Friday, September 15, 2006
Alaskan Adventure
So after a short period of absence, our blog site is back to share with you our trip to Alaska.
Thursday 17th August
Probably the highest risk part of the trip - getting through Heathrow Terminal 4. Arriving over 4 hours before departure went we through check in and security in about 90 minutes so giving us plenty of time not to be able to buy anything. First good news was the bump up to Club class due to BA craftily putting us either side of the cabin, so giving great grounds for vocal objections and passification with the upgrade. Luxury travel to Seattle and safe arrival - to be greeted as the plane door opened by a sniffer dog - Welcome to the USA!
Friday 18th August
Seattle tourists. Nice waterfront, high 'Space Needle' with great city views, City tour in red double decker (theres' novel) which of course broke down.
Saturday 19th August
Fairly chaotic Alaskan Airlines (AA) check in at Seattle airport.
Result - we get to Sitka, Alaska - our bags get to - who knows where. Great, here we are in Alaska wearing T shirts and not much of a smile. Reassuringly AA 'expect the bags will be on next flight from Seattle'. Hotel in Sitka - meet some fellow passengers - including one guy from Alabama who actually went to school with Raymond Griffin - old friend from IBS days - still no bags.
Reassuringly AA are 'keeping fingers crossed' that bags will arrive before we leave on boat the next day - nice to know they at least have a plan.
Sunday 20th August
Awake to find - no bags! Reassuringly AA will now start trying to trace the bags (and they didn't do this before because 'they usually turn up by now') So (as we sailing at 1.00pm) decide that we need to hit the Sitka shops big time. Like the scene from Pretty Woman - minus wanting the salesman's tie - we have the whole shop pandering to our every need - undies, socks, T shirts, welly boots, rain jackets, rain pants (trousers), sweatshirts, fleeces etc etc. arrive back at Sitka hotel to prepare for departure to find - AA have found the bags and they will get to Sitka 12 hours after we leave - so they will fly them by float (sea) plane to the boat. So back we go the shop and return undies, socks, T shirts, welly boots, rain jackets, rain pants, sweatshirts, fleeces etc etc. Such super shop people in Sitka.
Collected from Hotel by Clare (naturalist member of the crew - raising hope and expectation in G's mind which turned out to be false) and walk down to dock and finally board Mist Cove our home for the week.
Cabin is great - boat looks good - crew very friendly welcome - just 13 other passengers and 12 crew. Set sail and have conducted tour of the boat and meet the crew session followed by the first on board dinner - best food we have had since arriving in USA.
G went out in skiff to set crab pots.
Monday 21 August
Awake to find - no bags - but promise from Captain Joel that they are flying in soon.
G out to collect crab pots at 6.00 am - threw most of them back - all the females and small males.
The boat is really comforatble with a spacous salon stocked with plenty of drink and goodies. The observation room at the front has high powerwed binnoculars and a wealth of information on Alaska.
Skiff boats launched and we all don life jackets for the short trip to shore. Then a hike to a lake led by Clare and backed up by Amy J both carrying bloody big rifles - in case of bears - as if, we think. Round a bend in the path by a river and there is Yogi - fishing for his lunch. Watch him for a while and then he trundles off so we continue to lake. On return - well hi! - there is Yogi again above us on the hill but very close this time. Yogi gives us all a good look and then goes on his way.
Stick closer to Amy and Clare for the rest of the hike.
Back to the boat and Hey! - we have bags!
Afterrnoon is spent steaming through Alaska's wilderness and admiring its beauty and then really good talk on Alaska by Joel and Clare.
Go to bed happy - we have bags, we have seen eagles, we have seen bears, we have been crabbing, we have eaten and drunk our fill and even partied with the other passengers - and its only Monday!!
Tuesday 22 August
By 6.30am we are paddling around the overnight bay in a kayak. Early morning, perfectly calm bay, wild life every where and in particular the inlet is literally teeming with salmon. Water is clear and we see huge multi coloured star fish which we thought only existed in story books.
During the morning J felt a bit 'Uncle Dick' but being a game girl, after lunch, we went ashore for another hike to the top of a waterfall. More bear encounters followed - they walked the same path as we intended taking up to the waterfall - and presumably got the same reward of a fantastic waterfall view over the real Mist Cove.
