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| WONDERFUL SHOAL BAY LODGE NEWSLETTER
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January 28, 2004. Mark MacDonald has done it again, friends. We're still laughing. For those not familiar with Shoal Bay, it is located on Cordero Channel, a few miles north of Desolation Sound. Mark acquired the property a few years ago, along with its firetrap lodge -- which promptly burned to the ground. As this newsletter demonstrates, Mark is not easily discouraged. Shoal Bay is rising again!
Shoal Bay Yacht Club
January 27, 2004. This will mark the first newsletter in what I understand to be an inexcusable length of time. The constant badgering, snippy emails, and rude messages on my mobile phone have indeed worn me down. I realize that for some of you the newsletters have always been a form of entertainment. But I assure you, my goals are far loftier than the mere amusement of the chronically idle. I write now, as I have always written, to inform.
I have only today learned that I am to become the newest officer of the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Small Harbours Division. Having been appointed the new Wharfinger of said organizations installation at Shoal Bay. (In all further correspondence the word "Wharfinger" shall be duly capitalized.) This news may bring an entirely false sense of relief to those boaters who felt that the previous officer was perhaps somewhat zealous in her interpretation of the many rules and by-laws that the Wharfinger is both entrusted and responsible for enforcing. I have assured my superiors that I too will take the power and authority that they have so confidently vested in me very seriously indeed.
I have, of course used my new authority to enact some new rules that I am sure will be widely accepted as a civilized means to control unsociable behavior on and around the docks. From now on all alcohol consumption on the docks, previously only frowned upon, will be made absolutely mandatory. Any boaters who do not walk up to the Pub and at least introduce themselves will have their lines quietly undone during the night. Any Boaters who allow their dog to shit on the dock will also allow my cat Blair, to shit on their boat. I have also taken the liberty to declare Shoal Bay both a nuke-free and clothing optional zone. The reasonable rates previously charged for moorage shall remain in effect.
On a more personal note, I lost my mother recently. I correct myself; we have all lost my mother. Most of you who have visited Shoal Bay during the summer months will of course remember her at the Pub serving food, drinking wine and smoking fags. Always keeping us laughing and making our lives as well as Shoal Bay better places to be. I know that she will be missed enormously this summer. I miss her enormously now. We will spread her ashes across the bay one quiet summer evening when the whales are around. She really loves the whales. (Along with a cigarette.)
The building at Shoal Bay continues and we slowly move towards the goal of a rebuilt lodge with two self-sufficient cottages. Both the cottages are up and the second should be completely finished by early summer. I have a wonderful guy who is familiar with the bay drawing plans for the new lodge building, however he is a sailor, so it goes without saying that he's slow. Last time I contacted him he was still doing extensive research on Pub design, apparently by visiting as many as possible both domestically and internationally. The drawings should be done by the second week of his rehab. I am confident we will have a truly great design. I am hoping that we could start work on the foundations later this summer. The main building could go up next year.
During the winter I have been indescribably lucky to have Jamie and Kellie Sagadore living in the Pub building as caretakers. Some of you will know Kellie as Doris and Reinhart's daughter at Cordero Lodge. Jamie has done great work during the winter both keeping the place going and building us a laundry/shower room. There will be no more excuse for you cruisers to come into the pub smelling like the crew of some long lost pirate ship. Personal hygiene continues to advance at Shoal Bay.
I am currently in negotiations to purchase a backhoe to be used at Shoal Bay. We need to replace all of the electrical lines, install all new fuel delivery lines as well as a new water line from up the mountain. This will require miles and miles of ditch digging, and realistically, my dad is not as young as he used to be. So anyway, if you get to Shoal Bay this summer and the entire place is dotted with big-ass holes from one end to the other, do not panic, it just means dad hasn't quite got the hang of it yet. I bought him a cap that says "Cat Diesel" on it the other day. When he wears it and takes his dentures out I swear he looks like he was born here!
Bye for now, look forward to seeing everybody at Shoal Bay this summer. For those of you who receive this newsletter and still have never been to Shoal Bay don't bother. We love it just the way it is and once everybody finds this little paradise what are the chances of finding room at the dock?
Mark
www.shoalbaylodge.com
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