Last weekend was a very big weekend.  Most people would say that about a child's birthday, a child getting a good grade in school, maybe losing that first tooth.  But not your trusty webmaster.  For me - its about the sailing.  And last weekend was Lyell's first sailing lesson.  I took about a hundred photos - so you think Ive gone overboard here (little pun) you will know I have actually been very selective.

The lesson was an open enrollment affair at Lake Divonne - but the only people that showed up were Lyell and his good pal Mathieu.  Here they are, rigging up the boat (above), and getting the dock talk from their instructor (below).  Looks like pretty serious business.

But that taken care of - the pair was set free on the lake.  Lyell took the helm first, and managed to navigate them around without turning the little Optimist dinghy upside down.

Mathieu too successfully operated the boat - even bringing it in for a smooth landing at the dock.

Then the boys were - believe it or not on their first lesson ever - both permitted to take the boat out on their own.  I have to say they both did a terrific job.  Not a moment of hesitation or an unsure move between them.  Here Lyell looks looks as concentrated as one of those Americas Cup skippers.

And here is the proud fella putting the boat away at the end of the lesson.

Though he was not the proudest fella there.  Nice work, big guy.