day 32 – Victoria

Overnight we heard something we haven’t heard for more than a month – the sound of rain. The weather had changed for us quite dramatically – the beautiful, hot sunny day we enjoyed yesterday turned into a chilly evening, which then turned to showers. And this morning there was a Gale Force Wind Warning in effect for both where we were, and where we were headed. It looked like there was a good possibility that we would be going nowhere today.

So, during a break in the downpour off we went to Yates Market to get provisions (what a great grocery store!). By the time we got back, we had decided it was best to spend another night tied to our choice berth in downtown Victoria. And quite honestly – I was most happy to do this. We have been moving at a consistent and assertive pace to get around this island – the thought of having a “day off” to lie around, read my book (oh Lisbeth Salander, you do so intrigue me with your situation), and feel cozy in our boat on a cold rainy day seemed irresistible. And because we were tied up to a dock with power, I could even plug in some space heaters, an absolute luxury after 31 days with nothing but the sun, sweaters, down blankets, and rum to keep us warm.

During the day Cap’n Adam was finally able to locate precisely where the leak in the fresh water was coming from, and by closing the correct pipe he was able to stop the trickle until it can be better dealt with later. And although we are in the city, we still opted to prepare our meals and eat on the boat, as more of our budget than expected was being given to the Victoria Harbour Authority for letting us sleep here.

At all other Government Docks we’ve tied up to, the standard rate is $0.75 / foot, per night. For this 40’ boat, that’s $30 & HST per night. You pay about $8-9 more if you want shore power (if it’s available), and usually water is free (if available), except Tofino where we had to pay for water. We never bothered to realize that certain docks, such as the downtown Victoria and I would also assume the downtown Vancouver Government Docks, cost more in the peak season. $1.40 per foot, per night is the rate for this dock, which is $56 & $9 for power & HST per night. It makes me appreciate the real value of the anchor, and how quickly the new anchor bridal and line that Cap’n Adam invested in has already paid for itself.

But what a great place to sleep downtown Victoria in a boat is. $68 a night or whatever it ended up costing us for this berth is totally worth it.

day 31 – Sooke to Victoria (Lo48°24.7N’L123°27.8’W)

Our sleep on the calm waters of Sooke Harbour was peaceful. That is, until about 06:00 (that’s A.M.), when the fishing boats started leaving the harbour. The first time that it woke me up, I thought a storm had blown up and the winds were rocking the boat. But no, it was just a series of impatient fisherfolk, rushing to get out to sea so they could stop and drop their hooks, not caring in the slightest that the sailboats anchored at the mouth of the inlet were being rocked violently out of sleep by their wake. So rude. We decided it was best to just get up and go rather than try to continue to sleep through it, and we had the anchor up before our coffee was finished brewing.

A gloriously calm, sunny day at sea had its typical hypnotic effect. We motored out of Juan de Fuca Strait, hit our southernmost point at Race Rocks, then started heading north again into Victoria Harbour. As we rolled into the downtown about noon, the sun was bright and uninhibited. We headed for the government docks at the Empress Hotel, and landed ourselves on the most skookum spot in the harbour – in front of the grand hotel, on the last finger on the dock before the parliament buildings. A sunny afternoon to enjoy the harbour, wander around, and feel the culture shock of being back in the big city (complete with traffic lights and cement trucks and such).

Our friends Pete and Sonya and their little tyke Des, who live in Victoria, dropped by the boat after work, and we walked down to Red Fish Blue Fish for some fabulous fish tacones. Showers and laundry enjoyed, we are all clean and set for the next leg of the journey – the Gulf Islands. But tonight we sleep in the centre of the capital city, tied securely to a dock and hooked up to shore power.