Blackberry Port and Horseshoes!  By Sally Larson A taste of Blackberry Port was the high point of the new Thetis Island Vineyard Tour given by Colin when 8 boats visited Telegraph Harbor this summer.  This port is served in upscale restaurants in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island including the well-known Wikininish Inn.  The berries are collected by the Penelakut Band of First Nations folks on Kuper Island.  Kuper, once connected by bridge to Thetis, is owned by First Nations. George Rankin of OIYC database fame picked up his first horseshoe in the tournament set up by George Larson.  He not only learned to throw, but he and partner Leni Cramer made it to the top of the listing along with Yvonne Ashenhurst, Sandy Sanders, Savvy Sanders, and Barbara Teague.  The women- players were given a distance advantage and threw many a “Ringer before the dinner bell rang.  All were much too hungry have the finals so the group declared several ties as the 10# Pork loin was calling. In spite of rain predictions by forecasters, this short 3 - day trip was blessed with warm sunny days.  One day registered over 80 degrees.  A few mosquitoes and bees made an appearance as the group set about sharing a pork loin, sweet potatoes, curried fruit and fresh greens from home gardens.  George Larson did a great job of the pork loin.   Later, the group shared in a birthday surprise - champagne toast to Yvonne Ashenhurst.   John managed to surprise Yvonne completely by hiding out a lemon cake and the bottles.  The group got to practice the Swedish birthday song the club had learned earlier at the Rear Commodore's Cruise. John took Yvonne off on Gumption headed to Desolation for the first time.  John showed his skill and good manners in spite of a bit of foreign matter, which was discovered in the head! The whole group enjoyed the ice cream from the store, increased restaurant hours along with the addition of lattes.  Barbara and Ron Williamson have done a nice job of adding hanging flower baskets and generally improving this lovely setting.  We were awestruck when we watched fresh pies being delivered to boats on order.   The Saturday Market in the covered picnic shelter included vendors from Kuper Island as well as fresh baked goods and desserts, pottery and gifts.  It was fun listening to the First Nation children speaking in their native language as they waited for their parents at the booth tables. John and Margaret Greever of Gaudeamus visited Chemainus, the “Mural” town by walking on the ferry close by.  Of course John found another book for his bursting collections in one of the bookstores.  Margaret shared a salad, which included some white carrots from their garden. Savvy and Sandy Sanders had been north and were returning on Voyageur when they met the group and joined in the fun.  George and Emily Rankin on Oyster Catcher had been out since the Camano Troll rendezvous the weekend before. Joan and Roger Crosby hosted their son, Joel and his fiancée, Leni Cramer on Gull Cry.  Ed Davidson on Caplyso, traveling with favorite dog George, had tried the new Restaurant at Poet's Cove, Bedwell Harbor.  He gave it a, “Thumbs up,” before heading off to Maple Bay when the weekend was over.  Clyde and Barbara Teague rounded out the group on LazyJacks along with cruise captains Sally and George Larson, on My Gal Sal.

Emilie Rankin pitches while Roger and Joel Crosby, Barb Teague, Sandy Sanders, and Leni Cramer rest Yvonne Ashenhurst, George Larson,  Clyde & Barb Teague at wine tasting on Thetis