THE SUMMER

It is nearing the end of, what has been, a glorious July. Literally no rain, highs of 23 C and nights of 14 C ...…now that’s perfection.

“Out of the tree of life I just picked me a plum”
Tony Bennett. Words by Carolyn Leigh.

And yes, the best is yet to come

BOATING:

I was paddling through the internet looking at the cost of kayaks and decided that buying a little engine for my dinghy made more sense. I now have a 4.5 h.p. Evinrude attached to my 9’ Achilles inflatable dinghy, which came with “Second Choice” but what I have to do to get it going, is startling. After successfully mixing oil into the gas tank at a ratio of 50 to 1, needing to be a mathematical genius to convert from litres to ounces to attain the correct ratio, one has then to vigorously pull this long cord many many times to attempt to start it. Fellow boaters listen intently for clues that it may start at some point.

“Hey Pete, I heard something, a click, one more tug and she’ll go” they call out in encouragement.

The click was more likely to be the parting of the ways of the joint that connects my shoulder to my arm.

Once going, the dinghy is easy to operate although the first attempt to “land” brought the realization that the same handle controls the direction, the speed and the clutch to change gear. Remembering only any two of these three can create the amusing sight of me bouncing around like a pinball in a pinball machine as I attempt to dock. Thankfully the dinghy is an inflatable, causing no damage or bruises other than to the ego.

Boaters enjoy their long chats discussing their boating problems and how best to fix them. As a rookie, I stand aside during these conversations, nodding my head sagely when a point is made by a knowledgeable skipper, or laugh at the appropriate time in a Woody Allenesque way, attempting to be one of the boys yet remaining blissfully clueless.

I had the opportunity to go sailing for 3 hours on a 47’ Jeanneau sloop named Caledonia 11. A magnificent sleek vessel it is, unfortunately rendered helpless when the wind died down after the first hour, but certainly giving me great insight as to how the other half (meaning sail boat owners of course) live. My hosts, Nigel & Chelsea, as with all sailors, cannot imagine why I have a power boat and not a sailboat. Back last year when this idea of mine to live aboard a boat became more of a reality, I decided that learning to sail would be tougher than learning to handle a power boat. As inept as I am with my 28 ft Bayliner and its 260 HP Volvo single gas engine, I stand by that decision. Sailing with Nigel & Chelsea, from two hours to a full day, is available through Rockwater Resort and is a fabulous and relatively inexpensive adventure. www.rockwatersecretcoversort.com

COOKING:

My favourite method of preparing the evening meal is the BBQ which is attached to a bracket on the aft deck. The favourite meal is wild sockeye salmon soaked in soya sauce, brown sugar, pepper and a little whiskey (note, not whisky!).

WINE:

Throughout Canada, or at least Ontario and B.C., are wine making stores. You choose your type of wine; I like Aussie Shiraz, for example. It comes in a concentrate juice format. You add water, yeast and about 6 weeks later you pick up your 30 bottles with pricing ranging from $120 to $190 depending on quality. Now 30 bottles of anything, in a boat, is not wise!! Lo and behold, the wine stores up “the Coast” introduced bags which hold 6 litres each and have a device similar to that in a box of wine that the liquor store sells, making pouring easy. From the bag to a decanter, yes a glass one, but nevertheless, brilliant. Six bags of wine can fit in many of the nooks and crannies of a boat, and in places where the temperature remains very constant and cool.

THE JOB.

The 20 to 24 hours a week I put into my part time job is seldom boring. Dealing with the public can of course provide many an interesting tale, but with due respect to my employer and our guests, you are not going to hear or read about any such tales from me. I receive tips at times and find it fascinating. Who does, who doesn’t, why should they, how much?

When there are not too many folks checking in or out, which occurs at certain times of the day, I am seconded to different departments. Sometimes it is maintenance, setting up seating for an outdoor wedding, watering the flower pots and gardens. I often drive guests around or go to pick up staff. Occasionally I fold napkins for the catering department in advance of a busy evening at the restaurant. There is a definite art to doing this you know!

HIKING:

Still no bear sightings, but a definite “what in hell is that” moment took place when three of us were heading up Mt. Daniel. Below us, we heard a loud snap, as if a person had stood on a large branch. A few seconds later two loud cracks came from the same direction, followed quickly by two or three similar but louder sounds. From the trail we peered down, by now knowing it wasn’t a person causing this, but what was? Initially we thought a bear, then a number of bears, which would have been highly unusual, but what? Then we saw it.

It was a massive tree breaking away from its trunk. It had been weakened somehow, lightning or rot perhaps, about ten feet up, and the cracking and groaning was caused by it separating itself from the trunk. We then watched as it slowly crashed down to the feet of its neighbours, taking many smaller with it. It was a once in a lifetime spectacle, yet not without a sense of relief that the noise was simply nature at work and not some herd of mad gorillas (in Canada??!!)

The saying goes “If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” Without going into the deep thinking this question raises, all I can say is “Bloody right it does”

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