Quiet Indoor Weekend .....

It was the first wet weather in months that kept us indoors this weekend.  It rained heavily on Friday evening, all day Saturday and most of Sunday.  Heavy winds accompanied the Sunday rains.  It was anticipated and moisture was most welcomed.    Our area has been without any significant moisture these past three months.

Our rain gauge this morning  - proving that we have had some heavy rainfall - 2" of moisture

So, what to do when we are accustomed to outdoor activities?  Well, adopt other activities such as extensive blogging about US Health Care issues on Jana's blog   Tin TeePee/Log Cabin  .....indulge in reading, movies, watching the Golf Channel and working on hobbies that have not been touched in a long time.

Roadhouse Restaurant - South Surrey/White Rock

Friday lunchtime was reserved to meet with a good friend and work colleague I had not seen since visiting him in hospital about six months ago.  He is doing well and we enjoyed a good two hour chin wag while enjoying some really good food.

Our plants and trees are reaping the benefit of high moisture

Jeanette got busy with sewing and spent a good part of the weekend in her hobby room completing quilts and sewing bibs for Easton.

She brings her work into the kitchen when she's multitasking with dinner preparations

In her comfy crafts room

New bibs for Easton and friends

 We planned on watching two recent movies and the first was screened on Saturday evening. The other was reserved for mid-afternoon on Sunday. Most enjoyable!

Sure wish I could have been out on the links but......

....The Golf Channel served as a good distraction!

While working on updating our music library - on iPod and computer - I was screening the golf, on and off, for the better part of several hours on Saturday and Sunday.  I was also occasionally dropping in on Jana's blog  Tin TeePee/Log Cabin  to see if any bright ideas might emerge from the US health care discussion.

Because I did have the time - and being curious by nature - I sourced the 'Obamacare"  Obamacare Facts  and read all I could to better understand why so many bloggers were against what I had believed was a pretty good start to integrating a national universal health care program, for all US citizens.  It will be interesting to witness what, if anything, changes to improve the coverage Americans so well deserve.  I am not optimistic that anything positive can be achieved on that file because of so much disinformation confusing voters.  Jana's blog pretty well served as a tiny sample of the disinformation I speak of.  Too bad!

Editing our music library....of well over 2,000 cuts

Nice back yard fall colours

This pretty well sums up the past few days.  It was a very relaxed and enjoyable indoor weekend.  A few of those, on occasion, are fine by us....but....we prefer the outdoor opportunities more. 

A break in the weather today will find us taking a hike on one of our nearby trails.  With a few errands to run, the day will roll by....and, that means one day closer to gearing up for Christmas and eventually packing and rolling the fiver southbound.

Thanks for dropping by.

Dinner Out With Friends From England

Ten days ago I received an email from good friends from London, England.  David and Belinda were planning to be in Canada, and Vancouver would be one of the many stops on their travel itinerary.

David and I met when I moved from CBC-TV Calgary, Alberta, to the Vancouver TV station, over 30 years ago.  David was a senior producer in the newsroom and I was coming in as their new TV Director.  Being the gracious and caring fellow that he is, David was instrumental in making me feel at home very quickly.  We became life long friends as a result of our working relationship.  Years later, David was appointed as the senior producer on my network TV series, "The Best Years". Living in Toronto at the time, David was responsible for producing current and public affairs stories in Eastern Canada and abroad. A solid and accomplished journalist/producer, David produced many gripping stories for our series.  His Canadian broadcast journalism career also included stints with CBC-TV's flagship news program, 'The National', with Peter Mansbridge and with CBC-TV 'Newsworld'.

L-R   Jeanette, Belinda and David

David has had an interesting career in TV journalism.  He has worked in numerous Canadian cities, followed by a reasonably long stint in Hong Kong and major cities in the far east, and has lived and worked in London, England, for the past half dozen years.  Although retired, he continues to work as a freelance producer out of London.

David and Belinda were on a pan Canadian holiday that would see them land in Montreal (David's home town as a boy), then to Calgary (where his brother lives) then to Vancouver, Victoria and Toronto before returning home to London, England.

They were in Vancouver these past three/four days and we managed to get together in downtown Vancouver for a great dinner out....and plenty of chat.

Downtown Vancouver Hotel - The Sylvia Hotel on English Bay - British Columbia, Canada

We found David and Belinda at this waterfront, boutique hotel in downtown Vancouver.  The Sylvia is a stunningly beautiful heritage hotel, with commanding views of Vancouver's main harbour.

