It Has Begun

Andrew and I started the learn to skate program with Trails West hockey this weekend. Basically it's a learn to skate program for the kids that prepares them for playing hockey. They have to have all the gear and be accompanied by a parent on the ice. I got to be the parent that goes and It's great. There are lots of kids on the ice at varying degrees of skating prowess from "can't stand up on skates let alone move around" to "I'm faster than the coach". We (both of us!) fit into the first category. But we go out there and roll around on the ice and lean on one another and it's great fun. We went both days this weekend and the tears were kept to a minimum. Andrew didn't cry either. We go one or two times per week. I think Andrew and I are both looking forward to going back next weekend.

Howe Sound Sailing Trip 2012

Last weekend I headed out to Vancouver to meet up with Matt and do a little sailing on his boat. I flew out to Vancouver Friday night and we sailed all day Saturday and Sunday. On Monday I took a Saltspring Air float plane from downtown Vancouver to Pat Bay near Sidney to meet up with my mum and dad then flew hone to Calgary from Victoria. It was a fantastic, fun-filled weekend. Here are some pictures:

Brother Matt rowing out to the boat with our gear.

Matt and his Red Duck

On the North-West side of Howe Sound. Very calm now but the wind picked up for the rest of the day.

A quick tour of a small mining operation, long since abandoned.

Panning for gold

Not rich yet...

Tender stern

Captain Matt

Getting a good sail in!

Did you know firecrackers can blow up under water?

Morning in Halkett Bay on Gambier Island. Alaska Air overhead.

Ropes and logs.

Queen of Surrey and Captain Matt.

Good sailing on Sunday morning.

Gin and Tonics (to keep the scurvy at bay of course).

Massive log boom

Howe Sound Pulp Mill and a clearcut.

Lost the wind but the fun continues.

Out of beers. Motoring for home full speed Sunday late afternoon.

Britania Beach. The ancient Tyee Princess with the old mine workings in the background.

View of downtown Vancouver from Londsdale Quay.

Some geese and the Red Lily.

Matt and a Vancouver raindrop (actual size).

Lions Gate and the North Shore.

Cockpit of a 1958 De Haviland Beaver. Low tech but it does the job.

Deep Cove fly by on final approach to Pat Bay.

Garden Lizards.

Blackberry season.