Pacific Odyssey - Leg 7

We are anchored in Campbell Bay on the east side of Mayne Island just south of Active Pass.  We arrived under power from Thetis Island just before supper, a one-sitter of roast beef, roast pork, squash, vegetables, coleslaw salad, and some roast chicken from last night.  We awoke to a sunny day, though the air remained cool; it was the nicest day we´ve had so far on this coast and the forecast predicts improving weather.  We spent the morning adding another coat of oil to the main boom, finishing up the painting of the iron work, painting the port side of the boot top (the white line just above the waterline), cleaning the showering facilities, re-rigging the lazy jacks (the lines set up on either side of the main that support the sail if its lowered quickly), cleaning the dock and the small boats, putting a final coat of paint on the houses and putting the boat back together again.  We were able to take all the deck box lids and the two bosuns´ seat lockers off the ship to a shed where we could sand and oil them under cover.  All the dories were on mooring buoys in the bay and so everything that is usually stowed in them had to be taken out i.e. tanks, life jackets, etc. and placed on the dock.  The boat looks fantastic.  The Anderson boys enjoyed a few more hours of rowing in the bay; Andrea and Chris´ 7 year old boy Jamieson enjoyed having some extra playmates around while his siblings were in school (he is home schooled).   During our stay Tristan, Antony, Jose, Jacob, and Skipper sailed the lasers while Blake, Chris P, Chris E, and Jordan T. tried out the kayaks.  After work day yesterday trainees put together 2 teams and played soccer on the field.  Our stay at Thetis was absolutely perfect; we can´t think of a better place to have ´holed´ up for a few days.  We are incredibly thankful to Chris, Andrea, Jordan, and Margaret for allowing us to stay there; we could easily have stayed a few more days.  At about 1300 hrs we left the dock, raised the dories and said our good-byes.  The wind was blowing cold from the southeast, though not enough to raise sail. Trainees spent the afternoon being together in the hold, on watch around the wheel, and practicing for tonight´s ´Talent Show.´  Leighsa finished knitting her scarf, a beautiful multi-colored long scarf for some fortunate person.  Christina took everyone´s orders for hot drinks and put together a schedule of acts for tonight.  Keith allowed Elske to shave his ´neard (term for neck beard),´ in preparation for re-entry into Victoria Harbor.  Sean, Jordan T, and Jose have also undergone some shaving, readying themselves for the public.  Wrestling seems to be a favorite pastime for this leg. Regularly ´fights´ break out with thumps, laughter, cheering, and more thumps carrying on, usually on deck, for periods up to 20 minutes.  Arwen is a regular instigator of them, tickling, prodding, and surprising all of us. During one of the wrestling matches between Sarah B. and Jose, Sarah took Jose down on one of his own moves; she was proud and Jose was rightly humbled; it provides plenty of fun and laughs.  Over the past few days we´ve tried to describe to each other, how we are feeling about returning.  It seems we know that we are preparing for a homecoming and we go through the motions and activities to put everything in place for the event, but, without intentionally trying not to think about this leg and trip ending, we don´t think about it as if it will end.  It´s as if we don´t think it will happen; we have prepared the boat for a following leg before, the trip has always continued on.   We are very much living in the moment and enjoying where we are, living as if life as we now know it will never end and as if we cannot imagine living any other way.  Like I said, we are not trying to ignore the fact that we are nearly home, it just doesn´t feel like this could possibly end.  How can something so good, so full, so right, just end? After dishes everyone mustered on deck in sleeping bags, down jackets, hats etc.  We are anchored in a beautiful bay, quiet and calm; the evening was beautiful, but cold.  For an hour and a half we listened, watched, laughed, and clapped while many of us performed songs, skits, and poetry readings,
both serious and funny.  At intermission hot drinks were passed out to everyone and after the entire evening, Arwen served iced cupcakes which Katie, Adrienne and Arwen had spent the evening baking and decorating.  We really appreciate it when someone takes the time to bake something for everyone.  Since we are at anchor, 2 watch members at a time will be awake for an hour or so, throughout the night to keep an eye on the wind and the movement of the anchor.   Being up at night with one other person can be
wonderful, if you´re dressed for it.  It is so quiet and dark . . . a perfect time for reflection, quiet conversing etc.  It´s been another late but wonderful day,

until tomorrow, good-night, Bonice.