Pierre's Echo Bay to Blind Channel via the Johnstone Straits

Pierre's Echo Bay Marina was our stop Thursday night--our last night in the Broughtons--and we happened to arrive for their famous "Italian Night" and enjoyed a great Italian meal served in the big tent which happens to rest on one of the old I-90 pontoons that blew away in a wind storm several years ago. 




Pierre and Tove (pronounced tova) run an excellent marina and they are well known "characters" throughout the islands. See why below...

Italian night table scape (my friend Bev would approve--I think??)

Torben exchanges a few words in Danish with Tove as Pierre looks on

  

This morning, we were off the dock at 8:30 in light fog, headed for the Johnstone Straits which, again, were forecast to have strong to gale force winds.  By the time we were out about an hour, the fog began to lift and the scenery opened up....gorgeous!

It was like this the rest of the day:

The Johnstone Straits were calm with just a light ripple (below)

So much for "NW winds 15--25 increasing to 35 in the afternoon"
We're convinced that Environment Canada never bothers to change the forecast for the straits

Just past noon we came out of the straits and it was so warm, we piloted from the flying bridge and rolled back the canvas to enjoy the sunniest cruising thus far.  T took his shirts off a few minutes later but I promised not to use that picture. 

Did I mention that Torben hasn't shaved since we left?

6 hours and 15 minutes later, we arrived safely in Blind Channel where it is hot and very sunny.  Washing the boat to cool down is our afternoon activity.  We're told a supply boat and plane are bringing in fresh produce around 5 so we'll be up at the marina shortly thereafter.

Tomorrow we'll explore the area in the dinghy and, on Sunday, Carla and Tom arrive.  Whoo hoo.  Life is good.