Then we go to learn how to fish for salmon from the skiffs. Crew person Heather, patiently explained how you cast the line and reel in the spinning, flashing hook. So we did this for a while and then just when thoughts were turning to a shower and pre dinner drinks back on the big boat, G got a strong pull on the rod and, after a few minutes strong fight, landed - with Heather's net skills making it possible - a 10 pound salmon. The photos say it all!
Wednesday 23 August
Up early and kayaking again - just a wonderful experience. J feeling better and breakfast is welcome. Americans have a kalidescope of food for breakfast - pancakes, scones, maple syrup, bacon, fresh fruit - and all on the same plate at the same time! Us Brits did it piece by piece as you would expect.
Another skif ride for fishing - G now an expert!. This time we fished for Halibut in deeper water and when that proved no good we went to calmer seas nearer the shore. Crewman Anthony reset our bait and we settled to wait - then J said she thought she might have a fish - all sort of calm and it probably is just a rock or something like. After a long reel in she landed a 32 inch long, 15 pound Ling Cod - an ugly thing with very dodgy looking teeth. Great excitement.
Later Janet went out in a skif to put down shrimp pots with 1st mate Frank
Thursday 24th August
A lie in until 7.00am!
Kayaking with most of the group and Amy and Clare. Really good fun and Clare kept up a running commentary on all the flora and fauna before we paddled (a long way) back to the big boat. Straight off fishing again and this time Lee (from Alabama) landed a huge Halibut and G caught a rock fish - instantly dismissed as worthless by Anthony and thrown back before we even had a chance to take a photo.
Back to lunch of Ling Cod - yes you guessed it - courtesy of Janet.
After lunch Janet went off to collect the shrimp pots and actually got to drive the skiff again.
A talk on glaciers in the afternoon was interrupted by the news from home that Janet's Mum has had a stroke and is in hospital. Frantic calls home revealed that she was OK (and, for the record, thankfully is now home).
Later in the afternoon the boat stopped so that we could whale watch. This is the joy of the small boat - we actually followed the whales. They really are amazing creatures but very camera shy - lots of video of flat sea with just the trace of disappearing whale tail.
Friday 25th August
More phone calls home. Mobiles don't work in Alaska - there is nobody there! - so we used the boat's satellite phone and finally got hold of Nick who was reassuring. The boat crew were just fantastic - use of the phone in private was no problem, concerned questions - they were really nice. Americans at their best.
Breakfast of 'biscuits and gravy' was a horror story - although the rest of the passengers lapped it up.
The morning was spent sailing towards the glacier and then, in the most appalling weather, we transferred to the skiffs for a very uncomfortable ride to the face of the glacier. Stopping first at at huge piece of ice that had broken away from the glacier just to marvel at the shape and colours. Grateful to be back from the glacier and dried off before a super lunch and another great Clare talk about Alaska. The evening was party time for all 27 of us - 15 passengers and 12 crew followed by a less than rivoting tour of the engine room. Far too much red wine was drunk for anything serious to be taken in.
Saturday 25th August.
We were packed and ready to go by 6.30 am - desperate not to miss our flight back to Seattle. In a final gesture of fantastic goodwill, the boat was stopped so that we could get into a skiff and go ashore in Juneau an hour before the boat was due to dock.
Lots of goodbyes and waves as we pulled away from the Mist Cove with Clare, Amy and Steve for company.
We made the flight easily and made sure our bags were on board. We even had time in Seattle to extract $300 compensation from Alaskan Airlines which made G very happy.
Sunday 26th August.
Back to Heathrow and straight to the hospital to see Janet's mum.
It was probably the best holiday we have ever had - the people on the boat, the boat, the crew, the wild life, the fishing, the kayaking, the whales, the bears, the food.............but above all the real star..................................Alaska - may it stay as beautiful forever.
Thursday 17th August
Probably the highest risk part of the trip - getting through Heathrow Terminal 4. Arriving over 4 hours before departure went we through check in and security in about 90 minutes so giving us plenty of time not to be able to buy anything. First good news was the bump up to Club class due to BA craftily putting us either side of the cabin, so giving great grounds for vocal objections and passification with the upgrade. Luxury travel to Seattle and safe arrival - to be greeted as the plane door opened by a sniffer dog - Welcome to the USA!
