I am back in Saint Albert where I live on St Joseph Street and work on St Thomas Street and where on Sunday the down town restaurants and business are still closed. Those who don’t live downtown might not notice and I guess until there are more people who do, things won’t really change.

I also spend time at Lac Saint Ann which is a lake with a religious and spiritual history of healing. Saints are everywhere in the place names where I spend time.

In Barbados it was the same. Most of the Anglican parishes are named for Saints. Saint Andrew, Saint Michael, Saint Lucie, Saint Paul, Saint John, Saint Phillip to name a few. Saint Thomas and Saint Joseph were also there.

Those people got around. I hadn’t thought much about it before but when the contrast between Barbados and Alberta are so stark and yet the names of the places are the same that tells us something about the long arm of European civilization as it colonized the rest of the world.

Light thoughts this morning.(smile) It is good to be home.

Back to Canada and half way home. We are at the airport, the Toronto Pearson. I have memories here. A seven hour wait for weather to clear on the way to Nova Scotia. A full out run to catch a flight to Paris and another for New York. A quiet beer on a layover to or from anywhere. AND a memorable encounter with a TSA guy who withdrew my request for my annual renewal of my TN1 because my degree was in Philosophy not business. But that is another story … one many of you know already.

I also like Pearson airport because it reminds me of the man… Lester B. I was very young when he was prime minister. I lived in Ottawa then and I remember how proud I was to be a Canadian. Good things were happening in Government. Our reputation around the world as peace keepers was solid. Those years were golden for Canada.

It has been difficult to watch the dismantling of that Canada, the Canada of Mike Pearson, under this Harper Government. It makes me sad. I am anxiously awaiting Mel Hurtig’s new book not because it is good news but because it may actually wake people up to the true dismantling of our reputation in the world and our country at home.

I also read a novel called “24 Sussex Drive” that portrayed a diabolic PM who was being handled by what I call the right wing world mafia. In the book he manipulates the Governor General and the people of Canada in evil despicable ways that even those of us who have been involved can only begin to imagine.

Am I getting old? Have “the good old days” arrived for me? I am sure the world before mass media and mass transportation had its limitations and reminiscing about simpler times might be a function of having spend 10 days at sea. It’s never to late to have a happy childhood.

Thanks for the pride and the memories Mike.

Today was a perfect day. The weather cooperated and we were on the beach at Mayreau for the champagne and caviar splash. Pictures to follow. The water was warm and soothing. We swam to the float which at first glance I deemed to be well beyond a distance that matched my capabilities as a swimmer. Three of us headed off with our noodles and quite easily reached our destination. Then we climbed a moving ladder to get aboard the trampoline like contraption. Someone had promised us champagne if we actually made it but our cries for recognition and more champagne were met with waves of acknowledgement and cameras taking our picture.

Then two more brave souls took the plunge and this after a few glasses of champagne and a fabulous lunch buffet that seemed to appear out of no where. Everyone was in the water and then everyone was at lunch all the while enjoying the sounds of the steel drum band.

As we played like children I noticed that one of our trusty noodles had taken flight and was heading toward the ship and beyond. It showed us the strength of the current beyond where we were on the float. We let it go and then shared the two noodles among the three of us for the float back to shore. It was a great adventure which really taught me that going beyond your perceived limitations can be invigorating and good for your self confidence. I enjoyed the challenge and the successful completion of it.

Tomorrow we leave friends and new acquaintances to return to our individual lives but we take with us the memories of good times and good people.

Thank you hardly does it but there it is….. Thank you Sea Dream.

Tomorrow we dock in Barbados again. Today we visit another small uninhabited island with a gorgeous beach. Three mornings in a row we have anchored off small islands. In fact yesterday we could see the island that Jack Sparrow spent time on in the film Pirates of the Caribbean. We couldn’t find the right tree to pace odd where we might find his stash of rum but then we had a ship full of such provisions so we survived. The little island we visited was delightful complete with locals grilling lobsters and just the right amount of ‘souvenirs’ for sale.

The staff is wonderful aboard ship. I asked for a Caesar which is the Canadian version of a Bloody Mary. For two days there was no Clamatoe juice to be found but it miraculously appeared and I have had a Caesar before dinner ever since. Make your wishes known and they bend over backwards to accommodate. It is impressive.

Last night after a tasting menu that included Chateaubriand, Foie Gras and Kaluha soufflé, we were entertained by one f the stewardesses as she sang Barbara Streisand for us. Then some of the talented guests also entertained us with their renditions of some great and memorable songs. Mandy of the guests were also on the Crossing that the ship made from Spain just before we boarded in Barbados and so they have become good friends with each other and the staff. It is a small ship with lots of opportunity to get to know each other.

Today we do the Champagne splash. At this next beach island we will be served champagne and caviar from a surf board in the ocean. It is a bright sunny day with a little cloud forming on the horizon. Most mornings have been like this.

