What have we been doing?? January to October 2021

Oops!  This dated post languished in draft form, unintentionally, so here is a 2021 posting and good intentions are to get a few more updates soon, in case anyone has had the patience to stop by from time to time.  Cheers!

Hello. We do hope any of you following us have remained patient, assuming that we are staying close to home and following the every changing health orders, while dreaming of being aboard INTREPID II.  

That indeed has been the situation, but how ten months sped by is still a surprise.  January through March really were stay at home, shop only when necessary, masks, sanitizers, ebooks, online ordering at times, stay warm with the woodstove keeping things cozy. We did have snow, rather than enjoying the Northers in San Carlos.

Snow instead of sails

In April we were finally eligible to register for our first covid -19 vaccinations, followed by concern that there would be a much longer gap than the recommended 8 weeks for the second opportunity.  It came near the end of June, thankfully, and we had fairly minimal side effects.

We so enjoy observing our hummingbird population who are thrilled when blooms appear on our flowering red current bush.

This Spring we became more serious gardeners, with Kelly putting together three 4 x 4 raised beds, adding soil and amendments in readiness for planting, along with the larger one he built last year.  The Admiral's attempts to sow seeds indoors, sheltered by a mini-greenhouse were less than stellar, but a useful experiment.  We planted a mix of seeds and seedlings and tended them with care and daily watering through our unexpected crushing heat bombs during the summer.  Very rewarding to have a selection of fresh veggies, greens and tomatoes to supplement our meals.

House projects beckoned and some were completed.  Two long planned for metal gates were designed and installed by the Captain, on either side of the house.  The deer were finally foiled from munching in the backyard.  A very stylish and practical awning now shelters our front porch from the rains which now are regular occurences.

We missed seeing friends; however we did manage a few visits in the past two months, once people were 2x vaccinated.  Travel plans did not fall into place for some family members, so we rely on phone calls and emails.  The Bluewater Cruising monthly meetings via Zoom were a welcome connection with cruising folks.

Now that the USA has opened the land borders to Canada and Mexico for November 8, we are contemplating and mulling and pondering.  INTREPID II does need TLC  after 18 months on the hard.  The Captain has been assessing his list of things to order, made some purchases and is researching what is available given that 'supply chain' challenge.  For now, we are wishing, hoping, and making some plans, but all is tentative.

Wishing you well.  Stay healthy and safe.  Happy Fall 2021.

Merry Christmas - Happy Holidays - Season's Greetings "in spite of"!

 

Our thoughts are with family and friends this totally turned upside down holiday season - and most of 2020.  All at a distance and all of you coping with the challenges of staying safe and sane and yet finding some joy and peace in creating new traditions.

For the first time in several years, INTREPID II remains on her own in dry storage; as far as we know, the wind and rains of this past hurricane and tropical storm season did not cause any damage.  We are having a West Coast Christmas far from the sunny south.  Right on queue the Winter Solstice delivered fat flakes of moisture laden snow, which took some time, but settled over the ground and trees. This morning (22nd) the sun appeared and sparkled over the icy scene - lovely. However, when it came time to rescue our car to run a few errands, it took both of us with snow scrapers to loosen the icy covering, even with the defrosters running.  Reminders of many Alberta winters came to mind.

Winter wonderland West Coast style

It has been a treat to find all our stored decorations and tree and enjoy putting them in place.  With our much needed woodstove burning brightly, tree lights glowing and Christmas cards on the mantle, we have a cozy spot to enjoy our 'just us' social isolation.  Tomorrow is provisioning day - we have our menu and will see what is available for both Christmas Eve and Day - and leftovers of course.  We have no shortage of books, music and videos to entertain us - and expect Santa may bring a few additions.  

Our wishes for all are to continue staying healthy and safe, secure and sane. May 2021 be so much better and deliver those much needed vaccines to ensure we are not going through these same challenges next December!