Tobermory, ON

Tobermory is about 65 miles north of Kincardine.  The route is straight across Lake Huron with no emergency stopping points.  This means that we have to pick a good weather window.  There is a small risk of late afternoon thunderstorms.  We decide to go.  3 power boats pass us early enroute north and later 1 sailboat passes us going south.  10 hours on the lake and that is all the traffic. There are light winds from the SW early and after a while we are able to unfurl the jib for a little extra speed.  A few hours later the wind strength has built enough to raise the main.  We are able to maintain 7.5 kts. With long passages, it is important to keep speed and heading so that we can arrive before dark, particularly when a rocky channel has to be navigated and enter an unknown port. The weather holds and winds shift as predicted, but we arrive and tie up by 6pm. We are almost in the North Channel.

Little Tub Harbour, reminiscent of some Newfoundland harbours. Long, narrow and a wharf at the end filled with commercial vessels.  Here the commercial vessels are dive boats and glass bottom tour boats. A couple of fishing boats are tied up. The water is crystal clear; can see right to the bottom of the harbour.

After a refreshing beverage and a shower, we walk around to the Grandview Restaurant.  The specialty around here is white fish, so that's what we order.  Great fish and another amazing sunset.

Did some boat maintenance today.  Washed the boat to get the flies off the deck.  Launched the dinghy for the first time since Put-In-Bay.  At the end of the dock, there is downtown Tobermory, which includes several pubs and ice cream stores, dive shops, the Foodland and a great breakfast place. After the wash, we went to the Foodland for some provisioning.  Hopefully we will anchor out tomorrow, but not sure where.

We did the the walk around town/harbour to shop.  Belinda wanted a pair of those strings to hold the sunglasses. Most of the shops were sold out but we finally found a store by the LCBO that still had some. As we were walking about, the ferry to Manitoulin Island came in. Kinda cool watching the cars get on and off.

We go for a dinghy ride to find some beach to go swimming. We motor over to Big Tub Harbour.  No place to land as the edge is mostly sheer rock.  Water is pretty cold so not today.

Off to dinner for some TFT's (Tobermory Fish Tacos) at the Fish and Chip Place.  (no really that's what it is called).  They did not take their trademark lawyer's advice on names. Great view from the patio though.

After some discussions with other cruisers, we are off to Club Island as a stop over to Killarney.  Club Island is about 20 miles and then another  25 to Killarney on Saturday. Don't want to stress out on another long passage.