Sweating in Nanaimo

Nanaimo, BC, Canada

Not a lot to report for the last while.

For the first few days we sweated in the heat.  Temperatures in the mid-30s, coupled with high humidity made for some of the hottest weather we have ever seen in Nanaimo (pushing 40 with the humidex readings).  Needless to say, we did not do a lot of work during those days.

Not a lot of change around here since we left 2 months ago, except that it is now prime cruising time and both the inner harbour and Mark Bay anchorage are very busy.

The annual salmon run appears to have started as well.  We have never seen them catch a lot, but they seem satisfied with standing in water up to their waists at the mouth of the river at high tide.  At low tide this area is virtually dry.

There seems to be a change in management at the Newcastle Marina and Boatyard - here is a picture what we assume is their new yard foreman.

For the last week, the weather has cooled off enough that we have been able to start on the list of boat projects that we compiled while we were away.  Much progress is being made and we are spending money like true boaters.  A lot of our list consists of equipment that we feel we should have before we head south next month - spare lines and pumps and such, proper off-shore outfits, new charts and guides, etc., etc., etc.

So far, most of my time has been spent installing a new raw water washdown system, adding a new 12V outlet for the freezer under the front bunk, extracting the alternator and negotiating with the Balmar dealer on a better solution, trashing the aft head to make room for a new watermaker, and numerous small projects.

Susanne has taken on the huge task of painting all the decks, a project that we could never seem to get a sufficient weather-window for before we left the marina in June.  So far, it looks fantastic, but now that the weather is starting to cool off a bit today, the rate of painting may suffer.

With the dock work that is going on around us, we have acquired a new construction supervisor.  Here he is on his daily inspection tour - seems pretty pleased don't you think?

{GMST}49|10|N|123|56|W|Nanaimo Harbour|Nanaimo Harbour{GEND}