Maybe this is the year that I should change the blog name to lemon, tomato and salt! We decided it was time to get to know the entirety of Vancouver Island so on June 2 we snuggly nestled Ruby in to the garden and left the house in the hands of friends and decamped to Nasty Habit, our J35 racer now full cruiser! Day one was a short sail to Annette Inlet on Prevost Island.

June 3 we had a very June St Patrick’s day party to attend which was an amazing feast hosted by friends at their beautiful home in Long Harbour on Saltspring Island. The food was beautifully created and served by “ Mensch Kitchen and Catering” out of Cowichan. This was a meal to remember and one to set the stage for cooking on the boat.

We spent several days finishing installing the solar system which definitely turned Nasty Habit from a racer to cruiser extraordinaire.

We headed to Newcastle island and spent the following two nights with a 10 km hike around the park and a visit from the thieving raccoons who broke in and stole my precious garlic naan bread. Apparently they were too stealthy for even Macduff to hear. Meanwhile Gerry got up and accosted them so they went scurrying away with only 4 pieces. Off to Henry Bay on the north end of Denman island we encouraged Macduff to try out his new “crib”, where he can be safely anchored in rough seas, by giving him a treat.

He was a trooper as we crossed Georgia Straits eventually sitting up as the winds calmed.

Anchoring in Henry bay is always a great relief after crossing Georgia Straits and a great place for our first happy hour cocktail.

Mango passionfruit gin fizz

1 1/2 oz gin such as Bombay Sapphire

1/2 cup Mango Passionfruit tea

Top with sparkling water such as mango flavour

Add squeeze of lime