SURVIVOR - DESOLATION SOUND

Through the pages of history, we know that famous voyages on the high seas by the likes of Christopher Columbus and Captain Cook provided many historical discoveries.

My recent boating endeavor did not uncover any new findings that would change the history of the world but I definitely had my share of first experiences and new discoveries.

"Minor things can become moments of great revelation when encountered for the first time".
- Margot Fonteyn

Darren and I spent a week in August, cruising the waters of Desolation Sound - amongst the islands off the British Columbia coast.

Thanks to the wonderful K' family, they welcomed us in on their special family time and took us on a fantastic journey.

Our trip began with the first of my new experiences – THE SEAPLANE √





Correction: 2nd – First new experience was my stepping onto Canadian soil √.

Darren and I joined, Todd, Christine and Ryan on our first flight in a Seaplane or float plane. Leaving the city of Vancouver behind we comfortably flew the skies in the historic 1949 Beaver aircraft.

Arriving an hour later in the quaint marine village of Refuge Cove,where we were greeted by Christine’s parents; Bill & Maru and their son Brian & his partner Shannon. We were all ready to set sail on IMAGINE – the poor boat would never be the same again.

The 9 of us stocked up on life's necessities from the local store. The comment overheard from another docked boat went something along the lines of:

"Quick!! let’s get some beer, it looks like that lot are taking it all".

Oh yes, the drinks were a constant flow… and there were new discoveries to be found there too (believe it or not).

1. Introduction to quality white tequila…. Made into mouth watering Tequila Martini’s "Teqini's" √
2. The 'not quite right' Caesar √- like a Bloody Mary but made with Clamato Juice (a mixture of tomato & clam juice).

We spent our days cruising the waters, playing in the lakes with Frisbees and searching for food.

Oh yes! We all played a role in hunting for our food during our stay on the boat.

• Brian (aka Aqua boy) and Darren dived for crab.
• I couriered them back to the boat, with a bucket – the biggest I could find tied to the kayak, so the crabs with a reputation for ripping off fingers could not escape and fall onto my lap. (photo)
• The boys took the rowboat out for some fishing.
• There were prawn nets lowered and oysters to collect off the shore and shucked √.
  

So with us hunting for food, you would probably assume that our meals were fairly basic?
Absolutely Not!!!! Fine Dining was the order of the day - Morning, Afternoon and Night.

Breakfast: Mexican Porridge, Mexican Eggs, Egg Mc Muffins
Lunches: Prawns, Enchiladas, Fresh Seafood and Clam Chowder
Dinners: Japanese Night, Seafood Night, Curry Night, Lamb Shanks with Figs √.

Lots of first's again; with Oysters √, Clam Chowder √ and the interesting and delicious taste of Sea Cucumber √ - all fresh from the open sea floor below us.

The scenery surrounding us was breathtaking… the glaciers, mountains, the crystal clear waters to swim in and the logs to play on. Fresh lakes could be found to swim, wash and play.
Or just to look like we were auditioning for a Norsca Fresh commercial from the early 80’s (oh!! what were we thinking?)

Then there was the silly question I asked on our first venture to the lake:

Q. Are there leeches in the lake?

A. Ha Ha Ha off course there’s not.



Q. What is this you may ask?

A. That is the leech that I found on my bottom.

(I apologize now for any images that are perhaps are now flashing before you, but it was traumatic and I feel the need to share this experience with my family and friends).

But yet! I had never been attacked by a leech before - so another first. √

There was "daggy" dancing and camp fires, where Darren and I were introduced to the S'more.√


We may look like competitors of 'Survivor - Desolation Sound' but there were no struggles to exist for our week on IMAGINE, thanks to the great company of our fellow crew members but mostly thanks to the overwhelming hospitality of Maru & Bill - Thank you so much!!! We truly had an awesome vacation and forever fantastic memories of our trip to Desolation Sound.

XX

Mel


Special Note:

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY SHANNON

Sorry - a little bit late but we are so glad you had a fantastic party
Wish we were there

XX

Mel & Daz

THE EX FACTOR

Now I hope not to surprise Darren with this revelation, but I had other boyfriends before him, but they weren’t “marriage material”.

