Pacific SwiftTrip 2 2008

Yesterday morning saw the Swift welcome aboard 28 new trainees from
a wide variety of experience and backgrounds. After a safety orientation
and welcome aboard we slipped lines with our sights set on Desolation
Sound. The breeze was light and we motored through Active Pass to be
greeted by a beautiful sunset in the Strait of Georgia as the strains of
mug-up songs rose from the hatches. Encouraged by a warm breeze,
dazzling stars and phosphoresence we decided to travel through the night
and reach Desolation as soon as possible. Shortly after breakfast a NW
breeze sprung up and all hands were turned out to hoist sail in the
Malaspina Stait. With all fore-and-afters we sailed till lunch when the
breeze fell light. The days have been filled with lessons, meeting new
people and learning the shipboard routines. The anchor found the sand at
Savary Island at 1700 today as all hands anticipated a well deserved
swim stop in the warm Desolation waters. We are all looking forward to a
nice sleep at anchor after the mug-up routine of games, singing and
cookies.

A wonderful and busy day today for all hands. After a well deserved
sleep, the dories were launched and well equipped with sunscreen and
water we set off for Savary Island. Once a shore we staked claim to
lovely stretch of pristine sand to play some games. The crew and
trainees of the Grace joined us and we played a great game of
soccer/ultimate frisbee, pitting the port bunks against the starboard
bunks. After yet another delicious lunch back aboard we weighed anchor
to head for the heart of Desolation Sound. Shortly we found a beautiful
following breeze and set our square sails, sending several trainees
aloft to the yards for the experience of loosing the square topsl. The
views entering Desolation Sound are nothing short of spectacular,
sharply rising wooded islands, glacial peaks, valleys, eagles. Around
dinner time we had exhausted the breeze and a short trip under power
brought us to Walsh Cove at the head of Waddington Channel nestled
between East and West Redonda. One of the most spectacular anchorages
with views of mountains and glaciers, beautiful high wooded hills and
swimming pool warm ocean water. After dishes we had a great time
swimming, playing water polo, bathing and hanging out on the near by
islets. A rousing mug-up and some treats finds us once again ready to
settle into our bunks for the night.

Another great day aboard the Swift. The morning was filled with dory
trips to Cassel Lake and the waterfall under a rising sun. Intermediates
completed their swim tests in the tepid waters and waterpolo games
abounded.  The waterfall was it´s usual wonderful self with cascades of
warm water to scrub and sooth. The afternoon brought great sailing with
all sails being set and a lovely beat down to Echo Bay. Port watch did a
wonderful job handling sail, making tacks and sail changes smooth.
Lessons are progressing well, with juniors ready to be examined tommorow
and intermediates close behind We are now anchored up and awaiting
Lasagna and garlic bread before launching into another night of fun and
games.

A day in Desolation paradise. The day started full of promise with
warm sunny skies surrounded by beautiful views. After breakfast all
hands went to explore the islets of Walsh Cove. The crew broke up into
serveral small groups to explore. Some swimmers voyaged out in hopes of
circumnavigating the islets in the warm waters, other groups took to the
dories by sail and oar to explore every nook and cranny. It was a
fantastick opportunity to explore the beauty of our surroundings and
bond together as a group. After lunch we squeezed out the top of
Waddington Channel to behold a magestick mountain view. We found a
breeze and set all fore-and-afters and had a great beat to windward all
afternoon round the top of West Redonda Island under the gaze of the
glaciers. Great training for all hands.  After a short motor we rounded
into the beloved Teakerne to be met our sister, Pacific Grace. We are
now snuggly rafted alongside at anchor near the beautiful waterfall and
under a blanket of stars.  Both ships came together to play telephone
charades and have a rockin, sweaty mugup in the Grace hold. Trainees are
starting to come out of their shells and getting a firm grasp on sailing
and shipboard life

