Month: June 2014

After a hearty breakfast yesterday morning, MY Jane and I did some tidying up and then headed to Canadian Tire. I wanted to get some leaders and snell hooks and Jane wanted to get a fishing rod and some tackle. Mission accomplished.

 

Jane liked the colour of the fishing rod.

Fishing is in this year!

It amazes me that there are so many boating tools available as apps to people who have I Pads or I Phones.

You can measure distances and it will even track fuel consumption as you travel. I found myself relying more on this app than the expensive Raymarine plotter I have. And plotting out new routes is so much easier and so much quicker.

Last night I took MY Jane and her 92 year old Mom, Ted, to Shirley’s Restaurant in Barrie to celebrate the last day of work for Jane. She is now officially retired. Yippee! Jane could not have looked happier or more beautiful.

We had a great dinner and great conversation. It just so happened that there was some live music last night. A young guitar player and singer named Garrett was playing an eclectic selection of oldies. Part way through his first set, he dedicated a song to Ted. She was obviously quite pleased with the attention. She wondered aloud what his name was so I approached him and he immediately came down beside Ted to introduce himself.

For the rest of the evening Garrett made a point of looking at Ted while he crooned away. Doesn’t she look happy? 

Exciting day! MY Jane ends a chapter. A chapter that includes 44 years of working. Yes, today is Jane’s last day of work. Yesterday, her boss, Juan Noguera had some very kind and deserving things to say during her last staff meeting. He has been a good boss and they had a very good relationship.

Yesterday, after work, MY Jane came up to Bay Port yachting centre to get me. It was sure nice to see her. We had BBQ chicken, veggies and potatoes up there, then departed for home.

We recently had the Weedman come around to apply some weed control because the clover and Timothy grass seem to be taking over. Otherwise, though, the garden is looking pretty good. Jane has spent a lot if time transplanting flowers and shrubs. As she says, “It’s not an overnight process.” She has a vision in mind and is working very hard to get there. The waterfall corner looks really nice. It’s getting that “natural” look about it which is what we wanted. 

In the front yard, the lilies that I really like are on the verge of blooming.

Cooking on a boat has it’s challenges. Yes, it’s an electric stove with an oven. Very nice. But it doesn’t always sit level. Consequently, if you are really fond of eggs over easy, you could be a bit disappointed. The eggs tend to bunch up on one side of the pan. And because the surface area of the stove is a lot less than regular stoves, you need smaller pans. I find scrambled eggs work better.

Here’s yesterday’s breakfast:

And nothing goes better than a coffee afterwards.

After breakfast, I installed the new anchor roller and everything is now working fine. Someone had tightened the old one too tight so that it wasn’t even turning. The chain dragging over it had worn right through and eventually the chain jammed as happened last weekend.

Yesterday afternoon I was invited for lunch on the patio deck at V Dock. Eric & Sheila and John and Barb had brought tons of food and set everything up on the picnic tables. There was pizza slices, ham, salad, cheeses, olives, French bread, fresh rolls, salad, and lots of conversation. I asked what they wanted me to bring and they said, nothing. Anyway, I brought along a bottle of wine which they were quite happy with.

Afterward, I took Eric and Anne, another friend of theirs, for a dinghy ride out into Midland Bay. There was no doubt Eric enjoyed himself immensely as is evidenced by that huge smile.

The anchor roller and swim ladder are supposed to arrive today and I hope to get the anchor roller installed in between the rain. In fact, it is raining now. Also, I have requested that an additional 100 feet of rope be spliced on to the existing 100 feet of chain. The Sea Wolf anchor windlass can handle both rope and chain.

I have noticed this year that most of the Canada Geese broods around here are small in number, usually around three or four goslings. In the past they have numbered around nine or ten on average.

I’m not complaining, mind you, because they do make a mess. Did you know that an adult goose poops every seven minutes?  Well they do according to a Government survey conducted some years ago.

