Grandparents and water babies.....

Grandpa and Matthew exploring in the dinghy.

Buffy, Paul, Matthew and Simon arrived at noon on Wednesday. The first order of the day was a dinghy ride with Grandpa. After getting settled on-board, we toured the Nanaimo Harbor which held a great fascination for the children with all the tugs, sailboats, power boats and sea planes roaring through the water. We made our way over to Newcastle Island and anchored for the evening.

And we're away!!


Matthew's favorite place to be on the boat.


Simon get's a turn too!

In the morning, we explored the Island. The park is a great place for kids. It has a big open field for running, many small buildings to explore and a great climbing playground structure.


Grandpa and Matthew fishing for shiners.

Newcastle Island was once an active Coast Salish Tribe Village. When white men settled the area they discovered a great coal seam and began mining, hence the name Newcastle after the famous English coal mining town. There was also a huge sandstone quarry on the Island which among other places provided the rock quarried for the courthouse in San Fransisco.
Lots of places to run and jump, play and splash!

After the natural resources were exhausted, the Canadian Pacific Steamship Line bought the Island and turned it into a resort, complete with dance hall. It became a 'hot spot' destination for their ships to visit in the 1920's and 30's. All that ended after the second world war and the resort fell into disrepair. The good people of Nanaimo bought the Island and turned it into a park. It is now owned by the Province and part of the Provincial Parks system.

Mark Bay, Newcastle Island

After a good morning's play we made our way through False Narrows (Paul skippering this time!), through Gabriola Pass and on to Silva Bay for the evening. Paul has gotten the local knowledge of fish spots so we'll give it a try today. Optimistically, I haven't taken any meat out of the freezer for dinner tonight!