S/V Ragtime

Newcastle Island has an interesting history:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/newcastle
It has long been a recreation spot for the residents of Nanaimo and frequent water taxis ferry people back and forth. (One of the captains was not paying attention and actually went between us and the mooring buoy as we were approaching to pick up the buoy. Where's my paintball gun?) There was also a coal mine there (hence the name, after my old stomping grounds), and quarrying for sandstone. It was a lovely day, so we decided to stretch our legs and go for a long walk around the trails. Don rowed us over to the dinghy dock (the first of many trips) and off we went. Don took lots of pictures. We saw an eagle, some killdeer (a kind of plover) and yellow waterlilies in Mallard Lake. Just as we came up what I hoped was the last uphill stretch, I heard a sound up in the trees like a bird taking off (whap, whap, whap). Then it sounded like a very big bird taking off (WHAP, WHAP, WHAP) and then it became CRACK, CRACK, CRACK! and I turned and looked up to see a tall dead tree beginning to fall right towards us! I yelled at Don, who was ahead of me, ran a little way up the trail and then leaped off into the undergrowth. I don't know why I thought that would help, but it turned out to be a good idea as the tree crashed down across the trail pretty much where I'd been standing. I remember looking up and seeing a large chunk of branch with a bit of twig sticking out bouncing off the trail. Don said he ran up the trail and when he looked back he saw the tree fall and bounce and a great cloud of dust and debris went up. I had stuff sticking to my face, the back of my neck, inside my shirt, even in my ears! But no injuries other than a few scrapes and bruises. That was close. (Photo 27) We wondered why the tree fell at that moment. It was a nice day with a bit of breeze, but no strong winds. Don thought maybe there had been a tremor, this being an earthquake zone. I looked online when we got home and there was a mild one at Friday Harbour at 11.38 and another at Sudden Valley at 1.58pm. We don't really know what time the tree fell, we thought it might have been around 1.30 but it could have been later. So, who knows? There are miles of tunnels underneath the island from the coal mining, so maybe the first tremor loosened the tree and the second brought it down? Anyway, we're glad to be in one piece.
After a wash and some lunch, we caught the aforesaid water taxi over to Nanaimo to buy a large, heavy block of ice at the gas dock. We had a coffee and watched the world go by. Nanaimo has a lovely waterfront. Then it was back to the boat for showers (very good facilities at the park), dinner and bed.