Summer 2006

We returned from our NZ/Asian trip to Comox in April to ready the boat for our big trip. Many frustrations and many $$$$ later we were ready to sail around the Gulf Islands with family and friends to see what else would break down.
First family visitor was Alora, Amy and Rob’s 12 year old who we picked up in Comox. She was a delight to have on board and quickly became the anchor girl and dingy girl. She also caught what was debatably the biggest fish so far of the summer—must get a scale to settle all family arguments!! Monopoly became the game of choice and many happy hours were spent making our way to Sidney to pick up Amy, Rob and Isaac.
We evolved a “tour route” which took us to “old haunts” for our children so they could introduce their families to where they used to go. All partners look aghast when we point out the 21 foot boats around and explain we used to have 7 of us on board one of those for weeks of summers past. They think a 42 foot catamaran with beds, hot water, showers and comfort is the norm!!
Saltspring Saturday market, Sidney Spit for digging in the sand for little people, Bedwell Harbor for swimming in the pool at Poets cove—it allowed showers for everyone as the water situation was stretched by so many on board, Portland Island for hiking and it proved to be the choice fishing and crabbing spot.
Isaac became the lifejacket police ensuring everyone had theirs on when necessary and making sure the head was pumped 12 times!! Both he and Rob caught their first fish, neither however was close to Alora’s record Ling Cod. Cranium became the game of that sector and despite what Amy claims she did not win!!!
Ken and I then sailed back to Nanaimo to collect Dave, Becca and Arianne. We had some good winds and Dave managed to get us up to 9.4knots. Arianne having just turned 3 is very sweet although has David’s “do it myself” personality. She also caught her first fish and helped haul our big hauls of up to 10 large dungenus crabs using the fish guts for bait. They camped on Portland Island for 2 nights but seemed to arrive for supper each night—I guess Becca’s Mr Noodles did not appeal!! Scrabble became the choice game for that sector but after Ken won we switched to balderdash which seemed to be Wendy’s forte.
We picked up Kristen and Kyle to overlap two days with Dave and Becca from Sidney. Spent the time together eating more crab and fish and have since declared a moratorium on both—enough already!!! A fishing derby with Kyle, Dave and Ken was on the final day and I think Dave won but there seems to be a bit of a dispute and was it was bigger than Alora’s? Kristen is 6 months pregnant and is doing well.
On a sail to Montague harbor with Kristen and Kyle we happened on a large pod of Orcas who were feeding, slapping their tails and moving together slowly and were able to get very close. It was amazing, we had got close with Amy and Rob to some but they were spread out more so were able to see one at a time.
All in all so far it has been fun having everyone on board and we have friends coming next and then Aaron. That will take us to the 28th august when we hope to be ready to take off to San Francisco for the first leg of our “big voyage”.