Pics for ‘A day in the bay’

A day in the Bay…

> I hope you are all safe and staying warm and dry during the extreme cold this winter. We've been watching the politics and the weather forecasts, both demanding some attention, with concern.

> Despite national and international concerns, we had a fun, busy day yesterday. It started early for Kathy. She headed off in time to arrive for a 0730 pickle ball game. That's the timing for the first wave of regular games and they are followed by 0915 and 1000 games. We sign up every Saturday to play each week. I would normally be playing but have managed to strain my right hamstring a bit… so no PBall for me for a few days. We love playing and have been well received by the group of regular players. We've been playing three times or more each week. There was also a wee tournament for the advanced regular players and, after games yesterday, we all headed to Joyce's place for a social. She is the head honcho and chief organizer of Melaque Pickle Ball and throws a good party as well. Kathy and I have been well received by the group and are enjoying the exercise and the friendship.

We had a little extra exercise yesterday (Friday). We had heard (and so decided to check out) reports of corn hole (bean bag toss) games down at the end of the beach at a beach bar called TiTo's. We went. There was. We played, and CJ and her assigned partner made it to the semi-finals. We had met Leevee (spelling?) the previous week and I was glad to be partnered with someone I had already met and liked. Kathy and her partner did well too. Fun was had by all. The 'fun factor' was bolstered by the fact it was 'Happy Hour' all day. We were also impressed to learn that all proceeds (entrance fees and a raffle draw) were donated to a seniors home and used to provide groceries for them. After our games and lunch we headed home along the beach (which may not have been the wisest for me as my knee is aching this morning). Hopefully the ice wrap will fix it up quickly. We (the novice players) have a PBall tournament this Monday. I've had to withdraw because of my knee and have been assigned to manage the scoreboard; definitely not as much fun as playing 😵‍💫.

I mentioned the cruising sailboats the other day. Well, over the past two days, we've watched three different boats enter our bay and anchor; riveting stuff for us land-based sailors. During our walk home, along the beach, we were able to meet and greet one couple as they arrived at the beach and hauled their inflatable dinghy out of the water. We had fun swapping stories for a bit and then we all continued on our ways. The weekend looms and will be filled with more pickle ball, more walks, more tacos 😱etc. etc. Hope your days are filled with good friends, and warm hugs. Adios for now… CJ
 

Crashing thunder, sizzling lightning and pelting rain…


Mother Nature was in a mood last night.

We had gone to one of our favourite, small restaurants. We went carefully as the thunder and lightening were still around albeit becoming quieter and our dinner had just arrived. We were one of three or four tables spread over the sidewalk and we were protected by a material tarp of some type - set up I imagined to protect diners from hot sun and wet showers. The world was at peace…or so we thought. All was quiet, like a soft hush. That’s when the rains arrived, like a high wave or, more accurately, like a wall of falling water stampeding up the road, through the shade trees, through the protective tarp and, finally, through the roof itself… well, actually the seams of the roof.

What a flurry of activity followed. Heavy comfortable chairs and diners tables were picked up off the sidewalk and carried or dragged into the narrow walkway inside the restaurant. Staff and customers worked together to save what could be rescued from the torrential downpour. We were at the one table that only needed to be moved a few inches back. After helping with the other furniture we returned to our meal, which we enjoyed very much… even with a few drops and sprinkles from above as the water found its way through the woodwork.

It was actually fun. We all pulled together. We all enjoyed our dinners and we all shared a chuckle over our situation. Miraculously, Mother Nature pulled in her claws just about the time we finished our meal which allowed us to walk home, skirting large puddles as we went and enjoying the fresh, clean smell of the air and earth.

The photos show the skies just before the storm hit and the beautiful sunset we enjoyed tonight, complete with a largish sailboat that came in and anchored while we watched from afar. They are like magnets to our eyes anytime we see a sailboat come near the bay. I only wish I could go out to greet them, but then what would they do with an aging ol' lady like me anyway? Oh well. Time to catch some bunk time. Adios from hot, sunny, windy, wet, and warm again… Melaque. CJ

Fun in the sun…

> A few more photos

Sun, sand and salt water 👍

January 13, 2026
We are slowly getting used to the 'volume' and the heat (mostly) and today began with our debut at the local pickleball courts. Registration is required and the people who showed up were very nice. After two hours in the hot and humid air, we called it quits and scuttled back to our homes and the shade. Great fun! We'll be keeping this up while we're here.

