Spring in Newfoundland and time to haul Come What May to have her bottom cleaned and a couple of fresh coats of anti-fouling applied. This is her first bottom work since the spring of 2013. She’s been afloat since. We did have new anodes installed by a diver last spring before setting out for Newfoundland.

This year we’re also having her freeboard cleaned and polished while she’s on the hard. She’ll be some pretty.

The Capn and first mate had a lovely cruise across the bay to the boatyard on a glorious May 24 weekend (no snow!!).  It was over too soon and was just a tease as to what we will be enjoying again real soon.

Come What May survived her winter hibernation well, as shared in the last few posts – the ice, the winter winds, the frigid bay – No Problem !!  Thanks to the friendly folks at the Harbour Grace marina who kept a watchful eye on her over the winter.

We are anxious to set sail again soon and to welcome some family and friends aboard to explore some more of the beautiful Newfoundland waters.  A week exploring Trinity Bay is definitely in the works.  Perhaps Bonavista Bay?  Come on retirement…:)

 

So, since this year was the warmest February on record in Newfoundland, we didn’t worry too much when we noticed that the ice eater seemed to stop working a few weeks ago.  Harbour Grace was free of ice and we simply unplugged it with a plan to take it up sometime later and check things out.  Then March hit………. Brrrrrrr………. sub zero temperatures again!! That ice eater was needed more than ever before.

We approached Harbour Grace with some trepidation this morning.  As we neared, we saw what we were dreading – the most ice we had seen so far this winter.  Yikes!  Feelings of regret immediately overcame us – regret over not checking out our problem earlier, when temperatures were warm and pleasant, and getting that thing back in the water and under the boat to do its job when it was needed the most…..

Regret turned to elation the moment our eyes rested upon Come What May – she was floating and bobbing leisurely in her spot – the heat from that lovely little oil-filled, electric radiator seemed to have been enough to keep the ice at bay, for now at least.

Nevertheless, we got to the task at hand.  It was cold.  Bone-chilling cold 😦  The deck of the boat was ice covered and slippery, making the job even more difficult.  After much ado, a few choice words, and a lot of grunting, we (yes it took both of us to lift it) finally got that contraption onto the wharf.

As you see from the video thumbprint, the ice eater looks a little like a washing machine drum doesn’t it?  It is a simple device – the propeller simply keeps the water moving underneath the vessel so that the ice cannot form around her hull.  Marvellous invention.  Not sure whoever dreamed it up has ever been to Newfoundland – but this device, we discovered, does a whole lot more; like vacuum the ocean floor?  If ever the authorities want to dredge Harbour Grace, we’ve given them a head start.

Watch right to the end to see what we mean !

 

 So the ice is starting to form in the harbour at Hr. Grace.   Come What May is doing just fine in her winter home. 

Just like the wonderful folks interested in her voyage to Newfoundland, Come What May’s hibernation has its spectators apparently! Thanks to Mr. Ed Finn for taking this snap and sending it to the Captain and first mate while they were relaxing in Alabama….. Unsolicited and with a note that read “She’s good.  No ice problem.”

We had posted a small sign with our contact info on it, and this gentleman, the captain of a fine sailing vessel himself, an Island Packet, knew we’d be wondering I guess.  We were so grateful for the check in and as you can see, our little ship is safe and sound still.

The ice breaker is doing its job, and along with the heater, dehumidifier and trouble light placed next to the engine, Come What May has been dry and cozy each time we check.  Still plan a night aboard sometime soon just for the hell of it 😀🎉.

Our adventure this past summer was followed by many it seems and just last night in Toronto, the captain was both honoured with a high achievement award and humoured with speculation on the loss of our crew at Baddeck and the impact a voyage such as ours might have on a relationship.
  

There is no doubt that 3 weeks at sea in cramped quarters can test the boundaries of love.  We talked about it in an earlier blog. ……   Our good friend Miss Beverley joked that while planning for our arrival to SeaEscape’s dock in July, she was unsure whether to plan a party or have two “divorce” lawyers on hand…..  Happy to report that 6 months later, we are safe and sound as well 💕❤️.  

We reminisce fondly of our “maiden” voyage together and can’t wait to explore more of Newfoundland’s beautiful coastline on this side of the island.

So how’s it goin’?

It’s going great -Boat and Capn and Crew 🙂

Seems so long ago – yet it was over just like that – this is our sail plan to bring Come What May to her winter home in Harbour Grace – she will stay in the water! Antifreeze – Dehumidifier – Heater – Icebreaker/bubbler/circulator will keep her safe and cozy – might even sleep aboard some night 😀

We have had such wonderful times – in bringing her to NL and then while here.  Vacillated between keeping her in the water and storing her on the hard over winter – NL winters are harsh – but a boat belongs in the water so in the water she will stay…….. Let’s hope we’ve taken all the precautions we can and paid attention to detail!

