Road Trip!

Good Wednesday from Prospect.

Three Amigos on the Road

So, Monday found me sitting inside watching the rain on another natal day. Kinda appreciated the cooler air from the weather. The two days before were hot and humid as most of the summer has turned into this year. Not complaining mind you, just it's tough sweating while standing still.

No the beach isn't full of rocks, just this one's interesting

Any way, as the day went on things started to clear, just enough for me to get ants in my pants and off the three of us went (my wife, my youngest daughter and me). Thought a drive on the south shore of Nova Scotia would work. By chance, seems to be the by chance thing I do when I get ants in my pants, Ha, ha. 

We ended up in Bayswater. It's a provincial park, so there are life guards and facilities on hand. A great out of the way, grey sand, open ocean, beach past the hectic, crowded and popular, Queensland beach, heading west off Highway 333 towards Blandford and Chester.

The water was just right to cool off and soak our feet. Well, what else do you do at a beach anyway? Besides, us three amigos enjoyed ourselves. Pics attached. Only hints of the beach though, you've got to explore it yourself, it's worth it.

Enjoy, Derek.

What else do you do at the beach
(Think I should go barefoot a bit more often to tan them suckers)

Amigos chillin at the beach

Halifax Rock Camp

Good Wednesday from Prospect.

Kissing Cousins (Brandon Lorimer vocals - (remind you of anyone?)

Last Friday I had the fortune of being invited to a concert put on by our local, young and upcoming musical talent attending this years Rock Camp. It was hosted again for a second year by the generous people at the Sacred Heart school on Spring Garden road in Halifax.

Mourning Sickness

This camp is put on every year and sponsored by Long and McQuade. It teaches young aspiring musicians and entertainers the skills to put on a full concert, including production, as well as teach them self esteem. 

If even one child goes on to a career in the music industry then thats great. But it's the self esteem and confidence that each child really takes away from this.

We were thoroughly entertained and some of these kids are truly talented. As in past years I expect to see a certain number rise to the challenge of a career in the industry.

A couple of note worthy entertainers from past camps include Joel Plaskett ( Joel Plaskett Emergency ) and Matt Mays ( Matt Mays & El Torpedo ).

Here are a few pics from the concert. It was so hot in the auditorium that, unfortunately we had to leave early. So this is just a sample of the bands that played. Sorry to those we missed. I'm also going to apologize for any mistakes in the names of the bands. The program was out of order and I even noticed the band names with the members were mixed up. If you know the correct names with the photo please send a comment and I'll rectify.

Here's a link to their brochure: http://www.long-mcquade.com/imgs/2012%20sr%20brochure%20LR.pdf

The Alligator Brunch Munch

The Alligator Brunch Munch

Sasquatch and the Squatting Turtles

Granpa Nick's Funky Crew

Going Nova

Harry Footpedal

David McLean joing in with The Alligator Brunch Munch

Enjoy, Derek

TALLSHIPS 2012 in Halifax

Good Tuesday from Prospect.

My Sister and Niece, at the helm of Thursdays Child, passing Georges Island, Halifax 
(Think she looks at home?)

As many of you may know, July 19 - 23rd was the Tall Ships 2012 here in Halifax. I was able to be on the water for both Sunday and Monday for the sail past. 

The sail past was quite nice, although I was disappointed in the small number of ships here this year again.

It has been quite a few years since the big gathering and I suppose it's what we expect.

Mind you I'm not complaining, thank you to all the ships that came by, it is neither easy nor cheap to get these here, so we very much appreciate it.

As for the weather, well just simply amazing. We have had such a streak of fine weather that no one can complain that it's raining today, except of course for the group who have set sail for the RNSYS club cruise. My wife and I had planned to meet up with them this weekend coming and we'll keep an eye on the weather for the next week before we decide. I like fair weather sailing.

As you can see, if you have been following lately, that the sailing weather here in Nova Scotia has been amazing.

USS Eagle at dock

Well back to Tall Ships. I had the pleasure of sailing once again with a new found friend Tom Vokey, whom I sailed to Saint-Pierre with,  and his girl friend Edith. We spent the day sailing up and down the Halifax harbour while checking out the ships. Unfortunately a perimeter was set up around the ships them so far out that there was no way of getting a great view from the water.

It wasn't until Monday's sail past that we had a chance to really see our visitors.

Monday brought my sister and my two nieces as crew for the sail past. You'll see my one niece has taken to sailing and likes the idea of being skipper. Hope for one more family member to join us yet.

As I said, today has brought rain, good thing too, I need to get focused on work.

Tom and Edith

I've posted a few photos from those two days. I know some of the ships names but not all. Comment and let me know what they are if you can.

Amastad in front of Georges Island, Halifax

Name this one

Life of Reilly II
Peter with his staff out to check the ships out

Amastad

HMCS Bounty

Picton Castle

Gazel

Navy Fire Boat

Roseway

Some ships went east and some right to other ports

Halifax waterfront was packed

Enjoy, Derek

I'm Back from Saint-Pierre et Miquelon

Good Monday from Prospect.

My Possy, Mark, Peter, Richard, Dirk,Tom and me in front

Fishing boats, Saint-Pierre

Hey, I'm back. Been away for the week on the Route Halifax Saint-Pierre Ocean Race and have some stuff to share.

