31 August 2012 - Sidney by the Sea

The last Long Weekend of the summer coming up....weather clearing, but mornings bring dew on deck and chill in the cabin. I installed my 'Charlie Noble', meaning chimney in landlubber lingo, just in case it gets so cold that I need some serious incentive to crawl out of my duvet in the morning....

But, in preparation for the weekend, a shopping trip to Sidney, stocking up on fresh fruit and such...







First the row ashore across a mirror like pond, that is Tod Inlet. At the dinghy dock a ghostlike jelly fish drifts by, trailing long translucent veils and waving his gelatinous disk in morning greeting



A Giant Starfish, measuring almost two feet across, has wrapped his tentacles around some unseen morsel, and feeds inexorably through an unseen beak into his inside-out stomach underneath all this pale orange mess. 

The local First Nations People have placed a new plaque onto the shore of Tod Inlet, proudly displaying the original name of  the Inlet backed by two blue grouse, which eerily frame a face that could belong to a Labrador Dog.

Despite clean up of 'invasive' species in Gowland Tod Park, sweet peas bloom everywhere, framing invasive apple trees, plum trees and acres of blackberry bushes

And then to Sidney by the Sea, to explore the newest addition to its manifold attractions: an art walk along the seaside promenade. Here we have a Centaur! Use your imagination, four legs, a face with an eye, and a wire mane. I wonder how many antique Greek Heroes would be frightened into their Trojan horses glimpsing this terrifying demigod.
Art pieces are on display for two years, then another piece of public art will be shown on the freed spot.
In the meantime, interested buyers may purchase the pieces from their creators, and website and contact information are conveniently displayed beside each piece.

A scuba diver, ready to plunge into the concrete surface of a pier, barely missing a light standard.

And here the famous fly fisherman, forever tying an invisible fly. Every day there are fresh flowers put into his fine bronze hands.

A detail of the Fly Fisherman's hands


Maybe one of these fine days, the bronze fisherman will get up, take along his fishing box, his sprig of flowers and his freshly tied fly, wander out on the Sidney Fishing Pier and catch himself a trophy sized Sockeye...

There are benches on the Fishing Pier to take time out and absorb the vast vista East towards Sidney Spit and the Coastal Mountains in the background.

A somewhat whimsical piece: Skate Boarding Bulldog...











Benches along the length of the promenade, small attractive flowerbeds at intervals, it seems to be a popular past time to conduct one's morning constitutional along this stretch of shore..

Tidal pools at the bottom of the promenade reveal their secrets...

And families actually sit together without TEXTING!!!

The fly fisherman's hands

Sidney Crow

Peg leg, hooked arm, spyglass....Sidney pirate

Let's dance!

And here he is again...the Fly Fisherman





End of summer daisies...

Heron near the promenade

A lone gull watching....

And let' s dive into the Long Weekend for a last taste of summer...












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27 August - Brentwood Bay

Last week of August, before Labour Day Long Weekend, when school starts up again, and the anchorages empty out again. Only a short dinghy ride (or a rather long one if one should chose to row...)away from Tod Inlet, where I am anchored right now, is Brentwood Bay, terminal for the most scenic ferry ride on Vancouver Island. The ferry takes twenty minutes to cross from Brentwood bay to Mill Bay, with vistas of Saanich Inlet and the Malahat to one side, and Saanich Peninsular to the other.

The Brentwood Inn, Resort, Spa and Marina is a favourite watering place for boaters and residents alike.

Bus number 81 takes one right downtown Brentwood, where 'town' designation sounds somewhat generous, it's more a glorified little village with all the village amenities, and a quaint and sleepy air.

The docks of Brentwood Inn at low tide. Many large motor yachts dock here, taking advantage of the shore based pub, restaurant - both with a sweeping view of the Bay and the Ferry Terminal and Malahat Mountain in the Background.

The somewhat more modest, but also more romantic little Seahorse Cafe next to the Ferry Dock is closed, Monday - a slow day in Brentwood.

Inviting Entry of the Cafe, which of course also has a small marina, for the yachts which are not quite as luxurious as the ones across the corner moored at the prestigious Inn.

In a small shore side park, a serious conference: where should we bike today....

Here as well, a profusion of small seasonal establishments offering opportunities to kayak into near by Tod Inlet....

The Seahorses Cafe, if not open for coffee and meals, it is open for renting Kayaks....

Ferry passengers of the winged kind sunning themselves on the ferry ramp



Brentwood Inn as seem from the 'passenger waiting area' of the Brentwood-Mill Bay Ferry



Brentwood General Store decoration...closed on Monday. A new version of Jonah and the Killer Whale....

Joannah inside her Killer Whale....

Moodyville, another name for Brentwood???

Galiano's Hummingbirds et al....



Before the Hummingbirds there are the boat dogs. This guy was totally mesmerized for HOURS by a bucket with a couple of little herrings cruising around in tepid sea water. He was so captivated, that one wanted to hand him a remote control so he could change the program in the bucket. Never kicked it over, but waggled his tail watching fish.



The very act of fishing captivated his undivided attention

And then again, back to watching...the fish were so small, that they just qualified for bait. No matter for this fisherdog, he watched all the same.
At the same time, one of the owner's kids had managed to push a fish hook through a fingernail, and started an all out scream fest, until the parents had the offending object removed. Through all this Fido was glued to his very own TV program.

Summer seems to be winding down, last night 5 buoys were left empty in Montague Marine Park, unusual for this time of' year, with still a couple of weeks until school starts up. But, it's cooler today, and boaters must have headed for home dock.

Marilyn's Certified Organic Peach's

What on earth is a biodynamic peach????

When all else fails, as in the regular Shuttle Bus to Sturdies Bay has suspended service, one takes the PUB BUS, compliments of the Hummingbird Pub, an iconic revelling place near 'the cross roads'.

Just in case passengers are doubtful as to the destination....lots of Hummingbirds on the side of the old school bus to clarify any questions

And there it is, the Hummingbird Pub, purveyors of the best pub food anywhere

The rustic exterior of the old pub

Ant the equally rustic, if somewhat empty,  interior....

A lager, the smallest on the menu, to validate my use of the pub conveyance

And of course, as a Gulf Island Pub demands, the pub deer wandering around in the beer garden....

Summer Break

A short intermission to my watery summer, one week on land to enjoy the pleasures of home, garden and neighbourhood...

Delicate seed pods in my garden

Despite tent caterpillars taking the apple tree over during spring this year, my trusty apple tree is laden with a bounty of delicious apples....and the deer are aware of it.

My floating home is ready, stocked and cleaned for another little while amongst the Gulf Islands

One visits quaint Victoria to pick up mail, check out the scene and admire the charming harbour

The flower baskets  are a little smaller (economic frugality) but still decorate downtown Victoria with a burst of colour

Maple Bay Yacht Club...embarkation port!