Nanaimo

After breakfast we went to go get a latte and walk over and watch the dragon races. This area is about 100 yards north of where the boat is moored. By mid-morning the temperature was already in the 80’s so I changed my order to an iced latte (very refreshing). There were a few venders selling t-shirts and paddle oriented jewelry. I was able to resist temptation. There were quite a few food and drink venders. There was a vender offering free samples of O’Douls beer and some alcohol free hard ciders. We each asked for a taste of the peach one and she handed us each our own bottle. I guess they are pushing this stuff because it was free. They even had a beer garden (we passed on that). There was live entertainment and a very festive mood. We watched a few races and then went back to the boat. First of all we are dying in the heat which has reached 100 degrees. This is unusual weather for this area. Kind of like San Francisco which has a more temperate climate most of the year. Secondly, Fred has decided (at the last moment) to try and get back to San Francisco and drive him up on Sunday to John Sheridan’s 90th birthday party. We love John like a father and we knew this was important. Fred was able to schedule a float plane out of here to Seattle, a regular flight into San Francisco, a rental car and hotel for two nights. He has never taken a float plane ride. That should be exciting. This is going to be a total surprise for John and his family. At 9 PM we went back to Swy a Lana Lagoon for the Candles of Courage Ceremony. We stood with many others at the side of the lagoon. A piper (bag-pipes) preceded a long line of women carrying a pink candle and a pink rose. When the participants were assembled by the water a lovely song was sung about women and courage. While the young lady was singing, all of the candles and roses were set adrift. It was cloudy this afternoon and as the sun set there was a beautiful pink sky behind the women. It was very moving. Most of the proceeds for this event are going to breast cancer and the local Nanaimo hospital. At low tide the water from this lagoon drains from the lagoon into the harbour and at high tide the water in the lagoon is restored.