Tea Time On the Verite

Today we had the pleasure of taking two guests from the Puget Sound Book Artist's group out on the Verite for our version of a mini High Tea. As we made our way down the waterway we were greeted with a brisk 10 mph wind and some large rollers. Most didn't notice as everyone was in high spirits and ready for anything. As the bluish water turned to aqua brown green one guest decided she was ready to try rowing. Instructions followed, but the mention of crabs - the kind that knock you off your seat caused some hesitation. She bravely moved into position at a port oar. Concentration written all over her face, till we complimented her. Instantly she caught a crab but smartly she popped her oar up and out just like she 'otter. We all cheered for a successful maneuver. She passed her initiation - check mark that! Without further ado it was time for tea.

The Women on the Water brought forth a bountiful array of delicacies and tasty treats. There was smoked salmon or cucumber sandwiches, a savory dish with roasted veggies, dolmas, fruit kabobs, melons and  pitted fruits of the season, crackers and cheese, cookies and this thing called raspberry slump. It was delicately decorated with fresh lavender and made for a beautiful presentation.  Our guests drank Life Boat  tea from fine china while the crew drank from simple green metal cups reminiscent of last century. Perhaps the only hardship of the day. There in the midst of mingling fresh and salt water we sat enjoying the bounty, tea and time together while the noisy motor boats stirred the waters all around. We caught the eye of curious kayakers who came in close trying to figure out this unusual scene. Dingle, the harbor seal, came in very close today. She is shy but very curious and loves to eavesdrop on all the chatter and laughing. It was simply luscious until the wind subsided and the heat began to rise, indication it was time to head back. We complied, as ladies shouldn't collect too much dew while wearing large feathered hats, pearls and dresses.  As you can see - any day can be an occasion, perhaps every day should be? There's no reason why not.

Somebody noticed she didn't get something? Don't cry...

Dingle, the harbor seal, is out in the distance.

Lazy days of summer

On the cusp of a turning tide and under the influence of changeable wind we did what we do with 5 sets of hands. Pleasantly the day was uneventful - we liked it that way. Those in town for the Golf Opening, were rushing away. No telling what the next big event was on their list. Ours was to have tea - so just as soon as their wake died down the cups and treats lined the seats.

New Moon

Under the spell of a new moon we innocently dipped our oars into the flow assuming things were the same as they always, but that's a myth - they never are. Immediately the wind picked up as it always does when Kathleen holds the steering oar. Me thinks she is a closet sailor but she scoffs and says she's not. Curious I looked back at the historical charts to see if there was a clue for yesterday's unusual feel. It said the winds were 5 mph coming from the N/NE at the hour of our departure with gusts up to 9 mph later that afternoon. Meanwhile the tides which had been a -2.2 at 10:57 am were all churn-y and swirly deep below. The water had attitude and was acting so strange and it was the color of tea which was not the same! 

As it turned out the day was one practice maneuver after another. First it was docking on the City side so Miss M could come aboard. Then it was back over to home base for some needed equipment. Miss N, who obviously was practiced at jumping from bobbing boats to shore, hopped the rail and ran for the stuff. The rest of us bobbed and practiced our back stroke. Without a scene we were underway again with cox number 3, headed out into the bay for what would be tea. Oh, my!  The bay, a bathtub with whirlpool jets. The winds twisting our hair into nautical knots. Uncle we cried so round we turned, making our way back to the start again. It was there we saw the Thea Foss, all sleek and slim;  tour her?  We could not.  Luckless on that note but on the snacks did scored. Adventure is out there - ready or not but for heaven's sake don't forget the teapot!

 

Undaunted

 Climb aboard or fracture off? A baker's dozen stood on the dock seriously considering whether to get out a few kayaks. Using the kayaks has always been our fall back plan if too many arrived to row.  It was a pleasant day with an imperceptible wind. The  tide at the sweet spot of coming and going. It was a perfect day to try, but when trying something new (especially when you are on the water) you should always think things all the way through. I guess we didn't want to think that much!

