THE LAST LONG WEEKEND

Here we are at the beginning of September already. 

 

Our son Ken came out for the weekend.  This is the first chance he has had to get out here this summer.  He has been quite busy. 

It was dull and rainy on Friday, but Saturday turned out to be a nice summery day. 

We went out for a cruise. 

And of course Sea-Enna went for a swim.  She loves to chase her "throw" in the water. 

It was a little choppy though, so I didn't swim but Ken did.  Then we bobbed around out there and relaxed.  Soaking up the sun and having some drinks and snacks.  

Today has turned all dull and rainy again, so I guess it's a curl up and read or watch TV kinda day, but tomorrow is supposed to improve.   

We'll keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. 

 

 

 

 

 

THE RESULTS ARE IN

Well, I have had my Aniogram and I have had a stint installed.  I feel fine, except for a sore arm.  I now have two more medications that I have to take. ( As if, I don't have enough already) 

 

 

I was only in the hospital from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm.  I am home now, and heading off to the lake for the long weekend.  So I guess, now it's wait and see and hope I don't get anymore of those symptoms. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT LONG WEEKEND

 

 

 

 

FURTHER TO MY STAY IN HOSPITAL

 

When I landed in the hospital for the weekend back in early May.  They never did come up with any answers for me.  They tested and tested me for everything they could think of that might be causing the symptoms.  To no avail.  Once the symptoms were gone they never came back and left no residual effects.  So I was sent home thinking that, that was a one-off situation, just like a mini stroke I had 20 years ago. 
 

But that wasn't to be the case.  In late June, those same symptoms returned.  I used my Nitroglycerin as instructed and waited and watched for them to pass, which they did.  Fortunately I had an appointment with my family doctor the next week, for a totally unrelated matter.  When I saw him, that unrelated matter got put on the back burner and we discussed the return of my still undiagnosed symptoms.  He immediately referred me to a very good Cardiologist. 

 

I saw the Cardiologist on August the 8th, and he feels this needs further investigating.  His exact words were, "You're not going to have a heart attack on my watch."  So, here I am with two appointments with St. Boniface Hospital for pre-Angiogram on August 20th, which I have already dealt with and an Angiogram procedure and August 28th. 

 

I must say I really love our health care system.  When you really have something wrong with you, that Doctors view as serious, it gets dealt with.  I've never had a problem with wait-times, that I hear other people gripe about,  unless it's with my Dermatologists or my  Chiropodists. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A RAINY AND STORMY WEEKEND AT THE LAKE

We have been stuck on board and out of the rain for the last couple of days and the forecast is for more of the same for the next couple of days.  They are also predicting some gale force winds as well.  We all know what those North East winds can do to this part of the lake.

I'm sure some of the people that only use their boats on the weekend will be very disappointed with that forecast and may even cancel their plans and stay home.  But, I wouldn't advise that. 

If you value your boat at all, I'd want to be here to protect it.  The winds over night on Saturday night into Sunday morning are predicted to reach 70 km an hour, from the North East.  Which means you want to at least double check your lines and fenders. 

We are going to be keeping a close eye on ours. 

Well, It's very early Sunday morning and we have all fared very well.  The wind is still howling, but the saving grace has been the fact that the "Northeast" wind predicted for overnight has come mainly from the "East" so the water levels in the harbour have not risen much above what they were late yesterday. 
 

DIY: FINISHING OFF MY DINGHY COVER

Last spring as a canvas sewing project, I upholstered new canvas covered cushions for the back deck of Thunderbird. 
 


Along with a rain cover and Bar-B-Q cover. 
 

 

That all went very well and because it was finished very quickly, I was able to make a good start on a cover for our Dinghy.  I got the basic shape planned, cut and sewn together. 

 

Then we ran out of time.  It was the end of May and time to launch.  So, the dinghy went up on top of the boat and the half finished cover has been held on with a few spring loaded clamps. 

 

One of the stumbling blocks I ran into was securing the cover to the dinghy so that it would not blow off.  I have installed a bungee cord around the cover, but it needs to be attached to the dinghy somehow.  While down south this winter I was able to order two of these ??? kits,  that should work. 

