Down East Circle Part 5 - Chapter 5

1. Having thoroughly enjoyed discovering Bridgewater we left against the flooding tide, the river is tidal right up to town, and its buoyed channel easily accommodated our five and a half foot draft. We went down river only a few miles, where we stopped and anchored just of the main channel in 10 feet of water.

2. We wanted to row ashore and explore an area of tall coniferous trees we’d seen on the eastern shore on our way upriver. Once ashore we found the forest was interspersed with walking trails and is called Miller Park. We enjoyed the afternoon there; Jayne of course spotted several species of birds while I photographed. We then rowed back to the boat to watch the sunset from the cockpit.

3. Fortunately we had anchored near half tide and the waters depth had increased while we were on shore. As the loons called we put out our oil lamp in the rigging only to be awakened by a terrific rain and thunderstorm in the wee hours of the morning. By dawn the storm had moved on and hot muggy conditions prevailed as we set out for the La Have River Yacht Club, about 5 miles further down river.

4. LHYC is situated on the West side of the river in Pernette’s Cove and offers visiting yachts facilities and a waterfront bar and restaurant. There are moorings for visitors and on the dock is fresh water to fill your tanks as well as fuel.

5. Beside and behind the club is their yard where they have a haul out and storage for club boats. They also offer a junior sailing program in the warm protected waters of the river and in the evening keel boats raced back and forth across the rivers broad expanse.

6. Across the road leading up to Bridgewater or down to La Have we found a gravel track entering the fragrant balsam fir forest, where we walked for several hours. Jayne spotted song birds as we tried to identify the different types of trees, occasionally stopping to pick blue berries.

7. We stayed a second day to relax, swimming in the warm afternoon and observing the shore and passing boats. We rowed to the club one last time, walking up the hill behind, and then over to Pernettes’ cove itself. Tomorrow would take us back down to the bakery.

8. With an extra day in hand we couldn’t resist spending it around La Have and walking up the hill to the old school house and out to Dublin Shore. Dublin Shore is on the mainland, opposite West Spectacle, where we had anchored on our way up the La Have. It has a neat fishing harbour that could probably accommodate Phantasia and is near Crescent Beach and the open Atlantic.

9. Leaving the bakery we swung east and crossed the river to the opposite point, where Covey Island Boat works lies. There are a couple of coves, Ritcey and Creaser, that look good for anchoring, as well as the small waterfront town of Riverport, from which it’s only a few minutes by road into Lunenburg.

10. We set out for the La Have Islands, intending to negotiate Folly Channel between Coveys and Hirtle Islands, and then find a spot to anchor in False La Have. We looked at a couple of anchorages suggested in our cruising guides but because the weather was very warm and settled opted for the lee shore of Mosher Island off of Sloop Cove. There was another sloop also anchored there with a couple on board, and we exchanged stories as we sat on the gray sand beach, watching our boats bob at anchor, as the swells rolled in from the Atlantic. The water was cold but swim able near shore. We were lucky and the conditions remained calm under a star filled sky overnight.