October 15, 2024 - Cap Aux Meules - Tuesday

October 15, 2024 – Tuesday                         Day 20 of this journey 

Cap Aux Meules, Quebec Province 

It was a pretty rough night with the seas really rolling. Not enough to make us ill, but certainly not the best night’s sleep. We also changed our clocks last night setting them ahead by one hour. That equates to one less hour of sleep. 

We were due to be at Cap Aux Meules in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence at approximately 8:00 am. When we got there, there was a sprinkle of rain and fairly stiff wind. We were scheduled to take a Special Ops Boat ride this morning at 10:00 am. About 9:00 am, the head of the Expedition Team came on the PA system to say that the tenders were running, but after assessing the weather and sea conditions, all expedition type activities for today have been cancelled. 

We had an early lunch so that we would be ready to grab a tender to shore well in advance of our 1:00 pm scheduled excursion. We were just getting ready to change clothes for the excursion when the ship’s Captain came over the PA to advise that weather conditions had worsened to the point it was no longer safe to send passengers ashore via tender. All afternoon activities had been cancelled and the passengers already ashore would be retrieved. 

Dang It! We really wanted to see this little island. But . . . that being said. That is part of this kind of sailing, and you have to be able to roll with it. They make their decisions based on the overall safety of the passengers. 

We attended a short lecture about whales in the Antarctic in the afternoon, then showered and headed to the Explorers Lounge for a cocktail. While there, we met a few more of our fellow passengers that will be going with us to the Antarctic. 

We attended the Daily Briefing and are hopeful that tomorrow’s weather will be a bit better. Once again, we will be at anchor, but near Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, there is a protected bay that may allow for the water toys to be launched. The Expedition Team Leader commented that she had been on the last tender from shore and that it was a very exciting ride. Winds were over 40 knots. Getting on and off the tender had to be a major challenge. 

Since we didn’t get ashore, the only photos I have are of our meal at Manfredi’s. Russ had Pasta e Fagioli for a starter and seared tuna for his main. I had an eggplant parmigiana as a starter and the pasta of the day for my main. All were good, but Russ’ tuna was stellar.