Abort, Abort!



Waddington Bay Anchorage



View from Waddington



Departed Echo Bay Marina on Gilford Island and cruised north to Shawl Bay on the mainland to see Shawl Bay Marina, a collection of older buildings painted white with blue trim.  We had read that the marina hosts Turkey dinners at various times and regular pancake breakfasts throughout the summer months.  Like Echo Bay, however, they won't be in high gear until June.  Several houseboats line the shore; and as we entered the bay, people stepped outside to watch us – someone new was coming to town (to their bay).  Hope they weren’t too disappointed when we motored away to anchor for the night.  The plan was to anchor in picturesque Laura Bay, located on the east end of Broughton Island.  We chose a spot for protection from the south winds which had picked up. The protected anchorage turned out to be tight quarters for the size of our boat so a stern tie to shore was required in addition to the anchor.  When we went to set the anchor, however, it slid along the rocky bottom – so we aborted the plan.  Plan B, we headed south navigating through the “Fox Group” of islands to Waddington Bay on the north tip of Bonwick Island.  This area is another perfect spot for kayaking and our boat was completely protected and hidden among the many small islands and islets abloom with wild strawberries -- we spent two nights here.  Tomorrow, he head back to Port McNeill to restock the galley and take on some fuel before heading along the northern coast of British Columbia.



Wild Strawberries