Since we arrived here on Monday afternoon (June 6), a very wintery storm has been moving slowly through our area of Haida Gwaii, bringing rain, rain, and more rain sweeping across the harbour and winds with gusts up to 25 kts. that WHOOOSH and mourn and lament the depredations it has seen as it has blown across polluted waters, ugly clear cuts and abandoned mining sites, and ruined villages on its way north. Fortunately, it has wandered forlornly about during daylight hours, for the most part, and has left us to sleep in relative peace, but its sadness is heartbreaking for me as I look out Braesail’s port lights, streaked with moisture-tears, and through the heavy veils of mist toward the shores of Bag Harbour. These islands are places of supreme beauty, and people ARE working to preserve their wild and traditionally priceless areas, and we hope that someday–perhaps tomorrow!–we will be able to travel safely once more as God’s creative Spirit moves over the face of the waters and brings peace and lighter skies once more.
Walt and I have been reading, napping, eating well, and writing throughout the most recent three days. Despite sometimes swinging rapidly around her anchor, amplifying the wind’s moans via her rigging, rolling and swaying a bit as little white-capped waves shove her about, and startling us with her anchor chain’s popping and snapping as it moves about on the sea floor, Braesail has been fine and has kept us safe and dry with little effort on our part, though Walt has had to do some adjusting of the rope “bridle” that takes up the anchor chain’s weight and tension and thus protects the windlass mechanism (which raises and lowers the anchor and chain). I’m thankful for the shelter and “down time” we have had, but will be glad to collect a few drops of sunlight after all the rain!
Braesail - A grand yacht in the Salish Sea 