The wind blew through the night and the boats rocked gently. When dawn broke our view through a break in the trees out to open water made us glad for our lay day here in Foggy Bay as waves and wind coursed in from the open ocean. Inside the bay the water was calm and by 5:30 Todd from Eldean joined Greg the naturalist and Rowan the mechanic for a dinghy adventure back in to Very Inlet. As we approached the narrow entrance to the south lagoon the falling tide formed impressive rapids. With the 10hp motor screaming and the little boat on full plane we made perhaps a half knot over the ground, and so despite our best efforts, the large standing waves, frothing eddies and curling lateral waves repulsed our little craft every time we tried to run up through the cataract, washing us back out towards the bay. In impressive sight, but perhaps a little much before the day’s first cup of coffee! We made plans to return on a more moderate tide and made for the fleet.

Rain fell heavily throughout the morning and wind pulled us against our anchor chains, burgees snapping smartly on the bow pulpits. The dramatic weather drew some crews out to explore, bundled in their rain gear, while others took advantage of a slow morning to curl up with a mug of tea and a book. By midday the weather began to break and spots of blue sky emerged from the gloom. The sunshine and slack water gave us the chance to buck the current and slip into the inner lagoons. The wind had died and perfect mirror calm waters reflected the mountains and tree covered islets throughout the lagoon. Salmon jumped and the occasional curious seal watched us slip past. Eagles soared silently and merganser ducklings paddled between the seaweed covered rocks. We cut the motors and the silent scenic grandeur overtook us.

Back aboard in the evening, the smells of dinner and the sounds of Rowan’s fiddle mixed with the calling of loons and the hiss of waves across the point. The slow sunset burned the clouds red and then gold as it faded over Duke Island on the western horizon.