Sailing and crabbing, Nanaimo Harbour
December was good for us in the Living Forest. We certainly missed our family, but we had many good chats with them all via Skype. Christmas Carols are nice and we certainly heard lots. We had a great Carol sing here in the park on the 12th. About 50 of us gathered at the outside cafe that overlooks the water to sing with a three piece band leading. Food will always get seniors out and a wide variety of goodies, along with hot drinks, was supplied by the park. It was a clear and cold night, about zero, with a perfect full moon and calm winds.
There were carols at every church service of course, and we thoroughly enjoyed a Christmas Concert there which included 11 award winning choirs from Nanaimo and area. They were truly amazing. Also, one of the couples in the park asked us to join them at an intimate little gathering made up of Nanaimo song writers. Eight musicians sat in a circle and took turns singing their songs. They all included a Christmas Carol. Most played guitars and one played a long neck banjo. I say it was intimate as there were only 8 of us in the audiance to enjoy the music. The musicians get together monthly for a jam session and anyone can come, no charge and free coffee and cookies. We will go again in January. We enjoyed all the Christmas music.
The park also supplied two turkeys and a large ham for our pot luck Christmas dinner Dec 19, which saw about 60 of us there for the feast. Oh the desserts........... Christmas Day we went to friends for dinner and an evening of cards. To end off the year about 20 of us met in the club house new years eve for an evening of cards. Oh yes and eating. Ten of the folks left about 11pm and the rest of us watched the new year in on a big screen TV. The lights were out in the hall by ten past midnight.
Departure Bay beach, Nanaimo.
December was unusually dry and sunny. We drove down to Chamainus, about 30 minutes, for a stroll through the shops. We had lunch again at Barnacle Barney's fish and chips (and Chinese). Last time we had the best chinese ever there, this time we enjoyed the Halibut and chips. We discovered Departure Bay beach and had a walk there. Every Monday morning we hike with the park group, but also walk along the Nanaimo harbour often.
On the fishing pier, besides fish, they catch Dungines crabs in small nets. They put chicken necks in the net and throw it about 50 to 70 feet out. In about 15 minutes they pull it in with the crabs. There is a minimum size to keep, so many get tossed back into the sea to grow up. A friend of ours caught 36 one afternoon, which included three beautiful legal size crabs. They are $12 each in the store.
Life is good in Nanaimo.......
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