Sweaters On

Global Warming?

Ribbon Cloud in front of the mountains
Fri Jul 16th

The title is not meant to be flippant.  With disastrous floods in Western Europe, heatwaves in BC two weeks ago and forest fires still burning in BC 's interior and Western North America, we were not expecting to have to break out sweaters today where local temperatures only touched 20 C.

The idyllic setting we have painted is not without its own problems aside from the forest fires that have received international attention.

A number of local beaches around Gibsons have been closed due to E-Coli levels that exceed the minima.  See news report.  

We are based just north of  'Langdale' on the map, just where the grey band stops.

Some of the regular swimmers are still taking their morning dip, but fewer of them.  The Hopkins Landing and Langdale areas north of GIbsons are quite spread out and the majority of properties will be on septic tanks rather than mains sewage systems.  I cannot but help feel that these may be a contributor, as they leach into the sub-soils and geological strata.  That, coupled with the lack of rain and surface water dilution maybe is contributory?

We have been conscious when walking on the local beaches of the quantity of unoccupied mussel shells, some attached to seaweed some not, and a definite aroma of ex-seafood.

It is not limited to our local beaches, as the second news report suggests.  If what we have seen on our local beaches is anything to go by, a billion is definitely an underestimate.

The locale remains a delight, we love BC and would not change the decisions and choices we have made. In many ways we  feel better able to weather the challenges we all face here, than anywhere else.  The wider news reports cannot be ignored, whatever the 45th president of the USA might have Tweeted.  

This morning's walk to Hopkins Landing produced a delightful view towards Vancouver with a ribbon cloud below the mountains.  Top picture.

Morning deck view

The rest of the day was spent trying to find an inflatable paddle board (SUP to the officiandos);  dropping Fred off for her introductory afternoon of indoor tennis whilst Jack and me explored local trails.

Post-pandemic paddle boards are in short supply.  We are keen to acquire one before heading up to Whistler in a couple of weeks time.  Order in pipeline but not sure it's going to arrive in time.  

Hopkins Landing beach

I also have the same problem with roof rails and bars for the Land Rover.   Ordered two months ago for delivery mid July, the date has been pushed back to early August!  The lovely lady at the dealership has blagged a set from a dealer in Alberta, so hopefully they will arrive before we go to Whistler.  Why is Land Rover after sales service so crap.  It was the same with my dealer in the UK until I switched to those lovely people at Cadley!

Having already sorted out a dentist, we've added optician to the list, but not a doctor.  'No doctors are taking on new patients on the Coast'.  So we are going to have to rely on phone and walk-in services.  Maybe it will be easier in the winter?

Bald Eagle fishing

A quick visit to see Bob who is selling me his lathe to check on some dimensions and I met his son who was helping pack-up the house.  His son had driven eighteen hours from the Yukon to help.  Going back Saturday!  He's a lorry driver apparently, so I guess used to driving long distances.

To think when Blueband Margarine first hit the UK market the TV commercial showed Americans driving several hundred miles to get their favourite spread!  Mind you that was a long time ago.  But 18 hours?  Perhaps he doesn't like flying!

Back home it was time to knock up the first Canadian sourdough with some starter from the Lone Wolf bakery which they provided FOC.  They have two branches, one in Sechelt and one in the back of an industrial building in GIbsons.  They open Thursday and Friday - only.  People come for miles to get their bread and pastries, not quite Blueband distances given the Coast is only 80k long!

Quite pleased with the result, but a few tweaks next time!

Bald Eagle on Hopkins Landing jetty




  
















  



 


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