Last things heading for the boat

So the last things in Fort McMurray are now packed up. I had to get my mate Brodie to take stuff down to Greyhound because I don't have a car no more as I sold it at the yard sale. So I shipped it off to Vancouver Island where I will be next week to do final preperations for the big boat trip.

No that this is gone I am back to living out of a back pack again just like when I first arrived in Fort McMurray. In fact it is funny how things go in a circle as I am now back renting a room from my mate Jesse whose place was the first placed I stayed in when I first came to Fort McMurray. The circle it completes with this was kind of symbolic as I get ready to leave Fort McMurray on the next adventure.
Counting down to departure date 27th Sept. start sailing for San Francisco.

Leaving Fort McMurray behind and driving to Cape Breton

Goodbye Fort McMurray

Loree and I drove across Canada first to take the car and remaining few possessions to Cap Breton. For Loree this would likely be her last time in Fort McMurray. Not for me though as I have to come back to work over the next 6 months.

The car is packed quite literally to the ceiling with only enough room left over on one side for Vada. It turns out to make a perfect dog viewing platform as Vada can lie-down and still be able to see out the car window and watch the scenery go by.

And goodbye Alberta as we reach out first border crossing of many going across Canada

Studying for Radio exam which is required for the boat trip as we cross Canada

Niagara falls botanical gardens were a fantastic site

As we drove across Canada we took a small brake and detour down to Niagara falls where we had a great time exploring things. A highlight was the botanical gardens that were very pretty to walk around and surprisingly large as well.

A really great day to visit the falls with fantastic sunny weather.

And the final leg of the journey as we cross the Nova Scotia border on our way to Loree’s parents place in Cape Breton. So close.

We pulled into Cape Breton in the early morning to many hugs from Loree’s family before hitting the bed to catch up on some sleep after a long tiring drive.

Time to pack up, the Fort McMurray YARD SALE

So the crunch has finally come and we are getting ready to leave town now. Life was put on hold with the recent Fort McMurray fires, hence the long time since the last post. Plans are moving along now and things are finally coming together. When going through all our possessions and deciding what to get rid of made me realise how much of a consumer we are in today's society as I had only been living in Fort McMurray for 4 1/2 years yet had so much stuff.
Initially I found it hard to get rid of things, to sell them or otherwise but once you start asking yourself the tough questions I found the sell pile becoming bigger and bigger. I also have a new resolution, however who knows if I will remember it; and that's to be less of a consumer. The yard sale made me realise how much stuff I thought I needed but did not actually use that much. Any ways enough philosophy about that for today.
The yard sale did make me feel so much closer to going though it is amazing how liberating it can become once you get into it.

The deck where everything must go

Already sold the car just waiting for the new owner with the cash.

Family Cruising around Salt Spring Island

So after the Fort McMurray fires had caused much upset there was a happy time with family on the boat cruising in the Gulf Islands. Mum and Dad were over from Australia, my brother was able to make the trip over from Alberta too and along with Loree and the dog we had a very full boat with much fun had by all. The trip started in Sidney on Vancouver Island then we headed north and preceded to sail around Salt Spring Island in a clockwise direction. There hikes, sunsets, beers, kayaking, exploring and so on. See below a story in pictures.

There lies one good looking boat

Up the mast to do last minute repairs

Sailing from Sidney to Burgoyne Bay

Burgoyne Bay hike along the shore



Burgoyne Bay Hike up Baynes Peak



 


Sailing From Burgoyne bay on the West side of Salt Spring Island to Ganges Harbour


  Above pics from site seeing in Ganges Harbour 

Proud moment, my old Townsville Sailing Club burgee presented to me by mum and dad. I think that makes the club international now.

Dad showing the way home


 
Family  picture with the whole Vancouver Island crew what a silly bunch

Boat work part ??? I have lost count now - Watermaker install

So the watermaker finally arrived and it is a Spectra Ventura 150 manual. When I saw the size of the box that it came in I was left wondering how it was going to fit on the boat. However it was packed really well to protect it and once all the foam came out it was more managable. The next week it looked like a bomb had hit the boat as it turned into a workshop, floorboards came up, holes were drilled, tools came out and the dinning room table became the work bench. But hey its a boat and there is only so much space. Finally install was completed by me by myself in about 6 days which I though was pretty quick.

Getting ready got the final step of putting in the filter membrane and pump

All done now just to clean up

Other little projects were done as well such as make the dock step into a collapsable one to save space

And now the mast comes out

The work continues this time its mast that comes out for a class C rig inspection and to install a new removable inner fore stay. Upgrades just keep on coming. Serge from Delta Rigging was fantastic coming up with an inovative solution to my request for a removable inner fore stay. They did a great job and also took the time to teach me about the rod rigging and how to do an inspection on it. Serge and his team at Delta Rigging were very professional as well as friendly and I would gladly recommend Serge and his team to anyone else needing rigging work done.

The mast comes out

Enjoying the sun set as a short term motor boat awaiting the rig modifications

The mast is complete and coming back so excited

The guys from Delta Rigging putting the mast back in

Time to change all the through hulls

So after the last boat trip it was discovered that yet another through hull fitting had broken off. This lead to great concerns about the integrity of the rest of the through hull fittings. Considering that one failed fitting can sink a boat quiet easily it was decided that it was time to change them all. Also took the chance to replace the mooring chain in preperation for the winter storms. These two jobs combined to take up all my time with no sailing at all for two weeks what a bumper. I guess that is what they say about being a boat owner spend so much time working.

Yet another through hull that has broken note the wooden plug

Pulling the boat out to change the through hulls

The journey home after the job is all done and the boat is back on the mooring is by kayak and foot back to my Aunt and Uncles.