I cannot believe how fast the time has passed - some days before my very eyes and other days 
have lingered longer than I would have liked. All in all it is now September 26 and far too long since my last post.
Before I get rambling on to bring you up to date I just have to say that Granville Island is a delightful place to be. The markets are bustling by 0900, produce is being displayed, bread and baked goods are being lifted out of the numerous ovens. The aroma is delicious! Colours and more colours are everywhere - from flowers being the obvious to pasta to olives to fruits and veggies to prepared food. Our favourite was the curry. We felt is was the tastiest with the least amount of calories.
Ron and I treated ourselves to a fresh fruit salad for Sunday night dinner. It was accompanied by a honey, cinnamon 'record' baked at one of the market bakeries. We just had to try it. The 'record' was yummy with the fruit salad. It was sweet with honey and just the right amount of cinnamon to compliment our salad. It was truly a treat.
September 21, 2009
Today more work can be done on the boat - yahoo! Best of all the fridge will be put back in place
and I will have my galley back. It won't happen until later today! I decided I would do a big chore. There is some hand stitching that needs to be done on the dinghy. I purposely went to the marine store to purchase a palm and some needles to handle the job. I got myself settled in the dinghy ready to sew for the next couple of hours. Why not, the weather is fabulous and I will feel good about getting this task completed.
I happily thread the needle with sufficient waxed whipping twine and push the needle through the hole - hence the needed palm. The palm is a tool to help me push the needle through the vinyl. I didn't even get one stitch completed and the eye of the needle broke off. Darn it all anyway. OK, thread the other needle and get stitching. It happened again. Now I am out of needles and a bit pissed at the whole situation. This task will
now have to wait until I get back to Victoria so I can go to my favourite store for supplies - Bosun's Locker. Did I mention that even the palm fell apart when I tried to punch holes in it to re-size it for my little left paw. The dinghy was not meant to be stitched today.
Ron and I decided it would be good to go for a walk and some physical exercise. We walked for a couple hours up W 4th. It was a funky area and we discovered some good stores. There is a kayak / dive shop where I finally found a wet suit on sale; we found a book warehouse and Ron purchased two books. We now have The Lost Symbol from the author of Da Vinci Code. (Ron and I have both finished reading it at the time of this update). We also found a little tea store which I intend to go back to next time we are over there.
For supper and for old time sake, Ron and I went to Bridges for supper. We remembered having good food for good value on previous visits. We were greatly disappointed that their menu has
changed.
September 22, 2009
I have been having great fun with the SSB radio in the mornings. I have been tuning into the Great Northern Boaters Net each morning at 0800. The reception at Granville Island was challenging but some morning I could talk to Barbara directly and other mornings I needed to use a relay. I have listened to people as far away as Miami, Florida. I've been a bit shy to talk to them but when I know better radio etiquette I will make contact and say hello.
This morning I should have just stayed in bed. I think it is time for a mini meltdown. I have noticed a couple more things that need to be addressed on the boat. One is the coffee pot leaking and the other is the port side salon shade. It has wrinkles... can you imagine! It will not retract properly and I cannot fix it. It seems like there is so much going on and no progress. I know that is not true but that is how I feel.
Today we were hopeful a part for the tachometer would be in. No luck. We did get some news though that it was just mailed and would be here in 2 to 3 days.... eeegads! That is Friday. I cannot sit here until Friday waiting for a part.
Ron and I decided that we would go to Keats Island - just off Gibson's Landing. We will leave the next day.
The crew is here again to deal with the sink drain. They have decided to replace the hose. Off the boat we go. When we came back I was asked to try the sink. Drum roll please....... The angels are singing a chorus of halleleujah (sp)! The sink drains and I cannot be happier.
This afternoon I cleaned, vacuumed and washed floors etc. It feels good to have our space back. While I did the inside, Ron polished the outside.
Our buffalo hide was changed out for elk hide and so now the canvas is back on the boat. Another good sign!
Tonight we had BBQ chicken and red peppers. It was very yummy and satisfying to have home cooked food.
September 23, 2009
Today we delivered flowers to Sarah the crew manager here and some coffee and treat money
for the crew. They have really been working hard and things are being completed.
We have been at Granville Island a week and all done except for the tachometer and the blind.
