covers July 4 to 6.

Malcolm Island - off Port McNeill

Malcolm Island is a large island just off the coast of Vancouver near the town of Port McNeill. Visitors come by pleasure boat or Ferry to sightsee and enjoy the history, culture and artistry that can be found here.

Mitchell Bay is on the SW end of Malcolm Island. It is wide open to the SW but with the right weather it provides a good place to anchor.

Mitchell Bay - Malcolm Island

This is the heart of whale watching country and VHF channel 7 comes alive with reports and conversation among the whale watching boats, commercial and not.

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Mitchell Bay Beach

Mitchell bay is connected by road to the rest of Malcolm Island. The main town is Sointula but it is a little far to walk so that will be the next stop. A plesant walk along the quiet roadway looks out over the water and artists touches include driftwood structures and planters in the shape of dorys painted in bright colours. Cruise ships can be seen winding their way through the islands and narrow passages leading to Johnstone Strait to the south.

Happy crew ashore for a walk

Que Sera in Mitchell Bay

Sointula

Public Dock beside the ferry terminal

Across the water from Port McNeill, Sointula displays its Finnish heritage and friendly character. A large marina is available to those not wanting to get their anchors wet and the bay provides lots of space for those with a good hook and the desire to row ashore for fish and chips at the dock.

Lovely old rowboat along the shore

There is a really neat haulout place using a system of Rails and a motorized winch. It will handle large vessels with drafts over 9 feet. We saw a large commercial fishing and a sailboat hauled out at different times. Only room for one boat at a time.

Eagle watches over Que Sera

Along the shoreline there are many remains of old boathouses and rail systems to haul the boats out of the water. This must have been very popular in days gone bye.

Eagles paired up along the shore

A flypast for the camera

Next stop Alert Bay

See you there, RMD&D

Campbell River - Billy Goat Bay - Broughtons

A trip to Ontario in June has restored our land legs. We are now caught up on the news for a short time.

Vanessa, Dan and Rick enjoy Coffee, sun and live entertainment at theKensington Market.




A week plus in Toronto then we were off to Sudbury to enjoy the company of our grandson Gavin and his parents. Gavin got the prime seat in his backpack carrier to enjoy the outdoors and see the birds and animals.

Mary and Gavin - Intro to Botany 101

We decided to bring "Daisy" our 4 year old companion back to BC for a taste ( and smell) of the beautiful coast and of course, all the boating she can adapt to.

Our newest crewmember " Daisy "


The trip home was a series of firsts. Crate training, airport training , two aeroplane rides and a taxi ride were just the start for Daisy in her reincarnation to super dog. The boat, kayak and salt water training are ongoing !!



M & D - Day 2 - Campbell River



Que Sera was berthed in Campbell River at fisherman's marina for a month during our trip and for a week of crew (Daisy) training. The ice cream on the Discovery Pier was a regular trip and the fresh fish off a local fish boat topped off our stay.

Que Sera at Fishermans Warf in Campbell River

Not far from the marina - way too close actually - is the Discovery Pier. A little concession on the pier has great ice cream and draws crowds on the sunny summer days.
















Ice cream alone seems decadent, so fish and chips, then ice cream, makes a well rounded meal.





June 26 - We provisioned at the Discovery Harbour complex and topped off the fuel. We then moved over to Gowland Harbour on Quadra Island to begin the the Daisy to shore in the kayak, phase of the conversion.


Looking very lady like in her pink, polka dot life jacket, she adapted well to being lifted in and out of the kayak. Trips ashore can be noisy but the training goes well.

With the change of the tides and a NW flowing ebb, the trip through Seymour Narrows and up Johnstone Straight takes us to Helmcken Island.

July 29 - Helmcken Island - Billygoat Bay.

Billygoat Bay - Helmcken Island


This beautiful little anchorage in the middle of Johnstone Straight became our home for a few days while the gale warnings were posted every day on the marine weather site. The current flows quickly around this area and the wildlife is abundant. There are seals, eagles, dear, jelly fish and the list goes on.

Billygoat Bay - Vancouver Island Mountains behind



The winds have been an issue for a few days with NW gales predicted almost every day. On July 1 , Canada Day, we left Billygoat Bay and motored into a headwind for the day to our Current location - The Broughtons, behind Mound Island. Large waves and 25 knot winds near Port Neville quickly decreased the farther NW we travelled . There are no signs or even radio reports of Killer Whales in the area yet, but we expect to see some soon.


Broughtons - " Where did we leave the kayak ?? "


The Mega yachts are out in force and just keep getting bigger. Nova Spirit - 150 feet plus - just motored in and anchored. Time to load up the kayak and visit...


Time to create the latest blog posting.


See you soon.


R, M, D & D