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Cruise and Learn in the Gulf Islands

I've been sailing on and off for many years and I was hoping to take my current knowledge – plus the invaluable coaching gathered from the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron – and apply it to a Canadian Yachting Association Award.
So with that in mind I searched about and signed on to a cruise and learn trip.
If you are considering the same process, I'd strongly advise you to have either taken the "Squadron" course first or be relatively conversant with charts, knots, navigational beacons, points of sail, all parts of a sailing boat from a tang to a clew etc.! Or, you will have a tiresome cruise cramming for a test as opposed to enjoying it and gaining practical knowledge. I know the basics and my trip was mixed, to coin a phrase. So study up before you set sail is my advice.

Now, to the adventure (in somewhat abbreviated terms): For us day one was a matter of setting sail and heading over to the Gulf Island a few hours away from the Vancouver harbour through Gabriola Passage and south to Wallace Island. The wind and weather were spectacular for the cruise and it held for the entire trip - with just a touch of rain Friday morning which soon stopped, much to our surprise.
After a nights sleep we headed northward though Dodd Narrows to Protection Island and the popular Dinghy Dock. The following day was spent sailing around the north end of Gabriola Island down the south end and the Silva Bay mooring. Now it was time for the written test. This I hasten to add was right after spending the day practicing "crew overboard" drills. An invaluable experience that needs work.
Finally Friday arrived and we set sail for English Bay and Vancouver Harbour.
Here are my photos of the trip with more to come from my shipmates.