As today is Kathy's birthday she decided we should head to the beaches of Coastemate, another bay we had anchored in so many years ago. A nice taxi driver delivered us there with a promise to return in three hours; which he did.
We enjoyed watching the pelicans doing their coordinated dive bombs and some actually dove right into groups of bathers lingering near the shore; quite entertaining. There was also a fellow spin casting from shore who managed to hook, not a big fish, but a wayward pelican who must have thought his lure looked edible. it took the help of three other fellows to remove the hook. One held the pelicans beak while the others did their best to keep the flapping wings under control. The operation was successful and the pelican rejoined his group (rather sheepishly I expect). Kathy had a quick swim after which we enjoyed lunch on the beach before it was time to head back.

Our day wound down, closer to home and we enjoyed some quiet time on the patio. it's been muggy and cloudy all day and this type of hot and humid weather is expected to last for at least a week. Thank goodness we have ceiling fans in our suite. That's it for now. The next several days will be relaxing time by the pool or on the beach; interrupted by forays into town to visit stores and the Market…and then home again for quiet time with our books, on the patio, overlooking the ocean. This kind of repetition is delightful and just what we needed. We've been reading about the atmospheric rivers at home and hope they slow down soon. Wishing you all dry days and tall gumboots.
Adios for now… CJ
>
> 

Hola mi amigos…

We made it…. One shuttle to the Nanaimo airport, a plane ride to Calgary, an overnite at the Calgary airport Marriott hotel, a plane ride from Calgary to Puerto Vallarta, a taxi ride to a hotel close to the airport for the night, a 5 hour bus ride to Melaque and a fairly short walk to our new home for a month. If you say all that real fast, it doesn't sound as tiring as it actually was. Yes… our first day and most of the second were spent recovering and 'setting up house'. It's now day five since we left home and we're feeling much better and just need to reset our inner thermometers.

As you can see by the photos we are now residing on (actually 'beside' :-) the beach and we're lovin' it. This is a good location for us… there's 'end Of the road' quietness (most of the time), nearby restaurants, pharmacies, cafes, beaches and walking opportunities. We will have no probable keeping ourselves busy… between siestas, meals, reading, walks and beaches. For those of you who are wondering… it's 2 PM and the temp is 29 degrees. Luckily we have fans in our suite so that helps at night. Know we are well and enjoying our vacation. We hope all of you are warm, dry and cozy. Until I write again..Time for a cold cervesa. CJ
>

A quick Follow-up to yesterday's post.

So there we were, one year later, in the same town (PV) and sitting on the same bit of sand as last year before I went for my "unfortunate" swim).  There we were, having returned to the scene of the debacle, and enjoying a margarita on the beach.  It was kind of like the old adage of getting back on the horse you just fell off.  As I had that experience too as a younger person, I knew how important returning to the beach scene wast: and so we did: return.

As I sat there, people watching, I couldn't help but notice this rather elderly gentleman standing at the edge of the surf. Yes, the waves were big again (not like last year) but big enough to get my attention.  The fellow was in his bathing suit and he was standing so close to the water I could tell he was thinking about going for a dip.  That got my attention even more.  But, as I watched, an elderly woman walked out and stood beside him. She spoke to him a couple of times and they both stood and watched the water.  He really wanted to go swimming.  I couldn't stand the suspense any longer so I got up and I ambled/limped out to them and stood quietly on the other side of the man. I asked, "Are you thinking about going swimming?"  He didn't answer but his wife did... "yes" she said. " he is and I don't think he should !"  And so, speaking quietly, I told them my story... the same one you read in the last post.  When I was finished I wished them well, turned, and walked/limped back to my chair in the sand. Shortly thereafter, both seniors turned away from the water and returned to their chairs... and I breathed a sigh of relief.  THAT's why I tell that particular story at times when it seems it might be appropriate and helpful in preventing someone else from making the same mistake I did.  

Adios Amigos... by the time you read this post we will be just about to board our flight from Nanaimo to Calgary... and then the next day (tomorrow) we fly to PV and bus to Melaquie. Aaaah, margaritas on the sand... Here we come!  TTFN  CJ

--

www.cjdaley.ca 

www.svshannon.blogspot.com