So on Sunday, June 19, Andiamo, Meridian Passage and Vicky V headed out of Ladysmith to Clam Bay on the east side of Thetis Island. Luckily my crew member had way more experience than Captain Yours Truly. She was wonderfully supportive and encouraging. We anchored in Clam Bay and had a lovely dinner aboard Vicky V - sans fresh crab. The following day we headed to Princess Cove on Wallace Island. Rafting up to another boat was a new experience for me - it's like trying to dock but the dock keeps moving. She kind of looks like me - short and fat!!. We enjoyed the hiking trails on Wallace and had another lovely meal, this time aboard Meridian Passage. On Tuesday we made our way back to Ladysmith. Unfortunately as soon as we raised the sails the wind died so it was a motoring trip back. Jeannie was so encouraging as I took Andiamo into her new slip at the marina. I think I was holding my breath the whole time. We did a quick load of laundry, had showers and then I joined Merv and Jeannie aboard Meridian Passage. We headed back to Thetis Island and this time in a bay at the north end of the island. The following morning made our way through Porlier Pass for a trip to Vancouver. The day started out windless but it picked up and we had a lovely sail across Georgia Strait all the way into English Bay. We anchored in False Creek, right downtown Vancouver. The city has its own beauty - quite different from quiet anchorages with few people around but fun none the less. I spent the night aboard and then left Merv and Jeannie to pick up Pascal's truck so that I could clear out my storage locker in Richmond and bring everything to Ladysmith.
It was wonderful to take Andiamo out and spend time with good friends but there is always that missing piece. I know that with time it won't be so raw and knowing that I think I have to give myself at least two full summers with the boat before making any major decisions. I'm not sailing near as much as I thought I would - it becomes so overwhelming that I can only do it in small doses and then need a break from the boat. I decided to be easy on myself and maybe next summer I'll make some plans for longer trips. We'll see but for now a huge thank you to Merv, Jeannie, Sandy and Doug.