Schools and Travel

Part I - The New School

Several weeks ago we were all invited to a celebration at the École Française Bilingue (also know as the Michelin School.) Another family in the neighborhood with a little girl a year older than Isabelle had invited us out to it. I must admit I was a little apprehensive about crashing a school party where I wouldn't know hardly anyone but I was glad we followed our friend's advice and attended. It was a beautiful day weather wise and we met some people we will likely get to know better next year when Isabelle attends the school.

The celebration was like what we would call an old fashioned church picnic. There were performances by the students to start, followed by a pot-luck lunch. Then for the rest of the afternoon there were loads of games for the children.

The skits and songs by the students were very good although I couldn't follow most of the skits. They were often not loud enough and the kids spoke softly or too fast. The songs were also good with interpretations of Sweet Home Alabama and at least 6 or 8 versions of Frère Jacques each in a different language by the Grande Section students. Grande Section is the class Isabelle will be in when she starts next year, its like kindergarden. The French have a different system than we do in North America.

For lunch Jane and I decided on quiche because it was simple and could be served cold. We weren't the only ones. There must have twenty different kinds on the table. On the other hand there were lots of other things to chose from. There were lovely meats, cheeses, a very good potato salad, some African dishes, and of course a few traditional American dishes.

We ate well but it turns out the best was yet to come. You see the lunch was free but the dessert was a fund raiser for the school. Some people had brought some very impressive desserts, almost exclusively home made. This is a far cry from the school Isabelle is at now where everything is usually from one of two of the local big box grocery stores.

I had a peach tart and a crème brûlée to start while Jane opted for a Japanese jelly (I think) with strawberries suspended in it. Whatever it was it looked very pretty and was all very good. In the end I tracked down the tin we brought the quiche in and went back for more to take home. I can't remember all tat I got but the chocolate cake and the fudge brownies were particularly good. I think there was a raspberry tart as well which was particularly noteworthy (and I don't usually like raspberries).

After the food came the games. There were eight or more booths or stations set up in the playground and each child was given a card to keep track of their scores and participation. Once they were through all the activities they got to collect a prize. Of course Isabelle wanted a book. All in all a good day.

One of the best parts was that Isabelle got to spend some time at the school, if mainly in the playground, and she met both her teachers for next year. She'll have a French teacher and an English teacher since the program will be bilingual. She also got to meet the other five kids who will be in her class since most of them have siblings at the school and were there for the celebration.

I have to say that only having seven or eight students in the class could be a good and a bad thing at the same time. It will certainly be interesting to see how she adapts. I don't think she takes her French seriously yet as Jane and I are essentially the only ones speaking it to her on a regular basis. The principal at the school told us when we first met him in the fall that he believes she'll be fine. He's seen it before with both English and French students. He suspected she'll come home one day about October or November and her French will be just as strong as her English and I won't have to force it out of her. She'll likely be helping the French kids along in English as they bolster her French, at least that's what I hope will happen.

We are also a little worried about her other skills but hope she won't be too bored in English classes (she can already read basic books) while not getting too frustrated in French classes. I understand here math skills may be a little advanced too. I guess the Montessori program was very good for her despite the ups and downs we've had along the way.

Part II The Flights Home 28-May-09

7:00 CET-Clermont Airport-Aulnat France Up at 5:00 and the first flight is delayed 20 minutes for a "minor" technical issue. Plane is 3/4 empty so I get a good seat. Pilot claims we will get in on time. I follow a little old lady who practically gets lost on the bridge to the plane. She makes a big fuss over the delay with the airline representative and claims she's in a hurry to make Paris because she has a "rendez-vous." In the end she payed no attention to the gate agent when he calls for her boarding pass and I had to remind her we were boarding. The gate agent and I can't help but have a little chuckle over it.

The flight is fine, pain au chocolat and orange juice for breakfast. Of course they look at you funny in France if you don't have coffee.

