Bears About

Yacht Refurb Progresses

Sun July 30th

Sechelt Inlet Sunset - Print now framed and on wall

This time two years ago we were in the grip of a heat dome with temperatures in the high thirties peaking at 43c.  This year we are closer to seasonal normal, unlike other corners of the planet which are suffering significant heat-waves ...... or floods.  Rain is in short supply and the 43mm (first rainfall in two months) that fell some days ago will do little to alleviate the water shortage on the Sunshine Coast, or indeed the rest of BC.  Across the other side of Canada in Nova Scotia floods are the order of the day.  We live in a time of stark weather contrasts around the globe.  There are, according to current press coverage, climate change deniers still out there.  I wonder what it will take to change their perspective.  



The current Ashes Test series continues to engage this very small part of the Coast.  If England are lucky they will achieve a series draw.  The Aussies will take the 'Urn' back home as the current holders, though  they have not won an Ashes series in the UK since 2001.  Disappointing for England, but then if they had won the first two matches, it would not be an issue.  So we can hardly complain.  Let us hope England achieve a win!


It has been a riveting series and good for the game of cricket.  Eight hours behind, a day's play is halfway through by the time I surface, but TMS is available here (via YouTube), but not live TV play.  I have set up an account with 9Now in Australia (don't ask), so can watch it, albeit in standard definition.  I have largely given up on the viewing and stuck with the TMS commentary which is brilliant.   

I used to enjoy a day at The Oval most summers with some cricketing mates, followed by dinner at the La Poule Au Pot in London.  The picture on the right was taken by one of them this year on day 2, the day after the annual jaunt - without me! 

Nice clean bottom!
After days of sanding, washing down and the odd repair, we have finished the multiple coats of epoxy resin to the lower hull of our Martin 242 racing yacht. It helps reduce the risk of osmosis causing blisters on the hull.   Some minor work still has to be finished before the new seawater antifouling can be applied.  Then we have thirty days once it is painted on to get the boat in the water.   

I have missed our Sunday races, but am out on the water this Sunday crewing for a rival (temporarily) who until now has raced single-handed.   This includes races across the Atlantic amongst many other adventures.  He has written a book on it, which I have yet to read, called "Lee Shore Blues: Sex, Drugs and Bluewater Sailing" by Peter M Heiberg.  It sounds an interesting read with some amusing reviews.  I shall quiz him while we are out racing!  It is now on my reading list. 

We are off to Whistler for a few days on Monday and are looking forward to continuing our exploration of the mountains in summer.  We have a few hikes planned as well as excursions out on the lakes with paddleboard and canoe.  We get back on Thursday, the day Nick and Co arrive for the long, BC holiday weekend, Monday is British Columbia Day.  We are interested to see how Jack will react to Seb's new-found mobility.  Grizzly bears are becoming a bit of an issue around Whistler and the Olympic Park/Callaghan Provincial Park area.  We will be taking our bear spray, both cans!

He's thinking skiing!



Black Bears have been putting in a regular appearance around us.  We have both seen youngsters crossing the road in front of us, who when you slow down to a stop just stop and look directly back at you, amazing!
Young Black Bear on the outskirts of Gibsons

The photo at the top of the blog was taken from the deck of some friends when we went up for supper and couple of weeks back (Ironically, Kevin is from Marlborough!).  They have superb views looking up Sechelt Inlet, the large body of water connected to the Salish Sea, through a narrow channel at Skookumchuck, through which the sea rushes in on each tide.  Prior to supper we had an excursion on their sail boat, the first time in a very, very long time that Fred has been on anything with a sail!  Jack, as ever, settled down to watch out for wildfowl!  



After the shock of the insurance quote for the Rivian SUV (£5000 p.a. if you missed the blog) I reluctantly cancelled the order and my deposit is on its way back.  I did though have a test drive with Nick which made the cancellation all the more difficult.  
Top Gear

It is the most awesome vehicle.  Nick, at the suggestion of the demonstrator, floored the 'gas' at about 20kmh and we hit the back of the seats as the truck reached 100kmh in about 3 seconds.  I have never experienced such acceleration before with the exception of a 40 minute flight in the right seat of a Jet Provost Mk 4 a few years back.  

Top Gun














A couple down on our local beach road have some visitors who have turned up with their Airstream trailer.  It is a rather iconic design.  If we were ever to go 'caravaning', which is unlikely, I wouldn't mind an Airstream!  They look beautifully designed and engineered.




Right, that's all for this blog.  I'm off sailing.

Comments

  1. BobJuly 31, 2023 at 4:48 AM

    Great piccies - especially top gun (not really). So no electric chariot planned, what is the plan now?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MikeT67MAugust 2, 2023 at 9:38 PM

      Still thinking about options. Need something better for the FSRs.

      Delete

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