I like to sit on the top deck in the morning with coffee and journal or just think as I watch the ship pull into the next place. It is peaceful and glorious. the staff is swabbing the deck and setting tables for breakfast. I take my cup of coffee and sit with the sea breezes on my face and in my hair and soak up as much sunshine as I can store. I’m thinking about installing solar panels so that I can release the extra energy at a later date like mid December in Edmonton when we have five hours of day light.

I will be sad to leave tomorrow never really knowing when or if I might have another opportunity like this to spend time on Sea Dream. I am so grateful to have this dream to call on when I need to know that the world is right when there is only sea and sun and sand.

Thanks for listening….

Today we stopped at Grenada. It is a beautiful little country and quite impressive. There is no crime even though there is a high rate of unemployment. These people are unionized and proud. they look after each other. They are grateful for the support they have received from Canada over the years and to the USA for their support during the invasion.

Fort St George is a pretty little port and so far I liked this port the best. The Star Flyer docked behind us today. It is an older four master. It was quite the sight as it pulled out at sunset, jib sails full of wind.

We have had a couple of sunny days with time at the pool and in the sea. There was little to do in Charlotteville yesterday and today we were back on board before noon so bagging rays by the pool is the order of business. it is also a chance to meet and get to know your fellow passengers which is always interesting.

That’s all for today. The next couple of days we are in the Grenadines. I will let you know how that goes. Happy Remembrance Day. Kiss a veteran or at least thank them.

This morning we found ourselves anchored of Rodney Bay. It was pouring rain. Breakfast was served below deck in the dining room rather than at the top of the yacht. It was pouring. We along with a few other brave souls, took umbrellas and boarded the tender for town. The rain was torrential. We got to town and were lead down a road through puddles and across raging rivers to a shopping mall. We bought a few trinket including dry shoes. And took a taxi back. The taxi headed the wrong way and then promptly turned around in the middle of a very busy road when we suggested he was going the wrong way. Apparently we didn’t want the cruise ship we wanted the marina. We had forgotten that we were “Yachting not Cruising”.

It was pouring rain still. We waited for the tender under or now less than effective umbrellas. The wind had come up so the rain was coming in sideways. Safely back aboard Sea Dream I, we had a nice lunch. Our fellow travelers asked what we had seen in Rodney Bay. My honest answer was my wet feet and the inside of my umbrella and a few cars as they passed us on the road. We sailed at 3:00 along the island to Soufriere where we are now.

Last night’s meal was spectacular and I’m sure it will be tonight as well. Afterward we sang at the piano bar which was tons of fun. There at people from 11 countries on board. Among them are 19 Canadians. Some, like me, are wearing their poppies. I hope to meet them all before we are finished.

Tomorrow we head south …. Again. Take care everyone.

Friendly, fresh and French. Warm sea, lush mountains and beautiful beaches. We had a walk down the beach, beers with the locals and did some shopping.

I loved the opportunity to speak French.

Yesterday was our first day aboard ship and it was great. Sea Dream 1 is a replica of Sea Dream 11 or the other way around. The ship was familiar although the crew was not. We enjoyed a welcome aboard drink of champagne, cocktails and then dinner in the dining room after our sail away. I love that part where you leave the port to sail to the next. The overnight sail reminded me of the dark and stormy nights of poetry from a long time ago. It was stormy and rough.

This morning as people got into the water to swim off the back of the boat the surface current had taken some relatively strong swimmers away from the boat. The zodiac had to go and get them. It was a little tense because meanwhile some others had left and swam the other direction and also had to be helped back to the boat. I am sure the zodiac driver was stressed although the swimmers I talked to after didn’t seem to be too bothered. They were experienced and knew to stay calm and wait for help.

Tonight we have been invited to dine with the ship’s doctor. It should be fun. I bought a new fancy dress for the occassion. Talk to you tomorrow.

What a great place. The Bajans are friendly and the island is beuatiful. The sand is like powder and the sea is BLUE. Island life at its best. We are staying at a great hotel and will board our ship tomorrow to visit other islands in the region. On the plane from Toronto we meet a Bajan who was a very proud ambassador for his country even though he lives in Winnipeg and has for many years. He taught us a lot about the island, what to expect and what to be aware of. I was struck by how the way he differentiated his country from other islands was by using the same criteria and distinctions as I had heard used in Jamaica and St Thomas and St Croix. ” Our water is good.” “We invented Rum.” “Ours is the best fish.” ” Our people are friendlier and they love tourists.” ” Our beaches are for everyone.” It struck me how I do the same thing boasting about what makes Canada canadian and wondered if those same claims made other countries unique … if you know what I mean.

We had dinner with friends tonight, friends I have traveled with before on the Sea Dream. It was a nice evening in the moonlight on the beach. Good food and drink and conversation. Tomorrow we get to unpack for a while. I used to live out of a suitcase for weeks at a time but now after only two days I desperately want to hang things up and sort them in drawers to see what I actually brought. Did I tell you that I bought a bigger suitcase in the end to get everything in.

More insight tomorrow. And as the Bajans say … Good night! (smile)