SSpirit has left the dock...

SV Shannon's Spirit has finally left the dock on an adventure! After waiting for many weeks and months, SSpirit has crammed her lockers full of vitals and grog (mustn't forget the grog!) shaken off her dock lines, and set sail with two (well 2 and a half if you count Maddie the pup) motley crew... headed for parts unknown (quite well known actually but who cares!).

We slipped our marina Sunday morning and headed up through Dodd Narrows to Newcastle Island, just off Nanaimo. After a rainy overnight we left early Monday morning and crossed the Strait. Had a lovely sail for the first half of the crossing and then motored up to Smuggler Cove where we were able to anchor and shore tie at a spot we'd eyeballed last time we were here.

You won't likely remember the last time we were here, but we will never forget. It was on dear Shannon and we had anchored in the small cove in back of the main anchorage. The winds blew like stink that night, our shore line proved too light and the boat started to veer back and forth as she slowly began to whip the anchor out of its secure location. Did I mention? It was midnight, pitch black, with the wind howling through the shrouds and the two other boats in the Cove hadn't turned their anchor lights on... we had to go by memory. As well, the tide was so low we couldn't leave the small bay and there was a shoal right across from us. Anyway, we ended up breaking all the rules.

Yup, we managed to retrieve our shore line and anchor and, going by memory of where the two boats had been, we moved down to the head of the bay, dropped the anchor while going forward, it dug in, the boat swung around with her nose into the wind, and there we were, anchored on a lee shore with the wind howling down on us. And then the biggest and brightest full moon I've ever seen, crept up from behind the trees, lighting up the scene like a theatre stage. It was amazing. We sat up for the rest of the night, nestled under our knee blankets. Kathy watched the depth sounder as the bottom was within inches of our keel and I watched our swing and the anchor set. What a night that was... but we survived and we learned a few things too. We now have a much larger and stronger shore line for one. That was the last time we'd been here; so it's nice to have had a good experience this time. Guess maybe we'll come back again :-)

Today we are heading up to one of our favourite anchorages behind Fox Island on Hardy Island. We'll hang out there for several days enjoying an anchorage protected from the NW. At least that's the plan for now...remember, all plans are made in the sand, just below the high water mark.

Hope you are all well and staying safe. In case you're interested, I now have a couple websites along with this blog. (www.cjdaley.ca and www.ruddyduckpress.ca )

The photo is out our 'back door' looking out the gap towards the Strait.

TTFN. CJ
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The call for unity in these troubling times continues...

Bev Busson is a friend of mine.  She started her career in the RCMP the year before I signed up with the VPD. Not only did she have a stellar career, she was the first woman to serve as Commissioner for the RCMP. She now serves her country as a Senator for British Columbia. I hope you will embrace her message.

Commissioner (ret) Beverley Busson

STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE BEV BUSSON, SENATOR FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA ON THE CURRENT SITUATION INVOLVING OUR POLICE

July 2, 2020 (Ottawa, ON) – The Hon. Bev Busson, Senator for British Columbia, issued the following statement:

I cannot stay silent any longer.

I, like so many Canadians, regardless of background, have been shocked, saddened and shaken by the tragedies of the last few weeks. I do not want to argue about semantics. Our country was founded on the principal of colonization and many injustices have been committed over the years that must be confronted.

The movement to declare that Black Lives Matter, Indigenous Lives Matter, and Racialized Lives Matter should be a call to action, uniting each and every Canadian to become the change they want to see. But we must equally be vigilant that it not become a rush to judgement, denying due process and the rule of law that underpins our society.

I am the first person to want accountability for anyone who has disgraced the uniform. I wore one proudly for 33 years and hold distain for anyone using their power unlawfully.

Disturbingly, I see a tendency by some to stereotype equally each and every police officer with the same criminal motives. I am referring to the wave of hatred and disrespect directed at our police forces generally and specifically at the RCMP, that many members are experiencing.

Canada is a diverse country, arguably the best country in the world in which to live, and yet, instead of coming together to protect that legacy, we are being divided by our differences rather than celebrating them. There are many things to be done to improve the police model we have but kindness, trust and mutual respect must be at the root.

I am calling on each Canadian to remember the courage and dedication of our police officers. Not two months ago we were celebrating these first responders, who were coming to work to protect us, risking their own health and that of their families in order to do their duty. Are we so convinced the actions of a few, who have yet to be afforded the right of due process, colors or describes the whole profession. The vast majority of police officers are the finest people you will ever meet, and even at this tragic and unprecedented time, and despite the vitriol focused at them, are dedicated to keeping Canadians and their communities safe.

We must remember that racism and stereotyping are wrong in all its forms and must be eradicated. Police are people, they are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. The vast majority became police officers to make a positive contribution to society, and despite finding themselves in an ever more hostile environment, serve with honour every day.

I believe we should all stand strong together, ensuring that those who abuse their authority feel the fullest extent of the law. I also urge that we recognize the dedication of the literally thousands of police officers in Canada who go to work every day to protect the same citizens who now vilify them. Through this difficult time in our search for a path forward, we must also find a way to be kind and compassionate to each other, and to all work hard, together, to confront and eradicate all forms of racism, systemic and otherwise from this great country.

