JULY , 2010
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JULY , 2010 |
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| WEDDING |
Our travel to Canada went very well, although it took a very long time to get to our final destination. We flew out of Auckland at 1330h on Monday, June 21 and arrived in Spokane, Washington at 1600h on Monday, June 21, after crossing the date line and taking three different flights. That wasn’t the end of our journey, as we still had to get to Nelson, British Columbia. Our soon to be daughter-in-law, Jenn, drove to Spokane after a long day at work and met us at the airport. We made a few stops in Spokane and set off on the drive to Nelson. Several hours later, and after separate sightings of two brown bears and four deer crossing the road and at the roadside (no time to grab the camera!!), we made it to Jenn and Jer’s home at 408 Houston. The wedding wasn’t until July 3 and that meant that we had time to help with final preparations. Jeremy and Jenn both had to work most of that first week and part of the next. We spent our days shopping, cleaning, weeding the vegetable garden, and helping to prepare their 17-foot sailboat for their honeymoon trip of sailing the Arrow Lake system. It was such a pleasure to be able to help these two young people create the wedding of their dreams. Their goal was to use only local products and vendors or at least from within a 100 mile range. From the wines and beer that were chosen to the wedding venue and homegrown flowers and table decorations, they met their goal. On the weekend after we arrived, Jenn’s sister Andrea and her parents Carol and Brent arrived. The group of us continued to get ready for the wedding and also managed to take time out to relax and get to know each other.
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Here are Jeremy and Paul at the silver, zinc and lead mine where Jeremy works. Jeremy had arranged a tour for the two dads. As a geologist, Jeremy’s role is to analyze the core samples that are drilled from deep in the mine and thereby assist in determining the direction drilling should proceed. He really enjoyed showing the dads around as much as the dads enjoyed the experience. |
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All in all it was a spectacular, well-planned event. The weather was cooler than anticipated but it didn’t rain on the day of the wedding, and for that we were all grateful. We don’t yet have any of the formal wedding photos that were taken by the photographer and we were too busy to use our camera much that weekend. Here are several pictures that we think best capture a truly great time: |
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On Friday afternoon, the women took some time off from preparations to be pampered at a spa with manicures and pedicures. From left to right, here are Jenn’s mom Carol, Jenn, Mary, Andrea (Jenn’s sister and Maid of Honour), and our daughter Jenn. |
The wedding venue was truly beautiful. Situated at Beach Taghum B & B, a 10 minute drive out of Nelson, the large riverfront property afforded plenty of space for the dining tents, a bar tent, and seating for the guests to view the ceremony at a beautiful willow tree. Prior to the wedding the guests wandered around, with some playing boules and croquet on the manicured lawn.. |
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Given the “boating nature” of our family, it was quite fitting that Jeremy and Paul arrived at the ceremony site by canoe. Here they are getting into the canoe and still managing to keep their shoes dry and their new suits clean. |
Mary and our daughter Jenn met Jeremy and Paul at the beach. There was quite a buzz from the crowd when they first caught sight of the approaching paddlers. |
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… and together they walked happily as a family to the willow tree. |
The bride and groom shortly after the ceremony. |
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… in an idyllic setting. |
It was time for us to return to Bella Via and we said a tearful goodbye to Jeremy and Jenn and Brent and Carol very early on Tuesday, July 6. Harold, the owner of the Beach Taghum B&B, had graciously offered to drive us to Spokane, which saved Jeremy (who was packing for his honeymoon) from having to make the drive. We had a pleasant car journey with plenty of good conversation. When we are next in Nelson, we will be sure to stop by the B&B to say hello to Harold and Willa. July 8 – 14, 2010 We arrived back at the boat late in the afternoon on July 8 after 26 hours of continuous travel and thus began final preparations for our trip to Tonga. Our friend and crewmember, Dave Sanson, was due in from Australia on July 12 and we hoped to leave shortly after, depending on the weather. The forecast was looking good for departure on Saturday, July 17. We completed final provisioning with Dave and Margaret on Wednesday and topped up the propane, diesel, and petrol tanks. July 15, 2010 We went back into the water today. All is well with Bella Via. We will move downriver to Marsden Point tomorrow and we will stay at their Courtesy Dock for one night. We have an appointment on Saturday morning with Customs to check out of the country. We will leave immediately after that for the Kingdom of Tonga. We do hope to stop at Minerva Reef along the way. Our next Journal entry will be from the tropics! |