Road Trip Continues

Dunster, just a short drive through beautiful countryside from McBride, has its' own flavour. Not vanilla. Look at this Flower Bridge! Someone(s) have taken the time to create art on the 'no posts' and bridge rails. Difficult to photograph, but a delight to see.

Anyway, back in McBride , my daughter and son-in-law took my little girls and I up "McBride Peak". It was a fab, 4-wheel ride up the mountain, and half way up was a primitive shelter. The 'Mighty Fraser River' is just beginning here, and is very serpentine in its' track. Not at all like Hells' Gate in the Fraser canyon.

Later in my visit we went to the farm where my son-in-law grew up, and his parents let the kids grow a garden. The cabbages, although beautiful just as they were in the garden, were even more delicious as cabbage rolls!

I had a wonderful time exploring a part of the province I don't know very well. Not to mention spending some time with my family. All too soon, I was off to Blind Bay, via Valemount and Kamloops. Funny how I don't want to leave one place, and at the same time I'm excited to press on to new adventures.

Hello!

I've been away on what I lovingly call my "Nana Tour". I haven't dropped off the map, more like, I've driven the map! I left Vancouver Island and visited friends and family in Hope, Prince George, McBride, and Blind Bay. I was treated to meals out and wonderful home cooked food, shopping and walking and playing, Oh my! I took the sewing machine and hemmed curtains for both daughters, spent some catch-up 'I love you' time with granddaughters that are growing and changing too fast.

On my way to Prince George, I was drawn in by a road sign in Quesnel. Edgewood Farm and an arrow to turn left at the next intersection. The words 'farm' and 'home dec' got me interested, so off I went. What I found, was a working farm, where one of the barns had been turned into a fab shop, and the flower cutting gardens were still in bloom. I had to have a "Farmers Market" apron, then pressed on to dinner with friends. 

My girlfriend of fifty years, and her husband welcomed me to their new home. Such a labour of love. Love for each other, their music, and the land around them. What a treat.
My next post will continue with my road-trip to McBride and more.
Before I left, I had to have travelling music, so took Il Volo . Beyond good! Ciao!

Dogs just wanna have fun

 Here we are playing on the beach at Port Renfrew. Calis' friend, a one year old Lab named Ralph were great beach buddies.

After all was said and done, our 'dirty dog' just wanted to relax at my feet. The end of a perfect day.

Just Breathe

This was our view on a recent camping trip to Port Renfrew, located on the West coast of Vancouver Island.

Funny how I don't think there's much stress being retired in Honeymoon Bay, and yet, just a couple of days 'away', I felt rejuvenated. As my Mother used to say "A change is as good as a rest." and this was both.

Yard Renovations

The side yard, which until a couple of years ago, was a no-mans'-land waste of space, is looking pretty spiffy this week.  "We" put in raised beds along the south side of the house, and a fire-pit. The vintage trailer is along the fence line and has a small patio where we have a collection of old Motel chairs, that I recently painted happy colours. I also painted a sunflower on the tabletop.

The uneven, disaster of a lawn couldn't be saved, so I put down fabric and graveled it, and Ken put in a gate and stairs from the covered porch.

What kind of projects are on the go with you?

Puppy Love

New puppy at our house!

Cali's a one year old Labradoodle, ... heavy on the Doodle. At about 30 pounds, we don't expect her to get much bigger, as she's a pretty good "lap-dog" at this size. She comes from a family in Nanaimo, and as situations changed, a new home was needed. We feel lucky to have her as part of our family now.

Lucky too, that the dog park is just across the way, and folks take their dogs daily at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for a good run and socializing. (both the people and the dogs!) 

We've always used resources at the Library, and guess what? They have Cesar the "Dog Whisperer" books and tapes. We've only had her for three days, and I suppose bad habits or patterns could already be apparent, but so far, so good. I have to learn to be the Alpha "Mom" and all things take time. She sleeps well (on our bed, as we're big suckers) and I'm learning to walk her on a leash. The plan for next month is to take Cali camping with us to the ocean. 

Garden Pics

For whatever reason, I've been having a difficult time publishing posts lately. Perhaps my computer has 'something' going on, or perhaps it's just 'operator error'! Let's try again!

This is a peek at Damali Lavender Farm . Lots going on there, and a real treat to be there, and walk the Labyrinth.

 I'm becoming more and more interested in Labyrinths, their history and uses. I'm studying, just to be better informed, of course, but also to be able to facilitate walks, here in Honeymoon Bay. Years ago when the Retreat was asking for community input, I requested a Labyrinth, and they built one, so I need to go and make use of it.

This is how my side garden looks today. I can hardly believe my good fortune at how lush this double blue clematis is. Fish fertilizer, early on when it was setting buds is the only thing I can think of. Lucky me!
Tea time, so I'm going to take a 'cuppa' out to the garden.