9:05 CET-Paris Charles de Gaule Airport-Roissy France Ran between airport terminals as the shuttle service didn't seem to be running. Made my gate in time to hear my name called. Was not upgraded but needed to clear extra security. I guess being a Canadian living in the USA having gone through Northern Ireland and leaving France made me suspicious. The gate at CDG was a bus gate which means a 10 to 15 minute bus ride to the plane out on the tarmac. Hopefully we will leave on time.

10:06 EDT-Flying over PEI, Canada So far a good flight with little turbulence. I've been fed twice but will likely need another meal. I know what time it is but it's hard to tell what time it feels. If you consider I got up just as some of you were going to bed so that I could arrive in Greenville for supper it makes for a long day. Twelve hours in three planes and six time zones (seven if you count Newfoundland but I guess its really only half a time zone).

No head winds for a change so it looks like we'll be in right on time. Thankfully there are no medical issues either (see earlier blog entry from last year called The Longest flight Ever). I also appreciate how a good seatmate helps on the flight. The petite musician sitting next to me (she came in carrying a violin) doesn't fight for the arm rest and smells much better than the Irish rugby player I sat next to on the way over. He was a very large man. The only thing he didn't do was snore. Now there is the couple in front of me who have their seats back all the way down and have been to the washroom ten times between the two of them. There is a reason I take it easy on the Coke and water when I fly.

12:21 EDT-Newark Liberty Airport-Newark NJ, USA Well the landing was a little rough. It almost sounded like we blew a tire. It was certainly hard so I hope Continental flies (and rides) on Michelins. The landing even knocked open a few of the overhead compartments. I don't think I've ever seen that happen and I've had a few hairy landings coming into St. John's and Halifax in wintertime.

4:31 EDT-Newark Liberty Airport-Newark NJ, USA Finally boarding in Newark. The plane which was coming from Rochester NY was over an hour late getting into the air. There were other flights late from the Great Lakes so there may have been something going on. I don't think it was weather but who knows. Used the Internet to get my email and do some work (if anyone at work is reading this) and met a nice older couple from the UK going to Toronto. Their flight was also delayed. Didn't get anything to eat since I'm not sure what my body thinks. Maybe I'll be hungry when I finally get home. Well, not the worst travel day but not the best one either.

Clermont

Since Saturday, leaving my friends and colleagues behind in Ireland, it seems like I've been getting lonelier and lonelier. Yesterday wasn't bad. You read all about it. But today was a little rough. I was even considering that maybe I wouldn't be happy here (if ever I had the opportunity).

Today wasn't much better. I had a slow morning and some meetings this afternoon until about 7:00. The French do tend to work late, but they also get to go home for lunch and don't all roll in until after 8:00. I did manage to sneak out this morning to do a little shopping for Isabelle and Jane at one of the neatest and most expansive bookstores in the city, Les Volcans. I also hit a little toy store that was jammed with some really cool toys and games.

Now I'm sitting in the shadow of the cathedral of Clermont at one of my favorite restaurants in all of France. The breeze is light and warm and of course people are speaking french all around as the day draws to an end. What might be the best steak in the world just got put in front of me.

The truffade is next, in the same frying pan that it was cooked in. It is arguably the best way to cook potatoes in the whole wide world. You cook the potato from raw with onion and lots and lots of garlic. Once it is well on its way you add some tomme fresh de cantal or fresh cheese. Of course the whole meal started with a lovely pot of foie gras and crusty bread. This is the restaurant Le Caveau at its best. I've Probably been here maybe six times in all and I still love it.

Usually in the colder winter months you sit in the basement (down the stairs that are behind the wrought iron fence) and get a real feel for the hidden treasure of Clermont as the cook (he's not a chef by most standards) cooks the food right next to you on his large old stove. Tonight I sat in front of the building but not before going down the steps to meet the cook (oops). Everything is pan fried, in a good way. By the way, vegetables are not on the menu here, it is strictly meat and potatoes. The wine is red and local and not too expensive; that's all I know about it.

