We Live on an Island...

It's pretty evident that someone likes boating! I know this isn't the best photo, but I just had to take it and share with you. The creativity that went into creating this is freeing and it really has to put a smile on your face when your driving, to see such a creation. On the side of the "vehicle" are tire fenders, there are planters off the porch in the back and of course every ship needs a mermaid.


Just one of the joys of living on an Island! (this was from the big island, Nanaimo)

Sailing the seas around Gabriola Island

As someone that spent their time growing up on the Island, I've always had a strong connection to the ocean. Although, I've mainly enjoyed it from the shorelines, we would often use dinghy's, kayaks and boats to go "exploring". With a husband that is a fisherman, we then got into power boating and have done lots of fishing and prawning in the local waters.

My dad recently bought a 16 foot Nordica sailboat from a friend, which I thought would be great in the summer, the only problem is that I didn't have the slightest knowledge about "sailing". 4 girlfriends and myself decided we should find out more, so we hired a sailing instructor from Gabriola. We’re busy working our way through the reading material (Basic Cruising Skills) and set out for a day at sea this past Sunday. We left Degnen Bay at about 12 and sailed into the Nanaimo Harbour at about 4:30, under the direction of our patient instructor Oliver. Tonight it's a bit of theory work, then we have another 4 days of afloat sailing instruction.

The fishing is good on Gabriola.

My husband and a few of his friends took the boat out and hit slack tide last night (it was around 6). It was the perfect afternoon to be fishing, the sun was shining and there was little wind to be found. They hooked up an army truck hootchy to their line and reeled in a 15 & 22lb salmon just off the Old Grande Hotel (Dragons Lane, Gabriola) they kept their gear set between 50 to 100 feet and were about 2 miles off shore. Look for surface bait, a good indication that fish will be there. If you're looking to go fishing check you tide book, usually the best fishing is 1 hour before to an hour after slack tide.