I effectively, lived without internet for a week and survived, funny huh? Lost it off Cape Breton and would only get updates when we were out sailing off the coast of Saint-Pierre. My phone and iPad would populate when I wasn't looking. It's not that the Island doesn't have internet, it was just difficult to acquire what was set up for the sailors. Too many people sharing the same connection. I kept a few logs to keep my mind up to date during the trip since I couldn't post daily.

The Route Halifax Saint-Pierre race starts in early July in Halifax harbour and finishes 2-3 days in Saint-Pierre. It's a sponsored event hosted by the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron and the Saint-Pierre Yacht Club.

The race was an amazing trip. It's not just about racing to Saint-Pierre to win honours, (we did capture 4th in our division for the ocean race and the Grand Prix with our canvas enclosure up) it's about a glorious 2.5 day trip to a wonderful place with amazing people.

I only knew 2 of our 6 crew when we left. Actually only met Dirk de Haan as we left the dock to start the race. By the time the week was over, and I had to leave, I had 5 great comrades with bonds for a life time.

Saint-Pierre

We were, Peter Blunden (skipper), Richard Dube (navigator and cook), Dirk de Haan (driver and main trim), Mark Jollymore (driver and trim), Tom Vokey (trim and driver) and myself (trim, photographer, inshore tactics).

The hearts of the Saint-Pierre people are huge and warm. They couldn't do enough for us and we were amazed. They are so gracious. Our host family, Jean-Pierre and José Poirer, were wonderful and I hope to see them again soon.

Mariners Monument, Saint Pierre et Miquelon

The weather, although I'm told is always foggy and cold, was warm and clear with moderate winds pushing us downwind to what I now refer to as the little northern Bermuda. Little European streets with brightly coloured houses, both shingle and stucco sided and a rich history dating back to the discovery of North America.

Anyone that has never been, or thinks it's not the place to go, needs to rethink. I'll fly back with my wife and daughter as soon as we can. It will be the leisurely cap to a great trip.


I've dropped in a few pics, enjoy, Derek

Peter and myself on Life of Reilly II before the start of the inner harbour race (Grand Prix on Thursday)

Saint Pierre

Post Office in Saint-Pierre

Crab Pots, I think

Our race fleet tied up at Saint-Pierre Yacht Club

Our race fleet tied up at Saint-Pierre Yacht Club

Saint-Pierre Yacht Club

Saint-Pierre

Last night meal on Life of Reilly II before I flew back

Prospect sailing and skys at dusk

Good Thursday from Prospect. 

Just got back from a great sail from here to Halifax (RNSYS) today. It was another great one (second in two weeks). 

Prospect dusk sky, June 28 2012

Weather after unsettled conditions usually means good wind but lumpy seas. Today was no exception. 1-2 meter swells with 15-20 knots gust to 25.

Well I'll tell you what, if you don't dig clouds than you won't dig this. Since it's been a little stormy and unsettled here lately, here's what our sky painted for us this evening.

This pic is facing due south at dusk. Can you see the moon peaking out. Can't say I've seen too many greenish horizons.

Enjoy, Derek.

MultiFest in Halifax

Good Saturday from Prospect. 

MultiFest Concert Tent

Last night we attended the RBC Multicultural Festival at the  Halifax Seaport, put on by the Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia. This is an outdoor event mostly under tents.

It costs 7 dollars a head with family and student discounts (the fee covers the entire weekend) running from June 22nd to June 24th.

Check it out here: ( http://www.multifest.ca )

Unfortunately, being an outdoor event, it is at the mercy of Nova Scotian weather. I know, wait 5 minutes and you'll get different weather.

Well that's no consolation when you're sitting outdoors and it's only 14C and hoping the rain will stay away. The report for Saturday is 15-20mm of rain with a possibility of Thunder showers for both Saturday and Sunday (the last day of the event). Too bad, the turnout was small. 101.3 the Bounce advertised a "popular" headline entertainer, Raghav (dance/pop). Not very popular when the kids don't show up to watch, and they don't care about the weather when it's a band/entertainer they like. Maybe he'll be big when the weather clears.

So, as I was saying, we attended the Friday night concert to watch my daughters boy friend, David, and his band the "Outsiders".

They played an eclectic selection which was very well done. Totally enjoyed it. 

Brite-VU on stage

The group consists of 5 former classmates from Halifax West High School (ages ranging from 19 and under) that are continuing their careers in Music. David McLean (guitar) attended Dalhousie and heading to Berklee, Dunnery Bond (keyboard and vocals) attending Berklee, Bethany Ingraham (vocals) attending Dalhousie, Daria  Zuychenko (drums) and Stephen Weston (bass).

The concert was MC'd and hosted by C100 and 101.3 the Bounce. Local radio stations I can't say I listen to but hey. They basically play dance and pop. 

We watched a band by the name of "Brite-Vu" that came on before the "Outsiders". Comprised of lead vocal and guitar Robb Medwid, bassist Greg Erkvaara ,drummer Steve DeWolfe and Stephen Elliott lead guitar and vocals. Check them out here: ( http://www.brite-vu.com )

David and his group donate anything they make to MYST (maritime youth standing together), an organization dedicated to building schools in Africa. Check Them out here:  http://mystmali.webs.com 

Well if the weather improves we may drop down on Sunday for a little most cultural diversity, always a good thing.

Here are a few pics from Friday night.

Have a great weekend and Enjoy, Derek.

David and Deanne. Two hands, two Cokes

C100 and 101.3 Girls MCing

Brite-VU

The Outsiders

David McLean

Bethany Ingrahm 

David, Daria and Dunnery

David wailing (probably the God Father)