How did I know they were not The One? Many reasons really, but there was one defining factor, I abided by a strict anti PDA rule – Yes, I was ANTI Public Display of Affection. Which meant: very limited hand holding, kissing and the golden rule - absolutely none of that quick smooch across the car’s center console whilst stopping at traffic lights. What would the passengers in the car behind us think?

Darren had to endure a probation period but before long there was hand holding and there was no going back - obviously he was "The One".

So with PDA all in the clear, I have a need to be ANTI something…..

I am hoping my new ANTI will be permanent, otherwise my standards are really slipping.

I declare myself: ANTI PDU.

There is a lot to love about San Francisco, I love that there is always something on, the cute architecture, the diversity. However, unfortunately there is a serious homeless problem in this city. I found it quite confronting at first but sadly you get used to it and don’t notice the beggars looking for a quarter or any spare change. Some choose to ask quietly from the side of the pavement, some are a little more in your face, and some entertain with signs or pretending to be trees along the Embarcadero. One thing a great number of them have in common is a fondness for PDU.

Public Displays of Urination

The streets of San Francisco around the Financial District and the South of Market Area are like public urinals. I have witnessed a number of PDU Display’s, slap bang in the middle of public footpaths.

A quick realization usually prevents any long lasting permanent mental damage, but what I find most offensive is the wafting urination smell that can (and does) hit you out of the blue as you stroll along. My job is just down the road from our apartment and I love everything about my new job, except the fact that sections of the walk to work are obviously popular areas to "see a man about a dog".

So yes my new job is just a short 10 minute walk to work….Introducing myself:
Senior Accountant @ videoegg.
The links fills you in on everything I do and more about this great online video company.

Demonstrating the Videoegg online platform below is footage from Darren’s first road bike race that he participated in over the weekend.

The race footage and post race interview was filmed by the local news team (there's that poetic licensing creeping in again). There was a pre-race interview but the cameraman didn’t press record…hard to find competent help these days.


The race wasn't any old road race, it was a 'Criterium' race to be exact– Westcoastel.com explains:

“Criteriums are the bicycling equivalent of the Indy 500. Fast. Exciting to watch and somewhat dangerous to race contestants".

A criterium, known among racers as a "crit", is the most popular form of bike racing in the US, for several reasons. The race course is a closed circuit track around downtown streets. Racers complete a lap a minute. traveling at speeds exceeding 30 m.p.h. And sometimes, because of the speed, the tight corners and four dozen racers packed closely, there are spectacular crashes.

The race was certainly pretty intense and after a couple of crashes, one including our Aussie friend Luke (no injury to rider or bike). It appeared that both Darren and Luke cared more for their bikes well-being than their own personal safety - all for the sake of a medal.

I was there to cheer him on and be the good supportive wife.

Of course prerace I was talking it up how I could participate in the womens race. I had my Schwinn Hybrid bike from Target with my basket on the handle bars and wearing my non lycra cargo shorts - I didn’t look the part but I had the determination - or at least talked it up like I did.

Guess What? Darren also has an Ex girlfriend... what did he learn from her?

The quote he delivered when buying the cheap Target bike, went along the lines of,

"We are only buying you a cheap bicycle, I don't want to make the same mistake as I made with my ex-girlfriend, buying her an expensive bike that she only ever used twice".

Well if anything is going to motivate me to kick some serious bike riding butt, it's a comment like that - Hello!!!!! that's why she wasn't marriage material.

It appears that I must have proven myself, because good wifey got a present, my upgraded bike. I never thought I would feel such love but it's so cute.


I may have to delete this previous post. It's time for some lycra, Watch out Dazza!!! I have some hill climbs to conquer.

And now just for fun..... whether at home or passing the hours at work - visit Simpsonizeme.com and you too can upload a photo of yourself and be Simpsonized like Darren and I.

There's some marriage material right there

Anyone know if PDU is popular in Springfield? If not I might move there.... my Simpson hubby looks hot!!!


XX
Mel