45°55′12″ N 82°27′45″ W

We arrived in Gore Bay around 2:00 pm & stopped at the marina’s main dock to get some diesel fuel. While we were there, Chris Percy, a friend from the Goderich Yacht Club called out to us to say hello. Chris & his wife Ruth keep their boat at this marina.

We were planning on tying up to one of the marina’s visitor’s docks for a few hours while we went into town to pick up supplies from the local grocery store & then move over to a nearby anchorage for the night. Chris P suggested that we come & tie up at a vacant slip close to his boat & then visit with he & Ruth for awhile. Once we got settled on the dock we liked the location so well that we decided to stay there for the night.

We went over to the Percy’s boat, Pura Vida, a really nice 32′ Transpacific Eagle & we celebrated our reunion with friends & our safe arrival in Gore Bay. Of course, on a hot day, just about anything at all can be used as a reason to tip a glass or two of something special with friends. Chris P was kind enough to loan Chris C his car so he could pick up more supplies from the grocery store. Otherwise we’re limited to purchasing only what we can carry back to the boat – & the store was a few blocks away.

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Chris P also introduced us to his DIY wine that he makes as part of their summer supply aboard Pura Vida. I’ve made a bit of “kit” wine myself over the years but grew tired of all the fussing around with glass bottles-washing, storing, etc. He found a wine kit store in Goderich that lets customers “bottle” their wine in heavy plastic bags that hold about 7 liters each. Then you just put the bag in a plastic dispenser box & draw off what you want. No bottles or corks to fuss with! I’ve gotta find a place in London that does this & try them out. Could be a good fall & winter project for me once Ananda is hauled out for winter storage.

 

 

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The four of us went for dinner to a restaurant called “Buoys” that is adjacent to the marina. On our walk to the restaurant we went past the marina’s winter storage yard & took a look at a small Cessna float plane that had crashed in the bay a few weeks earlier.

 

 

 

 

 

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Dick Peever, the owner of the plane had been in Gore Bay for some business with the marina & the plane was flipped over by a strong gust of wind just as it was becoming airborne. Dick also owns the marina in Goderich where I keep Ananda.

Fortunately Dick was not injured in the crash & was able to get out of the plane after it flipped over. Several boaters in the marina went over to help him. That was a close call for sure!

 

 

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After supper we walked the docks to admire some of the other boats in the marina. Chris P introduced me to his friends Jim & Bonnie who own a 37′ Nordic Tug that they have named Ingomar. They bought this boat new 17 years ago & it still looks as good as the day they got it. They were kind enough to give me a full tour & tell me more about it. Such a beautiful boat! Jim & Bonnie live in Harbor Springs, MI & now that they are both retired they spend their summers cruising in the North Channel. Jim was telling me that he worked for GM in Detroit for many years & was on their new car design team. Between their beautiful boat & Jim’s interesting career, I could have spent the whole evening gamming with them.

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By the time I got back to Ananda, Chris Cavanaugh had started his own gamming session. On board were Chris P & Ruth plus their portside dockmate Bob who lhas a 36′ Grand Banks trawler named “Prince Arthur” & their starboard side dockmates Norm & Diane who have a 33′ Great Lake “Europa” style trawler named Rolger II.

 

 

 

 

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After that session wound down Bob took Chris & I on a tour of his Grand Banks. Another beautiful boat with a very proud owner. That tour lasted well over an hour because it kept being interrupted by us telling each other more stories & more libations.

What started out to be a quiet day after arriving in the marina ended up extending itself to almost midnight, which is well past this sailor’s usual bedtime.

Cheers!