Warm Weather on the Way

No Rain Forecast

Sun Jul 25th
Mon Jul 26th

Morning light - Hopkins Landing

The last rain in Gibsons (and this end of the Coast generally) was six weeks ago and everywhere is bone dry.  The creeks that run off Mt Elphinstone behind us provide some relief and at the bottom of the garden, alongside the road, there is a gully that is still trickling with water.  Most of the Coast, apart from the Pender harbour/Garden Bay area are under water restrictions.  In Langdale, we are Level 2, so no sprinkler use, trees and shrubs two days a week for two hours, fruit and veg allowed.  The bulk of the rest of the coast is under Level 3 which is even more draconian.  Leaks and poor water supply planning and management are behind most of the problems.  The water is there. 

The warm weather has been good for the blackberries.  The bushes on the roadsides and large parts of the 'yard' around the house are full.  I have never seen so many bushes and such a huge crop of fruit and they are large and sweet.  Jam jars acquired, we will be picking for weeks for Fred to start jam making.  But we do need the rain, not least those parts of BC that are battling wildfires.  News reports suggest the growth of the wildfires has slowed, but until there is significant rainfall in BC the risk will remain.

It is expected to get warmer by the weekend.  Not the heatwave of 3 weeks ago, but 3C - 5C above seasonal average; late 20's early 30's.  Just as we head off to Whistler, it will hotter up there!  We are looking forward to seeing the place at the height of summer rather than the depths of winter. It has been our ski destination for the last nine years or so  and have only ever seen it when the snow has been banked up at the roadside. 

Sunday was a lazy day.  Fred took Jack for a walk in the morning while I did a run.  I am trying to get back in to regular 5k runs and a monthly 10k.  That meant the afternoon walk with Jack was mine.  We headed off to the Langdale Creek/Sprockids trail area and we explored some new trails and well as taking a dip (Jack only) in Langdale Creek. There was nobody about, surprising given how cool the forest is for walking.  After past close encounters, bear bangers and spray are now kept easily to hand! 



Happy Spaniel!

Monday I was marooned as a tennis widower;  Fred had two matches and didn't get back till early afternoon.  I finished another woodturning bowl.  
I have no idea what wood it is.  It's much darker than the Magnolia from last week. Answers on a postcard!

There were a number of splits in the blank, but I'd managed to get hold of some epoxy resin filler and black pigment that added a lovely contrast to the wood which also has some spalting in it. 

The roof rails for the Disco were FINALLY delivered Monday morning, so the afternoon was fitting them on the car.  Quite straightforward once the fog around the instructions cleared!  I'm still not sure why two items despatched at the same time were delivered 3 days apart.  I did learn from some locals who came in for a drink Sunday evening, that Purolator is owned by Canada Post who take longer to deliver an express letter from Nick in Vancouver to us in Gibsons (five days!), versus that of Jo Loves who sent an order from the UK for Fred (an incredible 3 days!).  

The next project is to work out how to instal the drip watering system for the herbs and veg that Fred has planted and work out how to water them while we are away!

Watch this space!

Monday August 2nd is a public holiday in BC.  Victoria or BC day, one of ten they have in BC including Federal days.  The ferries will be busy, though we anticipate the inbound journeys from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale on the Saturday, when we head up to Whistler, will be worst.  BC Ferries have already warned there are likely to be long delays as it is historically the  busiest weekend of the year.

We have booked both outbound and return journeys, just to be on the safe side.  It's only about £9 per journey to pre-book, rather than turn up, queue and pay.  Langdale to Horseshoe Bay is free (apart from the booking fee) and the return leg is only $63 (£36).  Some people commute from Gibsons to Vancouver, which makes the return trip cheaper than a return from Andover to Waterloo, with better views!

The 'locals' who came in for drinks Sunday evening with their rather bouncy Irish Wheaten Terrier, Otis (good name as he was up and down all evening!), have a son living in Balham.  They plan to head off to London for three months when travel permits and are considering taking Otis with them. so were keen to see his transit crate and hear about the whole process.  Not sure we mentioned the cost of getting Jack over here with them which might put them off.  


 









 

 

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