With smiles on our faces we were off. Nancy H. took over coxing after we straightened out in the waterway. It was her first time. We all know the commands, but it is totally different when you have to say them in the right order at the right time. Soft weathered days like this are perfect for practicing to be "cox." Things were going so smoothly and calmly, so it was double shock and startle when the unfortunate thing happened. Stroke oar cracked, split and bent in half without real cause. Note: we were all in such serious shock no one thought to photograph the moment.  NOooooooo, emanated from all.  How could this be? The startle of the momentary smack down was replace quickly by action. The oar was removed and stowed for safety. React then respond.

If you spend any time on the water you understand the moon. The moon = tides. Time on the water is ruled by the tides. However, no one ever talks about Mercury Retrogrades. These cosmic events are also something to be aware of, accept, and understand how to handle. Stuff happens when there is a retrograde - usually it revolves around communication and transportation. Often it seems negative, restrictive and punitive. Wowzers - this was one of those retrograde moments!

I am slowly learning the best action during a retrograde event is:
1. To let their be no judgment (it is neither good nor bad, it simply is)
2. Respond by carrying on, doing what you came to do
      (in our case we went back for another oar)
3. Be aware (we later discussed how the boat is 17 years old! cackle... she's no spring chicken and neither are.... cackle... are you pointing your finger at me?)

So responding properly we carried on UNDAUNTED but thoughtful. Together the lucky 13 went out on the bay and had a lovely day being wiser for the experience and perhaps with a new mission. What if we built some oars? The universe spoken? Many have never made an oar before, only sand and painted one. Maybe our purpose is to not only learn how to use an oar but also to make one too? They say, what the mind can conceive comes to be. May we never be in the stream without one again!

 

The clouds were remarkable!

 

We pause and wait for Crowley.

Verite, home safe and sound, a little worse for age and wear, but still sound and whole. Resemble anyone you know?

It started with a hiss

As I was about to put my foot on the gang plank I heard a hiss. If I had been in the southwest I would have stood completely still thinking it a snake. The sound persisted. I searched for it's source. An arms length away was a Canadian goose standing on the slippery slope. He lowered his neck and repeated his hiss. I nodded understanding - duly warned I carried on. He must have realized at some point that we weren't a threat and allowed the family to swim nearby. Silly goose he shouldn't have been worried at all. I mean really. Where else would you find a boat loaded with cooing and admiring grandmas on the Salish Sea?

 

We WOWers like to marvel at the natural environment.

It is an amazing system that swirls over our heads and below our feet and through the water.

Each week we see the level of effort Mother Nature takes to provide us with a wonderful day.

The sprinkles fell on the car all the way to the Thea. As we climbed aboard the Verite they stopped. We got out they began again with sprinkles turning into showers all the way home.

We are blessed.

Women on the Water - Doing what we otter'

Even the harbor seal agrees. We have named her Dingle. She may be a selkie. 

Almost every week she comes in close to hear our stories, but quickly

 slips back into the sea if observed to closely.

She doesn't want us to think her an eavesdropper. She loves to hear us laugh and giggle.

Oh the stories she could tell might surprise you.

 Ah... and then there are the stories the filming motor boat men are telling about us today.

Those tales might be a little different. 

We WOWed them with 10 power strokes. Just because we could! 

They looked a bit surprised.

Silly guys...

The bottom line is we individually and collectively can do anything we put our minds to.

 

 

Crowley's on our tail

On Monday the Crowley's patiently waited for us to enter the waterway before they got underway. More than patience it might have been for entertainment purposes as well. Verite was struck with a brisk wind as we rounded the end of the dock and made our way past the Odyssey.

Okay, it was a little hairy for about 3 minutes - oars catching the wind, not to mention the wind wrapping the last two oars in what could have described as a looped cinch knot.

However, there is nothing like a full boat.

With mastery the crew backstroked out into the Thea and with a few opposing strokes was soon headed down the waterway, wind in our hair.  

But who noticed the wind at that point when you have

a Crowley tug chugging up behind you on the stern?

 

 

Tea and treats were well deserved this day.

 

We watched in awe as the Crowley tugs turned the MOL container ship around

and back her into the dockside slip.

 

Tea Time was at the dockside due to the winds.

 

First cox, Leslie, finally could relax.