The snow has gone, we are back to British Columbia's winter rain. Instead of flotillas of pleasure craft, a lone crab fishing boat plies the water below my window. I rare slice of sunshine draped the otherwise bleak view in a fleeting splash of rainbow colour.
Invitation to the ORIOLE, a Canadian Navy Sailing School Ship. As one of her winter assignments she visits various sailing clubs in the area to be the 'show piece' of a night time sail past, where sailors undeterred by brisk temperatures show off their boats, which are decorated with fantastic Christmas decorations.
Here is her unmistakable emblem on an etched glass mirror in her ward room - a convenient place to defrost after a some time on deck.
Oriole's bow, festooned in lights...
One of MBYC's decorated power boats.
Oh for the technical advances of led lights, the need to rent generators to power such floating Christmas trees is long gone.
Oriole's proof, that the Canadian Navy is resourceful enough to introduce denizens of the Southern and Northern Hemisphere on one deck - never the twain shall meet in nature...
Peace Keepers indeed.
To climb onto Oriole's festive deck one had to negotiate one of those tippy rope ladders, not my idea of a confidence inspiring boarding for a jolly Christmas Carol jaunt - but, with the help of a few VERY handsome young deckhands, I made it onto the deck...and off again.
Rhapsody in Blue afloat
Inside the Oriole, decorated as well, the off watch warms up with hot chocolate.
BACK ON LAND at Cobble Hill
Local Christmas Fairs display homespun crafts. Every household needs one of these...
Considering that Santa Claus was originally a Frisian Bishop, pre-Lutheran, catholic, medieval, probably (at least officially) celibate, it is impressive how our new and improved Santa dresses in a rather unlikely outfit and has evolved into a domesticated husbands of a Mrs. Claus.
Progress!
And if knitting Santa Claus couples is not enough to get the Christmas knitters going, how about a whole knit-purl zoo?
A bit of country and western carolling furthers the festive atmosphere...
Our neighbours, the First Nation ladies, are knitting famous Cowichan Sweaters
and, for the smaller projects, Cowichan baby slippers.
Another week and I'll be off to subtropical Caribbean Islands to search for Christmas and New Year, Jingle Bells and Reindeer, Snowflakes and Gingerbread Cookies floating among palm fringed beaches and colonial ports.
