The Official Kilt Kamp 2014 Registration thread

**KiltedKnome** · 13th July 14, 08:06 AM

As someone who travels from the Lower Mainland (Squamish, Vancouver, etc.) to Victoria monthly, this is the ferry situation.

Visit http://www.bcferries.com/ and click on the schedules for Metro Vancouver-Vancouver Island- Sunshine Coast.

There are two possible routes:

You can catch a ferry at Tsawwassen over to Schwartz Bay, which is then a 30 - 40 minute drive to Victoria along the Pat Bay Highway. Please remember the road signs are in kilometers per hour and not miles per hour on the highway, or you will be pulled over to the side of the road by one of our "friendly" peace keepers. This ferry takes you through the smaller islands, and sometimes you can see orcas, etc.

You can catch a ferry at Horseshoe Bay over to Nanaimo, which is upisland (cool local word, sort of like "outwith" in Scotland). You will then drive 1-1/2 hours (some people do it in 1 hour) down the island to Victoria, going over our mountain range called the Malahat. You are on open water a bit more on this ferry.

YOU ARE COMING TO TOWN AT THE START OF A LONG WEEKEND. THE FERRIES AND ROADS LEADING TO THE FERRIES WILL BE BUSY. If you are pretty sure when you will be wanting to catch the ferry, you can make a reservation (see that website above). Otherwise, plan on the possibility of a sailing wait. In summer, I always make a reservation (and fork over the extra money) if I want to catch the Horseshoe Bay ferry, since it is several hours to the next ferry -- makes a rough sailing wait. There are more ferries sailing from Tsawwassen to Schwarz Bay, so a sailing wait is not as onerous. Please note, if you are on the bus that travels between Vancouver and Victoria, you will not be affected by any ferry waits (due to more customers than room), since the buses are guaranteed.

If anyone is catching the bus over from the Vancouver Airport, either Steve or I can meet them at the Victoria bus terminal. That bus takes the Tsawwassen-to-Schwarz Bay ferry. We are also available to meet flights at the Victoria airport. We have at least one group coming over on the Coho Ferry (Washington State Ferry out of Port Angeles) into the Inner Harbour of Victoria.

**sydnie7** · 13th July 14, 08:14 AM

My sister Mary and her husband Garth Reid are bringing their RV to the island for the week (and a bit longer). I can likely get airport rides from them, but if there are already people headed to the Victoria airport at these times I'd carpool and save the Reids the trip:
Arriving Sat 8/2 at 1:07 p.m.
Departing Sat 8/9 at 8:15 a.m. (means hitting the airport about 6 a.m., *shudder* I am especially looking for an alternative to asking the Reids for this trip!)
Both flights are on Alaska Air, BTW.
This is really getting close now!

**KiltedKnome** · 13th July 14, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by sydnie7

My sister Mary and her husband Garth Reid are bringing their RV to the island for the week (and a bit longer). I can likely get airport rides from them, but if there are already people headed to the Victoria airport at these times I'd carpool and save the Reids the trip:
Arriving Sat 8/2 at 1:07 p.m.
Departing Sat 8/9 at 8:15 a.m. (means hitting the airport about 6 a.m., *shudder* I am especially looking for an alternative to asking the Reids for this trip!)
Both flights are on Alaska Air, BTW.
This is really getting close now!

Sydnie, either Steve or I should be able to pick you up at the Victoria airport. Do me a favour and send an e-mail to bobbie@freedomkilts.com, and I'll put this into our transportation schedule. I'm not sure about the 6 am flight for the return, but we can look into options when you get here. There is an airport shuttle that costs about $20.

**CDNSushi** · 13th July 14, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by KiltedKnome

If anyone is catching the bus over from the Vancouver Airport, either Steve or I can meet them at the Victoria bus terminal. That bus takes the Tsawwassen-to-Schwarz Bay ferry. We are also available to meet flights at the Victoria airport. We have at least one group coming over on the Coho Ferry (Washington State Ferry out of Port Angeles) into the Inner Harbour of Victoria.

Reservations are definitely advisable for busy long weekends if you're in a vehicle. Not sure how much of an issue it is for walk-on passengers though. I've been on completely "full" ferries (where cars were backed up for the following 2 sailings) but got on immediately with my motorcycle or on foot.

As far as transportation goes, as a backup plan, if Steve/Bobbi happen to be busy for whatever reason, my wife or I may be able to offer a ride too. If I'm not in the middle of a delivery run (Tue/Fri), I'd even be happy and willing to make the trip out to the airport or ferry terminal to collect you if the bus thing isn't working out. Although, fair notice -- a for airport/ferry run I would ask for a fiver to cover gas though

. But no charge to bring you from downtown to the kilt shop or Steve and Bobbi's house.

**sydnie7** · 15th July 14, 08:44 AM

I thought I remembered a thread or posting about "what to bring for the trad class" but search fu is weak this morning. We're packing to move house (such fun!) so I need to get these things set aside or they will disappear. @Barb T, can you add to the following list if I have missed something?

Copy of TAoK
Hair canvas
Stabilizer
Lining
Thread
Hand sewing needles
Straps/buckles
Tape measure
Leather thimble
Matching thread (Guterman quality)
Heavy-duty thread
Basting thread
Fabric (if not already on site)
Tailor's chalk (or preferred marking device)

(My personal list adds light- and sight-enhancing devices)

**plaid preacher** · 15th July 14, 09:54 AM

Bees wax .... which reminds me.... I sent my wife to the quilting shop to pick me up some bees wax and she said they didn't carry any, but came home with a product called "thread heaven thread conditioner and protectant" is the an acceptable alternative? I have been unable to find beeswax anywhere.

**sydnie7** · 15th July 14, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by plaid preacher

Bees wax .... which reminds me.... I sent my wife to the quilting shop to pick me up some bees wax and she said they didn't carry any, but came home with a product called "thread heaven thread conditioner and protectant" is the an acceptable alternative? I have been unable to find beeswax anywhere.

Dritz distributes it (available at Joanns in U.S.). Your product is a synthetic silastic polymer, according to the mfg. I'll let the experts chime in on its acceptability. And thanks for the reminder!

**chasem** · 15th July 14, 11:23 AM

I've seen beeswax available in-store at JoAnn's and Hancock's, and I want to say Michael's crafts, though I don't remember for certain.

**The Wizard of BC** · 15th July 14, 11:49 AM

As I have said before, Kilt Kamp is being held in an operating kilt shop. We have all the supplies and extras you may have forgotten.

We have beeswax, broadcloth for stabilizer, hair canvas, liner fabric in solids and prints, straps and buckles and of course copies of "The Book".

We also have some fabric stores in town so we can make runs as necessary.

**KiltedKnome** · 15th July 14, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by plaid preacher

Bees wax .... which reminds me.... I sent my wife to the quilting shop to pick me up some bees wax and she said they didn't carry any, but came home with a product called "thread heaven thread conditioner and protectant" is the an acceptable alternative? I have been unable to find beeswax anywhere.

We have beeswax...