Rain Sets In



Water Restrictions Tightened

Hopkins Landing Beach
Fri Aug 20
Sat Aug 21

Saturday kicked off with the overcast skies of the day before, rain was forecast.  

It did not disappoint.  By lunchtime it was falling out of the sky.  Reports suggest it did provide some help to the firefighters in the interior as the day went on, but wildfires still rage.

I've been curious to see the rain around the house with the chain 'downpipes' on the deck instead of conventional pipes.

It was quite mesmerizing to watch the water tumble down the chain links.  


The week it rained was the same week water restrictions were tightened across most of the Sunshine Coast, which has moved to level four, the highest level.  This means there is a ban on "the use of tap water for things like garden hoses, sprinklers, and irrigation. It also cannot be used for pools, hot tubs, and garden fountains".   It has also hit hobby farmers, though after lobbying they have been given a few days extension.  The craft breweries are offering waste water to farmers;  people are encouraged to use grey-water to irrigate garden produce.  Langdale, where we are located, remains on level 2 as we are served by a local well fed from the West Howe Sound aquifer.  There is an outcry in the media over successive local governments' failure commissioning study after study, but not actually committing to a solution.


Saturday, after my early morning walk, I was picked up to go to a [Sunshine] Coasters Woodcraft Guild lunch at the Sechelt Golf Club.  Not normally my thing, but a useful set of contacts for local knowledge, suppliers and advice.  They were a welcoming bunch of woodworkers who have produced some stunning work.  The lunch discussion ranged from the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan to the Coast's failure to address water management.


Back home a hummingbird lay spread eagled on the deck after crashing in to the glass balustrade.  Still alive it sat in my hand for about five minutes with nothing obviously broken, but clearly dazed.  It flew off after about five minutes of bird 'first aid'. 

The female Anna's Hummingbird weighs 4-5g.  It was barely noticeable in my hand.  No more than a teaspoon of sugar.

They really are a delight to watch. 

This afternoon we took a walk around Gibsons Marina with Jack who was eager as ever to get in the water.

Some images below.



Camouflaged Car

Abandoned Camouflaged Boat

Gulls on parade

In need of some TLC
New beachside bar - Hopkins Landing

Abandoned boat at trailhead on forest service road to Mt Steele - long way from water!













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