Spring Interlude

Nanaimo

It is spring in Nanaimo (and everywhere else, as of the weekend).

As you may already know, it is a pretty exciting place. The traffic never stops and everything is rush, rush, rush.
OK, maybe a little exaggeration. The pubs here at the marina are usually empty by 10 PM, even on the weekends, which should tell you something about the place. Of course, that will all change come summer.

Since we got back, we faced a few days of dreary rain, followed by a few days of gorgeous sunshine, followed by a couple of days of dreary rain, followed by more days of sun, etc. Typical Nanaimo spring. In reality, we have not been getting a lot done. I think the fact that we have to go back to Edmonton in a couple of days has made us feel as if we are not yet here to stay. We keep saying that as soon as we get back, we will seriously tackle the list of boat jobs that has been accumulating. That is not to say that we are not doing our research of course. I like to think that every 1-day job requires at least 2 days of thought before jumping in and making any hasty decisions or repairs.

However, as I write this, Sue is out on deck stripping stain off the woodwork. A few minutes ago it was a beautiful clear-blue sunny day. Suddenly clouds are rolling in and rain looks imminent, so I am not sure how long she will last out there, but it is a noble effort none the less.

Welcome to Nanaimo. If you don't like the weather, just wait a few minutes.

Winter Interlude

After a week and a half in Edmonton, being inspected, detected, injected, selected and rejected, etc. (sorry about that Arlo), we booked our next round of the same for the end of the month, and beat a hasty retreat back to the coast. With any luck, one more Edmonton vacation should just about put an end to it all.

While in Edmonton, we spent some time with Susanne's family (looking at the pictures is there any doubt about who is running things at Murray's house?) and everyone is doing well. Our apologies to the friends and family that we did not get around to seeing - we will make up for that at the end of the month. We have to be back in Edmonton by the 27th.

And by the way, is there anything nicer than a relaxing drive over the mountains in the winter? Actually conditions were good for the most part - just a little snow around Valemount and the usual fog on the Coquihalla. We did this trip at a relaxed pace, staying overnight in Merritt to avoid trying to transit Vancouver at rush hour.

Back on the boat, everything is just as we left it. The boat faeries did not do any of the jobs we had left for them while we were away. So I guess we will just have to do it all ourselves!

Alberta Bound

Once again we find ourselves in Alberta.

Sunday

We started the day on the early morning ferry from Departure Bay, with a boat-load of Olympic supporters who were already in a party mood, anticipating the big hockey game that most of them were probably heading for.

Fortunately for us, not many of them arrived by car, so the traffic was very light getting through Vancouver and we were quickly on our way across BC.

Because of the early start, we were able to easily drive all the way to Jasper before dark, picking up the CBC radio broadcasts sporadically which kept us up to date on the game. The overtime goal was made just as we passed through Valemount. When we arrived in Jasper, there were still revellers in the streets and you could hear the national anthem echoing from the bars and hotels.

In the morning, the town seemed deserted. All of the weekend skiers were gone and the streets were quiet. So, after a lazy morning in Jasper, we made our way to Edmonton in the early afternoon, where we are once again holed up in Susanne's mothers basement for the duration of our stay.

I had the first of my doctor's appointments on Tuesday and, of course, I have been forced to set up another appointment for tests later in the month. At this rate we will never get to do any sailing; but hope springs eternal.