Cacoona and Rimouski

Cacoona is a commercial shipping port 5.5 nautical miles east of Riviere du Loup. We elected to head there as it was recommended to us by a like minded sailor that we had met in |Berthier sur Mer. He suggested to us that we contact the harbour master on the VHF to ask for permission to anchor in his harbour.   I am really glad we took the Canadian Power Squadron Radio courses in Dartmouth last winter.  We were taught that there is a certain protocol that one uses when using the radio and in particular, in contacting small ports such as this one.  I called the harbour master asking for permission for our 2 vessels to anchor and the gentleman was pleased that we had asked. Neither Marie or Ted speak any french and they were relied on my limited ability ot speak to communicate for them as well. He could not have been more accomodating to us and asked that I call him if there was anything at all that he could do to make our stay more comfortable.  I relayed the information to Ted over the VHF and kept in contact with them throughout the day.

About noon, as we were quietly sailling along we saw our first pod of beluga whales. There is absolutley no mistaking them as their beautiful white forms crest the water. The captain wanted me to get photos but I couldn't take the time to go below to get the camera as I was much too awestruck by their presence and did not want to miss them. But we were to see many more that day as they fed along the deeper colder areas of the St. Lawrence River near La Grande Ile.   An hour later a huge humpback breached the water not far off our bow. When they come up they leave a footprint in the water. It is eveident in the forefront of the photo below.  We watched again, mesmorized until he slipped peacefully away deeper into the sea.  We were to see 2 smaller minke whales later in the day as well.

When we arrived into Cacoona harbour later that day, Trollop was already peacefully anchored. We put down our anchor, happy that we were not having to pay another night's dockage fee.  I called the harbour master on the VHF the following morning to thank him for his graciius hospitality as we drifted out into the windening river toward the Gulf.  Again, we were sailing on our way east to Rimouski,  58 nautical miles further down the southern shore.

                                                 Bridlewilde in all her spendour.

Rimouski is almost a must stop for those who need to reprovision and refuel and who are heading east around the Gaspe. It is the one harbour for the nezt 220 nautical miles where one can be assured of getting the supplies, food and fuel they made need to make the journey up into the Gulf of the St. Lawrrence. The river had begun to widen and we are not able to see the northern shore on the horizon anymore.  By the time we get to the head of the Gaspe Penninsula the distance across the mouth is approximatley 60 miles wide. We arrived later in the day and tied up in the harbour for the night, reprovisioned and the captain and I biked the beautiful winding bike trail around the waterfront of Rimouski.