Something To Blog About...

Something to blog about....

Procrastination, defined as: "The action of delaying or postponing something."

Not sure if it's a case or procrastinating, working on a new little hobby that I found, being just plain busy, or having nothing to blog about, but here I am after months of not blogging.

JP and I, have both returned from a wonderful winter spent in Florida by mid April, finding ourself  in great spirits.

Nothing like a daily doses of sunshine, exercise and getting together with old and new friends,  to get one feeling our best.

Since our return, specifically JP, we both have been busy getting ready for our 2015 sailing season. In between, compliments of Neomie, our daughter, I have made a quick trip to Edmonton and Jasper Alberta, to reconnect with our children and grandchildren that we love and miss very much.

This being said, my plan is to focus on updating my blog before we get too busy in beautiful Cape Breton, NS, which we will be our home port for the summer. 

Make sure to check out my last blog titles just posted:

Photo: having fun with my three precious granddaughters taken at the end of May in Edmonton Alberta.

• Winged Spirit Update.
• Special Walk in the Park, Jasper National Park.

Winged Spirit Update

Winged Spirit Update, June 2015

Can't believe it is the end of June already. Our vessel Winged Spirit, is in top shape for the sailing season of Summer 2015, which  looks very promising for us. After many upgrades to the vessel, we have presently embarked on our voyage to Nova Scotia, more specifically to the Bras D'or Lakes, in beautiful Cape Breton. Nominated one of the "Greatest  sailing destinations of the world", " A sailing paradise of pristine waters". Our port for July and August will be St Peter's, just beyond the historic tidal lock canal, that connects the Atlantic Ocean with Cape Bretons Island, the "Bras D'Or Lakes.

The Winged Spirit has been gradually upgraded since her purchase a year ago. She is a beautiful 1989, Merlin CS sailing vessel. We found her in excellent condition, but in need of many upgrades, as all of her, equipment, sails and electronics was original.

Importantly, all electronics have been replaced last year: chart plotter Nav Pod, radio, wind, speed and depth instruments. 

The standing and running rigging, was updated this year,  with new back and head stay, new furler stanchion block, new "crisp" sails, a full battens Main Sail, Genoa and a Doyle Stack Pack. The boom was dressed with new running and reef lines and the sheaves has been replaced for smoother operation right from the cockpit.

Last but not least, a little face lift.  Interior cushions reupholstered, all Teak Wood thoroughly cleaned and oiled. A few pieces of art was added, including a brass bell and oil lamp for comfort. To complement the galley, we have equipped the vessel with a new propane BBQ and a hot water tank. As of this year, she can also go "off the grid" as we have equipped the vessel with solar panels. What else can a crew or captain ask for but ,"Fair Winds"!

I have posted one photo only, taken the evening before our departure. Hopefully in the near future, I will have a compilation of photos to share of the "Winged Spirit" makeover. 

Happy summer and happy Sailing!

Diane

A Special Walk In The Park, Jasper National Park.

A very special walk in the park. On May 26, I got to spend some quality mother/daughter time, in Jasper National Park, the largest National Park in Canada's Rocky Mountains.

It was Neomie, my daughter, who requested that we go on this short trip, with a specific plan. A hike and a picnic in her favourite trail, "Valley of the Five Lakes", followed by a shorter walk to "Horseshoe Lake", where she jumped into the ice cold waters of the lake, off the edge of one of the smaller cliffs there. Just Like the weather in the mountains, a little extreme, but fun. We had an unusual sunny and warm day for that time of the year, followed by a quick late afternoon shower, that dropped the temperature of 10 degrees in 15 minutes flat. 

A little stroll and window shopping in the small Mountain Town of Jasper, followed by a delightful dinner at Evil Dave's Grill, a little upbeat, funky restaurant, known for its "wicked foods". It was a very special and memorable trip to the mountains, with a very special daughter that I love very much. Thank you Neomie!

Here are a few pics taken along the way!

Enjoy!