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I have just had a fabulous weekend which was kicked off by Pat, the friend I went Spinning with last week, taking me flying from the local flying club. We took off from Brackendale airstrip just outside Squamish, having debated for some time whether we would be able see anything due to the low cloud base. As it happened we waited for about 45 minutes and then decided just to go for it and as we did so the sun came out. Pat flew us out towards the Sound and enabled me to take some good views over the town and the estuary. We circled over Squamish and outlying areas for about half an hour before returning to the airfield. The Univeristy has a football pitch that most colleges in the UK would be proud of. The cloud base was still quite low so the surrounding mountains were not visible but it was a good flight none the less. Pat commented that it was more bumpy than usual but it didn't affect me and I had a great time. Thank you Pat for putting yourself out and taking the time to take me up.
Having completed post flight checks we headed off for the short journey to meet Byron and the second stage of my weekend adventure. Byron owns a Bayliner Sports fishing boat with two enormous 150bhp outboards on the back. The boat is moored not a hundred yards from his home address so if you fancy fresh fish for supper it is not too difficult to achieve. Laura, a friend of Byrons, was already on the boat when we arrived so it was cast off immediately and we were off, and I mean OFF. Once opened up we niegh on ripped across the water which for 45 minutes buffetted us around. The swell was actually quite small but with a prevailing wind and 300bhp trying to make the boat take off, it was quite exciting. So much so that my calves are aching from the buffering they took just trying to cushion the constant slamming of the hull against the water.
Bernie had left for our destination earlier in the morning and was on board a wonderful wooden ex-fishing boat with, Colin, its owner. 'Fifer Lady' was originally built in Scotland, hence the name, in the 60's. She was brought over the Canada and has had 10 owners prior to Colin, under whose precise and exacting guidance, she has undergone a complete overhaul and refit. Everything has been carried out in a painstakingly loving fashion, mixing new technology with original and period parts, the 'Lady' has been restored to better than new and is a true credit to her current owner and the last six years of work.
Byron caught Colin and Bernie shortly before our destination in Gibson, a small marina and home to several hundred boats. Gibson has a small population and is more of a village than a town. There is one main road which only goes from A - B. It doesn't link anything other than the shoreline hamlets. Communication with the rest of the World is via a small airport in Powell River, a town, or by ferry, or of course your own boat. Gibson is located at the mouth to Howe Sound and the next port of call would be Horseshoe Bay and Vancouver.
We moored in the main marina and settled down on the 'Lady'. We were entertained by various yachts manouvering around the pontoons. In particular one vessel with which, very clearly, the owner had reverse gear trouble. Word spread quickly but silently around and other owners appeared above decks armed with various fenders and mooring hooks. the boat eventually settled a safe distance from everyone else and calm was restored. I was treated to a marvellous meal of fresh prawn purchased from the fisherman and then boiled in a pot on board. Each was the size of your thumb and we ate heartily. We then had ribs, salad, and rice all prepared to perfection by the ships Master.
Prior to dinner Laura and I ventured to the shops and found a local art centre which had mouldings or casts of wild animal paw prints found in the mud etc. One such cast was of a Grizzly Bear which I photographed to demonstrate the size. Laura got told off on my behalf for taking pictures but it was too late, I had done it! I spent a very pleasant evening on board and slept in the forward bunk. Sunday greeted us with cold and miserable weather. Due to the tides a decision had to be taken whether to leave right away or sit tight and time our arrival for late in the day when the tide had turned and was incoming again.
Byron made the decision for us with a demonstration of how breakfast can set you up for the day. I peeled the remaining prawn whilst Byron cooked bacon and scrambled eggs. The prawn were cooked with the eggs and we sat down to yet another feast!
There is an incredible amount of drift wood floating around. It either breaks free of the logging barges or just comes down stream with the heavy winter waters. Boats have to constantly navigate around complete and partial trees at best, or semi submerged trunks at worst. It is an obvious danger to all river traffic. We saw a Sea Otter near our pontoon. Colin told me that on Sunday morning it was on the broadwalk scavenging for bits left over from the fishermen. There were also Seals or at least one of them which appeared several times.
We eventually set sail and made our way back down the Sound. The Fifer Lady trundles along majestically. We tied Byrons boat astern and all enjoyed the confort of our surroundings and a very sociable journey home. What a very pleasant way to spend the weekend and regardless of the limited amount of sunshine, it was fabulous to be out on the water for so long. My thanks go to Byron and Colin for taking me to and fro Gibson.
Hope you are keeping well. I will upload the photos as soon as work has completed on the Blog Site. Best wishes, Chris.
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