30. June 2009, Back on the Water

The decision to 'go back out' was made for me. My regular Club Dock is occupied for July, and I sure did not want to remain in Bouncy Ville (Arbutus Ridge) any longer than neccessary.
Back anchored in smooth Tod Inlet and visiting Butchard Gardens. The roses are out by the thousand, as well as the begonias with blooms as large as dinner plates. The whole place shows itself in full summer splendour.
On the boat - so far everything is mercifully uneventful.
The cove is almost empty, the water rich dark bottle green with the reflection of the coniferous trees, that cover the surrounding hillsides like a lush green blanket. White translucent jelly fish wing their way past the boat in large tranquil schools. The herons perch in the trees, a family of Canada Geese patrols the waters, knowing EXACTLY when anybody consumes anything edible in their cockpit - that's when they line up, honking discreetly for attention. A couple of Bald Headed Eagles soar above, the little Martins still catch bugs, the dragonflies skim over the water, and the resident seal tours around lazily. Thick hedges of pink sweet peas grace the north bank of the inlet.
I am just going to hang out, especially over Canada Day (1. July) and Independence Day (4. July) as boaters will be out in droves looking for anchoring spots for the partying. I may even talk myself into waxing the deck and cockpit, to give them their obligatory summer sheen, but it is alway too pleasant to think of chores, when one can wander or row about....
Out of sight, at the entrance to the cove near Brentwood Bay, things are supposedly set in motion to clean out at least SOME of the abandoned wrecks, that have inexplicably accumulated there in ugly clusters. There are halfsunken barges tied to off beach docks, which sprout forests of weeds and bushes. One carries a large crane, totally rusted.
Amongst the bushes on the floating gardens rest quite a few dissolving run-abouts looking like some kind of punky garden sculptures. There are a couple of swamped sailboats, without portholes, hatches or masts, but with sea life growing abundantly from the ever sinking waterline downwards. There are a couple of abandoned seiners littering the beach. Some of these vessels leak diesel oil, some battery acid, some just fall apart bit by bit over time, and the flotsam slowly winds it's way out into Saanich Inlet, where it will float in circles sometimes for longer than a year.
I met a whole grass-covered tie-up finger, more than 30 feet long, in the middle of big body of almost motionless deep water....a comfortable movable resting place for scores of gulls, and the odd seal.
The clean up of this eye-sore in Brentwood Bay may never be completed, Coast Guard, Police, and Department of Transport and BC Provincial Park Authorities all claim not to be responsible. Maybe we can ask the Navy to use it for target practice.
Weather is georgeous again, not a cloud in the sky.
Photos later, when I can get access to WiFi somewhere....