Sara in her nest - she liked the lee cloth we made. 

My mom (83) and daughter, Sara, spent 5 days with us in Baddeck. We had a great time - we even had mom in the dinghy for a trip around Surprise Cove. We heeled unexpectedly in a puff and she didn't bat an eye while the rest of us (Abby included) were scrambling around. 

Life doesn't get much better than anchoring all alone in a beautiful cove. 

Ray at the tip of Gillis Point 

Ray and Abby at the Lighthouse at Gillis Point (Maskells Cove) 

You can just see Sea Holly anchored in Maskell's Cove. We walked up to the Lighthouse on Gillis Point. Our anchoring techniques are improving and I have learned (the hard way) to keep my fingers away from the gypsy when hoisting the anchor. 

Here's the same starfish actually in the water. Can you believe how clear it is? 

Lots of starfish in Cape George Harbour along the sandspit - blue; pink; purple and white ones - neat!! 

Ray's turn to row for Abby's constitutional. 

Sea Holly anchored in Cape George Harbour. Our first night anchored out and we loved it. 

Abby's happy now after her morning "pee". Sure is nice not to be tied up at the dock. 

There must be wind out there somewhere????????????????????????? 

The *@#$$ dinghy - we'll get this worked out yet. Towing it was a pain so we're opting for on board. 

The Confederation Bridge en route to Charlottetown. 

The trip from Pointe du Chene to Summerside was a little "wild". Ray is practicing his sail repair techniques (just the sun protection thank goodness) 

My mom's first "overnight" stay on the boat. She had a great time and is planning a few days in Baddeck with us. Even managed to master the "head". 

We installed our solar panel and that along with the wind generator should give us all the 12 volt power we need. We worked out a way to hoist the dinghy onto the deck if we have to and Rick's Upholestery finished the connector between our dodger and bimini. That's a lot to accomplish in a week!! Marco and Sylvie are ahead of us and sending tips as they go - we can't wait to catch up!!

No photos this week, sorry. We have been busy though completing all the final details for our trip. We plan to leave for Summerside this week enroute to the Bras d'or Lakes and then ...who knows!! Yesterday was docking practice - our dock neighbour was away and there was absolutely NO wind. My kind of day to practice docking - 4 successes, no failures!! Of course I had perfect conditions, I always chicken out and Ray docks when conditions are anything less than ideal but it's a start. 

Yes Alana, Abby really does like her sunglasses. Hard to see in this photo but she has her front legs crossed - Miss Cool. 

Ray and Abby outside the Irving Memorial Chapel in Buctouche. 

A land view of the Sawmill Marina in Buctouche. Check out the rock wall. 

The Sawmill Marina in Buctouche as we approach. The channel was long and not particularly deep (have to change the shallow alarm setting - Ray thinks 3 feet below the keel is a little extreme but it sure made interesting "music") but it was worth it. 

En route to Buctouche - Abby doesn't seem particularly impressed. 

We successfully completed our first "official" trip - all the way to Buctouche!!