Summer Arrives

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 self isolating but not Covid related.  


Because this week has been so warm, we’d not planned any major adventures or excursions.  So it was early morning dog walks and swims for Jack.  He now is happy leaping in as waves hit the beach and bobs over them as they pass him.  


Wednesday morning I did a run and as Fred was walking Jack and the sea was like a mill pond, I rushed back for the paddle board and took Capt Jack for a tour along Bonniebrook. Surfing for him next!


Thursday morning it was a similar routine, but a gym session rather than a run.  Fred and Jack were already nearly home so I was on my own.  After a short paddle kneeling, it was time to get back on my feet.  I was unusually wobbly and went for an involuntary swim instead.  A little battered from the barnacle-covered rocks beneath the surface it was time for a tactical withdrawal.     It went downhill in the afternoon.


Capt Jack

A call to the BC non-emergency health number and several hours later with an armful of antibiotics, I was being chauffeured home by Fred with a UTI and kidney infection and a prescription for more pills.  I still find it hard to believe I went from a morning of activity to a temp of 41c and feeling like being trampled by an elephant in the space of a few hours.  Other aspects of it were not very comfortable either!


It got slightly worse the next day when the prescription was filled as I had to: stay out of the sun (which was in abundance), can’t exercise (risk of tendon damage!), can’t consume dairy or any calcium enriched foods (the calcium inhibits take up of the antibiotic) and worse still, alcohol (though no advice on why).  That said, I have no yearning for any of it.  


Jack on the other hand has had a ball enjoying the creeks and sea. 



Sunday afternoon while I was feeling sorry for myself, Fred headed off to the finals of the annual Sunshine Coast Open Tournament - an open tennis competition that attracts entrants from Vancouver and far afield - as she knew many from the club she plays at were taking part and indeed won some of the events. 


Both sets of Gibsons courts were being used.  Two down by the marina, newly painted to accommodate the Pickleball craze that is sweeping across North America. A plastic ball with holes in it and tambourine minus the bells. What an irritating sound!  


The other two new courts were up at the back of Gibsons, close to the forests that surround Mt Elphinstone. While play was underway a mother and two Black Bear cubs moseyed past which stopped play.  The mother paused and looked at the tennis players.  Clearly not in the mood for a game of tennis , they headed off deeper into the forest.  I bet they’ve never had  ‘bear stopped play’ at Wimbledon!  



 

Fred spent Tuesday in Van looking after young Seb, while Lizzie went off to get his passport ahead of his first overseas tour at the end of the month.  Seb must have done a pretty good job as she came home with a big smile on her face. 

Seb at just over 3 months, wearing the onesie 
that was Nick's 38 years ago.


The good news is that a week on I have bounced back and am ready to return to normal activity, just as the rain arrives.   A welcome arrival for our parched garden and brown grass which cannot now be watered due to water restrictions having been raised a further notch, just as the rain arrives!


While energy has been returning, I've been trying out various camera settings to capture a humming bird's wings in something other than a blur. Some success at last, though I have yet to achieve a black background, which I read is possible in natural light if the lighting conditions are just right. So that is still work in progress.












Bonniebrook Beach with Van Island backdrop





Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 4, 2022 at 7:15 AM

    Sorry to hear you’ve not been too good. Worse in the hot weather as well. However sounds as if you are up and on the go ahead. Desperate for rain here but harvest is progressing without major drying costs. Liz x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MikeT67MAugust 4, 2022 at 9:42 AM

      All mended thanks Liz. Been following Charlie's Instagram posts and see the harvest is going well. Probably best the rain stays off till it's all in! M

      Delete
  2. AnonymousAugust 4, 2022 at 12:09 PM

    Poor Bro. Best lay off the beer for a while. Glad you are on the mend/have mended!

    ReplyDelete
  3. BobAugust 4, 2022 at 12:11 PM

    Stick to the grape instead!

    ReplyDelete

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