Dear Penthouse...It All Started When On My Sailboat...

It's Business Time.

Dear Pent House,

It was May Long Weekend and I was on my sailboat with three girls... That's where the story starts and pretty much stops too. Cheryl, Belinda, Clare and Kingsley all loaded onto the WEASEL for a long weekend getaway. We headed out late Friday after work and made our way to Bowen; our usual Howe Sound jumping off point.

There was a strong westerly when we motored late out of the "Creek" that died off at the point as we entered into Howe Sound. So after a nice beat out of the bay we were reduced to motoring to our destination. As usual we rounded the point just as the 10pm ferry was starting to head out. We were buffeted by the current but negotiated our way into our usual slip at the USCM.

We had no sooner tied up in the deepening darkness when a Mayday call came in.

"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Vancouver Coast Guard calling all vessels in the vicinity of Horse Shoe bay to respond".

There was a call that two people we're in the water off the north point of the bay and in distress. My heart sunk. The WEASEL's engine was still warm; but I knew we we're 30-40 minutes away from Horseshoe Bay and ours was not the vessel to be rendering assistance. The ferry and the water taxi came on the air that they we're in route.

Over the next 30 minutes we listened to the drama unfold. It was not until later that we found out that a diver had died and the person with him was trying to get himself and his deceased friend back to shore. It was eerie hearing this over the radio on the boat.

The body of a diver being recovered at Lions Bay Marina.

SEA WEASEL at her second home.

The next morning we had breakfast at the "Snug" as usual and loaded up on groceries at the General Store. We were off and running, literally, for Gambier. We tried out the new chute for the first time and noticed quite a difference. The boat took off and ran down wind to the end of Bowen. The wind got flukey at the NE point and after a quick motor we were beating our way over to Port Graves. The weather was overcast but at least dry.

We found the anchourage at Port Graves exposed to a Southerly inflow wind and with a surprising number of boats in it. We had no trouble finding a anchourage behind HMCS Annapolis. We set our hook and set about "relaxing" i.e.: rowing the dog to shore and setting a crab pot.

Port Graves with the long weekend traffic.

Rowing the "Little Man" ashore in our crappy dinghy.

I finally found a place in Port Graves where I can catch crabs.

Later in the afternoon the sun made an appearance and we ferried ourselves ashore in our totally inadequate dinghy. After numerous trips, some near sinkings, and many a wet foot and bum we opted to hike around a bit. We stripped off our foulies and life jackets and hid them in the woods and set out. We followed some ATV tracks around the south end of the bay through the beautiful RVYC grounds and Camp Atterban making our way up to a little clearing near a cliff with a fire pit and chainsaw carved furniture surrounding it. This was as far as we got and turned around to return to the boat.

Getting back followed the same painful process as before with many a near disaster. We sat down and started eating dinner when we had unexpected guests Adam and Lana. They had their boat AUDACIOUS anchoured across the bay. They clambered aboard for a snack and a drink before heading out.

The next morning we hauled up our anchour and set out for Plumper Cove. The weather had deteriorated and it was wet, cold and miserable. Enroute I got the brainwave to head over to Gibson's Marina instead. They unbelievably had space and we made our way there.

Clare holding a freezing little man on the way to Gibsons.


Spinlock lifejackets give you "crotch strap line".

Gibson's Marina is a favourite spot and we were happy to get into a place where we could plug in our shorepower and get the heater going. When we made it in we got settled in and headed off to Grandma's Pub for a hot greasy lunch. After we settled into drinks and poker. Then things got crazy.

The dance party begins.

Belinda's poker face.

Cheryl loses again.

Kingsley, a little surly after some beer.

Finally plyed with liquor, things get hot.

Gibsons at sunset.

Monday morning we had a leisurely morning and left the dock around noon. The wind was blowing in hard from the Southeast -of course. We set out close hauled and began putting tacks in towards Vancouver. We came in far to the south near Spanish Banks and tacked up the south coast of the Bay. The sun was shining and the seas flat. It was the perfect return to Vancouver. Off the Maritime Musuem I reluctantly put on the engine and motored for home.