I guess now I'm reevaluating things a little. I feel much better about things and the homesickness has been replaced by wishing Jane and Isabelle were here to enjoy this with me. The first time I was here was with Jane and it might have been the trip that sealed the deal. I think once she found out I had the potential to get transferred here she didn't let go (although I may have given her an opportunity or two to reconsider). Now I know I made the right decision and I hope she feels that way too.

Now the last course, which as Jane will likely remember, is way more than anyone really needs. I have the largest plate of creme caramel (enough to feed three people) I have ever seen. It is also the richest, thickest caramel I have ever had. It is more than I need but I... will... finish... it. I will start running again the day after I get home, I promise.

I'll leave you with some other shots of Clermont-Ferrand.

The cathedral as seen form Place de la Victoire.

Place de Jaude, the largest open space in the inner city with cool fountains that dance and spray the kids.

The tram again. (No he isn't tying his shoe-he's hitching a ride on his roller blades!)

The cathedral from the bottom of Rue des Gras. The yellow and blue is the colour of the local athletic club, the ASM. The finals are coming up and people are showing their team spirit. It is no coincidence that those are the Michelin colours.

Just off place de la Victoire by the cathedral is the local Michelin boutique.

Place de Jaude a dusk. The statue on the left is of Vercingetorix (follow the link) and is by the same person who did the Statue of Liberty, Bartholdi.

A Quiet Sunday in Auvergne

8:20-Sunday-The First Market

Here I am in the center square in Gerzat early on a Sunday morning. I took the Tram and the bus to come a few miles northeast of Clermont to go to the Sunday market. The website said 7 to 1 but as I sit here at 8:20 most of the vendors are still setting up. That's fine since the next bus isn't for 40 minutes. It's neat to see the hustle and bustle of a very small town. People are laughing and joking. Others are catching up on the latest gossip.

The market has everything from clothing to meat and eggs. Of course there are lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. The cheese vendor is particularly pungent but seems busy. I am here for knives (and of course the experience and atmosphere.) You see there is a small town just north of here called Thiers where some of the worlds best knives and cutlery are made. I bought a few kitchen knives several years ago when I was here in France and some have gone missing. I heard that there are vendors here at the markets but have yet to come across one. There goes the town clock-one gong for the half hour. I suppose I'll go for another walk of the square and see what other vendors have set-up. Ah, there goes the local cycling club. Looks like about a dozen bikes setting out on the Tour de France, zig-zaging through the narrow streets.

Below are some pictures of some of the offereings in the market.

9:00-My Manners

Another pass of the market and most of the vendors are ready. They are all friendly and chatty. There are lots of: «Bonjour, Messieurs» and «Comment allez-vous Madame?» The French are very formal that way and I find myself reverting back to my Acadian roots and using «tu» way too much instead of «vous». I often apologize but they seem to understand when they see I'm from Canada.

It's neat to see all the locals out with their wicker baskets and carts. Everyone seems to be out for the market.

Here's a scene that would break an Auvergnois' heart. Many places were seem to be having sales on St. Nectaire. The there are a few especially famous cheeses from this region (Blue d'Auvergne is one of them) but this is the one most people will ask you to smuggle to the US if you tell them you are coming for a visit. I've heard stories of cheeses stuffed in luggage going through security and others about a wheel of cheese traveling halfway around Europe in the back of a car before arriving at its destination in Ballymena for a French expat or repatriated Michelin employee. In the second case the cheese had liquified in the center and had to be put in the garage to harden and dry a few weeks before it could be cut ("Is that why the garage smelled like that?" said the son of the fellow who told me the story).

