We awoke in Portage Cove to sunshine!  It was glorious to see the birds and seals all over also enjoying the day!  The seas were calm and we crossed Chedabucto Bay to St. Peter’s Bay.  To enter the Bras d’Or Lake we had to pass through one lock and a swing bridge which was really fun. Later we went through a double bascule bridge at Grand Narrows.  The Lake reminds us of Lake Tahoe but with rolling hills instead of snow capped mountains (no small difference!)  We sailed from the fly bridge where we could steer and enjoy the view; something we haven’t done because of the weather and rough seas.  It was a lovely day and such a contrast to what we have experienced.  We arrived at Baddeck, found a mooring and went out to dinner.

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We have given away three one pound bags of Peets coffee to people who have been so nice to us along the way; one to Sherrie and Ken who lent us their car to go grocery shopping in Shelburne. The second went to Donnie and Marilyn who drove us to the food store and gave us a tour of Lunenburg. The third went to Judy and Bob who took us shopping and took Randy and Jenny to the airport to get a rental car. All have been pleased to get some great Peets coffee from California!

We want to add that the people at Wilbur Yachts have been so supportive and have called every day to help us iron out the problems we have been having. How we appreciate their support.

We left Lunenburg at 7:00 am in the fog and headed north to Halifax. The seas were rough; six to eight feet waves with 1/4 mile visibility or less. Jenny’s seasickness continued, and Quinlan also was sick along the way. The boat’s systems all worked well and we were secured at the dock at the Armdale Yacht Club by 1:00 pm enjoying what turned into a beautifully sunny day. From the dock we were able to see the fireworks celebrating Canada Day.

Randy and Jenny have decided to rent a car and travel by land to Prince Edward’s Island, and will meet up with us again at the Bras d’Or Lakes and then will fly home from Halifax rather than continuing on to Newfoundland on Geraldine. We have seen how hard it is for Jenny and Quinny to tolerate the ocean passages and know this is the best decision, but will miss them so much and are glad we will rendezvous again before they head home.

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We spent a second day in Lunenburg as Walt worked on the engine fuel problem. Donnie offered to take us to the food store and we took him up on it! On the way he took us on a tour of the city and then we met Marilyn his wife. Later in the day they came for tea and he gave Walt some good advice on the engine problem which he will implement in Halifax. The rest of us gave Walt free reign of the boat and walked all over Lunenburg checking out the cute shops, galleries and old homes. At 4:00 we all got caught in a huge rain downpour! Jenny had made a plastic bag poncho for Quinny and she just laughed and giggled as they ran to get out of the rain!

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