I think Bernard needs more fibre in his diet.

I think Bernard needs more fibre in his diet.

When Bernard, my photographer, said that he’d experienced ‘quite a blow’ the other day, my thoughts naturally went to his digestion.

“Ah,” I said with the sort of genuine concern you know I am famous for. “The old trouble, again!”

“What?” he replied sharply. “No, it’s the weather. We’ve been having a strong Easterly wind most mornings, and I was caught out in it the other day.”

As you probably know, Bernard is a keen sailor. His boat is moored nearby Huckleberry Close, by Trannie Annie’s Sailor’s Bar. And it’s not just Bernard who enjoys a good blow on the beach. I have done a good deal of sailing myself. I know my sprit snotter from my mast rake.

I mentioned that to Ali, my gardener, who wondered why Bernard would need gardening equipment on his little ketch. English Bay is a treasure on the coast here in British Columbia, framing the city of Vancouver with a sheltered bay that many who sail love to frequent. Several of my members are known to sail here from time to time. It should be said that Sylvester also gets the occasional boat maintenance job. As a mechanic he often has to service marine engines. It’s not unusual for me to wander into his workshop to find him there with a shaft in…