Mansons Landing Marine Park has a lot to offer, locals and tourists alike, and can be a busy place with boats scattered throughout the large, but somewhat unprotected, anchorage. And with a couple of nice days in store, the park was hopping with people lining the white, sandy beach with towels and ice chests while cooling off in the warmer water of the lagoon.
We took to the lagoon as well, but in the kayaks. It was low tide and we had to fight the current going out as well as the shallow water, so we didn't get very far. But far enough to appreciate the view before paddling to shore and taking a nice walk along the beach. Nothing beats the feeling of sand between your toes, but the only problem with sandy beaches is sand … it gets every where and takes weeks to vacuum it all up.
We had planned to leave this morning but decided the park merited another day. So after lunch David, Sally and I dinghied to the public dock and walked up to Hague Lake where we were greeted by another beautiful white, sandy beach and clear, warm, FRESH water. We chose to position ourselves along the “family beach” rather than going “au natural” with the locals further up - Hague Lake being “clothing optional”.
It was lovely, but we picked the wrong time of day. By the time we arrived, the sun was already dipping behind the tall cedars and shading parts of the beach depriving bathers (me) of the heat they may need to motivate themselves into going for a swim. But it was still a nice day and we enjoyed laying on the beach listening to the children play in the water reminding me of so many good times spent with my young nieces and nephews at the pool.
I'm not sure how or why the idea came up, but at some point in the past day or two we decided, on a whim, to go south to Pender Harbour for a couple of days. One of our friends, Gary Gilbert, and his band are playing at The Second Annual Garlic Fest and we decided to seize the opportunity to hear them again. On Sunday, he and his partner of ten years, Tani, will be getting married. Thinking we'd still be north, we had declined the invitation, but wanted to bring them a little gift and our best wishes, so we'll leave tomorrow for the Copeland Islands in Malaspina Strait before making the forty mile trip.
0 comments