Day 4 iles de Bic

We woke up to beautiful surroundings, the same surroundings displayed on the chart plotter which we needed to avoid the night before in total darkness and fog, we now stare and admire with our own eyes in the light of a new bright sunny day. The disturbances are now gone and the sky is blue with strong winds from the south west as we lay at anchor preparing to depart. Our goal is ambitious to reach Matane before sunrise the next morning. In preparation for the long haul the engine oil and spark plugs are changed and we review the navigation strategy. The plan is to run with the wind using the G2 foresail and shortly we prepare to retrieve the anchor against heavy seas. Working together we found the strength to raise the 40 lb anchor heaving on the rode and chain until the anchor was safely on deck and secured. We motor out under power to overcome the stiff winds and seas as though they do not want us to leave. Finally as we clear the islets surrounding us we raise the sail and cut the enging heading a few miles off the south shore running north east with the wind on our backs filling the fore sail. It didn't take long to realize the combination of tall 2 meter seas and stiff 15 knot winds was a little too much for the sail area and the decision was made to reduce sail to our loyal working jib which is now showing minor signs of battle fatigue along with the crew. Sailing towards Rimouski a few hours away we work to master the helm concentrating heavily to keep both sea and wind directly behind us. With better control under reduced sail, heavy Pitching and rolling was our indicator that concentration was lost and helm adjustment was warranted. Now passing the large river edge town of Rimouski our feeling for the helm became one with the seas and wind, as we look forward to the long leg ahead to Matane, which we anticipate will be reached after sun raise the next morning. Dressed for the cool breeze we manage to enjoy the clear view (whatt a difference a day makes) of the rivers edge, appreciating the warmth of the sun on our faces right up until the sun set on our port side which illuminates the western horizon With bright shades of orange. As the night grew darker the stars progressively filled the sky, and we look back only to admire the large bright orange half moon low in the horizon overlooking our progress before resting below the horizon. The constellations are apparent here, even though we do not recognize any, we see images of animals outlined by the brighter stars in the sky. Alternating at the helm we use a bright green flashing navigation light far into the distant marking our destination, which we use to assist us in keeping the wind behind us as we enjoy the coastal lights to our starboard side. I awake from a few hours rest to a beautiful sun now bursting out of the horizon in front of our bow as we near Matane And take the helm to complete the last few hours of the leg before tieing to a well maintained dock in the large commercial port of Matane at 7.30 am of day 5.

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Take Care, Mario
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