Yesterday,  MY Jane and I took our dinghy to Tonch East on Beausoleil Island, the site of our wedding one year to the day prior.

 We wanted to reminisce about that wonderful day and we did that. The past year has just flown by for us, but we both feel it has been a quality packed time. Both of us feel happy, content, and complete.

Jane went home yesterday to begin her LAST week of work ! Very exciting! I stayed aboard Georgian Spirit because in the next few days I want to tackle a couple of jobs. The first is to replace the anchor roller which has worn through and is not rolling at all. Consequently, yesterday when lifting the anchor at McCabe Rock, the chain got wedged in the roller and I had a difficult time getting it properly aligned in the anchor rest. The same thing happened last week. Manhandling a 20 kg anchor while standing on the bow pulpit of a rocking boat is not easy.  Don’t want to have to do that again.

The second job is to obtain a 3 rung swim ladder and install it on the swim platform. Right now there is a two rung arrangement but it is difficult to get out of the water as I found out yesterday. Three rungs will be better.

It was a wonderful weekend and ended on a very positive note in that my docking at our slip went extremely well – unlike previous occasions where I was all over the place. The more I operate this vessel, the more comfortable I am. This thing is humongous compared to our previous boat; 5 feet wider with a 14 foot beam and 14 feet longer with an overall length of 41 feet. It’s BIG !

Today is shaping up to be a nice day as is the weekend. MY Jane did all the grocery shopping last night and is coming up to the marina to join me after work today.

What’s better than waking up on a sunny day on Georgian Bay? Not much. The only thing that could make it any better right now would be to have MY Jane here to share it with me. After all, it is that shared passion for Georgian Bay that drew us together. It continues.

Along with realizing that impossible dream with Jane, I have been given a gift that I can only hope others will receive or already have. Happiness. To wake up happy, go to bed happy, and be happy in between, is a gift that has no measure. Believe me, I know!

Another day aboard Georgian Spirit. How nice us that? Just wish MY Jane was here too. Even in a storm like we had yesterday, it’s nice to be here. Hearing the rain beating against the boat is music to my ears. Here’s a link to a brief video of yesterday’s weather action.

http://youtu.be/yDCasmHznR4

Yesterday, with the help of my friend Paul, I put together a pump arrangement that will allow me to fill my fresh water tank with Georgian Bay water. We only use the tank for dishes and showers and not for drinking, so this water will be fine. And now I won’t have to return to the marina to replenish water. We can stay out for longer intervals which is what we want to do.

My friend, Larry, gave me the idea. He has been using a similar system for years. It consists of a small submersible bilge pump (rated for 600 gallons per hour), a 6 foot length of hose attached, and enough wire to reach from the Water Fill opening on the boat to the cigarette lighter.

Now, when I need water, I just drop the pump into the lake, insert the hose into the Water Fill, and plug it in. Voila! Total cost….less than $50. Thanks for the idea, Larry and thanks Paul, for the help.

I also got curtain rod brackets riveted in place ready for the curtains that Jane took home for washing.

They had been previously fastened with hot glue making for a rather flimsy and messy appearance. Today, I will be removing all the glue.

It’s a weed cutter to get rid of weeds that grow in the marina. With water levels up this year, they may not be as bad. Some sections of the marina, though, do have heavy weed growth where the water is shallower.

Yesterday, MY Jane drove me back to Midland as I had a few things to do on board. My friend, Paul, came over and we took the horn apart. It consists of two trumpets. Turns out it was not an air horn after all, but an electric one. We managed to get additional wire connected to it and try it. No luck. Then Paul suggested we just try connecting both trumpets directly to his truck battery. Eureka! One of the horns worked! So we connected that one to the horn button on the boat and now have one functioning trumpet horn. The other is just for looks.

It sure is nice to wake up on Georgian Spirit on Georgian Bay!