Just came across this screen shot – no idea why or where it was taken.   Any guesses?

In Farley Mowat’s book Bay of Spirits – A Love Story, he wrote about his sailing adventures around the southwest coast of Newfoundland in the 60’s – how he loved Newfoundland, how he met the love of his life Claire, how he was warmly greeted at every wharf he happened upon.  Many things have changed since Farley’s sailing adventures in his vessel Happy Adventure.   Many outports have long ago lost their inhabitants.  Like Pushthrough.  The fish is gone, the fish making over.

But of those left, one thing is the same.   A vessel, any vessel, be it a steamer, the ferry, a visiting power boat, yacht, or sailboat, carrying strangers, is sure to be cause for curiosity at least, celebration at best.  In the old days, shouts of “steamer’s in” might have brought the entire community to the wharf to collect their mail, Sears orders, supplies, visitors or family members returning home or simply to break up the day and see the hustle and bustle of unloading the boat and reloading the boat.

Every port of call on the Southcoast of Newfoundland by Come What May drew similar curiosity.  The sight, upon arriving at the Ramea wharf, of the local outport people and a dog watching us come in, is reminiscent of Farley’s descriptions, albeit perhaps at a smaller scale.  We got the usual questions upon arrival – about where we were from and where we had just come from, about our boat, about the sea state, how long we had been at sea……..  we were happy to be part of their day.  And to be so warmly greeted, just like Farley.  😀

Read the book ……

This is the belly of the boat where we spent all our awake time when not on deck sailing.  You have to admit it looks cozy right?   Some wondered how it felt to be confined to such close quarters – it felt cozy!   Not everyone likes camping, but if you do, you’d love the belly of the boat, especially at night, relaxing to some music, perhaps sipping some fine wine.  Who needs TV !

Problem is, the world and the space around us seems so huge now.  Not nearly as cozy.   One of us had a recurring dream throughout childhood, and sometimes even now at 50+.  She is very tiny in a very big world where everything is big – even the cups and saucers.  After experiencing the expanse of the ocean that surrounds us from a small vessel and being “cramped” in the cozy quarters of a 30 foot boat for 3 weeks, living “on the hard” immediately brought back memories of that recurring dream.

It is humbling.  We are very important to a few people for a few reasons – but we are very tiny in a very big world nonetheless.

Someone wondered how you eat aboard a boat for 21 days.

Someone imagined army rations – dehydrated packages of grub that couldn’t spoil and made for easy and quick preparation.   Ha – anything but.  (Although Rob’s case of Ramen noodles was close).

We did some fine dining, and not just at the ports of call.  Equipped with 2 stovetop burners, an oven, a BBQ and a wonderful set of nesting ceramic pots and pans, we had everything needed to cook up a storm.

Our daily routine consisted of an alternating breakfast of either bran, berries and yogurt (the healthy and quick choice) or bacon, eggs, fish cakes, beans, toast (the not so healthy and not so quick choice).  But there are shortcuts to everything – Kirkland’s precooked bacon, Janes’ frozen fish cakes, Bushs’ canned beans…….. No need to start from scratch.

We also made lunch every morning so as to minimize going below throughout the day.  No need to risk anyone joining the chum club when the boat was arockin’!  This was almost always a wrap of some sort – meat and cheese and some veggies for crunch – spread first with hummus for added protein, and because anyone who knows the first mate, knows she don’t do mayonnaise right?  The Cap’n, after 21 days, was overheard saying,  in true NL style, “if I never sees anudder friggin’ wrap again, I won’t be sad”.

But the real treat came after a long day at sea and docking safely – there’s something so satisfying and rewarding in a hearty and leisurely evening meal to unwind to.  On board we had the likes of homemade spaghetti and meatballs, fresh bread baked in the oven, homemade lasagna, homemade baked beans, pea soup, chilli, chicken stew, bbq’d steaks, salads, rice, quinoa, veggies.  But again, there are shortcuts to preparing these fine meals aboard a small boat – in our case, many were precooked and frozen and ready for simply reheating.  (Thank you Mavis and Rob, Mama and Gordie)

All this, combined with the fabulous meals we had on land at several ports of call, is why, contrary to the expectation of many, not only did we not starve, but did not lose any weight – not one friggin’ pound 😕.

Sin Jawns does not own the market on colourful buildings!

These vibrant colours could be found everywhere Come What May docked – some more prevalent than others.

Ramea and Francois had their share for sure.  But St. Pierre was the prettiest, hands down.  And Scott’s Cove in Port aux Basques Is so cute.

So delightful, especially after a long sail on a grey foggy day.