Tuesday into Wed-Lots happenin- Norfolk VA

Tues: After getting lots of chores done like Leona and I taking the shuttle to the market, Gary , BT, and Bill washing the prospective boats etc. We relaxed a bit. Then the subject of hair cuts came up and the beauty parlor opened. Gary was first with a beard cut, then Bill got a hair cut, & BT's I did yesterday. I took about 3 inches off Brittany's hair.

After cleaning up from the haircuts, things quieted down. Different people were milling around chatting etc. Until , I looked down the dock and there was a guy leaning his bike up against the piling. To give you a mental picture, there is a floating dock and then right behind that is a public dock that people walk up and down so they can look at the boats etc., On the other side of that is the Elizabeth River. There is also like a three foot space between these two docks and the water is very deep. That we found out later. Anyway, the guy turns his back on his bike and the dock moves and in the drink goes his bike. There is some excitement in the air as we all try to get something that will reach down into the depths. I try the boat hook, too short. Gary grab's a fishing pole, not enough weight. The bike owner, Richard, borrows a long boat hook from the marina, nothing. Then I say, " Hey Gary don't we have a grappeling hook looking anchor in the dinghy?" Brittany runs to get that and Gary hauls the bike up.

Pictured: The honorary Thompson-Canadians, Jim and Kim from England, Gary getting a beard cut, and Gary with his good deed for the day, w/a grateful Richard in the background.

With the bike dripping on the dock, a couple passing by on the stationary public dock was looking on. The guy says in a strong accent from the SE of England, "We don't have any fish like that in England!" So we laugh and start walking back to the Victoria. I start asking where their from and they were so lovely that I invited them back to the boat for a beer. Come to find out they were passengers on a HUGE cruise ship that was docked close by, in fact we thought a new building arrived when we weren't looking. The Sea Princess is massive. Seems Jim is newley retired ( I think they said a year) from the "fire Brigade" and Kim is a school teacher. They told us some wonderful stories and one they shared about there cruise, was of some interest. While cruising on the Sea Princess they found themselves in some pretty inclement weather near St Lawrence off Nova Scotia.. As they lay in there bunks there were repetative slams and a great drum sound. They were tossed in their bunks quite hard one minute and the next they seemed to be floating off their mattress. The weather report was force 9 in 8 meater swells. They had waves breaking over the 14th deck. At least half the ship (including the crew) was very ill. They were just great people and now we have new friends in England.

When Leona and Bill arrived there was a small ceremony and Leona broke out our official looking pins to become honorary Canadians. Dual citizenship I'm sure. Jean Marc, Bob and Eric joined in for the festivities.

Wednesday: I got started for the showers about 8. Leona showed up shortly thereafter and we discussed our itinerary for the day. After some discussion we decided to take the bikes and do the "walking tour". We were glad we did it on bikes. It took us an hour! Would have taken us 3 times that walking. While we were doing that Gary , Bill and Brittany walked over to the USS Wisconsin for that tour. To get on the ship is free , to get into the museum is 9.95 a pc. When Leona and I got back I said lets go tour the ship. It really wasn't Leona's thing but she said she'd do it anyway. Whatever...................she's great, so easy going and always a smile. She is our little bit of sunshine no matter what the forecast is. Bill too, they are a great couple, and funny, oh my gosh. While Gary, Bill and BT were walking around the USS Wisconsin Bill noticed a huge diagram of the ships interior on the wall. In part of the picture, on the bottom of the wall, there was an electrical outlet, Bill says,"They must have used electric motors" He's got this corny dry humor. To appreciate that story though, you may have had to have been there.

Around 3:30 we returned to the boat and Brittany and I cleaned. Gary went over to check in on Jean Marc. I ran into the woman on the boat next to us, her name is Cam. Her Catamaran is named JADE and it is beautiful. So is she, and her family. We did an impromptu BBQ on the Victoria. Everyone ate well, everyone contributed and everyone had a great time. The menu included some steamed broccoli, BBQ chicken, ribs, rolls, and rice.

PS. Matt , It's Jean Marc's propane tank that has a leak in it. His water tank was also leaking and today your Uncle Gary and Jean Marc ripped it out and put it on a truck for repair (I guess). Jean Marc is going to the Bahamas and you have to bring all your own water with you. So that is a real issue.

Your in our prayers, keep us in yours
XXOO
Victoria's Perspective