9:12-Grandma is Getting Married, Again

The crowd seems to be picking up and the vendors are starting to promote their wares. There's still lots of chattering back and forth. If you can beleive it one vendor barked this out:

«Grande aubaine au bazar cette semaine! Venez voir mesdames et messieurs! La semaine prochaine on serrait pas la. Vous voyez, on marrie Grand-mère pour la troisième fois! Elle est déjà veuve deux foi et a soixante et quinze ans, ça sera la dernière fois!»

For those who didn't get that:

"Big sale at the market this week! Step right up ladies and gentlemen. We will not be here next week. You see, we are marrying off Grandmother for the third time! She is already twice a widow and at seventy five years old this is likely the last time she will wed!"

9:18-Public Transit That Works

Now off on the bus, the tram, and another bus to Cebazat for another market. I think I'll stop at the hotel for a pair of shorts. Hopefully I will find my knives at this next market. It sure is nice to be able to take the public transit everywhere. It made it so I didn't need to rent a car and that just reduces the stress here as well as the cost.

11:03-The Next Market

After a tram ride north I realize I would have a long wait for the connecting bus so I walk a few miles to Cebazat. The market was easy to find-I just follow the trail of people walking from the town center with bags, baskets, and carts. The market is incredible. This one has more of everything and two dealers in knives and cutlery. There is also artwork and some food vendors beyond the typical cheese, meat, and bread. The food vendors are perfect as I'll get to task a bit of the local offerings for lunch.

Below is some smoked fish. It reminded me of Nova Scotia when I saw it. I also saw eggs by the basket at one both, still with mud and straw on them. You just know those were fresh.

I even saw a scene that looked surprisingly like the Wolfville market. There is apparently a favorite bakery as the line up for this one proves. I thought there would be enough to go around but it seems there are favorites everywhere. This market has more flower and plant vendors. Their growing season here seems to be much like in South Carolina.

Some of you have been to the downtown market in Greenville with us on Saturdays in the summer and fall. I once read a review that compared it to the markets in Europe. I don't think the person that wrote the review had ever been to Europe. They really have a lot to learn, although I applaud them for trying. On the way onto the market I crossed a stream. There were some kids feeding the trout. Some were over a foot long! (the trout, not the kids!) I couldn't get a good picture but the whole scene was nice in the sun.

Another thing that I like here is that dogs are welcome in the market, something that doesn't happen in the US and Canada. In fact dogs are welcome just about everywhere. France has really cleaned up its act when it comes to picking up after your dog. The streets and parks, at least where I am and have been, all have signs, bags, and bins.

I'm sitting in the shade in the park next to the square as the locals wonder in and out to get their stuff debating whether to eat or shop. I did find what I was looking for but need to weigh the price...maybe some bread and cheese will help. Or some sausage. I'll be right back...

12:20-Back to the Hotel

Waiting for the next Tram after having hiked back from the market (apparently the buses don't run midday on Sunday). I did buy some of what I wanted but also managed to haggle with the dealer to what I think is a more reasonable price.

The weather here is unseasonably warm. I've heard people say it feels like July. today we are looking at about 28°C (that's about 82°F). I only packed one T-shirt and s pair of shorts and I don't have any sunscreen. It's a far cry from the rain, drizzle, and fog we had in Ballymena. Having said that there are always lots of paysans in the market dressed in their button-up shirt, wool sweaters, and wool jackets. It's more than I could handle. Here is the tram...got to go.

The tram goes by a few Michelin facilities on its travels. Below is a shot of a clock that counts litres of fuel saved because of Michelin's Green Tires. It is mounted on the tracks that are/were used to test tires. They are essentially a huge half pipe with a long ramp on both ends connected by a straightaway.

Now back to the hotel for a nap and then out for some food at the restaurant. Eating out here is popular but nothing like in the US. It is sometime difficult to find a restaurant on a Sunday. There is also very little shopping on Sunday. Some of the little boutiques near the markets were open but the rest of the town is pretty much closed. I will try to nip out in the morning to get a few things. In addition to souvenirs and gifts I have been tasked with getting some school supplies for Isabelle. You see when she starts at the French Bilingual School in Greenville in the fall she needs some things you can't get in the US. There is one particular ruler she needs that I will try to get. I hope I can find it. There isn't a Office Depot here in Clermont but hopefully someone at work or in the hotel can send me in the right direction.