We hare heading out at 1330 today for a couple days away. Our part for the tach should be - correction thinking positively -will be in on Friday morning. We will come back then.
On the way to Keats we heard on the VHF radio that a woman had disappeared from a cruise ship and was presumed to be overboard. We kept our eyes glued for anything odd in the water. I could only think how frantic her family must be. She is 67 years old. We saw Coast Guard on the water and SAR overhead. As I write this posting she has not yet been found and according to the paper it was a suicide as she was terminally ill.
We had no wind for sailing but it was great to be away from the dock and enjoy the ocean, the seals, the birds and the sun.
We docked at Keats. No moorage fees as it is past the season. We slept outside - in the cockpit - to watch the stars. I was waiting to see a falling star but no luck.
September 24, 2009
Today is our walking day. We hiked through the trails of Keats Island to Keats Landing. This island has several residents. The Baptist Church purchased a huge chunk of land in 1926 and it is what is now known as Keats Landing. As Ron knows when I walk somewhere I usually like to do a circle route. Little did he know I had plans to hike the highest peak on Keats. We had a spectacular view of Gibson's Landing and the Strait of Georgia - also known as The Salish Sea.
We were gone for three hours. It was a great hike. Winston had fun climbing the mountain. He was off leash most of the time and he was a very happy puppy.
Ron, Winston and I had a nap in the afternoon before making supper. We slept in the cockpit again waiting and looking for the shooting star. Again no luck but we had a fitful sleep.
September 25, 2009
Today is the moment of truth -will the part be in or not? We fueled Ta Daa at Gibson's Landing then headed around Bowen Island toward English Bay to Granville Island. We did not hurry to leave in the morning. By the time we got to Snug
Harbour @ Bowen Island we called to confirm the location of our part. It was not in and confirmed that no parts would now be delivered until Monday. Ron and I looked at each other and we knew then it was time to head across the Strait to the Vancouver Island side. The part will now have to be forwarded to us and Ron will have to install himself. It's not that we couldn't have decided to do this in the first place but we have had such trouble we wanted it done by the service dept in the off chance that it still didn't work.
We made our decision. Another reason for heading across the Salish Sea is that the next day the forecast is for winds from the northwest and blowing 25 to 35 knots. That's gale force and we would then be forced to stay on the mainland side until the weather changed.
The crew at the service department at Specialty Yachts were outstanding! While I was frustrated that things were not happening fast enough there was nothing more that could have been done. I know that and I understand. Thanks everyone @ Specialty for your understanding and respect of
our space aboard Ta Daa.
Momma Dougan -here we come! If you go back to one of my first postings you will note that Ron and I overnighted at Bud and Pat's dock. Since my Mom passed away, Pat had adopted me - hence Momma Dougan. Mom and Bud are the loveliest of people. You must meet them someday. And let me tell you - you don't mess with the Momma - when it comes to old Salts knowing their stuff about boating the Momma can tell you a story or three!
Once at dock we enjoyed a lovely meal on the front lawn as the sun displayed on a spectacular sunset. Even then, the Momma pointed out the clouds and boaters should not to take clouds for granted. They all mean something.
Ron and I love listening to their boating stories as we love to listen to my Dad's boating stories. There is one thing that seasoned boaters will always tell us - the boat can take more than the crew.
September 26, 2009
We had a great connection on the SSB today. Tonight I will try to contact the West Coast Boaters Net.
As I finished on the SSB and was about to head out with Winston for a morning stroll to get Bud's paper, the Momma called on the cell. Had we listened to the morning forecast and yes we had. It was calling for NW winds 25 - 35 knots. What that means when we are at Mom and Buds is that we leave the dock or the boat takes a beating. There is not much shelter from the NW. It was with great sadness we said our goodbyes and headed to Maple Bay. We had a great running sail
with just the main and we topped 6.5 knots. Once at Maple Bay we called Mom and Bud. She reported that we had left none too soon. It was blowing a gale and right on the dock as she had predicted.
I have spent the afternoon doing laundry that desperately needed to be done. All in all, it was a good day. Tomorrow we will see what the forecast brings and then make a decision as to where we would like to go.
