my memory bank is full

Starting back in Lunenburg . . .

Remember those props I showed you a few days ago? Well, here's the lovely Bel Canto, all propped up and ready, almost, to face the winter.


Here's a close up of the hull and the props.


The only thing left to do is put the cover on her to keep her dry and clean during the coming storms. But Jon has someone else do that.

We drove back to Halifax on Tuesday, spent the night at a hotel near the airport, and flew out Wednesday morning. We made the first leg, Halifax to Detroit, without a problem. Even made first class; thank you, Cait. Detroit to Salt Lake was a full flight but we squeezed into coach and were happy to be there. Salt Lake was another matter. Didn't get onto the 2 PM flight OR the 5 PM flight but did make it onto the 10 PM flight. Eight hours in the SLC airport is not an exciting prospect, believe me. Good people watching, but even that gets boring after awhile. Airport food is terrible and terribly expensive. We got onto the last flight out of SLC to Sacramento, arrived here at 10:45, local time. Our luggage had been waiting for us since the 2 PM flight landed. Went out to the parking lot, couldn't find the car and had to make it speak to us before we located it a few rows away from where we thought it was. Got home after mid-night, and fell into bed. It was a wonderful trip in every way. Really good food, beautiful scenery, fine fellowship. I am exceedingly grateful that I have lived long enough to grow old with these friends.

A new travel opportunity has arisen. I am thinking seriously of going to Paris for 10 days at the end of this month. And Cait may fly over for the weekend while doing something for Delta. Would that be fun or what? I have located an apartment in the 5th, on the edge of the Luxembourg Gardens, 4th floor with an elevator (a requirement at my advanced age; no more 5th floor walk-ups for me!). My usual digs are not available for this particular visit. I haven't been to Paris in five years so it's high time. Mr. C has no interest in going so I'll just have to go it alone. Hélas. . . somehow I'll manage, don't you think?

the first year of separation

Victoria Strane
1947-2009

Separation

by W. S. Merwin

Your absence has gone through me

Like thread through a needle.

Everything I do is stitched with its color.

the raising of the Bel Canto

The boat came out of the water this morning in a fascinating operation that took 2 hours. We stood around on the pier and sidewalk supervised. I have never seen a boat her size ~ 42' long, 22,000 lbs. ~ pulled from the water. Amazing to watch.
















These funny-looking quadrapod supports are what the boat will rest on through the winter. She will be moved to a storage area, these struts will be arranged at strategic spots along her hull, she'll be gently lowered onto them, covered up, and put into a maritime coma to await next year's season.

This is our last day here; we will pack up and drive back to Halifax, spend the night and fly out tomorrow morning. Our plan is to fly to Detroit, then on home. Plans are made to be changed, however. We'll see how the flight loads are and if we'll get aboard.

We have had such a wonderful time here. We would like to come back and stay longer and see more of the Maritime Provinces. This is the perfect time of year to be here, too. The weather has been spectacular. As always, our time with Pat and Jon has been filled with much laughter and fine fellowship, very much worth coming all this way for.

in position for the lift

This morning we drove over to Mahone Bay to sail the beautiful Bel Canto out into the Atlantic ocean and then hang a right to Lunenburg Harbor to position the boat for the big lift tomorrow morning.

This is the little lighthouse at the mouth of the Lunenburg harbor, below.

Tomorrow morning the hydrolic lift will drive to this slip, straddle it, drop huge straps into the water and under the boat, then lift it up and settle in onto braces set up in the storage area. We managed to get the boat into the proper slip first try, thanks to Jon's sailing and navigating expertise. She's tied and tethered safely for the night.

She is ideally situated for tomorrow's big event.

saturday on the land

Yesterday we drove to the eastern side of Lunenburg Harbor for this scenic view.

Then up and around through gorgeous countryside, along bays and ponds to Hirtles Beach on the edge of the Atlantic.

Here's a close-up of a very curious beach sculpture whose tail feathers are made of metal "seaweed."

We drove over to the Lahave ferry. We waited in line with this little yellow sports car was in front of us. First glance at the passengers revealed a blond and a darker haired couple.

Second glance revealed something quite different. This gentleman's passenger was a friendly black standard.

The ferry holds 10 cars on a ride that takes 5 minutes and is as scenic as all get out.

Next stop was a delicious lunch here.

Right next door was this edifice. Makes you wonder about city government . . .

We came home tired but very happy after a really glorious sight-see. We had stopped at the market in Mahone Bay and bought 10 lbs. of mussels for a yummy dinner of mussels in cream. We turned in early as today is a very busy sailing day. It's time to pull the boat out of the water for the winter, so we will sail from Mahone Bay out and around some islands into Lunenburg Harbor. Tomorrow morning the Bel Canto will be hoisted out of the water. I'll be there to capture the whole operation for your viewing pleasure.

friday on the water

This morning we packed up and headed into the town of Mahone Bay for a beautiful sail. First stop was a deli for sandwiches, then to the dock for a launch ride out to the Belle Canto, Pat and Jon's Pearson 42 boat. Weather clear and bright, water calm, winds light. We motored for awhile, then put up the sails,


first the jib, then the mainsail. We had a lovely run down the bay. There are many islands along the way, some inhabited, some not. Lots of boats out enjoying the day. Perfectly restful.

Patty was the pilot, Jon the navigator. Even Mr. C, who has come late in life to the enjoyment of sailing, was very content to find himself at sea (so to speak!).

Tonight we are going out to dinner at a place just down the street, Magnolia's, famous for scallops. Report tomorrow.

tomato/tomahto

How I knew I was in a foreign country.

At dinner last evening I ordered a glass of Chardonnay.

Mr. C ordered a glass of Cabernet. That's "caber-NEY."

"Right sir. That's one glass of caber-NET."

"Well,' he commented to me when she scurried away to get the order, " I guess I've been corrected."

But when she returned with the glasses and he took a sip, indeed it was "caber-NET.'

Detroit to Montreal this morning, then a switch to Air Canada for a quick flight to Halifax. Two hundred foot visibility ceiling when we landed. Thrilling. Picked up the rental car and drove to Lunenburg, about 1 1/2 hours. Gorgeous drive through pine forests sprinkled with lakes. Mahone Bay is so picturesque you'd think you were on a movie set for "Brigadoon" or some such fantasy. Right now it's cool and overcast. Jon and Mr. C have gone over to the bay to inspect the boat for possible sail tomorrow, weather permitting. It will be good to get out and explore.

Now I am lying propped up in bed, contemplating a nap before dinner. Haddock is promised. Since leaving home yesterday at 5:00 AM I've had 3 cups of coffee, 2 cups of Bloody Mary mix, 2 tiny pkgs. of peanuts, 1 hard boiled egg, 2 crackers, a few mixed greens, about a 1/4 of an overcooked hamburger. But when we got here Patty had some delicious acorn squash and apple soup that hit the spot.

Eagerly await what tomorrow will bring.