A great sailing day! The day dawned early with forward watch at 0545
to weigh anchor in hopes of reaching Hornby island this afternoon. By
0600 the anchor was aweigh and the course sails were set before a
beautiful sunrise and a freshening northwest breeze.  At 0630 the breeze
and promise of greater speed to Hornby awoke all hands to set the
mainsail and topsails. Many were groggy but happy to turn to and set
sail, a few brave souls hauled aloft to loose the topsails. After
breakfast we were skimming along at 7 knots as the juniors wrote their
exams and the intermediates finished up their last lesson. The good turn
of speed found us at Hornby near midday and as we rounded into the bay
we swapped our square sails for full fore and afters (all sail was up
for several minutes). The slackening breeze didn´t deter us as we beat
into the crowded anchorage and anchored under sail power alone. A task
that required all hands to pitch in to handle all the lines and gear to
anchor a tallship under full sail! It was all handsomely done and there
was much anticipation to launch dories and head ashore to play games and
perhaps find the fabled store. Not even a long row and a headwind would
deter the enthusiasm for a trip ashore. Tribune Bay has a lovely sand
beach and seemed a bustling metropolis compared to Desolation Sound. A
couple games and then to "downtown". A fun time with icecream, fresh
fruit, the odd candy bar and all accompanied to live gypsy jazz guitar.
We plan to spend the rest of the evening playing games, singing and
having a whole ship talk or "rap" to continue in community growth.

Another early morning with a 0500 start in hopes of catching the
promised NW wind and making haste for the Gulf Islands. However despite
the valiant effort of port watch´s early morning sail handeling, with
squares up and down, braced and clewed and a determined mainsail and
topsl set with fore watch, the breeze never delivered on promise. We
sailed patiently from 0515 till 0930 averaging about 3kts, but the need
for southward progress forced us into firing up the engine. However the
sunrise and rest of the day have been spectacular. The sun dawned crisp
and clear with crepuscular rays reaching down to the topsails and
lighting the western mountains. We´ve spent the afternoon testing the
intermediates and the juniors playing a rousing game of Silent Football
as we motor down the Strait of Georgia. Its amazing to cross the line
where the Fraser River meets the open salt water. There is an incredible
distinction between the deep blue of the salt and the turbulent mossy
green of the Fraser outflow. We hope to find anchorage in the Gulf
Islands shortly after dinner. There is a fantastick roast beef, mashed
potatoe and yorkshire pudding feast planned for this "boat sunday" with
a service later in the evening. All are well and in good spirits,
trainees and crew alike, if a littled tire after a busy week aboard

Another wonderful day. There were ominous overtones as we awoke to
grey skies, drizzle and a chill wind. However after dishes were done the
sky began to clear and we braved a trip ashore to Savary. All watches
did well taking to the dories in a moderate chop and rowing for the
beach. Once ashore a great game of soccer was played followed by a round
of "Land". The afternoon was spent having a great beat under full sail
up Lewis Channel in company with the Grace and a pair of humpbacks. The
watches took turns hndling sail and improved much in theoretical and
practical seamanship. We sailed all the way in to the anchorage at
Teakearne arm in front of the beautiful waterfall to raft up with the
Grace for an evening of singing and games.  The trainees are continuing
to do a wonderful job in all aspects of shipboard life and are starting
to come together as a community well.

Spirits are high, work ethic is excellent and people are caring and
encouraging eachother in many ways. In short shipboard life is excellent
with everyone pitching in and looking after eachother. We had a great
morning at Cassel Lake and its accompaning waterfall, swimming, diving,
playing water polo and enjoying eachothers company in the tepid waters.
After we were back aboard we decided to bid farewell to the Grace and
try to spent another day sailing from anchorage to anchorage. As soon as
we were clear of the Grace we set all fore and aft sail to beat our way
out of Teakerne Arm. It was an arduous task as the breeze was fickle and
wily. However after many tacks and a lot of patience we were clear of
the Arm and running before a fresh breeze. All hands turned to, to swap
for the square sails and we made brisk progress up to Frances Bay to
wait the night for tides through the rapids tommorow. All hands are
working hard at their studies and practical seamanship. There is no
shortage of help in any of the work aboard. It is very rewarding and
encouraging. Everone is well and looking forward to the coming days and
enjoying every moment.