Sleepless in Seattle?

Saturday 3^rd September 2011

Woke up ridiculously early and eventually got up at about 6. Took breakfast in the ‘Daily Grill’ – after some thought went for the continental option. After breakfast spent some time using the free wifi in the lobby before leaving the hotel at 9.

I made my way down Pike Avenue – Seattle was very quiet this early on a Saturday. I found Pike Place market – well known local attraction where there was a fish stall crammed with huge salmon (pacific), crabs, prawns, clams and oysters. The guys on the stall are adept at throwing fish around – didn’t see that today but will go back.

After a look round the various other shops in the market (jewellery, souvenirs etc) I went down towards the waterfront. The view down here has been somewhat spoilt by an elevated expressway built all along it. I walked along the waterfront to Bell pier –a huge liner, the Norwegian Star, had just docked and its passengers (many!!) were coming ashore to a host of coaches, taxis and cars. It really was huge close to, with cabins and staterooms lined along the side. I was pleased to notice they had left some room for lifeboats though…

Seattle

Waterfront properties on bainbridge island...dont ask how much they cost...!!

Winslow with cones

I walked back down the waterfront past the Seattle aquarium – I learned later that there is a social event here on Tuesday so will look forward to that if I can get a ticket…at this stage I was ready for a coffee so found the inevitable Starbucks and ordered a large Pike Place roast coffee – which was excellent.

One of the top attractions in Seattle is a trip to Bainbridge island so despite any misgivings about going on any sort of sea based activity I bought a return ticket ($7.10) for the 11.25 sailing and embarked for the 35 minute crossing. As my last sea trip was what has become known as the nightmare of Kangaroo island in Australia I was a bit nervous.

I needn’t have worried – the crossing was absolutely motionless. Thinking about it, of course, it is not the open sea as it is sheltered by the various islands. It was really windy and I noticed many of the Americans wrapped up in several layers – I braved it in a T shirt cos us brits are tough….

Seattle space needle

I walked my lunch off by taking the coast trail back to the ferry dock. Another perfect crossing, with some great shots of the Seattle skyline. It was now getting really hot (over 28 degrees) so decided to go back to the hotel and cool off – I climbed the Harbour Steps on the way back.

Harbour steps

We docked at Winslow and I joined the throng making their way up the main street – which was possibly not as scenic as usual due to roadworks…Winslow consists of a single main street with various bookshops, souvenir shops and in addition, there was a market on today. I considered getting a sausage in a roll but decided that $6 was somewhat excessive. Instead, I walked down to the marina and took a table at Docs Marina Grill. I sat in the shade with a really nice view out into the harbour and ordered a pint of Coors and a blackened salmon sandwich. Both were absolutely delicious…as were the inevitable fries…but what is the point of gherkins?

gherkin????

how safe would you feel in this in a high wind?.....

After changing into a fresh shirt I made my way to the Convention centre to register for the conference. At registration I bumped into Dirk Miller, president of the Fisheries management section, who came to our Portsmouth conference last year. He invited me to drinks with the AFS Governing board over in the Seattle Hyatt. At the drinks reception I met up with Bob Curry from North Carolina and various other AFS officers I had met in previous visits.

halibut and chips!!!

As it was about 6 we arranged to go and eat, and a large group of us made our way down to Pike Place market where we occupied a few table at the Pike – bar/restaurant. A number of pitchers of pale ale were ordered…..Being Seattle, you have to eat fish so I went for the halibut, which came in basket (!) with fries  -it was delicious…Also in the Pike were several stag and hen parties  -very loud! The hen party nearest to us had a list of challenges – which included (I think) – being from overseas, and speaking with an accent – so I fitted the bill on two counts. Thankfully all I had to do was pose for a picture.

And that was that –another early night…..