April - Weekend Cruise

The weather forecast looked good; the boat was prepared, so we headed out to meet S/V Shangri-La II at Pirate's Cove.  Roger & Karen had overnighted in the south bay, where the herring spawn was still occurring  (lots of birds and sea lions) and anchored behind them were another couple we know (Ivan & Suzanne) on SV Escape.

 We decided to sail on with Shangri-La to Wallace Island, so while they lifted anchor and prepared for departure we chatted with Ivan and Suzanne.

The wind was NWesterly so we were able to sail wing on wing the entire way to Wallace averaging about 4 1/2 knots.   Anchored in Princess Cove, we walked to the south point of Wallace where we sat in the sun and Linda pulled a surprise bottle of bubbly from her backpack! so we toasted friendship and the new cruising season.

Back to the boats and nearing 'Happy hour' the MV 'Doc Swan' (Martin and Jan), entered the bay.  Princess Cove on Wallace Island is fairly narrow and during the summer months is quite busy, so it is usually recommended to anchor and then tie stern-to a mooring ring on shore; however there were only two other boats in the bay, so we were able to swing free and raft together where we all enjoyed a fine evening.

On Sunday everyone went for another hike, this time to the north end.  Our little pup 'Skipper' did an amazing job keeping up (as this was his first time walking off-leash for any distance).

After lunch our friends left for home and we stayed another night at Wallace.  

One of the things that has been a pleasant surprise with 'Skipper' has been his willingness to do his 'business' on the green mat we bought and put in the cockpit.  Murphy would never go in the boat and we worried for him on days with long passages; but after Skipper used the mat at home outside the door a few times while house-training, it seems to have transferred over to the boat - and that's great!  Of course we take him ashore most of the time, but having this option is a good thing...

He really is a happy go lucky little guy and very adaptable...

Monday, after another of Linda's amazing breakfasts,

 we lifted anchor and headed north-bound to Kendrick Island bay, one of our favourite local anchorages in settled weather.  When the tide is high you can see over the reef to the mainland and at night the lights of the city of Vancouver.  The rock is primarily sandstone based and the formations are interesting.

... and every once in a while Linda will find a little treasure for the garden... 

Tuesday we motored home to Nanaimo as winds were light, but it was a great weekend getaway!

February - Winter trip to Mexico

Left Nanaimo in clear, but cold weather on January 23rd and returned to clear and cold (with snow!) February 6th.  The trip can be followed on our travel blog :   we went to Oaxaca and then Puerto Angel on the Pacific coast.  We came home to experience another large snowfall just 3 days later and this snow lasted two weeks.   Meanwhile...  Linda found a breeder in Abbotsford, BC who had a litter of miniature schnauzers ready for permanent homes!

So, ...  you guessed it - off we went to pick up our little guy, who we named "Skipper" and the fun begins!!
It's already like having a newborn - up at 3 am (to take him out for a pee), sleep deprivation and watching puppy-proofing the home...

New Years Cruise to welcome in 2014

A New Years to Remember

The plan was made back in October that if the weather was good,  the "Circle the Rock" gang from the summer's circumnavigation of Vancouver Island (& friends), would try and get together in Pirate's cove to bring in the New Year.

As luck would have it, we were blessed with a nice 3 day weather window from the 31st of December, (Highs of 7 deg Celcius and lows of 3deg., with only 30% chance of showers)...  Pirates' Cove is a "GO"!
Got underway early in the day on the 31st, through False Narrows, following the markers...or should we say... following Dance Lightly!  We arrived around lunch time, with others close behind.

Following D.L. through False Narrows

A tire swing beckons summer days

Captain H

 What an amazing turnout!  5 boats, with 6 couples aboard, all rallied for the Pirates' Cove event on the "Park Host Dock".  Good thing that 'Hooligan" arrived first, as Peter and Deb are experienced 'Park Hosts', who are ready, willing, and able to provide info on the park and hand out brochures if needed! (wink, wink!)

The dock is about 36 feet long (how perfect is that?) and Silhouette tied up on the other side of the 'host' dock, opposite 'Hooligan', and then we all rafted up together, 3 on one side and 2 on the other.
We started out with a beautiful hike on shore along the "Brothers XII" trail...how appropriate that? The 12 of us going for a walk along this beautiful trail!  The adults hiked, while the shelties and brittany spaniel "herded" us along the way.  As we reached the farthest point on the trail, Barb noticed that Skye, their sheltie,  was nowhere to be seen.  We separated into 2 groups and retraced our steps to locate Skye...  And, lo and behold, there she was, at the bottom of the long set of steps up, with a look that said:  "hey herd, how did all 12 of you get so lost?" And, "by the way, I don't do stairs!".

Linda: "Let the Party Begin!"

                  

Back to the Host Dock for a rest/nap, with an appie party planned for 6:00ish. By the time we brought out the snacks, it was getting dark.  Nevertheless, Barb brought out their "party lights" and started to place these wonderful candles, solar lights and torches about our venue!  The highlights (pardon the pun), were the huge rattan "disco" balls stuffed with sparkling party lights that were hoisted up the halyard, to be later lowered, New York style, at midnight!  Kudos Harv and Barb!                       

 The appies were great, with assorted snacks, crudites, and a hot bean dip created by Cindy and Donn.  Next came the soup...amazing minestrone made by Deb and Peter and served up hot on the dock.  As Anna and I heated up the main courses, we advised everyone to keep their bowls!  Next came cabbage rolls and perogies, served up with sour cream.  Then Rick and Mary's delightful shrimp salad, served up european style, after the main.  As if this weren't enough, Barb brought out dessert:  Bernard Callebout brandied cherries, accompanied by champagne!  Too bad Harvey and Barb only brought 8 - 9 bottles of champers! The evening turned into a champagne tasting, per se, and we all sampled many types of bubbly.  The big winners turned out to be Barb's Oyster Bay and Rick's Veuve Cliquot, but no one forgets the sparking blackberry!  So much fun!

  

At about 10:00, the group migrated from the dock to the cockpit of Silhouette and we continued the party.  At one point, Cindy asked if we minded a "sailor" coming aboard...I saw "Sailor", Rick and Mary's Brittany Spaniel and said, "no probs".  Nevertheless, we didn't realize that a stranger/sailor had actually boarded the boat by climbing up the stern step to come aboard!  His name was Johnny (Depp?) and he stayed for a drink and a snack of a few of Anna's famous perogies.  Well, we are in Pirates' Cove, after all, and we should not be too surprised to be boarded by a "pirate" late at night!

                                                       

                 




 As the midnight hour approached, Barb and Cindy disappeared to prepare yet another chocolatey treat!  Not surprisingly, this also included alcohol! 

 Everyone proceeded back onto the dock - Chocolate cups, filled with ice wine were passed around just prior to 12, and at midnight, the "balls" of glittering lights were lowered on 'Dance Lightly', New York Times Square style!  It was totally awesome!  The skies were crystal clear, all the constellations visible, and we rang in 2014 under the stars to a resounding chorus of Auld Lang Syne!

How will any of us ever forget the start of this year?!  

Thank you all, and a very Happy New Year!