Harmonica
N 33 21 W 118 19 Tuesday 5 Sept
We have alternated sailing (motoring) and walking days:

Friday - Santa barbara to Scorpion Bay, Santa Cruze Island Island where day trippers and a few campers used the beach. Island 20+ miles long, now uninhabited except for Parks & Nature Conservancy staff.

Saturday - Walked up to ridge >2000ft and met bird watchers looking for blue Jays, and looked down on old olive grove. Had the mooring to ourselves until power boat placed itself right over our anchor at dusk.

Sunday - Wind had changed to make power boat swing, so we raised anchor at 0600 and motored (sailed the last few miles) to Santa Barbara Island. Even more barren volcanic Island 1.5 miles long with 500ft cliffs either end. Water clear enough to see the anchor set perfectly in 11 metres.

Monday - Walked all round, and listened to & smelt the seals. Lost an oar from dinghy by trying to use the dinghy as a flopper-stopper on the end of the boom. I went snorkelling to look for it, and would have jumped out of the water when a seal came up to look at me. Lovely soft eyes and too friendly! Sat on the foredeck reparing the frayed clew of the headsail until sunset (several thicknesses of 9 oz dacron).

Tuesday - sailed off mooring at 0630 but ran out of wind again! Motored to Avalon on Catalina Isle (still forecasting moderate to fresh). Embarassed ourselves by getting out the 400ft panama line and trying to anchor in 120 ft of water. We still could not set anchor so we are paying $21 per night at a bouy in the harbour and spent an hour tidying lines away! (The Admiral did most of the work sweating buckets while the first mate cruised up and down admiring the scenery).

Wednesday - plan to cycle some of Catalina.
Thursday - plan to sail to San Diego
Friday - plan to meet a friend who is down on business.

Love from Harmonica

Dave & Jan