Brief Blue Skies

Day Trip to Vancouver

Wed Oct 20th

Howe Sound

The beginning of the week, saw cold clear days until Wednesday morning, when rain returned.  It is forecast to stick around until this time next week.  It is not as heavy as  at the end of last week and already water levels in the creeks have started to drop off as the run-off clears.

The trees are turning though, with a predominance of conifers it is patchy, but still beautiful.

Howe Sound Sunrise

Monday and Tuesday provided stunning sunrises and the view across Howe Sound during the day was equally impressive.  The clouds midway up the mainland mountains, now snowless, give a sense of scale. 

Tuesday we caught the 8.40 ferry over to Vancouver.  We needed some ski boots.  The ones I have in the UK are not yet shipped and are getting rather dated; Fred needed some as well.  I'd also bought a roof box on Craigslist to give more carrying space on the Disco, which I had to pick up. 

The ferry crossing was smooth and on-time and we had a chance to walk Jack on Kitsilano (Kits) beach before heading off to the ski shop a few blocks back.  He patiently lay in the store while we were booted.   It took close to two hours to have them correctly fitted but we both came away impressed by the service.  I have to go back to collect mine as one of my boots needed a slight modification.  

Sunrise from Nick and Lizzie's deck in Kits

Just skis to get now.  

My old skis had to go to landfill as there was no recycling option in the UK for old skis.  In fact I've yet to find a sensible way of recycling skis beyond using them for Adirondack chair slats, fences (great on the side of a ski slope, but in your garden?),  and other odd uses. Nothing that offers a mass recycling solution. 

When we were up at Garden Bay at the beginning of the summer, on one of the trails we saw old snow boards had been used to create seats with backs.  Very clever and quite comfortable.  But what about old skis.  I clearly need to give this some thought!

Boots done and another walk on Kitsilano beach this time with Nick, we picked up and fitted the roof box then headed to Granville Island Market for some fresh fish and lunch on the way back.  

As with the outward leg, the ferry was 100% full.  I hadn't anticipated having a roof-box on top when booking the crossing,  so our ticket was for a standard sized vehicle.  The box and roof bars meant we exceeded the max height for the upper deck which the check-in staff failed to notice and I forgot to raise.  That the marshal guiding cars on to the ferry thought we 'should be OK', wasn't overly reassuring.  There was a nervous moment as we drove on to the car deck, a) that we'd fit and park with an intact roof box and b) not create havoc for dozens of cars behind us.  We had 100mm to spare!  Sadly the same could not be said of our garage entrance at home!

When we got back to Gibsons I collected my iPad from London Drugs.  They started as a Boots type pharmacy, but diversified into groceries, IT, photography, TV's and audio.  They also arrange camera servicing for the major brands and act as an agent for Apple, amongst others.  An amalgam of Boots, Dixons, WHSmiths, PC World, Staples, Wilko and a convenience grocery.  

It's where I took my Nikon camera body and lens for service about five weeks ago, which they forwarded to Nikon in Ontario.  

Last week, with my iPad battery lasting only a couple of hours, I took that in too and had a replacement in just three days for £80.    Quite impressive.  Not quite the same on the photographic side, who haven't come back to tell me when my camera will be back, despite several calls.

Part of the issue is the supply chain problems which as we all see from the news, is a global problem.  Nikon were waiting for a part to be shipped to Canada.  I hope to know more on Thursday.  On the whole I remain impressed by London Drugs' service for such a highly diversified business.  Their specialist staff are quite knowledgable.  An interesting business model if there are any WH Smith readers!  You know who you are.  

Global supply chain issues are also behind the delay in getting spare parts for one of the machines I bought for the workshop.  Originally quoted mid-October for some bits for my bandsaw, I learnt on Wednesday it was now mid-December.  After managing to find an alternate supplier with parts in stock, I cancelled the order and live in hope!

If any of you are bemoaning inflation increases in the UK and high fuel prices over and above supply-chain issues, Canada hit 4.4% CPI equivalent in September compared to the UK's 3.1%.  Interest rates are forecast to go up and fuel price increases are as bad here as the UK.  This, coupled with the fall in the £ against the CA$ - previously reported.  Hey ho!   

Smith Rd Beach