Neptune's Garden

"We have to wear life jackets?"
We were motoring to the Coast Guard Station on our way out of the harbor, having to check out and in again on return from our boat dive trip.
Obviously a new rule never having encountered this before.
Officialdom must have had some mishap recently leading to this new dictum.
It was May and already getting hot, into the high 30's and low 40's C and humid, not a time for our life jackets with a lack of breeze this morning, getting to a sauna like condition. We needed the boat to move, to create a breeze, not to sit at the Coast Guard dock.
The life jackets themselves were obviously from the time of the Ark, each commercial vessel required to carry enough life jackets for the number of passengers. Not only did we have to sit and wait dutifully wearing these antiques, while the official came on board to "inspect us and our cargo", but made us wonder looking about how much use they would be if we actually took a plunge.

Obviously once "cleared" these relics came off so we could enjoy the breeze created by the boat finally underway.

This trip we were to visit one sunken ship wreck and two coral reefs, for three dives in all. Neptune's Garden awaited. Although all divers wish to see the bigger or predatory examples of sea life (eg. sharks, barracuda, large groupers, rays, etc) these are seen sporadically. However exploring coral reefs themselves, and seeing the development of sea life on the surfaces of wrecks, are in my mind extremely rewarding, essentially gardens under the sea.

First set of images are diving on a ship wreck, the "Chicken Wreck".

The image above reveals the heavy coral growth on the steel hull of the wreck - this took place over the last 30 to 40 years since it sank on the reef.

We subsequently explored two separate reefs, relatively shallow and going down to 40 to 50 feet deep. Many varieties of hard & soft corals, sponges, giant clams, anemonies and small reef fish.

All in all a great day offshore. Although hot not to same degree as when we reached shore.
On entering the harbor, and after being checked in by the Coast Guard again, meanwhile all of us dutifully wearing our life jackets at the station, we noted several Sea Doos jumping off our wake after leaving the dock. None of the Sea Doo operators were wearing life jackets. They were all ignored by a passing Coast Guard boat ......... go figure.

Home Visit 2012

It was that time of the year to make our annual visit "home" in April.
Hard to believe a year had passed since visiting Canada - time really does fly by fast here, either being here in the Magic Kingdom or we are just getting older!
Joy first visited family in the US then joined me in Canada, visitng back and forth between Toronto and London. The weather we experienced was typical spring, ranging from the need to wear t-shirts(?) to sweaters & jackets. Despite the "contrasts in weather" it was great to experience the changes, particularly as it is now in the high 30's C, and humid, most days - soon to get into the 40's C as summer approaches.

We were able to connect with family, as well as many of our friends and colleagues, although due to the rushed visit we apologize for not being able to connect with others we would have liked to have seen (eg. Alan & Barb, and others at LHSC). I particularly would like to thank the kindness of our good friends Richie & Joan for setting up a "boat party" to see many of our sailing friends, as well as Mary Liz & Nancy at the LHSC for setting up a small "reunion" gathering - both greatly appreciated. Clearly it was also great to see my son Michael and for Joy to see her family & daughters (Melissa & Vanessa). Finally we were able to "visit Walden" and thank Ed for the good care he is carrying out such that we can continue with water journeys on our return. For now "Walden's crew" will have to continue to carry out our adventures using the Middle East as our base camp.

Coming back to Jeddah was particularly difficult this time from an emotional point of view, but returning with many good memories.
Rather than "detail" our journey home we will leave it to the pictures to do the talking.

We will start with Joy's visit to NJ & Philadelphia for her family visit.

Our trip to Canada as noted was split between Toronto and London, the images starting with Toronto.

     Onwards to London with its "mixed" late spring weather.

Oops - a photo of a photo doesn't work well (we don't have a scanner) but the good memories are there.

Walden's crew was treated to a party at Richie & Joan's with the Bayfield gang. Great seeing them all again having last seen them at our going away party in Bayfield September 2010! No dieting on this trip.

"Walden" on the hard - her crew to join her "soon" after a makeover.
Ed's place is looking more and more like a boat yard - until one views the farmers fields surrounding the location.

    
 Other associated social occasions keeping us busy. Great to see you Kelly and Anita, and of course Richie & Joan.

Unfortunately the visit had to end as it was time to head back to Jeddah.
A great trip with many positive memories - now the decision on how much longer to stay. Not an easy decision waying the pros and cons of maybe my last full time job before pre-retirement and part time activities.

                                     Massalama - until next time.