Shucking Oysters: Can We Be Direct?
By Alex Allen
I was thinking about how Denman and Hornby could bond more. What kind of event or gathering would help us to bridge, as it were, our differences. Or share our similarities. Potlucks. Tractor pulling. Tidal mud wrestling. Clothes swapping. Really, it could be anything. What connects and disconnects our respective islands? A body of water obviously, and the ferry. More specifically, that unpredictable landing barge. Or as one eloquent Hornby Islander called it, “the thingy.”
Last week, once again, the Baynes Sound Connector had “mechanical issues.” Except this mechanical issue was not a routine issue, like the hydraulic system, the bull wheel, or the starboard gear box. No, the cable was dropped, 164m to the ocean floor. Not exactly an easy fix, and again, the “Bayne of our Existence” was out of service, from Thursday morning to late Friday afternoon. A little more than a curve ball for some.
I had a scheduled car appointment. Peter was supposed to get knee replacement surgery. Stephanie’s dog had a surgery date. Who knows how many others were suffering from the SNAFU. How many times have we had to backspin our wheels in reaction to the BSCon’s moments of whimsy? It is not easy rearranging one’s lives when one is at the mercy of a mediocre, unpredictable conveyor belt. I could reschedule my car appointment the next day. But the knee surgery? Back on the waiting list. Global News shared Denman resident, Natalie Mathis’ feelings, “This ferry breaks down so much that we already have ferry anxiety on the island.” Natalie, after 13 years of primal scream therapy I still suffer from ferry anxiety.
The good news. Last week, the miraculous happened. Plan B or C kicked in. The Quinitsa would go directly from Hornby to Buckley Bay on the Friday. A concept, I will note, I have been advocating for years (quietly, because people think I’m out of my mind). This whole unintentional experiment proved it can be done (without building a new terminal) and that a direct route (or a combination of both) should be explored as a viable alternative to all the headaches Denman Islanders must suffer with the “highway to Hornby.”
So, Friday morning, 7:30 am the ferry leisurely motored south past Ford Cove around Chrome Island. It would not have seemed out of place to hear over the speakers … “and on the starboard side you will see the Chrome Island Lighthouse. Established over 133 years ago in 1891, it is one of the few remaining manned lighthouses. Twenty-two lighthouse keepers have kept watch, with the award for longevity at 14 years, Eugene Alexander Moden from 1939 to 1953.” We eventually made our way along the west side of Denman to pick up the high school kids and foot passengers and arrived at BB without incident just after 9:00.
What can I say? The length and passage changed the whole ambiance of the voyage. It felt leisurely, relaxed. Many of us who usually sit in our vehicle bubbles were outside chatting and relishing the extended route. A whole different view, from the historical lighthouse to an architect designed glass house. As they say, indirectly is a far more scenic route.
Even the return trip, was leisurely, relaxed. Those going to Hornby were given a pink slip (yes, I see the irony) and were directed on the ship accordingly. Arriving Denman West, you Denman Islanders drove off, like you had been doing it that way for years. A couple of cars boarded and off we went. Even more of us were on deck, marvelling at the view and the sheer pleasure of a direct route. Time seemed to stand still. It didn’t matter if we arrived in an hour or two, we were all in the moment. And for those who were not … Casino? Tiki Bar? So many possibilities.
Back to island bonding. I understand there are a few singles on both our islands who could do with a different point of view. Recognizing that “making connections isn’t always easy,” the Nanaimo to Vancouver fast foot-passenger ferry, Hullo, hosted a “high-speed speed dating” event in February, offering singles the chance to schmooze and mingle. Xander France, Hullo marketing and sales director said the event goes along with their mission to connect people. “A big part of our brand is – and just the name Hullo itself is an ode to friendliness and connectivity, and we’re connecting to great communities – downtown to downtown, Nanaimo to Vancouver,” France said.
“There’s a lot of people that date on both sides of the Salish Sea, and need a fast and affordable way to do it,” said France. “There was also this cool idea – some people said, ‘Hey, I’ve exhausted the fish in my sea,’ and ‘How about you open up a new sea, and let us go fish in a different pond?’”
So, what do you say Denman? Cast your line this way. Remember Jazz night? How about Frisky Friday on the Quinitsa? FFQ.
Full Version:
Love, exciting and new
Come Aboard. We’re expecting you.
Love, life’s sweetest reward.
Let it flow, it floats back to you.
Love Boat soon will be making another run
The Love Boat promises something for everyone
Set a course for adventure,
Your mind on a new romance.
Love won’t hurt anymore
It’s an open smile on a friendly shore.
Yes LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE! It’s LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE! (hey-ah!)
Love Boat soon will be making another run
The Love Boat promises something for everyone
Set a course for adventure,
Your mind on a new romance.
Love won’t hurt anymore
It’s an open smile on a friendly shore.
It’s LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE! It’s LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE! It’s
LOOOOOOOOOOOVE!
It’s the Love Boat-ah! It’s the Love Boat-ah!
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
source: https://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/theloveboatlyrics.html
Paul Williams
