Expedition Canada

It's Party Time Me - at Squamish Canyon Trail I am late with this blog, very late, it's two months since my last ramblings.     In mitigation May has been full-on with visitors and by the time I realised I'd missed April, it was too late.   We have loved sharing our beautiful part of BC’s Sunshine Coast with all of them.   But it has been non-stop. L to R - me, Alex, Maddy, Graham, Alice & Fred at Smuggler Cove Our visitors have all been delightful guests, every single one.  They have mucked in with the household chores and all been gracious visitors, keeping the drinks cupboard stocked, and of course helped empty it.   Thinking we could manage a continuous stream of guests was ambitious....w e’re knackered.   Firstly friends from the UK with Vancouver based son and fiancée.   What a delight to share our home with an old work pal of Fred's and since long-time friends.  Hikes, walks, lunches and the odd glass ...

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...

Earthquake Hits SW BC Friday Feb 21st earthquake - Cronk Towers the red dot The house shook and rattled after the initial thunderous roar, while birds scattered in all directions from the feeders and trees.  It took me a few seconds to clock that it wasn't a plane crash or other manmade disaster, but an earthquake.   A first, and quite frightening experience.  Jack was equally unimpressed and didn't know where to put himself.  The centre was 25k North of us (close!) on the northern edge of the Tetrahedron Provincial Park and registered 5.1 (later revised down to 4.8).  Tetrahedron is a popular hiking area and on a clear day can be seen from the Sea to Sky Highway that takes you up to Whistler.  It was also felt in Whistler, Metro and North Vancouver and Vancouver Island. BC's Emergency Notice When we first moved in to Bonniebrook Fred packed a 'grab bag', which is recommended for parts of the country that could be affected by forest fires, earthquakes...