Time is drawing near for us to come home to WestBay Marine Village. I am not sure I am ready to come home. There is so much left to see and do. I guess it will have to wait until next year. Who out there wants to plan a trip around the island in June/July? I do, I do!!!
have lingered longer than I would have liked. All in all it is now September 26 and far too long since my last post.Before I get rambling on to bring you up to date I just have to say that Granville Island is a delightful place to be. The markets are bustling by 0900, produce is being displayed, bread and baked goods are being lifted out of the numerous ovens. The aroma is delicious! Colours and more colours are everywhere - from flowers being the obvious to pasta to olives to fruits and veggies to prepared food. Our favourite was the curry. We felt is was the tastiest with the least amount of calories.
Ron and I treated ourselves to a fresh fruit salad for Sunday night dinner. It was accompanied by a honey, cinnamon 'record' baked at one of the market bakeries. We just had to try it. The 'record' was yummy with the fruit salad. It was sweet with honey and just the right amount of cinnamon to compliment our salad. It was truly a treat.
September 21, 2009
Today more work can be done on the boat - yahoo! Best of all the fridge will be put back in place
and I will have my galley back. It won't happen until later today! I decided I would do a big chore. There is some hand stitching that needs to be done on the dinghy. I purposely went to the marine store to purchase a palm and some needles to handle the job. I got myself settled in the dinghy ready to sew for the next couple of hours. Why not, the weather is fabulous and I will feel good about getting this task completed.I happily thread the needle with sufficient waxed whipping twine and push the needle through the hole - hence the needed palm. The palm is a tool to help me push the needle through the vinyl. I didn't even get one stitch completed and the eye of the needle broke off. Darn it all anyway. OK, thread the other needle and get stitching. It happened again. Now I am out of needles and a bit pissed at the whole situation. This task will
now have to wait until I get back to Victoria so I can go to my favourite store for supplies - Bosun's Locker. Did I mention that even the palm fell apart when I tried to punch holes in it to re-size it for my little left paw. The dinghy was not meant to be stitched today.Ron and I decided it would be good to go for a walk and some physical exercise. We walked for a couple hours up W 4th. It was a funky area and we discovered some good stores. There is a kayak / dive shop where I finally found a wet suit on sale; we found a book warehouse and Ron purchased two books. We now have The Lost Symbol from the author of Da Vinci Code. (Ron and I have both finished reading it at the time of this update). We also found a little tea store which I intend to go back to next time we are over there.
For supper and for old time sake, Ron and I went to Bridges for supper. We remembered having good food for good value on previous visits. We were greatly disappointed that their menu has
changed.September 22, 2009
I have been having great fun with the SSB radio in the mornings. I have been tuning into the Great Northern Boaters Net each morning at 0800. The reception at Granville Island was challenging but some morning I could talk to Barbara directly and other mornings I needed to use a relay. I have listened to people as far away as Miami, Florida. I've been a bit shy to talk to them but when I know better radio etiquette I will make contact and say hello.
This morning I should have just stayed in bed. I think it is time for a mini meltdown. I have noticed a couple more things that need to be addressed on the boat. One is the coffee pot leaking and the other is the port side salon shade. It has wrinkles... can you imagine! It will not retract properly and I cannot fix it. It seems like there is so much going on and no progress. I know that is not true but that is how I feel.
Today we were hopeful a part for the tachometer would be in. No luck. We did get some news though that it was just mailed and would be here in 2 to 3 days.... eeegads! That is Friday. I cannot sit here until Friday waiting for a part.
Ron and I decided that we would go to Keats Island - just off Gibson's Landing. We will leave the next day.The crew is here again to deal with the sink drain. They have decided to replace the hose. Off the boat we go. When we came back I was asked to try the sink. Drum roll please....... The angels are singing a chorus of halleleujah (sp)! The sink drains and I cannot be happier.
This afternoon I cleaned, vacuumed and washed floors etc. It feels good to have our space back. While I did the inside, Ron polished the outside.
Our buffalo hide was changed out for elk hide and so now the canvas is back on the boat. Another good sign!
Tonight we had BBQ chicken and red peppers. It was very yummy and satisfying to have home cooked food.
September 23, 2009
Today we delivered flowers to Sarah the crew manager here and some coffee and treat money
for the crew. They have really been working hard and things are being completed.We have been at Granville Island a week and all done except for the tachometer and the blind.
We hare heading out at 1330 today for a couple days away. Our part for the tach should be - correction thinking positively -will be in on Friday morning. We will come back then.