Friday 18th August
Seattle tourists. Nice waterfront, high 'Space Needle' with great city views, City tour in red double decker (theres' novel) which of course broke down.
Saturday 19th August
Fairly chaotic Alaskan Airlines (AA) check in at Seattle airport.
Result - we get to Sitka, Alaska - our bags get to - who knows where. Great, here we are in Alaska wearing T shirts and not much of a smile. Reassuringly AA 'expect the bags will be on next flight from Seattle'. Hotel in Sitka - meet some fellow passengers - including one guy from Alabama who actually went to school with Raymond Griffin - old friend from IBS days - still no bags.
Reassuringly AA are 'keeping fingers crossed' that bags will arrive before we leave on boat the next day - nice to know they at least have a plan.
Sunday 20th August
Awake to find - no bags! Reassuringly AA will now start trying to trace the bags (and they didn't do this before because 'they usually turn up by now') So (as we sailing at 1.00pm) decide that we need to hit the Sitka shops big time. Like the scene from Pretty Woman - minus wanting the salesman's tie - we have the whole shop pandering to our every need - undies, socks, T shirts, welly boots, rain jackets, rain pants (trousers), sweatshirts, fleeces etc etc. arrive back at Sitka hotel to prepare for departure to find - AA have found the bags and they will get to Sitka 12 hours after we leave - so they will fly them by float (sea) plane to the boat. So back we go the shop and return undies, socks, T shirts, welly boots, rain jackets, rain pants, sweatshirts, fleeces etc etc. Such super shop people in Sitka.
Collected from Hotel by Clare (naturalist member of the crew - raising hope and expectation in G's mind which turned out to be false) and walk down to dock and finally board Mist Cove our home for the week.
Cabin is great - boat looks good - crew very friendly welcome - just 13 other passengers and 12 crew. Set sail and have conducted tour of the boat and meet the crew session followed by the first on board dinner - best food we have had since arriving in USA.
G went out in skiff to set crab pots.
Monday 21 August
Awake to find - no bags - but promise from Captain Joel that they are flying in soon.
G out to collect crab pots at 6.00 am - threw most of them back - all the females and small males.
The boat is really comforatble with a spacous salon stocked with plenty of drink and goodies. The observation room at the front has high powerwed binnoculars and a wealth of information on Alaska.
Skiff boats launched and we all don life jackets for the short trip to shore. Then a hike to a lake led by Clare and backed up by Amy J both carrying bloody big rifles - in case of bears - as if, we think. Round a bend in the path by a river and there is Yogi - fishing for his lunch. Watch him for a while and then he trundles off so we continue to lake. On return - well hi! - there is Yogi again above us on the hill but very close this time. Yogi gives us all a good look and then goes on his way.
Stick closer to Amy and Clare for the rest of the hike.
Back to the boat and Hey! - we have bags!
Afterrnoon is spent steaming through Alaska's wilderness and admiring its beauty and then really good talk on Alaska by Joel and Clare.
Go to bed happy - we have bags, we have seen eagles, we have seen bears, we have been crabbing, we have eaten and drunk our fill and even partied with the other passengers - and its only Monday!!
Tuesday 22 August
By 6.30am we are paddling around the overnight bay in a kayak. Early morning, perfectly calm bay, wild life every where and in particular the inlet is literally teeming with salmon. Water is clear and we see huge multi coloured star fish which we thought only existed in story books.
During the morning J felt a bit 'Uncle Dick' but being a game girl, after lunch, we went ashore for another hike to the top of a waterfall. More bear encounters followed - they walked the same path as we intended taking up to the waterfall - and presumably got the same reward of a fantastic waterfall view over the real Mist Cove.
Then we go to learn how to fish for salmon from the skiffs. Crew person Heather, patiently explained how you cast the line and reel in the spinning, flashing hook. So we did this for a while and then just when thoughts were turning to a shower and pre dinner drinks back on the big boat, G got a strong pull on the rod and, after a few minutes strong fight, landed - with Heather's net skills making it possible - a 10 pound salmon. The photos say it all!
Wednesday 23 August
Up early and kayaking again - just a wonderful experience. J feeling better and breakfast is welcome. Americans have a kalidescope of food for breakfast - pancakes, scones, maple syrup, bacon, fresh fruit - and all on the same plate at the same time! Us Brits did it piece by piece as you would expect.
