An older man travels over sea and land in quest of new adventures
I Used To Like Bluegrass Music
Old Neptune looks down in Victoria Harbour. I wonder how many folks notice him.
( No offence Billy Connolly) The title line once appeared in a previous blog about a campground in Arizona. I used it again as I left a campground in Sooke. The campground operator was preparing for a Bluegrass festival on the upcoming weekend. He was rolling his eyes already as tents sprouted all round and practising bands picked their way through the morning. “You’re got a a wild weekend ahead I see,” I intoned. “By Monday morning you’ll be saying, I used to like banjo music.” his smile was so forlorn. At least the weather was perfect.
Keep your blinkers on…it’s nuts out here. Some animal-rights advocates want to ban horse-drawn carriages in Victoria because of the traffic danger. My experience with work horses leaves me believing they enjoy their work.If only horses could talk!
The weather has eased into rainy days which we so desperately need. It is cool and variable. Those of us wanting to get some brightwork done on our boats are a bit frustrated but there will be plenty of hot, dry days ahead and every drop of rain is precious. Meanwhile I’m muddling with some major changes in my personal life. It’s a time of darkness. I’m not feeling particularly articulate at the moment but I’m still finding joy in life through my photography.
A lineup of rental/tour bikes. A great way for visitors to see the city, …and no-one seems worried about their safetyWhen I was a kid this was an ultimate accessory.
Here are lots of pictures for my readers, many taken on a recent orbit to the West of Victoria.
“ A true photograph need not be explained.
Nor can it be contained in words.”
… Ansel Adams
The War Bitch Nothing glorious in reality, victorious or not.Now THAT’S a lawn ornament! The old Sheringham Point Light , salvaged to make a small museum in Sooke on Southern Vancouver Island.Through a window, a scene from a woodcutter’s cabin just as it was left.Bath Day, Laundry Day gone byBAT MAN…The time-faded emblem of International Harvester Co.Simple complexity An old gillnet drum quietly returning to the forest it came fromA very happy three-legged dog fetching balls in the clear water of the upper Sooke River PotholesFAMILY Off for an afternoon through an old orchard to the beaches, fields and forest trails of East Sooke Park. The park is huge and delightful.One of many old farm meadows in East Sooke Park. Yes it IS real!The Low Road A well-worn path on the way to Becher PointBecher Point Petroglyph, you’ve got to look for it! Looking out on Juan De Fuca Strait and the shores of the Olympic Peninsula WANow can you see it? It is etched in solid granite.Smooth! Arbutus limbs and a spider’s web.ZORRO was here!Race Rocks Lighthouse in the distance. This granite monolith was pre-manufactured in Scotland, sailed around Cape Horn and assembled on site. Imagine the storms it’s weathered.Mamostratus clouds over the marina. no tricks, that’s the way they were.An all-natural, completely organic light show.
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 lives aboard 'Seafire' the boat he is refitting to go voyaging, exploring new horizons both inner and outer. This blog is about that voyage and the preparations for it. In spite of the odds against it, the plan is to sail away this fall and lay a course southward. If you follow this blog your interest may provide some of the energy that helps fuel the journey.
Namaste
Contact him at svpaxboat@gmail.com
View all posts by Fred Bailey