Now it's time to get back at it and get that canvas sewing project finished and possibly start on the canvas windshield cover that I also want to make.

 

I have already made a see through sun-screen cover for the windshield that works very well. 

It keeps the temperature down a lot in the pilot house, but you can still see out through it, so it does not give you the closed in feeling that full canvas will. 

 

But, in an extreme heat wave, I would love to have a solid canvas one, that would work better at keeping the boat cool. 

 

THE DIY PROJECTS ARE NEVER ENDING

THE BIG WINNIPEG BEACH WEEKEND

 

Yesterday was a Big day in Winnipeg Beach.  It started off with the arrival of our guests Brad and Bonnie and our Daughter Elizabeth, who thankfully arrived in time to help me put the finishing touches on our decorating of the boat for the contest.  I was quite pleased with the results.   

 

 

There were a number of other boats around us that decorated as well.  This is "Odyssey", all decked out in the colours that the beach chose for the celebration. 

 

 

"Solitude VI", with beach colours and antique replicas of the water tower, a train car, and a fire truck. 

 

 

Then we have "Endlessun". Who also went with a troplical theme.   

  

And Jeff's dog Finn stole the show in her grass skirt. 

 

Sharon decked "Loafhaven"out in a Birthday theme that was very festive. 

 

We found crew that must have come from a Pirate Ship, that I haven't seen yet.   I hope I can find it before they take down their decorations. 

 

There were a number of decorated boats that I still don't have pictures of, that I am hoping to get around to seeing today. 

It was a very relaxing afternoon of partying. 

 

Then last night we cruised on out of the harbour and found it was quite rough.  Even though it was a little too rough for us to go out to watch the fireworks Dan did turn the lights on. 

I love the look, It really did look quite pretty. 

 

Well the parade was cancelled and I don't know if they are going to reschedule it for today, or if other people still left their decorations up.  But Dan took all ours down, but we will save them for maybe another time. 

 

 

 

 

IT WAS FUN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIME TO START DECORATING THE BOAT

I have decided on a "Hawaiian Luau Beachy" kinda theme.  If you can call that a theme.  I managed to pick up some inflatable items to stick on the boat here and there.  But it's a pretty big boat and we need a lot of stuff to make an impact.  Otherwise it will just look patchy and sparse. 

 

So we started with the lights, that will be used only if it is possible to go out for a second flotilla after the fireworks on Saturday night. 

We waited until the sun was going down then we tested them, to make sure they were all working. 

 

So now I have attached the inflatables, because they can withstand any adverse change in the weather that may occur. 
 

 

Then Saturday morning, just before the judging, I will attach anything that is paper based.  Like my streamers and flowers and Leis, that might get easily damaged. 





LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN. 




 

 

 

 

RULES WHILE STAYING ABOARD THUNDERBIRD

 

 

1. WAKE UP SMILING

 

2. FLIP FLOPS MANDATORY

 

3. RELAX

 

4. SWIM

 

5. PLAY

 

6. HANG UP YOUR TOWEL AND BATHING SUIT

 

7. WORK IS NOT ALLOWED

 

8. NAP OFTEN

 

9. SOAK UP THE SUN

 

10. ENJOY



(DRINKING IS SUGGESTED, BUT OPTIONAL)

 


 

 

 

 

 

THE TOWN OF WINNIPEG BEACH 100th ANNIVERSARY

 

 

This coming weekend is a big celebration locally.  The town where our marina is located was incorporated 100 years ago.  Click here to take a look at their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Winnipeg-Beach-Centennial-Celebrations/688251457866831  There is a wonderful selection of really old photos to scroll through. 

 

There are a number of activities going on this coming weekend that we will be taking part in.  The main one being a boat decorating contest and regatta. 

 

SHOULD BE LOTS OF FUN. 

BACK INTO THE RHYTHM OF LIVING ABOARD

When you live on a boat you soon get into the rhythms of nature.  There really isn't anything to do after supper, so you putter around, Go for a visit, or a walk, then end up settling in to do a little reading or watch a DVD and you are sound asleep by 9:00 or 10:00 pm.    

Of course being asleep by 9:00 or 10:00 pm means you are all slept out and up and awake by 5:00 or 6:00 am.  