It seems that, since I was given a Fathers Day gift of a fishing rod and tackle, everyone now wants to get into fishing. Chris said he was going to get his own equipment on the way home and Steven says he wants to as well. The fact that some fish were caught (and released) may have generated some enthusiasm. It was Stevens girlfriend, Klae, who surprised everyone by catching a good sized pickerel.

She didn’t want to kill it, so we let it go.

We returned to Bay Port Yachting Centre after a great weekend at our favourite anchorage at McCabe Rock on beautiful Georgian Bay. MY Jane drove us home to Barrie yesterday, but I will be returning to Georgian Spirit this morning. I plan to install a new horn on her in order to comply with Safe Boating regulations. For some reason, one of the previous owners snipped the wires going to the existing air horn so close to the horn itself that it would be impossible to re-connect them.  The horn that is on there is a trumpet air horn much like are used on tractor trailer trucks and they are very expensive. I’ll be getting an electric horn which is a lot cheaper.

We spent last night anchored at McCabe Rock for the first time with Georgian Spirit. MY Jane, Chris, Steven & Klae aboard.

All three if the young brave ones went swimming too!

It’s shaping up to be a great day.

Well, everyone arrived safely last night and are excited to head out onto the bay this morning.

I got this because I am an early riser and I like a coffee first thing. With this setup, I can make my coffee without having to turn the generator on and waking everyone up.

Yesterday I pulled out the vacuum cleaner that had been left on the boat and plugged it I and fired it up. Sounded great but wasn’t picking anything up. I fiddled around until I got at the bag and found that it was jammed tight with debris. It looked like it hadn’t been emptied ever. Once I emptied it, it worked fine.

I think I’m just going to go with a regular electric horn…enough to satisfy the coast guard requirement.

Yesterday I returned to bay Port after getting groceries for MY Jane. On the way, I stopped at my cousin George’s for a brief chat with him and his wife Jean. They were leaving for Jordan on a Habitat for Humanity mission later that day. He just recently sold his house as he is having a new one built in Barrie and may stay at our place in between moves. The deal is that they have to look after Minnie while we’re boating.

Jane transplanted that tall green plant after we realized it grows to six feet high.

Yesterday afternoon I cleaned all of Ted’s windows and then brought her back to our place. MY Jane was still working but we had an appointment at 3:30 so she stopped for an hour. When she finished work, we all went to the Mandarin for their buffet. Ted’s treat. Thank you Ted.

Of course we all ate too much but it was delicious.

There is nothing better than waking up on board Georgian Spirit with MY Jane. The peaceful serenity of the water is soothing to the soul. The gentle rocking from time to time brings with it a calmness. Basking in the warm morning sunshine while sitting on the aft deck having a morning coffee is such a wonderful feeling.

And to have Jane here sharing this passion we both have for Georgian Bay makes it as good as it can get!

This past Saturday, Chris, Jane’s youngest son, took his girlfriend of 8 years, Tonya, to Tonche Point on Beausoleil island in our dinghy for a picnic and proposed to her. She said yes and is now wearing a beautiful diamond engagement ring.

They are a perfect match for each other and Jane and I are thrilled for both of them.

And to think that they got engaged at the same place that Jane and I got married a year ago. How nice is that! Just when you think things can’t get any better, something like this happens! WOW!

MY Jane and I arrived at Bayport yesterday morning. Chris and Tonya were already there having spent the night aboard Georgian Spirit. The previous day, they had taken the dinghy to Tonche Point and had a picnic lunch.

I picked up a second hand 20kg anchor that I bought to replace the 15 kg one. I need a swivel in order to connect it which I will get Wednesday.

We spent the afternoon just chilling and Jane straightened out the aft head as well as organizing stuff on the bridge.

The forward head doesn’t work properly. Does not seem to be drawing water. May need a new impeller. Have to get this attended to. 