One in a Million

I think many of you have heard of a theory outlining Six Degrees of Separation or the Small World Experiment. Here is my corollary: the You Can't Go Anywhere Phenomena.

Three examples follow. (By the way I am currently in the Belfast International Airport just musing about the world.)

1. The China Town Event

Many years ago when the family went our west (Canada that is) for my uncle's wedding we took advantage of the trip to go all the way to the west coast. We visited Vancouver, drove through the mountains, and visited with my other aunt and uncle in Kamloops. The strange event happened in Vancouver in what I remember as Chinatown. I remember going into a store to look at some things and stumbling across my cousin and neighbor from Nova Scotia sitting in the back of the store in a wicker chair. It turned out she was there as part of a church group trip. I'm not sure my parents knew she was there but I certainly didn't. (The memory of this event may be a little off since it was over twenty years ago, but this is how I remember it.)

2. The Clermont Connection

I am on my way to Clermont in France for some meetings but one of the last times I went I was surprised by a call from my colleague when I arrived at the hotel. It turned out he had arrived a little after I did but his room wasn't ready. He suggested I come down and meet his "new" friend form Canada (as if we all know each other). I went down and met the gentlemen. After we talked for a while it turned out he knew of where I lived. In fact his brother in law lived just around the corner. His brother in law was also my wife's cousin (not first cousin but still...). It also came about that we had met a few week's earlier at a family gathering. There were so many people there neither he nor I recognized each other when we first saw each other in Clermont. He was in Clermont for work as well and we did have supper later in the week before heading back to Canada (where my American colleague still believes we all either know each other or are related).

3. The Ireland Encounter

Today I check in for my flight to Paris after having made certain my other colleague met up with his wife who was flying in to do spend a few days touring. Just as I am heading up to security I recognize a couple of little fellows. They look a lot like Isabelle's friends form home. Once I see the mother and father I realize they are neighbors form South Carolina and live just up the street from us. They were just headed home from a trip to Ireland. We chatted a few minutes and wished each other a good trip.

I guess the point I'm making is: It's a very small world, so keep an eye out, you never know who you might see.

Kayak Update

I'm coming up to the final stages on Isabelle's kayak. The coaming was pretty much the most difficult component to finish up. I had to redo some of it. Here is a picture of the canvas pinned to the coaming through the holes that will eventually be used to sew the two together.

This is what it looked like from up close. In the end I should have made the holes bigger but I was worried about the strength of the coaming. It is Isabelle's boat after all and I suspect it will be beat up a little. After several hours this is the finished result. The pictures below show the final result, at least before the paint. It certainly looks sharp and I can see why some people say it's a shame to paint them. In this case I haven't decided what colour to paint it. Remember it is for Isabelle. Any ideas? Feel free to post your suggestions. I think I'll stencil some sharks, whales, and starfish on the finished product. For the paddlers out there, here is a video I came across on YouTube. I didn't realize MEC did this sort of thing.

Other than that I am preparing for a big trip to Ireland and France. I hope the weather will be good and the flights will cooperate. It will be a real planes, trains, and automobiles kind of event. More driving on the "wrong side of the road" in Ireland and the TGV to Clermont-Ferrand from Paris. I'm looking forward to it but not as much as I am looking forward to our five day weekend at the beach in June. It might be the launch of Isabelle's boat. Either way it will be a good time.

Asheboro, NC

Here I am on another business trip in Asheboro, North Carolina. We have a small retread facility here and I've finally had an opportunity to visit.

Asheborro is a small town about the size of Truro. It was founded in 1796 on Christmas Day. Seems like a strange day but I guess they'll never forget it.

