Coast Culture

We've had some stunning sunrises recently and moonsets. This was
the moon against a foggy backdrop.

The long range forecast that suggested we were going to enjoy a cold winter could not have got it more wrong. It has been wet and warm.

The UK has had more snow than southern and coastal BC. Whistler has snow in the alpine but it's patchy and thin at village level. Other resorts in western North America are enjoying similar poor conditions, unlike the Atlantic Coast.

We have therefore deferred any trips up the mountain; though are scheduled to spend a week in Whistler late February. Fingers crossed. If snow conditions improve later in the season we may go up again in March and April, but book at the last minute.

That said, January has not been a quiet month. The Coast Music Theatre Co are putting on a production of Guys and Dolls at the end of Feb, and Fred has been busy making costumes. While Fred’s been sewing I've been screwing ....... in the workshop making scenery.

Guys and Dolls cast
Photo courtesy Coast Reporter/Michael Gurney

It's being staged at the Sechelt high school, Chatelech Secondary, which has a proper theatre with tiered theatre seats and a proper stage. As a joint production with the school Musical Theatre Ensemble, it's enabled them to use this fantastic venue.

My work is now done and the scenery has been delivered, though I suspect Fred will be ensconced with her sewing machine until close to the opening night.

It should be a good production as the music, production, and choreography directors are all talented artists in their own right.

Sunday 8th Feb I attended a Renaissance Concert in Sechelt comprising half a dozen viol players, harpsichord, traditional flutes, crumhorns and a Swedish nyckelharpa.

The last time I saw a nyckelharpa was on the video of Joe Bonamassa's concert "An Acoustic Evening at the Vienna Opera House" played by Mats Wester from Stockholm. The Bonamassa concert is worth a watch if you've not seen it, and it's currently free on YouTube.

Some of the instruments were tuned to the Baroque pitch of 415 (Hz on A), rather than today's tuning of 440 to match the fixed tuning of some of the recorders. It was an amazing concert with included a number of professional musicians, such as Isabella Perron and Simon Gidora, semi-professional and amazingly talented, amateur musicians. The artist playing the nyckelharpa (and also the harpsichord) Albano Berberi, is blind. Originally from Albania, he now lives up the Coast on Texada Island with his equally accomplished partner Joya Muma. It was a fantastic couple of hours and I remain in awe of the talent that exists on the Coast.

Enough of Coast culture methinks.

Surf Scoters

The large flock of birds I mentioned in the last post turned out to be Surf Scoters and Barrow's Goldeneyes, with a few other species on the margins.

They stuck around for several weeks, largely in the same place though have now dispersed. There were estimates of between 500 and 600 at their peak.

The Surf Scoters could be heard before they were seen, particularly when they flew in at dawn.

They will often choreograph a synchronised dive, one goes under the water and the rest follow like a line of dominoes going down. It is quite amusing to watch.

Barrow's Goldeneye

Under the water, the sea lions are in town, of which there are two types.

The native and much larger Steller sea lions often referred to as the Grizzly of the sea, (up to 2,500 lbs) and the smaller, and much more vocal California cousins (700 lbs). And they are noisy.

Out racing on Sunday we heard, but did not see them several times, as we sailed round some of the local islands.

With light winds their voices carried. California sea lions have been seen in increasing numbers which is good news for the Biggs Killer whales, the transient variety of Orca that we have locally. These ones eat mammals, so seals and sea lions are a tasty meal. The Southern Resident Orca are salmon feeders and the decline in wild salmon has hit this orca population hard. Their numbers are estimated at around 74.

It was a lovely sunny day for sailing with light winds, though cold. The race took us out to and
around Worlcombe Island, the most southerly of the Pasley Islands between larger Keats and Bowen Islands.

Eight boats started, six finished the last two retiring as they were a long way back in the fleet and the wind was dying. I think they also probably wanted to get to the pub to watch the Super Bowl.

While I was rushing off to a renaissance concert, the rest of our crew were heading to, Grammas; Gibsons' sports pub. I'm not quite sure why two American teams held such fascination for Canadians, but it has gripped the sporting enthusiasts.

I could not resist sending my fellow crew a video, by a USA fighter pilot comparing American Football and Rugby. I'll leave you to be the judge of whether she is right or not.

Young Sebby continues to get into his skiing. Nick takes him up to Grouse Mountain behind where they live most weekends, when the weather allows.

The straps have now been ditched and he is off down the nursery slopes with considerable enthusiasm.

It will not be long before he is beating us down the slopes, with his mum dad left behind soon after.

Nick volunteers and teaches skiing with Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports (VASS) for persons with disability so is well versed for teaching Sebby.

Even younger Laurie continues to delight with his infectious smile and chortling. He continues to get a lot of attention from his older sibling who is so delightfully caring ....... for now!