shop | Chantal Ireland

Victoria, BC, Canadacraft@chantalireland.com

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Welcome to Moab, Utah.

En route in rural Utah.

It was getting cold.

After two months in remote communities, we sailed from Nanaimo to Vancouver in near perfect conditions last week.
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Anchored in False Creek, the seals and birds were still there, but the views were vastly different. Provisioning brought endless possibilities. My sister gave us Canucks tickets she won, his first in the building, and in more than 20 years. It was a perfect visit to the city we used to each call home.
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We waited for a forecast of southwest winds, and set out for home expecting 15 knot winds. Leaving English Bay, we hit 24+ knot gusts out of Howe Sound, in six foot swells. While letting out the main sheet (it controls the boom) I’m pretty sure I had a panic attack. Rich said when I asked him (safe at anchor 7 hours later) if he was scared.. “No, that was great, it was good practise to see how this boat handles in those conditions.”
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I stared wide-eyed, laughing, but grateful for his ability, his calm and soothing nature to talk me through my fear and anxiety (not to mention tears and nearly peeing my pants). I spent most of the crossing in the cabin, in a sea berth, working to keep myself calm.
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There’s much to learn about a life at sea, but the hardest lessons of communication and trust in each other is hard-earned, and ever-evolving. I’m so proud of the job we do. As for the sailing vessel Sorcery, she delivers us safely, she can handle herself. A friend reminded me of Louisa May Alcott’s quote “I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship.”
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The next day we sailed home to Oak Bay. Welcomed home by my visiting sister and nephews, it was a perfect end to our journey. We took them sailing for an hour in the lightest of winds, sharing a tiny glimpse of life onboard. Home from three months living aboard, unpacking, getting the boat winterized, using all the wifi and indoor showers, I find myself already missing the gentle swaying at anchor.
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So here’s to the Captain, our able ship, and everyone who helped us along the way. Folks who picked us up hitchhiking, friends who offered showers and laundry, the Coast Guard for watching over us, and the wild spaces in this majestic place we call home. Thank you.

This anchorage is a little busier than most but I can smell thirty different types of foods and I know there’s vegan pumpkin something waiting for me somewhere. We have yet to provision me a birthday cake and there hasn’t been a vegan donut in weeks.
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Oh, and like friends and family are out there too. But tonight we’re cozy below deck with the fire on, iTunes downloads, and drying out all the layers. If only the guy on the 32nd floor would share his wifi password. Remember the good old days when the networks were all called default and most didn’t have passwords?
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And, you guys, Sir Elton John is just out there somewhere. Playing a piano and wondering where to go for dinner.

We soaked up every last sliver of summer outside, but at 12:50AM PDT in the North we turned towards the sun and bid it the fondest farewell. New season, new lists, new destination. After more than 50 nautical miles yesterday—our longest day yet, we left Nanaimo this morning bound for Vancouver for the first day of Fall. Well, and those new @cartemsdonuts fall flavours.
Rich (obviously) took this photo a couple of weeks ago in Desolation Sound.

Made with coffee in Victoria, BC. All photos and content © Chantal Ireland.
I work for money, not exposure. People die of exposure. My camera wasn't cheap. Write your own shit.

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