The forecast was for north east winds, 15-20 knots the following day; exactly what we had been waiting for. We planned an early morning departure from Bay de Verde, and crossing of Conception Bay, to round Capt St. Francis, sailing about 160 degrees over 20 miles. From there we would parallel the coast for another 20 miles and turn sharply into St. John’s harbour, marked by Signal Hill’s Cabot Tower on its’ north side.
The forecast was perfectly accurate, and allowed us an easy, fast, downwind sail across Conception Bay. A lull in the wind fooled us into launching the spinnaker which quickly overpowered the boat; after a few exhilarating minutes we doused it quickly. The coast south of St. Francis is marked by magnificent rock faces, under brilliant sun Phanty bounced across the steel blue ocean, making for one of the best sails of the season. Cabot Tower gives the hidden entrance to St. John’s harbour away and as we turned in we called the port authority, requesting clearance to enter. With no commercial traffic in or out bound we passed between North and South Head, leaving Fort Amherst to port and under the towering cliffs that line The Narrows on starboard, into the inner harbour. It’s a bustling place – a row of giant ships that service the offshore oil rigs take up much of the wharf, further in small cruise and tour boats are mixed with working vessels, barges etc. Opposite, on the harbours eastern side the Canadian Coast Guard base is sited and also the commercial fishing harbour. We sought refuge in the far south western corner, behind a large fishing vessel and across from the Oceanex Terminal – we were here – we had sailed into another major Canadian port – St. John’. Jayne and I beamed at one another – and then set to work making fast to the massive tire covered wharf, from where we would explore St. John’s for the next several days.
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Thank you! I have enjoyed being along as silent crew on your voyages this summer. I have been to many of the areas you sailed and could see it all again. Best Wishes, you are an inspiration to us still desk bound.
Fair Winds,
Sue
Thanks Sue – We will be at the Toronto and Vancouver boat shows in January talking about sailing in Newfoundland and showing slides – hope to see you.
Mike
what a wonderful post and fantastic sail – no wonder you beamed at each other when you reached st. john’s. it’s a long way from cobourg there :-). i love the language you used in this post – it makes every detail come alive – you write (and photograph) so well. it’s wonderful to see these it pictures again after looking at them with you, jayne and dad this week :-).
i’m so proud of you.
your big sis :-).