Between the Canadian Navy and Salt Spring Airways we were treated to an afternoon show. The Canadian Navy had five ships arrive and dock here in the late afternoon. This was accompanied the entire afternoon  by the landings and takeoffs of float planes. At one stage the frequency reached about one landing or take off every ten minutes.

The Navy Arrives at Salt Spring

All 5 ships docked. A party in town tonight

Because float planes do not have runway they always try and land directly into the wind. This is generally judged by the direction which the boats which are moored to buoys lie as they always end up bow into wind.

A beaver drops in to land

Today’s wind meant that the Beavers, Otters and occasional Caravan on floats had the hotel as their final approach path, swooping low over the veranda and then touching down a few hundred feet from us.

At the same time the Navy flotilla was busy docking one by one until all 5 boats had berthed in an impressive display of handling.

I was joined by another couple on the veranda, from San Fransisco. A man and his obviously second or maybe third wife. Significantly younger and very confidently so. He was also a pilot and aircraft owner, as interested in the goings on as I was and then in what I am doing.

A turbine otter taxis in

It is a small world. In the nearby bar where I went for a quick dinner the man sitting next to me is the Captain of one of the bigger boats in the harbour this evening. Skippers it for Vancouver family who spend the entire summer on the boat never leaving Canadian waters. He knew Cape Town well having been there to collect a Robertson and Caine Catamaran for delivery to the US a few years ago. he proudly informed me his name is on the wall at Panama Jacks for having consumed the most Rum in an evening! Richard from Canada is the name to look for. He also tells me that the navy flotilla are all training ships and that the five are part of 60 such vessels in active service.

Now for those who are starting to worry that I have not been on my game, fear not for the real stuff is about to follow. Soon. I have been gathering breath and girding my loins.

Ladies you will soon be finding out why you should have married a BP!. This is not a Boy Pilot as the new pilots in SAA were affectionately called, but rather a Biker Pilot. This rare species is at the pinnacle of sexuality. All will be revealed and will put paid to myth of 50 Shades of “Poepall” Grey. In this part of the world they have not heard of Grey et all. The woman here are reading ” The women who run with the wolves” and “In the realm of the Hungry Ghosts” . This is a serious island! Also known as “Bed Spring” Island because of all the goings on. The rutting season is apparently in spring, when everyone is tired of their partners after a dismal winter and they move on.

Tomorrow I will catch the afternoon ferry to Vancouver. This, on a Tuesday, is not direct and stops in at three of the Islands on the way. So the trip will take three and a bit hours rather than 1h45 for the direct one. No problem for me as I will get to see more.

The past few days have been bitter sweet. Lots of great people. The Canadians ares super friendly. A beautiful place but very lonely for me as I desperately would have liked “someone” here to share it with.

My next You Tube attempt will also be up in the next couple of hours if you are interested. Just look under Bigplatcool trip to Alaska

Good night and good luck