Another skif ride for fishing - G now an expert!. This time we fished for Halibut in deeper water and when that proved no good we went to calmer seas nearer the shore. Crewman Anthony reset our bait and we settled to wait - then J said she thought she might have a fish - all sort of calm and it probably is just a rock or something like. After a long reel in she landed a 32 inch long, 15 pound Ling Cod - an ugly thing with very dodgy looking teeth. Great excitement.
Later Janet went out in a skif to put down shrimp pots with 1st mate Frank
Thursday 24th August
A lie in until 7.00am!
Kayaking with most of the group and Amy and Clare. Really good fun and Clare kept up a running commentary on all the flora and fauna before we paddled (a long way) back to the big boat. Straight off fishing again and this time Lee (from Alabama) landed a huge Halibut and G caught a rock fish - instantly dismissed as worthless by Anthony and thrown back before we even had a chance to take a photo.
Back to lunch of Ling Cod - yes you guessed it - courtesy of Janet.
After lunch Janet went off to collect the shrimp pots and actually got to drive the skiff again.
A talk on glaciers in the afternoon was interrupted by the news from home that Janet's Mum has had a stroke and is in hospital. Frantic calls home revealed that she was OK (and, for the record, thankfully is now home).
Later in the afternoon the boat stopped so that we could whale watch. This is the joy of the small boat - we actually followed the whales. They really are amazing creatures but very camera shy - lots of video of flat sea with just the trace of disappearing whale tail.
Friday 25th August
More phone calls home. Mobiles don't work in Alaska - there is nobody there! - so we used the boat's satellite phone and finally got hold of Nick who was reassuring. The boat crew were just fantastic - use of the phone in private was no problem, concerned questions - they were really nice. Americans at their best.
Breakfast of 'biscuits and gravy' was a horror story - although the rest of the passengers lapped it up.
The morning was spent sailing towards the glacier and then, in the most appalling weather, we transferred to the skiffs for a very uncomfortable ride to the face of the glacier. Stopping first at at huge piece of ice that had broken away from the glacier just to marvel at the shape and colours. Grateful to be back from the glacier and dried off before a super lunch and another great Clare talk about Alaska. The evening was party time for all 27 of us - 15 passengers and 12 crew followed by a less than rivoting tour of the engine room. Far too much red wine was drunk for anything serious to be taken in.
Saturday 25th August.
We were packed and ready to go by 6.30 am - desperate not to miss our flight back to Seattle. In a final gesture of fantastic goodwill, the boat was stopped so that we could get into a skiff and go ashore in Juneau an hour before the boat was due to dock.
Lots of goodbyes and waves as we pulled away from the Mist Cove with Clare, Amy and Steve for company.
We made the flight easily and made sure our bags were on board. We even had time in Seattle to extract $300 compensation from Alaskan Airlines which made G very happy.
Sunday 26th August.
Back to Heathrow and straight to the hospital to see Janet's mum.
It was probably the best holiday we have ever had - the people on the boat, the boat, the crew, the wild life, the fishing, the kayaking, the whales, the bears, the food.............but above all the real star..................................Alaska - may it stay as beautiful forever.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Just your average week in Leamington Spa!
On Monday 28 February, Nick celebrated his 30th birthday and a jolly family dinner was had the day before. Coming to terms with being 30 caused Nick much angst – he should try being the parents of a 30 year old – that is really scarry.
Then on Friday 4th March 2005 at 14.10 pm precisely Madeline finally made her long awaited appearance. Weighing in at a very healthy 9lb 10 ounces and right out of the same mould that produced the beautiful Jessica, Madeline took her rightful place as the most wonderful baby born anywhere this year. Super Mum Liz and highly stressed proud Dad Nick are both relieved and very happy. As for us Grandparents – well this is definitely the upside of having 30-year-old sons.
Then on Friday 4th March 2005 at 14.10 pm precisely Madeline finally made her long awaited appearance. Weighing in at a very healthy 9lb 10 ounces and right out of the same mould that produced the beautiful Jessica, Madeline took her rightful place as the most wonderful baby born anywhere this year. Super Mum Liz and highly stressed proud Dad Nick are both relieved and very happy. As for us Grandparents – well this is definitely the upside of having 30-year-old sons.
