To the Broughtons...

SVs Carousel, Pelagia and Chanter anchored in Monday Anchorage

 

After nearly a month in the Desolation Sound/Discovery Islands area, it was time to move on.

Our time in Desolation Sound started with nearly empty anchorages combined with only "warmish" air and (sea) water temperatures (too cold for us to swim). By the end, seas had warmed up so that we were enjoying swimming, there were some sunny days, and the anchorages definitely becoming busy. Not the pre-Covid-19 stupid-busy with 60-80 boats (and often majority American boats), but busy such that we'd see 15-20 (Canadian) boats. Call it "Canadian busy".

So it was time to move on.

We headed to the Broughtons, with hope of empty anchorages, mild bucolic days, and wildlife. We got some of this, including many black bear sightings, a close-up in our kayaks with a wading grizzly bear, and many whale sightings.

Getting to the Broughtons, however, included a real slog bucking the tide in Johnstone Strait (wasn't supposed to be a flood with 5+ knots against us!) that happily ended with a great 9-mile sail (steered by Finn, our windvane).

The weather for the first week in the Broughtons was better than forecasted, allowing for many kayak trips. But never that warm. The past few days, unfortunately, have been soaked with torrential rains and some wind. And the coming week has rainfall predicted every day.
Making us consider returning south (well, actually east) back down Johnstone to Desolation and perhaps home.

But first, we are giving it another try in the northern Broughtons. Currently, we are anchored in "Monday Anchorage" (don't be fooled by its name: Monday is not a good anchorage in windy weather), waiting/hoping for the rain to let up.

We shall see....


Update: the rain did indeed end, in time for drinks in the cockpit before dinner.