We were bound for Francois (pronounced Fran- sway) after breakfast. It was a short trip out from Hare Bay. Along the way, Mark took the opportunity to empty the holding tank in the open water. For those of you who are non-boaters, the holding tank is used to collect toilet waste either until you reach a shoreside Pumpout facility (none in Newfoundland) or until you are offshore past the “3 mile limit”. As Mark started the pump for the overboard Pumpout, it stopped. Mark spent the next several hours trying to fix the pump but it was broken beyond repair. Uh oh!
We docked in Francois and we’re met by a local who came to see us and discuss incoming weather. We took a nice hike to the lake that supplies the town water and waterfall. Another local who was out walking the boardwalk pointed out that there were blueberries all over and we should pick them. We ate them along the way. There are 60 people who live in Francois. Charlie and I hiked a bit further but Nancy hiked down into town determined to meet as many people as possible. She met 6! People travel around on the wooden boardwalks using 4 wheelers to get around the steep hills. It’s a pretty quiet spot.
We decided to make our next destination the island group of Ramea due to incoming weather. Its got good protection. Several of our sailing friends were already there on the docks and were enthusiastic about the tiny town with beautiful hiking trails. As we were traveling, I suggested an interim fix for emptying the holding tank using a hand operated suction pump on the deck fitting which is where a Pumpout station would normally pump the tank. Maggie, Charlie and I worked together to make it happen. It worked. I can give details if anyone wants….
We arrived in Ramea just before it began to rain. Our friends on the docks helped us tie up and told us where to find everything. We immediately explored the little stores and bakery. The baker makes pizza every afternoon in time for dinner. Our sailing friends had also bought scallops for us which had just been caught. They made for a yummy dinner. Pizza tomorrow. Rain and big wind tomorrow will keep us here for a day of laundry and cleaning.
The Adventures of Anne 