The Head of Jeddore

We departed Sheet Harbour Passage on Tuesday Sept 27 in the morning with all systems aboard running as though they were brand spanking new.  We had been anchored for the past three nights in the lovely little harbour. The weather for the past two days had been perfect sailing conditions, just as predicted, warm and calm with light winds.  We had been anchored the whole time, all the while knowing that we would have had enough time to have made it to our destination in Mahone Bay.  But we have learned early that we cannot sail without being patient.  This day was new, we were headed for Jeddore and the weather held. It was a good day.

The marina at the Head of Jeddore has the capability to haul out there.  As it was getting late in the season we opted to go there just in case we did not have the time or more importantly the weather to reach Mahone Bay.  Of course we were disappointed with this decision but it was the correct one to make. Driving distance to and from Jeddore from our home is two hours. We could easily travel that back and forth if we left the vessel there over the winter.     

The channel into the Head of Jeddore is 7 nautical miles long and twisted. Jeddore Rock is huge and ominous and marks the entrance to the channel.   Until 1988, Jeddore Rock was the site of the oldest manned lighthouse in Canada.  Now it hosts a large automatic light and the historic manned lighthouse has been taken down.  Although it is very conspicuous, it is an area to keep well clear of as it is passed by for entry.  The cruise in the channel is enjoyable as the scenery is close and pretty.

  One must however, keep a vigilant watch as it narrows and silts heavily in places.  Travelling some passages, we wondered if we would slip between the narrow sandbars without difficulty.  They are prominent; very pretty with sea grasses poking up through the sand and watery surface. The sandbars are also a haven for sea birds and we marvelled at the number of cranes we saw fishing along them.  We saw cormorants, eider ducks and osprey as we slipped along the water.  We arrived with no problems at the Jeddore Head marina at 2.30 pm, secured our boat and made arrangements to keep her there for the time being. We would make the decision in the following few days whether or not we would continue on to Mahone Bay.

We were met by friends who would take us to Windsor, NS an hour drive away.  Our daughter Susie was picking us up there to return us back to Waterville where Keith would go back to work the following day.