Connected with Civilization

Sunday May 23rd

Pale Swallowtail

I write this post sitting on the deck as the sun goes down. The volume from the bees on the Rhododendron declines as the chorus from the frogs in the pond and lake intensifies. The trout are breaking surface every few minutes, sending pebble-thrown ripples across the top of the mirror like finish. The frogs seem to have taken over the shallower, weed filled pond above the lake.

Club 63 members may remember another pond with noisy sunset frogs from past excursions!

After a weary day of packing and unpacking on Saturday, we have stayed close to base today. A morning walk down to Mixal Lake and several exploratory jaunts around the cabin and local tracks have kept Jack and me occupied.

We have a family of Garter Snakes in part of the garden with two adults and two juveniles soaking up the sun, together with a Western Alligator Lizard who seems to share the same set of rocks as the snakes.

The area is rich in wildlife, though we have not yet seen the resident Bobcat or the Black Bears that are supposed to be common locally.

We discovered a forest walk down to Mixal Lake (past Scout Camp Burley) where we have access to a the family's canoe. We plan to test it out during the week and see if Jack is as comfortable on top of water as he is in it! See map below.

The 'country estate' we are on, has twenty cabins, though you have to walk around the tracks to find them. It's reassuring to hear other people and the occasional car amongst the trees, and a delight not to see them. The stark contrast of human dwelling and virgin forest is something the Canadians do well.

Tomorrow we will start exploring the area more widely.

Jack seems to have adapted well to this slightly itinerant life style and is quite happy exploring the grounds around the house. So far he has discovered 4 balls that have been lost in the past, usually at the water's edge where he seems to spend much of his time, if he's not actually in the water. His own bright orange ball, we discovered half way down a track beside the lake, that he must have dropped while following a scent of some sort.

The next few days are set to be overcast with a bit of much needed rain so a good chance to catch up on some UK admin, company accounts, tax return ...........

The cabin we are in is owned by a young family who live in Vancouver. Unlike our first two rentals it is packed with family possessions, which really does make it feel like a home. We just have to keep the soft toys away from Jack, except of course the 'Duck' they left for him as a gift, along with a well stocked welcome pack for us which included a bottle of Okanagan wine. Tasting notes to follow. As well as outdoor games and activities there are plenty of books and DVD's in the house along with a Fender acoustic guitar. A chance to get back in to practice!

We plan to use the month to explore the north end of the Sunshine Coast up to Powell River, which requires another short ferry ride through some small islands, and from where a further ferry can take you across a narrow section of the Georgia Strait to Van Island. Travel restrictions are due to be eased at the end of the month, so we may pop across for a day or two.

We also want to visit the Skookumchuck Narrows, great name isn't it, famous for the rapids that rush through to the Sechelt Inlet. There is much to explore.