Expedition Canada

Jazz by the beach Wed Aug 31st Fierce guard dog keeps watch from deck There is a definite autumnal air first thing in the morning and at my normal waking time of 0530 - 0600, it is dark.  The autumn equinox is only 21 days away, and it feels like it.  Daytime it is still warm, in fact this week we have a mini heat-wave (29 degrees yesterday) returning to normal over the long weekend.  It’s Labor Day on Monday - a public holiday, but no rain is forecast!  The long range forecast is for a wet autumn, though not as bad as last year when roads and rail lines were washed out, cutting BC off from the rest of Canada.   Warning of Black Bears going into their hyperphagia phase - eating as much as they can before going into hibernation in Oct/Nov, means they are more likely to be around potential household food sources.  There have been reports of bears entering houses and unlocked cars in search of food.  The cars haven’t fared too well (you should see the size of their claws), nor have the fo

A Mountain Escape Mon Aug 22 Alta Lake, Whistler A bit of a gap since the last blog as we’ve been on hols in Whistler.  Some might suggest we have been on holiday since we arrived in Canada April 3, 2021!  The jumps and bumps will be flattened for the ski season After a few months of tour guiding, which we have thoroughly enjoyed (a new career maybe?), it was time for a family catch-up.  Ros has been up in Whistler volunteering on Crankworx (the name similarity was purely coincidental).  Nick and Lizzie were in town either end of our week, so it was a last chance to spend time with Roz en-famile, before she headed back to NZ Sunday evening.   Popular as a winter resort, there is just as much fun to be had in summer as there is when snow shrouds the town.   From October to April, trails are turned over to cross-country skiing, lakes are frozen and are largely left to be admired and the fun is up the alp.  In the summer, it's hiking, biking, sailing, canoeing, paddle boarding ......

Roberts Creek Mandala Friday Aug 3rd About 30' across Mandala: any of various geometric designs ( usually circular ) symbolizing the universe ; used chiefly in Hinduism and Buddhism as an aid to meditation . source: Websters   Started in 1997, the Mandala at Robert’s Creek was conceived by two local artists.  It has been repainted with a new design each year since except for a gap due to Covid.  The latest creation in the shape of a turtle was completed a couple of weekends back by Robert's Creek residents - adults and children.  It’s pretty impressive at ground level but can only really be appreciated from above.   We have had a stream of visitors since mid-June and enjoyed the company of all of them. It has been great to catch up with UK friends and family. That's it for this year! It’s time for a holiday so we're off to Whistler!  Our latest guests, Martin and Harriet, besties who we have known since our school days, were safely deposited back at

Hot and Humid Wed Aug 3 Night sky over Van Island After the highs of the sailing regatta weekend, the last ten days have been interesting!  Much health related.  Ros tested positive for Covid  two days into her UK trip and had to cancel most of her plans. The couple who ran the business we flew around NZ with some years back, flew in to Wisconsin for the annual flying show - Oshkosh 2022 - and had to put an email out asking for help on their stand as they too had tested positive for Covid and had to isolate.  It's easy to see how international air travel helped spread Covid. Thursday it was my turn to check out the local health services.  Fred, not to be left out, has been providing personal food bank services to the local Mosquito population.  I tell her it’s because she’s so hot in bed!   Happiest in water Ros has since tested negative and arrived back in Canada late Sunday, the same day Oshkosh 2022 finishes. We’ve not heard if the NZ mates made it to the show.  I too am sel