We rolled in on Tuesday, spent some time in the plant, and finished up around 5:00. At 6:00 we walked across the street to eat at a place called The Rockola Cafe (be careful-the website plays music as soon as you log on). It is a less expensive version of the Hard Rock Cafe. The menu was pretty typical and the decor interesting. My colleague and I sat in the bar with the lonely business men. At least we had each other to talk to, some of these guys just flirted with the barmaids and played with their Blackberries.

Along with our free appetizer coupons from the hotel (I had nachos with some good chili on top) we also ate some decent sized mains. A rack of ribs for me and a steak for my friend. Both were good but the ribs certainly were not as good as they are back in Greenville at the local barbecue spots. The beans and slaw were very nice.

In the end it made for another anniversary away from each other. Jane and I are happily married for 8 years on May 12th and can't seem to put two anniversaries in a row together. Last year I was in SC house hunting while she was packing up the house back in Kentville. This year I am away in another state. Seems like there is always something going on somewhere that keeps us apart on the big day. I guess it doesn't matter so much as long as you make the best of the time you have together.

Small Fish in a Big Pond

A few weeks ago after arriving home from Mexico I did something I've always wanted to do-I went to a real live kayak festival. The 2009 East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival was held at James Island County Park in Charleston. It is one of those events I always read about in Sea Kayaker Magazine but never could find a way to go. It was amazing. But first...

WARNING: This is first and foremost a kayaking post filled with technical jargon, kayaking terms and references, and lots of other stuff that I find terribly interesting but may not be appreciated by others outside of the paddling community (you know who you are). Read this at your own risk. Be warned that newcomers to the pass time of kayaking have been cautioned with the following message:

CAUTION: Kayaking is a dangerously addictive activity. Do not attempt unless you are prepared to re-examine your life and make radical changes to give yourself more opportunities to paddle. Such changes include, but are not limited to: giving up your current profession, spending less time with family and friends (unless they paddle too), choosing your next car based on gear space and roof rack capacity, making new friends, and never, ever, complaining about being wet. It is a water sport! Now go out there and get wet!

Now back to the post...I arrived on Friday just before noon and registered. I had already signed up for several masters classes via their online registration system but unfortunately was wait listed for both surf kayaking and surf sea kayaking (there is a difference).

The first order of business was to find my campsite. I registered at the James Island County Park Campground and put my tent up in the back of the big field they call the primitive camp area. It wasn't too crowded yet so I got a nice dry spot at the back that would hopefully be quiet. It turned out to be a good spot except for the fellow next door who had a bad case of the "ahems". There was also the group of college students who stayed up late discussing Jonah and the Whale and his relationship to God. (I must say I was surprised when I got up the next morning at 6:30 and they were gone, tents and all.)

The venue was perfect. It is actually a nice little county park with lots to do. Above is a shot of the vendors row across the pond where all the courses, demonstrations, and demo paddles took place.

The weather was great the whole weekend and there were hardly any flies (apparently the "no-see-ums" can get very bad). Sunburn was a concern but I managed to keep myself covered up and lathered in sunscreen when I wasn't in the water.

There were courses, lectures, and classes for all levels. I attended two lectures, one on Managing the Surf Zone and another on Kayak Fitness. The courses were for both kids as well as adults. Below is a group of six and seven year olds getting ready to hit the water. Later that day they had a cardboard canoe race where the kids built boats and then raced them. The winner went home with a new sit-on-top kayak and all the gear.

One of the highlights for me was a Sculling Rolls clinic by Dubside. For those of you who are not familiar with him (Dubside is what he goes by) he is well known in paddling circles as the father of Commando Kayaking, defined as:

1. The use of collapsible, manually propelled watercraft deployed via public transportation, often on spontaneously selected non-circular routes. 2. Kayaking effected so as to render the automobile superfluous. 3. Kayaking enjoyed under adverse conditions of weather, comfort, and convenience. 4. Kayaking on the cheap. 5. A way of life that embraces all of the above.

