Expedition Canada

Humpbacks Return Thu May 18th Orca cruising just past the start line I was sailing last Sunday after a break of two weeks and it felt as though summer had arrived.  We had good wind and a warm 30c, though a windproof jacket was still required.  In the previous race, we were in winter wet weather gear.  My brain-related knee injury, which had prevented my appearance for the last two weeks, is on the mend and it has reminded me that I should engage the grey matter before doing anything so stupid in future.  Bruised bones rather than anything more serious.  For those that missed the last blog, I'd jumped off the back of a stationary pick-up truck.  Doh! As well as good sailing weather we enjoyed watching a pod of Orca put in an appearance as we motored out to the start line.  They were heading out to the Salish Sea from West Howe Sound through the Shoal Channel which runs between Keats Island and The Bluff, a large outcrop that sits above Gibsons Marina....

Cooler and Quieter Hopkins landing beach and mainland mountains Mon Aug 16th Tues Aug 17th Temperatures have dropped 10c - 15c since the arrival of rain on Monday and Tuesday.  Much needed, long overdue and still not enough. After reaching 33c over the weekend we have struggled to get to 20c.  The rain didn't  reach the interior of BC in any quantity and was of no help to the wildfire fighters, struggling with   266 fires , up 10 in the two days. It was quite murky towards the end of the weekend, largely blamed on wildfire smoke.  The sun was a deep red morning and evening as it shone through the low level haze.  There was no obvious hint of smoke in the air. The end of the week is forecast to be sunnier, before rain returns at  the weekend. We hope the rain reaches the interior. Wildfire Map Our six month visitor stamps in the passport expire 3rd October. We have now formally applied for an extension for a further year, which has been organised b...

BC State of Emergency  Fred's palm-size basil leaves! Wed Jul 21st Living on the Sunshine Coast one can feel a little distant from the rest of BC and Canada as a whole.  British Columbia has declared a 'State of Emergency' less than one month after ending its Covid State of Emergency.    " More than 3,000 square kilometres of land have been burned by 1,145 wildfires in B.C. this season so far, which is three times the 10-year average for this time of year, according to B.C. Wildfire Service director of operations Cliff Chapman." To put that in to context, Wiltshire, our home county in the UK is 3,48 5 km2.  An area close to the total size of Wiltshire, is or has been on fire. On the Sunshine Coast there are no active fires.  Across BC there are 277, up 18 in the last two days.  BC needs rain, none is forecast.   “Public safety is always our first priority, and as wildfire activity is expected to increase, this is a progressive step in our wil...

Gibsons Beckons Fri Jul 2nd Today is our last day in North Van and our hosts at the property, where we spent our first month, have been as welcoming as ever.  Jack, who got on well with the resident lady boxer, Josie, has renewed the acquaintance and has had the temerity to abscond to their upper deck and steal her soft toys.  I'm sure there are better ways to a girls heart but it seems to bring her down to ground level each time! Temperatures have returned to seasonal normal in Vancouver, though the interior is not faring so well.   The number of wildfires has increased by 228 this week. See map below.   There is a suggestion of rain Wednesday next week, but only at 40% chance at the moment. Not great prospects at the moment for dampening down the prevailing arid conditions. On the Sunshine Coast where we return on Saturday, the three month anniversary to the day and date of our arrival in Canada, watering gardens has already been restricted...