Last night, MY Jane and I met up with our friends, Annemarie and Jim, at the Famous Peoples Theatre in Toronto for dinner and a show. Needless to say, we were not disappointed. The show was fantastic! Lots of singing and dancing and all around good fun.

This morning, after breakfast, we head up to Midland to Georgian Spirit to meet up with Chris and Tonya who are already there. They went up yesterday to celebrate the 8th anniversary of their meeting and dating.

Yesterday morning I moved Georgian Spirit to her new slip in Bay Port. It’s an outside slip meaning there are no other boats directly alongside. This will make for easier docking and departure. MY Jane likes it because of a better view. Scott Cain, General Mgr of Bayport, Larry Anders from Laramar, and Tom Sommerville of Storm Rider, helped me. While I operated, Scott stood by and coached me a little on getting it docked. It was easier than I thought it would be. 

Because the slip on the inside is vacant, we also have a convenient place to park the dinghy.

We returned home after readying Georgian Spirit for Chris and Tonya who are spending the weekend there while Jane and I attend a dinner theatre tonight – The Famous People Players – with good friends Annemarie and Jim. Looking forward to seeing them tonight.

MY Jane and I stayed overnight on Georgian Spirit. We were glad we have reverse air on as it got a bit cool overnight.

MY Jane’s hand was remarkably better yesterday morning when she took the bandage off and, with her urging (it didn’t take much), I headed up to the boat in Midland. I had a few more boat items to take up but that’s about all of it. 

MY Jane tells me that her singed fingers are feeling much better. She just took the bandage off her palm and her hand looks really good. I am very relieved. Putting it in cold water immediately and keeping it in there until seen by the doctor was a good thing to do. By the way, just last week, I had installed an App on my I Pad called First Aid. That’s what I referenced immediately when Jane burnt her hand. If you have an I Phone or I Pad, I would recommend you download this free app. It’s got very good information on all things related to First Aid.

I likely will head back to the marina in Midland to sort a few more things out on Georgian Spirit. I also want to get our dinghy in the water and maybe even go for a spin on Midland Bay. It  looks like it’s going to be a gorgeous day.

When I go for my spin, I will leave Bayport (top of picture), toodle over to the Town Dock (right of picture) and if I see someone I know over there, I’ll stop and chat for awhile and then head over to Wye Heritage Marina, a couple of kilometers to the West.

I also have to arrange to get the horn working on Georgian Spirit and look into getting an additional 100 feet of anchor line to go with the existing 100 feet of anchor chain. Lots to do. But it’s all fun and will all get done in due course.

MY Jane joined me after she finished work yesterday and brought up 4 big carts full of stuff including groceries. The fridge is stocked. She made a great dinner and afterwards, we sat on the aft deck taking in the view and talking.

We got to bed about 4am and returned to Barrie this morning. Jane says it feels not too bad, but if she moves around, her hand begins to throb. Right now she is resting in bed and will probably fall asleep soon.

It is a glorious morning on board Georgian Spirit. The only thing that could make it any better would be if MY Jane was here too, but she has to work and will be up later today. I slept right through until 7am, only waking because of the beautiful sunshine streaming in the master stateroom window. I left the curtain open last night. Here’s the view 

There was a bit of dampness this morning so I had to turn the reverse air system on to get the aft stateroom feeling cozy and warm. This vessel is equipped with everything to make living aboard her comfortable.

Last night I spent most of the evening perusing the many systems manuals that are on board. There are manuals for everything. I focused on learning how the water system works, when we are in port, I can hook up to the town water supply so there is no concern about water conservation, However, when we are anchored out, it’s a different story. There is a 70 gallon fresh water holding tank and 11 gallon hot water tank, so everyone is going to have to learn to take a shower in the most water efficient way. Or just jump in the lake.

There is a water level indicator in the aft head to let you know your water level.

And the controls for the toilet are similar to that of an airplane. You just hold the button to flush.

It’s nice to wake up in our slip at Bayport Yachting Centre in Midland.