He is a well respected Greenland style kayaker who has competed and done well in competitions in North America and Greenland. He is also very well known for his abilities at qajaasaarneq or Greenland rope gymnastics. (Note the word qajaq in the name.) If you visit his website you'll see that one of his trademarks is that he wears nothing but black. His boat is black, his bandanna is black, and of course his tuiliq (traditional paddling jacket) is black. Apparently he lives 90+ft up in a treehouse in Washington State somewhere. He certainly was a character.

Here he is in his custom made (black) folding Feathercraft kayak. The boat is also pictured below on the beach.

One evening before a less traditional paddling demonstration we got to try some rope gymnastics. Here is Dubside trying to convince some of the onlookers that it really is possible to spin and twist on the ropes, with a little practice and some strength.

Before I get to the paddling demonstration I want to tell you about a very interesting instructor I met while at the festival. Allison Sigethy did the first two master's classes I attended on Friday when I arrived (intro to Greenland Paddling and Greenland Rolling). She is an accomplished paddler and instructor but is also an artist. Her work and her story are found on her website: gointogreenland.com. I ended up sitting with her at one of the meals and learned a whole bunch about Greenland style paddling. She also sorted out a few things that were wrong with my paddling while we were on the water. A few minutes with her corrected some key stroke issues.

Anyway, here she is during the paddling demonstration. I only caught a short clip of her "show" but it really was like ballet on the water. For the full thing have a look here.

Another paddler who really was amazing was Karen Knight. I don't have a good video of her in her single canoe but she made her boat dance on the water. This YouTube video isn't too bad.

Another key speaker/lecturer/attendee was Nigel Foster. He is a very skilled sea kayaker (some say the best). His Accomplishments can be found at this website set-up by Seaward who carry his line of kayaks in Canada. I didn't get a chance to attend his classes but I did watch some of his demonstrations. Below is a picture along with a few videos. The last one is particularly impressive, although that is a relatively wide boat he stands in.

On the last day I managed to finally paddle two boats I've been considering to replace my 12 year old Capella. The Scorpio by P&H Kayaks in Derbyshire, UK, and the Aquanaut HV by Valley Kayaks in Nottingham, UK. Both were nice boats with lots of features I don't have on my boat now. I especially liked the ease of adjustment both had with their foot braces. The Scorpio has a fourth hatch that is a little excessive in my opinion while the Aquanaut is larger and roomier (more gear and more room for my toes). I guess in the end the Aquanaut wins out due to its simple sleek look, longer waterline, and lower price. Then again, I'm not buying a boat tomorrow am I? (Of course I'm not counting the white water boat I just bought...you can't compare a Jeep to a Ferrari can you?)

The last thing I want to mention about the weekend is the food. No trip would be complete without a review of how we ate. In this case lunch was on the run on all three days. I had dried salami, crackers, raisins, and fresh fruit. For the other meals I opted for the festival meal package. This included a traditional barbecue dinner one night and a low country boil the next. the barbecue is essentially pulled pork with all the fixings: baked beans, green beans, potato salad, coleslaw, rolls, and macaroni and cheese casserole. The Low country boil is crab and/or shrimp, boiled with new potatoes, corn on the cob chunks, and sausage. My favorite was the barbecue but the boil wasn't bad either. Both were served with large amounts of sweet tea (iced tea for you northerners) and strawberry shortcake and brownies for dessert.

Breakfast was essentially a traditional buffet complete with biscuits & gravy and grits. There were more healthy options for those who wanted it as well as strong coffee. All in all it was way too much for those of us who had to paddle that day, but all the meals were well worth the price of admission.

