A Week of Anticipation and Winter Weather!
Tuesday January 29th
Jamie, the kids, and I made the 4 hour trip up to Campbell River for the long anticipated relocation of Arena. We have waited such a long time for this day, that I had expectations of an emotional, exciting send off for Jamie and Nigel(previous owner and willing participant). Instead… we got to Campbell River and I was so anxious to just get back home! It was my first time driving the motorboat alone with the kids and I was anxious about travelling in the dark across the ferry path.
A quick goodbye at the marina gate and we were headed home. Didn’t even glimpse Arena. No great pictures for the blog. Just a quick kiss and run. I tried to make a quick video, but I’m still really awkward in front of the camera, so I scrapped that after a few attempts and put the van into drive!
Jamie, with the guidance of Nigel in all-things-Arena, fueled up the boat, changed the oil, and prepared Arena for her journey HOME.
The kids and I got back to the government dock in Sidney by about 6pm in the dark and jumped into the boat. I forgot to prime the bulb and I couldn’t get the choke clip to stay in place! The kids were tired and hungry, I was stressed out, and Lochlan started crying because one of the girls took the seat he wanted. I was less than gracious in my response and the girls were bustling around to make my job easier. Choke clip finally in and engine reluctantly started, we were off. I managed to dock the boat on the other side LIKE A PRO (although my hands were shaking because the tide was so low and I couldn’t see very well) and we ran inside to warm up. DAY 1 - SUCCESS
Wednesday January 30th
The guys left early this morning and made it to Comox without issue! The weather appears to be making this trip much less straight forward than hoped with 25 knot headwinds starting tomorrow morning, so Nigel has decided to go home and Jamie stayed to weather the winds for the next few days. The decision to stay was made as the weather is supposed to be more favourable by Saturday and we’d really like to complete this journey! DAY 2 - COMPLETED
Thursday January 31
DAY 3 - STANDSTILL
Friday February 1
Rogelio, the cat, kept me awake last night with a mouse he decided to gift me…alive. Jamie is stuck in Comox, so he is working remotely and enjoying some much needed kid/wife-free time! Today, the kids and Lola will go to Mom and Dad’s house on Salt Spring for the weekend. It’s a bit tricky living here on Piers Island with the 4 kids and no husband to take over when I go to work, so Mom and Dad (bless their hearts) agreed to have a full house to help me out! I walked onto the late morning ferry with kids, bags, suitcases, and dog in tow. I dropped everyone off into Mom and Dad’s care and walked right back onto the ferry to take me back to Sidney. “Breathe, Steph”. I fell asleep on the ferry…DAY 4 - PRODUCTIVE
Saturday February 2
I stayed at a friend’s house last night after my shift. I wasn’t confident enough to take the boat across in the middle of the night, so I woke up early to sit at McDonald’s for a cheap coffee (we’re on a budget!) and wait for the sun to rise. Jamie and Nigel are on the move again. Comox to Nanaimo with favourable stern winds to guide them along the shoreline. Nigel has been such a blessing to Jamie as he instructs in the workings of Arena and her quirks. Our moods are light and dreamy as the end is in sight! DAY 5 - SO CLOSE
Sunday February 3
A gale warning. Possible delays. Winter here really sucks sometimes. The storms have been exceptionally rotten this year and I feel like we’ve been handed a good ol’ hazing!
Nevertheless, I got a phone call at 130pm from Jamie, letting me know they were ahead of the weather and would be sliding in within the hour!!!! “Breathe, Steph” - 17 years of dreaming and waiting for this day, yet I somehow feel very unprepared for this part! The guys had to fight the current trying to pull them east, but by 220pm, the boat was here and tied to the dock. She is OURS and in our sights from now on!!!!! The storm is coming….let the adventures begin! DAY 6 - SHE’S HOME
