July 29, Another beautiful day with clear skies. Left at 6:15am and arrived at 2:40, now in Atlantic time zone. Winds were light, 5 - 10kts and from S - SW, which meant motoring all day as my heading was S - SW. Headed to Shippagan where I was hoping I would be able to get through the bridge and gully which would split the trip to Escuminac or Miramishi into two manageable days as opposed to one long 18hr day. We sent an email to Janie and Guillaum of "Terrien2" to see if they are in the NB area. We had initially met them this past Christmas when we were in Cuba @ Marina Hemingway and they arrived on their Alberg 30 as part of their trip to the Caribbean. Visit their blog @ http://terrien2.blogspot.ca/
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| planning for the next leg of the trip |
July 30, Got an email back from Janie to say that they are actually in Shippagan with their boat, which as it turns out I passed on my way in, and that Guillaum would meet us.
We met with Guillaum, who first assured me that the bridge is no problem to get under and if I head through the bridge and gully at least an hour before low tide, I would have no problems. He showed me which markers to stay clear and what path to take when we went for a car tour of the area.
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| Two Alberg 30 captains |
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| Lobster dinner in Shippagan |
July 31.
Clear skies and light winds started the day. Left an hour and a half before low tide. At that time the bridge had a clearance of 47' so no trouble clearing the bridge. The tide against me was running around 3kts making for slow progress through the "Gully" but manageable. What makes it difficult is where the Gully meets the ocean. There it can be quite rough when the tide and ocean are in opposition. There is a reason it is called the "Gully", it is narrow and shallow. At low tide you can see the mud banks on either side. The depth ranges from 11' to 13' although the shallowest part was once I passed the last marker which is on the ocean, it read 5'. A big thank you to Guillaum who put me at ease allowing me to travel through the Gully.
Once out on the open the winds gradually increased and started to come from the SE. This was the heading I was going and therefore ended up having to motor again. With the strengthening of the wind came an increase in the wave height, 1-3ft waves. Tried to pinch and motor sail but ended up having the engine temp rise drastically so I went back to my slow motoring into the wind and waves. Managing a mere 3.5 - 4.5 kts with the higher waves. Closer to shore the waves would decrease and I could motor sail a bit a 5kts. Reason for the temperature increase on the engine, the warm waters of the Northhumberland Straight. The water temperature in this region is around 25C in the summer and waves usually are never over 3' thanks to PEI which acts as a giant break wall.
Finally reached the little fishing port of Escuminac @ 6:00pm. Plenty of room to dock as there were few fishing boats, it was in between fishing seasons. Dinner at the wharf dinner, deep fried clams, very good and inexpensive.
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| low bridge |
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| Shippagan Gully |
August 1st. Stayed an extra day in Escuminac as it was a rain day. Breakfast at the dinner, again inexpensive. No facilities at the wharf and poor cell reception, that was the downfall of the area. Went for a drive towards Ricchibucto. Lunch of deep fried clams, then back to the boat and hang out.
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| Rain day in Escuminac = road trip again |
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| Escuminac tucked away amongst the lobster boats |
August 2. Partly cloudy. Left @ 8:10. Had to wait a while for the the fog to lift.Winds were light from the SW so had a pleasant sail until I got to the point and has to head SW. Back to motoring into the waves and wind. Had thought about making it a very short day and putting in at Point Savin fishing harbour but as I was passing the range to enter the harbour the waves subsided. The skies still looked menacing as thunderstorms were in the forecast, but only ended up with some light rain. Got to Ricchibucto in good time. The guide book says to pay close attention to the markers, but the harbour is very clearly marked and very easy to follow. Small but friendly marina, with one shower/bathroom. Everything is close by. Decided to stay an extra night as we were going to meet Janie the next day and we were early in meeting up with Mike in Bouctouche or Shediac. Time to do an oil change. More fried clams and scallops.
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| preparing dinner |
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| Cottage fest at Roy and Marcie's home in Cocagne |
August 3. Stayed in Ricchibucto. No thunderstorms as forecast, instead a nice summer's day. Oil change in the morning and then met up with Janie and her parents. Quiet evening on board.
August 4. Left early as there were high wind warnings for the afternoon with the possibility of thunderstorms again. Left at 6:45 under clear skies with winds from the NW to NE at around 10kts. Winds decreased a bit around mid trip and then picked up as I was going to enter the channel leading to the harbour. As with the previous harbour, it is a long winding way in. The previous harbour had range markers to guide you past the sand dunes and the shallows, this harbour had a narrow, private, staked path that winds its way up the river to marina entrance. A well maintained marina right in the town again. There we met with Mike and followed him to their friends place in Cocagne for "Cottage Fest"
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