My plan was to post about the first class of the Radio Course last night. This would get me in sync with my log postings. That plan didn't happen. So the plan now is to recap the first Radio class quickly and then relate some of today's travel to Meaford, Ontario where Jason is to give me some sailing instruction over the weekend with a fellow student who neither Jason nor myself have yet met.
There were many photos planned and taken for this post of the areas covered in today's travels; yet alas the pics were on my new phone and it was not being agreeable with a Bluetooth share, so you will have to imagine how beautiful rural Ontario looks like from my written description.
It turns out the course covers three sessions of 2 1/2 - 3 hours once a week for 3 weeks. Last night's class outlined the organization running the course and the organizations which oversee the laws, licensing and enforcement of the radio protocols.
Much of the course was in the form of slides which covered different aspects of the subject. The following classes will have more hands on and practical role play of making radio transmissions. The instructor dropped some well placed hints about a few items that may appear on future tests. wink, wink
So it was not a waist of time or anything.
Once the class was over it did not take too much coxing to get me horizontal and rested for the journey ahead. Namely the 140k-ish journey from Scarborough to Meaford.
Awoke by the alarm at 7am. Everything was pretty much packed and ready to go, so within 15 minutes after rising a call was made for a taxi. It took me to the Go Train Station on St. Clair Ave in Scarborough. The train to Union Station rolled in shortly after my arrival. It had me downtown in about 30 minutes.
Yesterday's recon paid off and the bus terminal was easy to find again. Had a bit of a wait for the departure time, yet did a little people watching and the time slid by until my departure at 9:30.
It was a lovely journey. Ontario, as well as Toronto itself, continues to pleasantly surprises me with its natural beauty and open spaces. Travelling west we passed over open areas which looked very fertile. About half way to Meaford we came across an area called the Blue Mountains. Calling them mountains may be a bit of a stretch, but ski country it seems to be. Although the hills are by no means mountains they worked with quantity instead of quality. Lifts are peppered along the downslopes of the ridge of large hills. Although perhaps ribbing them, it is a lovely area all the same which seems to have a robust winter ski industry.
Once in the flats and down from the mountains we quickly came to the shores near Georgian Bay and the wonderful lake shoreline again.
The bus dropped me off at the side of the road near the small town of Meaford. Retraced my steps to where the bus had passed what appeared to be a Marina. It was. Eventually found Jason's boat from his texted directions and stowed my gear and headed into town for a late lunch. Found a lovely cafe that served breakfast dishes all day. Had bacon and Swiss cheese on a croissant with coffee. It really hit the spot!
Headed back to the Marina to meet Jason. He had a couple of students that he was taking out later in the afternoon and would return with them around 20:00.
We had a good meet up before their departure and chatted about many aspect of things we have in common.
While he was out with his students it was back to town for me, this time to fill up on a good supper at the Leaking Cannoe. Delicious and incredibly filling. Something that would hold me over until morning.
Made it back to the marina about half an hour before Jason returned with his students. Went to speak with him once his students had departed.
We spoke of many things while he gave me a tour of his boat. One thing of interest is that Jason has installed an electric engine not that long ago. He likes it but admitted that the range is not the greatest and for deep water my diesel will probably be a better options if caught in bad seas. The electric is compact and quiet though. Nice setup for more of a day sailor perhaps. Jason is planning on ways to install a couple of solar panels which could help with range a great deal.
As the sun sank and an almost full moon appeared, Jason homeward and leaving me to settle in.
He has a nice boat. It is smaller than Makina yet a great boat for what it is purposed; ie instructional. It feels cozy and would make a nice solo vessel. Surprisingly it has a full keel; something that is rarely seen in its class, of 20-odd feet, these days. This class has circumnavigated the globe. It would take great nerve in my opinion.
If nothing else this post has put me back in sync with the timing of my log posts. Will try to be more pictorial in my next posts. May even be branching out into some video at some point as the adventure grows. Getting in the water would be a good start. :)
May the wind be at your back!