On the way to Keats we heard on the VHF radio that a woman had disappeared from a cruise ship and was presumed to be overboard. We kept our eyes glued for anything odd in the water. I could only think how frantic her family must be. She is 67 years old. We saw Coast Guard on the water and SAR overhead. As I write this posting she has not yet been found and according to the paper it was a suicide as she was terminally ill.
We had no wind for sailing but it was great to be away from the dock and enjoy the ocean, the seals, the birds and the sun.
We docked at Keats. No moorage fees as it is past the season. We slept outside - in the cockpit - to watch the stars. I was waiting to see a falling star but no luck.September 24, 2009
Today is our walking day. We hiked through the trails of Keats Island to Keats Landing. This island has several residents. The Baptist Church purchased a huge chunk of land in 1926 and it is what is now known as Keats Landing. As Ron knows when I walk somewhere I usually like to do a circle route. Little did he know I had plans to hike the highest peak on Keats. We had a spectacular view of Gibson's Landing and the Strait of Georgia - also known as The Salish Sea.
We were gone for three hours. It was a great hike. Winston had fun climbing the mountain. He was off leash most of the time and he was a very happy puppy.
Ron, Winston and I had a nap in the afternoon before making supper. We slept in the cockpit again waiting and looking for the shooting star. Again no luck but we had a fitful sleep.
September 25, 2009
Today is the moment of truth -will the part be in or not? We fueled Ta Daa at Gibson's Landing then headed around Bowen Island toward English Bay to Granville Island. We did not hurry to leave in the morning. By the time we got to Snug
Harbour @ Bowen Island we called to confirm the location of our part. It was not in and confirmed that no parts would now be delivered until Monday. Ron and I looked at each other and we knew then it was time to head across the Strait to the Vancouver Island side. The part will now have to be forwarded to us and Ron will have to install himself. It's not that we couldn't have decided to do this in the first place but we have had such trouble we wanted it done by the service dept in the off chance that it still didn't work.We made our decision. Another reason for heading across the Salish Sea is that the next day the forecast is for winds from the northwest and blowing 25 to 35 knots. That's gale force and we would then be forced to stay on the mainland side until the weather changed.
The crew at the service department at Specialty Yachts were outstanding! While I was frustrated that things were not happening fast enough there was nothing more that could have been done. I know that and I understand. Thanks everyone @ Specialty for your understanding and respect of
our space aboard Ta Daa.Momma Dougan -here we come! If you go back to one of my first postings you will note that Ron and I overnighted at Bud and Pat's dock. Since my Mom passed away, Pat had adopted me - hence Momma Dougan. Mom and Bud are the loveliest of people. You must meet them someday. And let me tell you - you don't mess with the Momma - when it comes to old Salts knowing their stuff about boating the Momma can tell you a story or three!
Once at dock we enjoyed a lovely meal on the front lawn as the sun displayed on a spectacular sunset. Even then, the Momma pointed out the clouds and boaters should not to take clouds for granted. They all mean something.
Ron and I love listening to their boating stories as we love to listen to my Dad's boating stories. There is one thing that seasoned boaters will always tell us - the boat can take more than the crew.
September 26, 2009
We had a great connection on the SSB today. Tonight I will try to contact the West Coast Boaters Net.
As I finished on the SSB and was about to head out with Winston for a morning stroll to get Bud's paper, the Momma called on the cell. Had we listened to the morning forecast and yes we had. It was calling for NW winds 25 - 35 knots. What that means when we are at Mom and Buds is that we leave the dock or the boat takes a beating. There is not much shelter from the NW. It was with great sadness we said our goodbyes and headed to Maple Bay. We had a great running sail
with just the main and we topped 6.5 knots. Once at Maple Bay we called Mom and Bud. She reported that we had left none too soon. It was blowing a gale and right on the dock as she had predicted.I have spent the afternoon doing laundry that desperately needed to be done. All in all, it was a good day. Tomorrow we will see what the forecast brings and then make a decision as to where we would like to go.
Time is drawing near for us to come home to WestBay Marine Village. I am not sure I am ready to come home. There is so much left to see and do. I guess it will have to wait until next year. Who out there wants to plan a trip around the island in June/July? I do, I do!!!
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