One Girls Ocean Challenge

November 28, 2014

It’s been a fantastic adventure here in St. John’s Newfoundland at the Marine Institute, and it’s not quite over yet. Yesterday I wrote my final test for the General Operator Certificate. Although we don’t have the marks back yet, I am feeling very confident that I passed. Last night I was hosted for a wonderful get together with some other sailors at the institute. It was a great evening of sharing sailing and racing stories with other sailors. A very very big thank you to the Marine Institute for affording me such a wonderful opportunity! Now on to today’s adventures. Since class is over I have the whole day to explore. Next up on the list is The Rooms and then if there is time I’ll head over to The Basilica.

Diane

November 26, 2011

The past two weeks have been filled with a whole new adventure.  I’m out in St. John’s Newfoundland at the Marine Institute taking the GMDSS-General Operator Course with Fred Meadus our fantastic instructor.  Amongst studying and going to class, here are some of the highlights of my trip.

Half way through the course we had a “mid two week course exam”. Afterwards I had the entire afternoon and went for a walk along Water Street and George Street. Pretty amazing little town! Even a look at the local wine brewing options!

Next up was  an adventure climb up Signal Hill. It was blowing about 40 and -3degrees. For those of you who know me well, yes I went back into my apartment and removed my flipflops and put my winter boots and hat on. Pretty kewl trudge with an amazing view at the top!

Next up was Cape Spear…the furthest most point east you can go in North America! It was fortified in WWII and remains a tourist attraction today with some guns and remnants of the buildings. Fantastic!

One day in class we were afforded the opportunity to see their Bridge Simulator.  The Marine Institute is home to the most amazing Bridge Simulator in the world! Imagine the feeling of being up on a bridge and crashing into ice….or feeling the sea in horrendous waves and trying to negotiate entering the harbour. This simulator does it all!

And finally, today’s adventure was off to Ches’s for fish and chips for lunch with the class. Forgive me if I say this incorrectly, but I got scoffed in. Is that right? We had a huge lunch of fish and chips and I got this certificate from Ches’s to say that I had lunch there. It was fantastic!

Now just to pass the written and practical tests tomorrow and everything will be in place 🙂

Diane