We had hoped to sail Alia to the Rendezvous but an overheating engine issue dictated otherwise. Thanks to our friends Glen Wilson and Cheryl Crowther, Bill and I arrived at the August Rendezvous as crew aboard Indigo Wave. Spending time with Glen and Cheryl is always fun and working alongside Cheryl in the galley is a treat. I am constantly inspired by her regarding new menu ideas.

Bill calls our dock at Cowichan Bay Marina ‘The Talk’ (and the parking lot ‘The Talking Lot’) and it was the same at Port Browning Marina! Being at the dock meant that there were all sorts of impromptu visits with other BCA members. We came back to Alia with some good ideas, e.g., greenhouse shade cloth over the cockpit to cut down on sun glare and heat and still allow a view.

The Rendezvous was so much fun! Some of the highlights – not in order of occurrence – were:

• The potluck appies hour Saturday and the opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.
• The potluck dinner Sunday – such an array of delicious food! Perhaps BCA should be designated a food club with a cruising habit?!
• Don Hutchinson presenting Leaver Packages and hearing from those soon-to-be Doers about their cruising plans.
• The blindfold dinghy race – the goofiest event ever! Cheryl and I laughed our way around the ‘bumper car’ course and came in third (and it should be pointed out that we came in 1^st – and only – in the all-women crew category)!
• Wine tasting at the Sea Star Winery with Cheryl and Glen, and then a tour of Guylain Roy-MacHabée and Katrina Archer’s gorgeous house with its amazing view of sea, mountains, and sky.
• The sea shanties (and other songs) sing-along after Sunday’s potluck.
• The hot and sunny weather – perfect for activities on and around the water.

Thank you to the Vancouver Rendezvous team for organising a great event. Here’s to next year’s Rendezvous!