M/V MAERIN

Our original plan to cruise the 97 nm from Pictou to St. Peter’s didn’t quite work out. Our progress was slowed somewhat by currents that kept our speed below 7 kts most of the time, so instead of pushing on, we opted to anchor for the night and complete the run in the morning. We chose a very protected anchorage in Inhabitant’s Bay, just east of the Canso Straits. It is a beautiful spot, very protected, and very quiet and serene. We anchored just in about 18 ft of water with excellent holding. We dropped the dinghy for the first time in quite a while, almost a month! Hog Island to the north was our landfall on Cape Breton. We walked the shoreline of the island, with the dogs checking all the smells on the way, and Molly having a grand time swimming for her ever-present tennis ball. She reminds of of Schroeder, carrying her ball in her mouth every time we venture off the boat, always ready for some retrieving! At dusk, the winds laid, and we were treated to a beautiful sunset, a peaceful night and nary a ripple on the surface of the water. Temps at night are in the low 60’s, so it was a perfect night to be on the hook. The sun rose to sparkling clear skies, and after a dinghy ride to a neighboring island and a walkabout, we had some breakfast and up anchor at about 10:00 for the 3 hour run to St. Peter’s, and our entry into Bras d’Or Lake.