 

You go to bed with the sun and get up with the sun.

 

 

 It is all very restful. 

 

 

 

 

AAAAH!  LIVING ON BOARD A BOAT!

 

 

 

 

 

ANOTHER AUGUST LONG WEEKEND

Our oldest Daughter Tracy Elizabeth usually comes out to stay on the boat for a couple of days for her birthday, but this year we didn't even have the boat in the water by her birthday, which is in July.  So, she came out for a couple of nights this long weekend. 

 

 

We did the usual August Long weekend cruise to Gimli.  Everybody does Gimli on the August long weekend because of Islendingadagurinn. (their Icelandic festival)  Elizabeth runs her own cleaning business, so she couldn't stop herself from cleaning my galley all the way to Gimli.  That's just the extra bonus, beyond the great company, of having my daughter visit.   

 

We did the regular touristy things like a walk on the dock, then weaving our way through the stalls, etc.  When the crowds got to be overwhelming we pulled out and headed south. 

 

 

We had a lovely relaxing cruise back to Winnipeg Beach area then decided to pull in outside the harbour for a swim. 

 

 

 Dan found a lovely spot and nosed the boat right into shore. 

 

 

We swam, walked the beach and played with the dogs.  And much to Dan's chagrin Elizabeth found lots of pebbles and driftwood she wanted to take home for her garden. 

 

 

We were eventually joined for a while by Gord and Ellie with their family, all the way from Gimli. 

 

 

It was a beautiful spot and a wonderful day.  The kind that memories are made of. 

 

 

Elizabeth even found some swim goggles for Sea-Enna.  Not that she needs them, but we couldn't resist this picture. 

 

 

 

GOOD TIMES

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT'S A TICKLE?

To a Newfie, a tickle is a nice little cove or bay that you can only get into through an opening that is very narrow.  Where the sides of your boat seem like they are going to 'tickle" or rub against the rocks. 

You have to be very careful getting into these "Tickles" as they are called, but you are always glad you did, because of the views, the beach, the fishing or the adventure and privacy that make it all worth while.  

HOPE THAT ANSWERS THE QUESTION

GUNK HOLING

Gunk holing is stopping at little known or little used coves and docks that have no facilities to speak of.  Gunk holes are less visited because they're often not written about in your guides and are found through word of mouth, or are frequently  hard to enter, or are a pain to get to, or are near other, more-popular spots, or are a golden combination of all four of these crowd-deterring elements. You can find them almost everywhere, but, it can be a challenge.  When Gunk Holing it is always nice to find and venture into what a "Newfie" calls a tickle.  Anyone know what that is?   

 

This is a gunk hole we have visited, at the north east corner of Elk Island, not hard to get to at all, but little used and a nice day cruise, because of the lovely clean and private beach.   

This is the falls on the Manigotagon River After heavy rains.  Although not exactly a "tickle", it is a little tricky to get into.  The entrance to the river is blocked by a rock island and is a very rocky area and you have to follow exactly, down one range and wait for the other one to appear and come slowly into view then once lined up, you must change course and follow the second range until you're well into the river.   

An overnight in Well's Harbour is a must experience, but don't stay up to late, out on the spit, due to the mice and the odd snake, that comes out at night. 

This is an old picture near the entrance to the Rice River, where you also have to keep your eyes peeled as they say.   This would qualify as a "tickle", but very pretty and worth the trip, but don't try to travel up the river, you won't get far.  We found that out the hard way. 
 

 

Steeprock Bay?? or Creek?? I don't even remember anymore if that is really what this was called. 

Other than the Manigotagon River, and Elk Island shots, a lot of this Gunk holing was done years ago with Boyd and Gayle Halliwell when we had the LINDAN and they still owned TABU. 

This is what we came to call Turtle Bay, I think it's chart name is Black 6, but at the times we stopped there, there were always lots and lots of turtles all around the old abandoned ferry ramp that we used to tie up to. 
 

"Before it's your favorite place, It's a place you've never been."

 

I would love to go and re-discover some of these beautiful spots again, plus go and find some new ones. 

 

 

SO, WHAT'S A "TICKLE?"