Happy Mother's Day

First of all Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there, especially to my mother Diane, and my grandmother, and my mother in-law (that doesn't sound right- how about Elizabeth instead), and Gran, and all the others out there who have mothered me over the years (Ann Y., Tante Elaine, Tante Etta, just to name a few). Here in SC it was a good day with activities and quiet time for most. We got out to Downtown Greenville for Artishpere and saw some neat art. Artisphere is a neat event with lots of artists showing off their stuff along with other performers and activities. There were some great street performers, musical groups, and acrobats, and a big tent with lots activities for the kids. Isabelle made a mask, a maraca, and did some abstract painting. Maggie stayed home by herself for all of three hours and didn't wreck the place (that's progress). It was a good day. Now for a little story. A few years ago when I was just little my Dad bought himself a small welder for the workshop. The problem was that he bought it on Valentine's Day! Ever since then my Mom has always wondered what she'll get for Valentine's Day or Mother's Day or her birthday. Well this year I'm following in my father's footsteps...read on. Saturday was the subdivision wide yard sale. I guess in order to keep the yard sales to a minimum they have one or two big ones a year and put up all sorts of advertising for them. It keeps the neighborhood respectable. In our part of the neighborhood there were lots of houses with things for sale (we didn't participate-we sold most of our junk, I mean treasures, when we moved). There were also lots of people out looking for a bargain. At 27 Redglobe I got up early with Isabelle (as is normal for a Saturday) and got breakfast moving. Jane was up not long after and went to the store to pick up a few things since we were having company over for supper. When she got back at 8:30 or so she mentioned there was lots to see. I had been on and off as to what I wanted to do that day so made a decision and jumped on my bike to hit the streets. At the sixth stop I saw something that caught my eye. There was a perfectly good, gently used, beautiful whitewater kayak. I couldn't believe my eyes! It was the boat I had learned to roll in back in Newfoundland. Well in the end you could say I bought myself a kayak (at a good price) for Mother's Day, just like my Dad who got himself a welder for Valentine's Day. For those of you who know boats it's a Corsica Overflow Pro-Line by Perception. They don't make it any more and haven't for a good number of years. It was actually made just a few miles form here in Easley SC. Now if I can just get Isabelle's kayak finished. Actually I am making progress. I have all but one small seam sewn. Next comes the coaming. After that will be the paint. Still no decision on the colour but it may have to wait for a while as I have a couple of busy weeks with work coming up.

Skinning a Kayak

I have been at Isabelle's kayak a little this weekend. I sanded the seat slats and the last of the stringers and it looked about as ready as it was going to be. Isabelle got to sit in it for the first time and seems to like the idea of having a boat of her own. I guess I know how my father felt when he made me my first kayak (Merci, Bernard). Anyway, below are a few shots of the process so far. I think I have about 15 feet of stitching to do and I've got about four feet done in three hours. That means it should take me another eight to ten hours to get it done, and that doesn't include stitching the coaming in. Then comes the fun part-painting it. I haven't agreed on a colour with Isabelle yet. It will not be pink and it will not have a rainbow on it. I'm leaning towards turtles and starfish, maybe red or blue with yellow accents.

The first job was getting the coaming ready. As my Dad always says, you can never have too many clamps kicking around your workshop.

This is the boat ready to be skinned. I bought some canvas a few months ago and made sure it was large enough to wrap completely around the boat.

The slats are just sitting on the frames. Ideally they should be lower (some boats don't have any), but anyone in this boat won't have a very high center of gravity. Isabelle in her boat for the first time.

For those of you who know kayaking this is what I do as I celebrate riding a huge wave or running a killer rapid. It will be a while before we get to that with Isabelle.

This is what the process looks like. Note the curved needle at the end of the floss (yes floss, unwaxed and unflavored). The staples help to keep the canvas taught as I work along the seam.

Above is a picture of my handy work on the bow. It may be difficult to see but you need to stitch in the flaps you create as you move along the length of the boat to keep the skin flat.

This is finally starting to look like a boat.

A few weeks ago I went to the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival. I have been working on a long post from that weekend in Charleston. Please stay tuned. I hope to get it out this week.

I'll leave you with a trademark shot of the girl.