Hi All,

Louise left by taxi at noon on Thursday, headed to Windsor to catch the train back to Kingston. She is all excited about hockey registration season and I am happy enough to avoid the steady stream of phone calls to the league registrar. I cast off a little later in the afternoon and headed for Pelee Island. Once more it was motor time due to lack of wind. Well actually there was wind of about 5 knots on the nose and I wanted to anchor in time for supper. I anchored off the SW corner of the island which the guidebook recommended as a good lunch spot, but not suitable for overnight. I think what they meant was that if the wind was from the wrong direction you might have to move. In the predicted NE winds it was the perfect spot and I stayed another night, hoping to get something more westerly.

I set out on Saturday, despite the continued NE, which was low enough not to be too bouncy. It was a combination of sail and motor to Erieau, where I topped up the fuel supply, then anchored in Rondeau Bay for the night. Shallow and weedy! How shallow, you ask. I did get the sounder to read 4 feet and the boat didn't swing much.

Sunday I set out bright and early, motor sailing on a nearly close hauled course for Port Stanley. In the afternoon there was enough wind to maintain decent speed so I sailed the last few hours of the day and anchored in the outer harbour. After settling in I felt this odd thrumming in the deck. My first thought was I forgot to shut off the engine, but no. Then what about some piece of rigging vibrating in the wind, except that there was only about 6 knots of breeze, but I wandered around the boat checking anyway. I finally decided it must be waterborne vibration from some big piece of something over at the fuel bulk depot, but I don't know what. Anyhow, it dissappeared some time around 2200, and wasn't back yet when I left the next morning.

Monday I didn't make it out quite so bright and early, but I did clear the harbour before 9. There was a light southerly that built to SW 7 to 10 as the day went on. I hoisted the DRS and made reasonable speed down the lake. There were a few brief periods when it was up to 6.5, but most of the day was a little slower, especially as the wind went further aft. The sun set just as I was approaching the Long Point light. I carefully followed my chart on the plotter with the GPS position. I guess I should get a larger scale chart for the area because I cut the corner a little too tightly and had a gentle encounter with the sandy bottom. I headed back out and followed the 15 foot contour as best I could to find my way around the point. I'm anchored just around the corner, well sheltered from the predicted light to moderate SW winds.

Tommorow's plan is Port Colbourne, then meet up with Peggy and transit the canal on Wednesday.

I have been enjoying having the boat to myself. I've had great crew all summer, but sometimes it's nice to be singlehanding. The days have been pretty long, but there aren't many options for places to stop on the north shore of the lake.

Still having fun,

Rick