Finally!

On the last weekend of our vacation, the water was finally low enough that we thought we could try to step the mast.  With a little help from some friends, the mast went in smoothly, and we could finally get the season started!  As vice-commodore, I get to fly a special burgee this season, and it was wonderful to hoist it up the halyard for the first time.

We put the mast in Saturday afternoon, and got the sails on Sunday morning.  The weather was perfect for our first sail of the season, on Sunday afternoon, July 30.  Better late than never. 

Lobsterfest

Once again, the water couldn't dampen the social atmosphere at Queen City!  Rearranging our social schedule again, we had a huge turnout for this year's version of Lobsterfest.  Although the flood water has started to recede, most of the lawn is still too wet to be usable.  Instead, we set up the lobster (and steak) stations on the driest section of lawn near the clubhouse, and people sat at tables on the Rapids Queen and in the Great Hall.  The lobster was great, and the band kept the party going into the evening.

Happy Canada 150

The Canada Day festivities were originally planned for July 8 (huh?), because we were supposed to have a cruise out to another club on the July long weekend.  However, due to water levels on the lake, we've had to cancel all our cruises this season, as few clubs are able to accept visitors.

Instead, we held a great Canada Day party on July 1 - where it belongs!  Ed and I had dinner at the clubhouse, with Canadian themed menu items.  After the flag lowering complete with piper, we made our way to the Rapids Queen for some Canada 150 cake, and awaited the fireworks, first from the CN Tower, then from a
barge off Harbourfront. 

Oh - and we got a great view of the giant duck being towed into position, when we were on our way to the club the day before .

QCYC 2017 Come Hell or High Water

We normally hold Sailpast on the May long weekend, but with the water still rising, we opted to delay.  By the Spring Meeting, though, the members made it clear that it was time to get the season going, despite the flooding.  We combined Sailpast with the Salute to New Boats on June 10.  Lack of a mast was no excuse for not participating.  As one of the boats which has not yet been able to step a mast, we flew our burgee attached to a boat hook.

Ken and Bob

As the Vice Commodore, I got to lead the fleet in the in the review of yachts.  Ken and his brother Bob joined us for the festivities.  Lynn was running a half-marathon the next day, and wasn't able to join us.  Just before we headed out into the harbour, Ed invited Troy and Julien to come along too, as their planned hosts were not going out.  

Troy and Julien

It was a beautiful, warm day, and we had a great turn out.  Back at the club, instead of the usual socializing on boats and lawns, we all gathered on the balcony to watch the new boats receive their 3 cannon shot salute.

Commodore Jacqui Cook

The commodore normally dresses ship by displaying the boat's race flag.  What to do when you don't race?  Jacqui brilliantly used alphabet flags to spell out....you guessed it - QCYC 2017 Come Hell or High Water.

And the water keeps rising

We thought there was a lot of water last week, but the water levels have done nothing but rise.  The entire length of the railway is flooded, and is quite deep at the south gate path.  The mast area is completely flooded, and the lake is close to breaching the sea wall in a few places.

For now, we have been able to get the water out of the clubhouse by piling sandbags all around it, and pumping the water out from under the clubhouse.  If the lake breaches the seawall, this will no longer be an option.  The flow of water has caused erosion and collapse of patio stones in a couple of areas in front of the clubhouse. 

It is no longer possible to get around the club without tall rubber boots.  There are a few areas of higher land, but they are surrounded by water.  It's all really very overwhelming.  It gives us a new appreciation of the news footage we see of flood areas.