Still no Weather to Report

Quiet News Week

Mon Jan 24th

Howe Sound














The week since the last post has flown by and you might reasonably assume it has been jam packed with adventures.  I'm not sure where the time has gone, but it's not been spent climbing mountains, hiking trails or other outdoor pursuits.  Too cold for anything water based!

The latter part of last week, we were absorbed in a potential house purchase.  We got a heads up on Tuesday that a property in one of our preferred locations was coming on the market  and went to see it first viewing, first thing on Thursday morning.  We liked it so had a second visit on Friday, before putting in an offer.  The three bed house was on the coast near Bonniebrook, where we spent out first month on the Coast.  Nice quiet location, but needed some work for an additional bed and shower room that influenced our offer.  We went in just below asking and were unsuccessful and suspect it went above asking.  

The search continues.  It is a quiet time of year and with fewer properties coming on the market generally, it is very much a sellers market.  Prices on the Coast have gone up by an average of 26% in the last year, partly due to short supply and partly due to the Covid urban exodus.  Quite challenging.  We have written to a couple of local home owners whose properties we understand from our local network, are coming on to the market, so we'll see where that goes.

The process here is very different to the UK.  At the point you make an offer, you will have received legal title information, covenants, easements etc. You then submit your offer with a signed contract, with or without 'Subjects' (conditions),  such as subject to survey (inspection), or selling an existing property.  Once the 'subjects' are met the sale is ready to complete.  Simpler and quicker, but still nerve-racking!

West Lion mountain on the mainland

The absence of 'weather' has meant some clear skies in the morning that has produced some stunning sunrises.  The top picture looking across Howe Sound towards Vancouver with two tugs working their way across the Sound.  West Lion, also across Howe Sound,  is on the Sea to Sky Highway between Vancouver and Squamish. These were both taken with my Nikon, which I am getting back in to using now it's returned from its extended four month 'service'.

Howe Sound was in the news this morning as a number of areas have had bottom fishing banned because of Glass Sponge reefs. So no prawn trawling, crabs pots or other net based fishing.  Having looked it up, Glass Sponges are in the image on the right.  The link takes you to an FAQ on Glass sponges, which by all accounts can live over 200 years.

Not quite Great Barrier Reef colour and diversity, but important nevertheless.  I suspect it's an initiative that was bought to the fore after the Howe Sound was designated a UN Biosphere.

One of the areas is immediately in front of the property we are renting which in some ways is surprising, as the BC ferries hurtle over the top of it at 20 kts on their way in to and out of the Langdale terminal.  That said the water depths are between 50m and 100m , so the reefs are a long way down.

Apart from house-hunting I have been setting up the workshop, though still await  parts for my lathe from the Far East, which are now on a slow boat from China!

I have been asked to help with one or two pieces of woodwork which is satisfying through the local Guild I joined last year.  

I've ordered some bits and pieces from one of the Vancouver tools companies and await their delivery as well!

In other news, as well as ships taking a long time to arrive from China with lathe parts, our household possessions are delayed leaving the UK  due to lack of cargo space.  The container is not now due to leave until early Feb which means we will not see our stuff until March.  Our removal company are covering the cost increase and additional storage charges which is pretty decent of them.

Seal off Bonniebrook beach - Van Island in the distance

Langdale Ferry Terminal  - north dock - only used in summer














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