Expedition Canada

The Best of ... I can't be the only one hugely irritated by the current  newspaper  trend where every other page has 'The 10 best ......', the 50 of this or 100 of that.  Pubs, holiday destinations, rural retreats, market towns, places to live, albums, films, stage shows, male footballers, female footballers, ski resorts, goalies, TV shows, video games ............... etc.  The list goes on and on and on.   It will be closely followed by the best of 2025 reviews and summaries, and then predictions for 2026.  And who the hell decides what the best are?  Seems to me that newspaper writers (it can't be called journalism can it?) are running out of things to write about so a list is Googled, assembled in a self-justified order and the story is done.  Lazy.  Does anybody actually read them? Canadian, US, UK papers are all at it.   Rant over. So I thought I'd reflect on my 50 best  .....  No, you're spared!  Davis Bay ...

It's a Boy! Grandson no 2 has arrived, weighing in at a healthy 8lbs. Born 29th October, Laurence (Laurie) Alfred River is home, putting on weight and making his presence felt.  Grandson no 1, has assumed the role of big brother and after a complete indifference to his sibling's impending arrival, has proved to be a caring and gentle big brother.   Not sure how long this love-in will last; I suspect until the little one starts knocking over big brother's creations or 'borrowing' his toys. Mum, baby (and Dad) are all doing fine albeit getting re-acquainted with diapers and sleep interrupted nights. Cherubini's Requiem on Remembrance Day was a huge success.  Two packed and appreciative audiences, with the singers accompanied by a small orchestra, all brilliant musicians.  If you have not heard the Requiem, there is a great recording on  YouTube .      Rehearsals have started for Handel's Messiah which the Coast Messiah Choir and Coast Messiah O...

Cronks Go Camping Earl's Cove RV Campground Greetings from a sunny Earl’s Cove at the northern end of BC’s Sunshine Coast. Almost the most northerly part unless you get the ferry across to Powell River.   We’re on a "shake-down" trip with the new 25' RV (caravan to the Brits), checking out how it all works, which buttons to press to turn on lights, heating (still haven’t worked out the hot air system yet) etc etc.  So far we’re still talking to one another crammed into a 200 sq ft shoe box, but it’s early days :-)   Earl’s Cove has the ferry terminal for Saltery Bay/Powell River and, close to Egmont, a small hamlet at the top of the trail that takes you past Brown Lake to the Skookumchuck rapids.  Egmont is worth a visit as the views across the top of the Sechelt Inlet are lovely.  We first came to Back Eddy’s pub and restaurant during our initial 6 weeks living at this end of the Coast in 2021.  It’s the kind of place where you want to leap into ...

Orcas off Camp Byng Fri March 3rd Our Bonniebrook Beach Day 18 post op, Fred's rehab goes from strength to strength.  Crutches have been cast aside and a hiking stick is only being used when out and about.  Whilst not rushing up and downstairs, she's now climbing up and down pretty normally, the one thing she could not do before the hip op.  The medical team from Calgary are keeping in regular contact and the local GP is impressed with progress.   Physio phase 2, as distinct from home physio exercises, starts Mon 13th, exactly one month after the op.    A long weekend of Sebby-time when we got back from Calgary was good Fred therapy. Camp Byng - Quite different to the other Hammersmith!  As I have been doing two walks a day with Fred out of dog-walking action, I've been varying the routes.  My local favourite is Camp Byng; a 210 acre Scouts of Canada campground.  Closed up this time of year and slightly overrun/rundown after Covid; it is...

Remembrance Day in Canada Mon Nov 14th  Remembrance Day is a Federal holiday in Canada , which means schools and other public services are closed.  Some businesses shut for the day as well.  The ceremony around the two minute silence is very similar to the UK with one exception, young people appear much more involved in the day's activities.   In Vancouver , a youth choir was part of the act of Remembrance.  The winner of a school Remembrance Day poem competition read their poem as part of the service.  I can't think of a better way of engaging tomorrow's beneficiaries in the sacrifice of those who went before us and who brought about the freedom we enjoy today, than by involving them in these events.   Despite recent rainfall, our drought continues and the Emergency Order has been extended.  Businesses that use water as part of their activities had a reprieve after the deluge and were allowed to restart water use, but have now had the b...