Roof-racks, Rugby

Racoons and Reflections

Fri Jul 23rd

Sat Jul 24th

The last vestiges of snow in the gullies and ravines of Mt Windsor (we think its Mt Windsor) are quickly disappearing.  The small snow cap on the very top has gone.  Another week and it will have disappeared completely.

When we arrived three weeks ago the peaks and ridges were still shrouded in snow, despite the heatwave.  At sea level its about 26 C today (Saturday), at 1689m, probably a lot cooler.

Friday the bars for the roof-rack were delivered, but not the rails, even though they were despatched at the same time.  $168 for a next day delivery and the bars took three days and the rails have not moved from the distribution centre since they were received on Tuesday.  Monday, I am told.  I remain to be convinced.  

The rest of Friday I spent setting up the workshop and completing my first turning project.  A large fruit bowl turned from Magnolia wood.

It is the first time I have turned a piece using the chuck and bowl 'jaws' that effectively clamp the piece in place, once the main shape is done.  No screw holes in the finished article.  A few things I would do differently, but reasonably pleased.

The Coast Reporter, which comes out every Friday, reported that there have been no Covid infections on the Coast for four weeks, which is good news.  Vaccination rates for people with at least one dose peak at 87% for the over 50's and down to 68% for the eighteen to forty nine age group.  BC has gone three days without any Covid related deaths, which is good news, so far. 

In an age when news seems to be going online the paper seems to be a popular read.  The roadside post boxes where mail gets delivered always has a Coast Reporter free newspaper box alongside them which is usually empty by the end of each Friday.  It serves a population of just under 31,000 along 100k of coastline.

The last few nights the moon has been coming up over Bowen Island and resulted in a reflection of moonlight rippling across West Howe Sound.  It is quite a display providing you don't want to go to sleep.

I've popped in to GIbsons to gets some  bits and pieces for the workshop and it really does have a good range of shops including an excellent Builders Supplies.    Ann, who started it with her husband many years ago is now 103 and lives next door to Andrea, the agent who handled the letting of the house we're staying in, and who we keep in touch with. 

Driving around town, we have both grown quite fond of the place.  With a population of just over 4600 it is really very friendly.  If I'm in town I usually swing by Beachcombers for a couple of coffees.  In many ways it has the friendly feel of Marlborough. 

I was invited to preview a garage sale yesterday and see if a band saw would be suitable for my embryonic workshop.  One of Fred's tennis pals lives opposite the garage/workshop which is being sold off on Saturday.  I spent a happy half an hour looking at all the kit and ended up helping price some of the items for the lady organising the sale.  It felt as if we'd been here years.

Saturday morning, was the first British and Irish Lions v South Africa test.  After a bit of faffing around we managed to get the match on the TV.  I now need to work out how to get next season's Premiership games in Canada!     Great result today, when the B&IL finally turned up in the second half.

Driving back from Gibsons, after a late afternoon dash to pick up some black filler for my turning, my eye was caught by movement on the side of our road, next to a small footpath.  It turned out to be a family of racoons, who scurried off into the undergrowth at the sound of my car.  I did manage to get some video of a mother and four or five youngsters.  The first we have seen since arriving in Canada.  They camouflage quite well.

  
  Yesterday morning on Hopkins Landing beach.

And more moonlight .....