Friday, August 18, 2023

August 2023 Cruise - Toronto to Kingston

Rob and I headed east, departing BPYC on July 31. 

Great weather, actually sailing, and in the evenings watching a full moonrise from the boat.

Our cat Griskit has joined us. Cruising with a cat is new to us ad she is quite the diversion. Although she's not in her element, she hasn't been getting seasick. She mostly spends her time below deck, but sometimes comes up when we're under sail. Evenings she is quite comfortable on top. When we're tied to dock we usually keep her on a leash when she is out of the cabin, but one calm night anchored at Stella she spent the whole evening on deck, free to roam, as we slept below. She is weathering the storms and bumpy crossings quite well but does occasionally get a really pissed off look on her furry face!


Rob and I took our time getting to Waupoos through the Bay of Quinte. After six nights, we finally arrived! Then eight nights in Waupoos. Lots of stormy weather, so we were often tied to the dock overnight. Summer storms are best enjoyed in a safe port; watching lightning and listening to rumbling thunder bring their own pleasure. 

The first big stormy night in Waupoos Rob served up cocktails to Aldo, Alex, Caroline, Dennis and I before dinner on Caroline's Mainship. Martinis, cuba libra, rye and ginger ale. It was fun having company after a week as a twosome. 



Our nights on the dock in Waupoos Marina were spent next to Mustafa and Fegan. They had a Catalina as well, and we got to chatting and learned they spend winters in Botrum, (Turkey) and summer on their boat at Waupoos Marina. We also bonded with cat stories, as they sailed with their cat until she grew too old for the adventures. When they were going in to town they offered to pick us up some provisions, and we thanked them with a lemon tart. One stormy night we joined them to watch the torrential storm rip through. Boats were rocking in the harbour and rivulets were running like a stream through the centre of the shelter. Fegan slipped in her Crocs. No blood but definitely a broken bone. The ambulance was called and it took more than an hour to arrive, as the storm had caused so much other trouble. We learned the next day she was sent to Picton and then on to Belleville for surgery for a broken kneecap. Hopefully she had a good surgeon and heals quickly.

We were on the same sail path with Caroline and Dennis from Waupoos through to Amherst Island. Not spending every moment together, but heading into Picton to do laundry and provision. Playing Yahtzee and Greed, sharing dinners. Caroline showed us a few new spots to anchor around Amhert Island, that Alex had shown her (Wemps Bay and Amherst Bay).  
After anchoring out, we needed a pump out and some fresh water in the tank. Storms were threatening once again, and we were on our way to Trident Yacht Club for a few nights when Caroline called to let us know she had nabbed the last spot there. Thankfully Yondering had just passed Treasure Island, so we turned around to overnight. Last night the storm blew through quickly, but very strong winds are rocking the boat and vibrating the mast this morning. Staying put for another night. A very pleasant little spot, with a good restaurant and a short Uber into Kingston to provision.


***

19 days so far
@ dock: 13 (zero reciprocals!!)
@ anchor: 6

Port Whitby Marina (dock July 31)
Cobourg (anchor Aug 1, dock 2nd & 3rd)
Trent Port Marine (dock 4th)
Glenn Island (anchor 5th)
Waupoos (dock at night 6, 7, 8 but with some days at anchor)
Waupoos, Van Deusen  (anchor 9)
Waupoos (dock 10, 11, 12, 13)
Amherst Island, Wemps Bay (anchor 14)
Amherst Island, Amherst Bay (anchor 15)
Amherst Island, Stella Bay (anchor 16th)
Kingston, Treasure Island (dock 17th &18th)


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