Little Current

Sun setting on the swing bridge...

7. 15/ 16. 11  Little Current.... the good, the bad and the ugly

Moon Rise...

 We made Little Current this afternoon.  Have not sailed for 2 days, only motored.  We were assigned a finger pier.  We are right on the end of the dock so we have a great view of the passage, this is not a harbor, and the town.  Good.  We had free hors devours at Anchor Inn (every Friday for boaters). Good.  We had a meal that was really good, half rack of ribs for $8.00, left overs for lunch tomorrow.  Good and tasty.  Provisions here are expensive.  Bad.  Fuel (gas) $1.67 a liter.  Bad.  Milk over $4.00  a gallon, they don't subsidize the farmers so you pay what it really cost.  Bad on the pocket book.  The slip fee is over $80.00 a night!  ouch, Bad.  There was a SNAKE on our dock when we returned from town!!!!!  UGLY, very bad and ugly....

This is a really convenient tie up though.  Floating docks and all new facilities.  This is the second marina we have stayed at while in Canada.  I love their philosophy on tying up at a docks.  We ask about check out time, both have said, "well, we close the office at 9pm and open at 8am.   If you are here in the morning, come up and settle up."

We met Eammon tonight at the Anchor Inn.  He's from Ireland, and knows the area where Jim's family are from back there.  He is anchored opposite the passage.  He comes in for the day as needed with his 38 foot boat (single handed), gets supplies in town, fuel, pump out etc.  Leaves after several hours and goes back on the hook.  Then he dinghys back over to have a pint at the pub. They don't charge for the service or the tie up.  We saw several boats here today doing the same thing.  What a great way to run a business.  Lots of people stop for their supplies, spend money and go on about their business.   Win win.  I think we'll be moving off the pier by sunset tomorrow.  

Speaking for which, the sun set off the stern of our boat and the full moon rose immediately after. The pictures are a bit surreal.  The sun reflecting off the swing bridge turned it to gold.  The full moon looks like a second sun coming up.   

in action....

Little Current is built at a narrow passage between the two rather large land masses.  There is not real current here but when the wind blows, even a little, the water is pushed one way or the other.  Due to the narrow passage, it creates a "liitle current".  with numerous boats traversing here, it can get quite bumpy.  The swing bridge opens on the hour for up to 15 minutes.  The bridge is the only way on / off the island by car except for a ferry boat at the other end.  Tall or masted boats have to wait and time their departure / entry with the swinging of the bridge.  

We have met lots of people here.  2 couples, one from Illinois and one from Waukegan, WI.   The WI couple own and are sailing an Albin Ballad the same as our old boat.  They too love her to pieces... good luck "Otter".  The IL couple keep there boat in South Haven.  It is called "Albin and Co", their name is Albin I believe.  We even saw a Dufour here like the Deedoe's have.  It is used as a charter boat.  

The Anchor Inn

Looking up town Main Street

The farm Market

Eammon and Jim are going to try to address an issue with our roller furling, the halyard has wrapped around the furler at the top of the mast twice now.  Like I said before, it's always something.  No complaints though.
We just finished lunch of leftover ribs with Ben's homemade BBQ sauce and watermelon.
Ben, lock up your BBQ recipe and look into a trademark or whatever you do to market it.... It is fabulous!