Oh the blues…
Not the “life is so sad, lost my job, s/he left me, the roof is leaking and my dog, cat and hamster died on me” blues, although there’s a time and a place. Rather, the “I love the colour of those boats in the harbour” blues. Not sure if there is a song in that, but maybe there should be. If you write it, I promise not to sing it.
We were wandering about Ucluelet Small Craft Harbour, admiring the variety of boats, watching the comings and goings of craft large and small, and admiring the catches of the day. A mixture of busy and quiet, it is a lovely place to find a seat and enjoy a warm summer evening, so we did.
My eye is always drawn to blue and green, and here it was no different. There was a smattering of beautiful blue vessels tucked in between the more prevalent greys and creams. I’m hugely ignorant of matters maritime, and it is a good thing I’m not in the market for a boat because I’d choose a blue one before choosing the right one.
A fool and his dollars are easily parted – that is why I rarely shop, and when I do, Mrs PC is there to rein me in. So when I saw the lovely Tromso was for sale, and for a mere $8000, she shook her head, took me by the arm and led me away. No, we don’t need to live on a boat, there’s nothing “mere” about $8000, and we don’t have $8000.
I thought Tromso had character, and I could relate to her age. She’s rusting, I’m greying. Weather beaten and a bit worn around the edges? Yup. Some bulging and sagging where you’d rather it wasn’t? Okay. Looks good in blue and green? Enough already…
So the nautical life remains undiscovered by this old PlaidCamper, and the harbour side blues play in my head every time I look out and see the Tromso tethered and rusting down by the dock. She looks a little washed up and washed out, but I think there’s some life left in her. I hope the right person comes along and sees the potential. I’ve been searching down the back of the sofa, but to no avail.
Sing along if you want to – “I love the Tromso and I don’t have a cat…” – oh my unnecessary nautical blues!
Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
I listen attentively to your Tromso blues, PC, and like it, too– lovely shades of blue and green, subtle and poetic, signs of honorable use– ah, to drift seaward on a wonderful tin can like this. I’m glad I don’t have an extra 8K to keep me dreaming, though. Superb!
LikeLike
Thank you, Walt! Mrs. PC keeps my feet on the ground (or on the dock) when my head is in the clouds or out at sea. As if I could possibly manage a vessel like that anyway. Much safer and fiscally prudent sticking to canoes and kayaks.
The real value is in the dreaming…
Have a great week!
LikeLike
They are all beautiful!!
LikeLike
They really are – Tromso needs an owner…but sadly, not me!
Thank you, and I hope your week is going well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Living on a boat is a great thing to do and I understand the temptation to buy one all too well. It looks like you’re having a fantastic trip. A couple more weeks of heavy writing and I’ll be able to get out on a trip or two a well.
LikeLike
Thank you, Douglas. I do worry that the temptation could become obsession! Still, a distinct lack of finances keeps that in check…
I hope your writing is going well, and you’ll be out on the water soon.
Enjoy your week!
LikeLike
The writing is going very well. Thanks. It’s been a summer of growth, so I’m happy to be busy and even happier to doing educational writing again. I’ll step outside in the fall when things quiet down and the smoke clears up.
LikeLike
Isn’t it wonderful that sometimes the wife knows best though I have to admit I would have dreamed a little too!
LikeLike
Thank you, Margaret! Mrs PC is okay with the dreaming, but she is right to stop me from any unwise spending. Tromso does need someone, though…
I hope you have a wonderful week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think this is more a physical manifestation of what your heart desires……….leave Calgary & get closer to Nature.
LikeLike
Hmm, you might be onto something there, Wayne!
Still, if I sneak out, rob a bank or inherit some money, and pay for the Tromso, you’ll have to guide me through the waters – you’ve got the expertise, I’m just a dreamer!
LikeLike
a beautiful dream can never be denied
LikeLike
Love the photos, harbor blues and the wise guidance of Mrs. PC. Everything about this post made me smile, especially the catchy lyrics, the Tromso character and that lovely first photo! Keep singing those nautical blues and hope you had a wonderful weekend!
LikeLike
Mrs. PC is all too wise to my hopeless dreaming! Our recent walks out seem to be taking the longer route away from the harbour…
Glad you enjoyed this one, and I hope your week is off to a good start!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks pretty good to me. I’m not particularly nautical minded though on our recent travels we hired a tinny and hit the open seas. It all looks fabulous. Keep enjoying. 😎
LikeLike
I think if I really had the money and we bought the boat, reality would evaporate the dreams – but it is fun to think about! Realistically, just kayaks on calm inlets, and canoes on lakes (like you, not nautical, but enjoy time on the water when it is manageable!)
Thanks, Miriam!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean. My husband often says he’d like to retire on a boat eventually and just sail the seas but I dunno. Like you, I think we’ll just keep it in our dreams and enjoy the odd jaunt out on the water. Happy sailing PC 🙂
LikeLike
It’s always such a different world, hanging out at marinas and harbor hang-outs; fun to see what they’re catching, too, and I always feel it’s a special treat when you get to see the fisher people cleaning their catches (so deft). I’m beginning to understand your pattern of vehicles, pc, between the Tromso and some of the trucks you like too. I think it’s a good thing Mrs. Pc was with you at the harbor…lol. Thanks for sharing this great day with us.
LikeLike
Thanks, Jet! You mentioned aging in an earlier comment, and there lies my affinity with certain trucks and boats – fortunately, Mrs PC has a sharp mind, no sign of aging, and keeps me in check…
Drooling and dreaming, often at the same time, two signs of advancing years?
Have a wonderful week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes we get used to the bright saturated colours and forget the beauty of subtlety. Well captured!
LikeLike
Beautiful pictures!
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by – much appreciated – and glad you enjoyed the photographs. I’m not a sailor (I know you have embarked on an exciting career) but I was so drawn to the “Tromso”, for the lines and character. An unfulfilled dream, and safer that way!
LikeLike