In case you missed it... please read while link available.

Good morning everyone. 

As I am sure you are aware, there has been a lot of discussion and opinion flying around about North American law enforcement. Sadly, those with the loudest opinions are often the least informed and those without time to research the facts tend to pass the false information along.

Media seems to have played a role in this sad situation. Those loud opinions are often finding their way into news headlines, while the reality of Canadian law enforcement continues to take a beating without being allowed a fair voice in the matter.

The Vancouver Sun has finally published an article from the Chief Constable of the Vancouver Police Department.  I have a ton of respect for this man and I am very glad that those of you who choose to read the article will come to know him and his department much better.  You will also come away with a better understanding about policing in British Columbia in general and Vancouver specifically.

Please read the article and forward this message to others as you see fit.

Thank you for your support.

Carolyn

 https://vancouversun.com/opinion/adam-palmer-vancouver-has-progressed-further-than-some-jurisdictions-but-police-must-continue-to-evolve/wcm/784941aa-6b95-4375-b03c-8fe47c0836d1

Fwd: Not about sailing, but definitely about challenges...

TADA !!!   After 18 years I have finally completed what began as an investigation and journey into the past - and then became a manuscript and now is about to be published as a book. I'm delighted to introduce you to... 

Vancouver's Women in Blue

Trailblazers of the Vancouver Police Department 1904-1975.  

For those of you who journeyed with us as we bravely took on Mother Nature and the forces of the Pacific Ocean...this might sound like a bit of a 'yawn', BUT I can tell you that, even I, did not fully appreciate the challenges faced by the women who marched boldly into law enforcement between the early 1900's and right up to 1975. Women still face resistance in various forms today, but the environment has improved considerably.

So, for those of you interested in learning about the often twisted path the evolution of women in the largest police department in B.C. took; and about the individual women who served and some of their stories, please visit www.ruddyduckpress.ca and find more information about the book and how to order it.

While you're there, check out the author's website ( cjdaley.ca) and have a peek at the books I'm working on now.  

Carolyn

Not about sailing, but definitely about challenges...

TADA !!!   After 18 years I have finally completed what began as an investigation and journey into the past - and then became a manuscript and now is about to be published as a book. I'm delighted to introduce you to... 

Vancouver's Women in Blue

Trailblazers of the Vancouver Police Department 1904-1975.  

For those of you who journeyed with us as we bravely took on Mother Nature and the forces of the Pacific Ocean...this might sound like a bit of a 'yawn', BUT I can tell you that, even I, did not fully appreciate the challenges faced by the women who marched boldly into law enforcement between the early 1900's and right up to 1975. Women still face resistance in various forms today, but the environment has improved considerably.

So, for those of you interested in learning about the often twisted path the evolution of women in the largest police department in B.C. took; and about the individual women who served and some of their stories, please visit www.ruddyduckpress.ca and find more information about the book and how to order it.

While you're there, check out the author's website ( cjdaley.ca) and have a peek at the books I'm working on now.  

I have attached a link to an Information Sheet about the book.  Hope you enjoy it.

Carolyn

Isolation Art Puzzle Answer

I want to thank all of you who ventured a guess as to what those three haphazardly stacked pots were. M and M win the most entertaining and imaginative guess. Their submission read "It's obvious, a baked clay sculpture of a World War One Warship speaking tube from the bridge to the engine room!" Bravo!!... an excellent description.

For those of you still interested... the structure is... a self-draining, cascading bird bath. It was created quite by accident. I had emptied the pots and stacked them carelessly in  preparation for putting them away. When I looked at them from a distance, I could see they might have a use this season after all. Picture if you will .... wait, first of all let me tell you each pot has a drain hole dead centre in the bottom. Now picture what would happen if you ran water into the top (tipped to the side) pot.  The pot would fill with water but only to the drain hole level. The water then drains from the top pot, down through the lower pots, and onto the flat base... where it then cascades off.  We will be hooking up the automatic water system to feed the top pot (and keep the water from growing stagnant).  

All you need is water and gravity... lots of that around :-)

That's it for today... have a great day everyone and stay safe, please.  We must all be careful not to relax too soon. There is too much at stake.

Isolation art work

Hello out there in fantasy land... yes, it's me. And I'm hoping you are all well, staying safe, and enjoying all the little joys each day has to offer. We have been busy, tidying up lonely Shannon's Spirit who sits quietly at her dock waiting for not just attention, but the chance to test BC's waters. She hardly knows the place and, now, we've had to cancel most travel and sailing plans for the summer at least.... sigh. Ah well, this time of staying home has popped up other opportunities instead... like working in the garden and catching up with friends by email, Skype, and zoom... marvellous stuff. And, as many of you know, we've been working on 'the book'. More about that later.

For now, today, your challenge is to figure out what the marvellously artistic, well balanced, and delightfully situated artifact in the photo is. It was created quite by accident but... so, what is it? Bye bye for now. CJ. 😀
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