A journal of the vessel Seafire including mishaps and musings of the crew
The Macaw’s Portuguese Water Dog
The ‘Macaw’‘Macaw’ side view. Built in 1956, every fitting on her is solid bronze. The skipper’s crew is a magnificent Portuguese water dog named Wilson.
Well, a week and a half later I’m writing the next paragraph in the middle of another sleepless night. I’m back in Ladysmith after a very successful gig and back to frantically scratching around for survival dollars. The movie scrum is gone. A few remained to repaint the shops and put things back the way they were. Did it ever really happen? The fall rain and drizzle are back and life settles into a dreary routine. Only six months till spring. Southern latitudes are calling loudly.
Returning to normal. There have been a few spectacular weather days.Full normal at the corner of Seemore and Do-Less in the wind and rain.I’ve always been a sucker for a Bristol channel cutter. no exception here.Active Pass. A conundrum unfolds. Many tons of ferry in opposing directions, swirling tides and fortunately, no other yachts.Old S2. The second buoy up the mouth of the Fraser River. The tide is at an hour after low slack, which means that the ocean is flooding into the river and slows the current enough to allow boats like mine to slowly ascend the river. The Sea lion is ubiquitous to each buoy.
Once in a while I find a media item that I feel is worth mentioning. A friend mentioned a BBC series on YouTube called ”Great Canal Journeys.” It is hosted by geriatric British actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales. You do remember her. “BASIL!” Say no more. They’ve spent much of their fifty year marriage touring the canals of Britain aboard their own narrow boat. This series is beautifully filmed and presented; a welcome and refreshing interlude. Also prescribed by another friend, and also on YouTube is a series by Philomena Cunk (Hmmm, two lugubrious English female names!) She too is utterly delightful with subtle humour and charming wit, a master of Elegant rudeness.
The loveshack, a float house in the waters of Ladner.Of course it could be a Seagull mosqueCommunity. Part of the wonderful float home lifestyle prevalent in the backwaters of the Fraser River.Sand Heads. The iconic light and weather station at the mouth of the Fraser. It is where many voyages begin and end. A lightkeeper’s house used to sit here where many a long, stormy must have been spent. So isolated and yet within close view of three million people.
I think I’ll make a cuppa and watch some more canal yachting. I always find myself wondering how they manage to find all those sunny days in England.
“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.” ….Thomas Merton
Fred is a slightly-past middle age sailor /, writer / photographer with plenty of eclectic hands-on skills and experiences. Some would describe him as the old hippy who doesn't know the war is over. He is certainly reluctant to grow up and readily admits to being the eternal dreamer.
He has written several books including two novels, 'The Keeper' and 'Storm Ecstasy,' as well as 'The Water Rushing By', 'Sins Of The Fathers', 'The Magic Stick', as well as an extensive inventory of poetry, essays, short stories, anecdotes and photographs.
His first passion is the ocean, sailboats, voyaging and all those people who are similarly drawn to the sea. He lived aboard and extensively cruised the BC Coast on 'Seafire' the boat he refitted to go voyaging, to explore new horizons both inner and outer. This blog was about that journey and the preparations for it. Circumstances prevailed which forced the sale of his beloved vessel. Now on a different tack, the voyage continues. If you follow this blog your interest may provide some of the energy that helps fuel the journey.
Namaste Contact me at svpaxboat@gmail.com
View all posts by Fred Bailey
4 thoughts on “The Macaw’s Portuguese Water Dog”
Gorgeous boat and intriguing photos of the river. We’ve been contemplating going up the river for awhile now – how was the traffic when you were there?
There’s alway something like a tug and tow fighting the current. And then there are the guys who manage to sneak up behind you. Traffic channel is 74.
My years of tugboating sure come in handy.
Very nice pictures Fred – the macaw is colorful and that yellow building is also colorful, especially against those gray skies and the rainy day. We have a rainy week here – I don’t know how that much rain could still be up in those rain clouds.
Gorgeous boat and intriguing photos of the river. We’ve been contemplating going up the river for awhile now – how was the traffic when you were there?
There’s alway something like a tug and tow fighting the current. And then there are the guys who manage to sneak up behind you. Traffic channel is 74.
My years of tugboating sure come in handy.
Very nice pictures Fred – the macaw is colorful and that yellow building is also colorful, especially against those gray skies and the rainy day. We have a rainy week here – I don’t know how that much rain could still be up in those rain clouds.
Well it seems to be autumn here for sure. Sure thinking south.
Fred