Nearby is this Inukshuk.  Clicking on the photo below will help you read about its status.

Although the sun would not pop out from under the low ceiling of fog, it was still fun to be in downtown Vancouver for the evening.

Vancouver's Burrard Street Bridge.

We rolled into the waterfront area at about 6:30 pm.  Having parked on the street near their hotel, Jeanette and I caught a few photos before entering the hotel to greet our European friends.

Interesting series of sculptures a block from the Sylvia Hotel.

We enjoyed a libation in the Sylvia Hotel lounge before choosing to walk over to the recently built Cactus Club Cafe' that overlooks English Bay.  The food was top class; our visit was even better!

 

Suffice it to say that we burned up a lot of oxygen just catching up on their lives and sharing ours.  Belinda was keenly interested in our RV'ing, snow birding, lifestyle.  She saw photos of our 5th wheel and was amazed by its size.  In England, caravans (trailers to us) are popular but they seldom exceed 20 - 22 feet.  Compare that to a 39 foot 5th wheel?  We invited them to come and join us in the US southwest this - or any future - winter.

The last time we had dinner together was five years ago when we met at the same hotel.  We chose to have dinner there at the time.  The meal did not disappoint.

David and Belinda commute between their London, England, flat and their seaside home in Hastings - in southeast of England.  It was fun to reminisce about our work world relationship and our current positions in life.

We received a gracious invite to visit them in England and that got our travel juices going.  We've been to England twice but it has been many, many years since our last foray there.  It just might be an opportune time to re-think some European travel.  We would especially love to motorcycle through western Europe.  Something to think about!

Hastings, England

Hastings travel guide - Wikitravel

Hastings Pier

Safe travels you two.  We look forward to our next visit - whenever and wherever that may be!

To our blogging friends, thanks for dropping by.

Power Supply Problem....now repaired!

So, yesterday, while I was in the midst of writing a blog, Jeanette got back home and called out for me.  I was upstairs at our computer desk.  At that very instant, the computer shut down.

Yep!!!! It had to be her fault for calling out while I was busy on the computer.  The result?  NO POWER!!!  Hmmm....I tried the few things I could think of but quickly realized that it was a problem best left to the computer repair place nearby.

I predicted that the issue was a faulty power supply.  Sure enough!  This morning, the local computer store confirmed my suspicion; replaced the power supply and I was on my way back to the blogging world.

I still think that if Jeanette had not called out, the power supply could have lasted longer.  She doesn't buy my argument.  Oh well!!!!  LOL

Although we have two lap tops, I really enjoy the super big computer screen that is plugged into our desktop.  So, I held off on the blog till the repair.

Fall is showing its colours

Other than the power supply issue, the only other news was our little family Thanksgiving dinner that we hosted this past Monday.

Ginette is giving her mom a hand with the kitchen duties.

It was a quiet day for us - other than the kitchen job that Jeanette handles oh so well.  I spent most of the mid-morning to mid-afternoon reading  about Steve Jobs.  Interesting personality that guy had.  He kind of reminds me of one TV station boss I once worked with, years and years ago.  The thing is, I quite liked my TV station boss at that time....although most employees did not.  I thought he was quite brilliant.

A nice table centre that Jeanette put together.  She is a natural at this stuff.  I, on the other hand, would not even think about building a table centre.

Easton and his mom, Ginette, showed up earlier.  Dad, Trevor, had some stuff to take care of and he dropped by closer to the actual dinner time.  Jeanette and I (more I than her) had plenty of time to play, feed and generally look after Easton.  He's a fun guy to hang out with, that's for sure.

Easton is already at the dinner table.....!  Where are the others?

Here they are!  Trevor, Easton, Jeanette and Ginette pose for the obligatory blog shot.

So, the 10 lb turkey was fantastic, as usual, and the trimmings were awesome too.  What's not to like about a nice dinner with family.  And, I love turkey dinner.....anytime!

We did hear from our son and new daughter in law.  They called from Edmonton, on Sunday, while they were preparing their own turkey.

So that was the extent of our quiet but wonderful Thanksgiving.

Sure is nice to have the desk top computer back in service.  I can post this blog and get on with reading the blogs I've missed this past 24-36 hours.

Thanks for dropping by.

A Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Truly in the spirit of Thanksgiving and Halloween

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving and Columbus Day in the USA.  We're preparing to celebrate the day with a turkey dinner.

It has been a fun, long weekend of activities.  That is, in large part, due to some terrific fall weather that leads us to enjoy our favourite outdoor activities.

Friday morning started off with us dressed in layers.  By 10:00 am, the layers were off and we were sweating under the hot sun. Yes, we were on a golf course.  The Peace Portal Golf Course, that skirts the US border (on the Canadian side), is one of the oldest golf courses in British Columbia.

 Peace Portal Golf Course - South Surrey Golf Course / White Rock Golf Course, British Columbia

Early Friday morning golf round.....and I mean early.  Our Tee Off was at 7:38 am. 

Rick and Denis are focused on making solid putts.

Ron is working on a short chip shot.

Terry Fox Plaza at BC Place Stadium - Vancouver, BC

Saturday evening had good friend Rick and I attend the 1st place BC Lions CFL Football game against the 2nd place Calgary Stampeders.  Rick's daughter, Emma, and her friend came along too.  They were colourful in their BC Lions jerseys....and fitting colours they are for the Halloween season too!

They are true Lions fans!

The 1st place Lions - in spite of resting their two best receivers due to injuries -changed their long game play and managed to win the game with a short game strategy.  It was effective.  As a result, the Lions have a commanding 4 point lead in the CFL (Canadian Football League).

Inside BC Place Stadium - with the roof open!

Another beautiful setting on Sunday morning.

I caught this photo with my iPhone while on my way to the golf course on Sunday morning.

SNAKE GOLF Captain Phil - The tournament champion

SNAKE Golf Tournament Players

Sunday morning had us back on the golf links to play our season closing SNAKE GOLF tournament.  Four groups headed to the most recently opened Pagoda Ridge Golf Course in Langley to compete for the coveted SNAKE Golf trophy.  Our fearless Captain, Phil, took the honours.
                                                Pagoda Ridge Golf Course

The golf course owner (a Caucasian businessman) developed this stunning golf course to include the Great Wall of China.  It is quite something to see,to walk on and to challenge our golf skills. 

Only months ago, this river was raging and spilling its banks.  

We saw only one boat with lines out and that could only mean one thing!  Only our First Nations Canadians (native Indians) are allowed to fish the river 24/7.

Back home, after the tournament, Jeanette and I headed off for a three hour motorcycle ride that had us take a different route. It lead to a nice park along the Fraser River in the Abbotsford area.  Two other motorcyclists were.  We took a casual walk along the rivers edge. 

Our coffee place.

After a 30 minute stop for a coffee (me) and tea (Jeanette), we rode back home as the sun was setting.

Today is our Thanksgiving dinner.  Jeanette has been busy with preparing the turkey for the oven. She's also been multitasking with food preparation while talking with her mom - by phone - who resides in the Province of Alberta.

 Easton and his mom and dad will join us for dinner today.

 We hope yours is/was a great Thanksgiving. 

Thanks for dropping by.

Great Fall Weather Calls For Getting Out

Entering Fort Langley, BC

The fantastic fall weather continues to lure us outdoors.  We take full advantage of that!

A great outdoor/indoor restaurant that we've patronized a few times.

Beatniks Restaurant, in the Fort, never disappoints.  We've been there a few times for breakfast and, most recently, for dinner.  This is a nice little gem.  Although the temperatures were dropping on Sunday evening, it was still pleasant enough to sit outdoors.

While Jeanette enjoys a mint tea, she is texting her sisters in Alberta, before her meal arrives.

Easton is fairly new to ingesting a more solid breakfast of pablum.

Easton was over with his mom on Monday.  Jeanette took care of the little fella while his mom was resting from what her doctor has diagnosed as a case of bronchitis. 

Great motorcycle roads in the Pacific Northwest - Washington State.

Yesterday was ideal to cross the 49th parallel and head into Washington State.  The roads we ride in the area are underutilized during working hours.  We take advantage of that to enjoy the topography.  Great weather adds to the enjoyment.

Chuckanut Drive

From south Bellingham, WA, is a well known motorcycle ride called the Chuckanut Drive.  It skirts the Pacific Ocean. It's a scenic road that requires the rider to keep the speed down to enjoy the fantastic views along the way. That we did!

The trees nearly complete a full canopy.

Sheer rock walls on the left side - ocean-side on the right.

Ocean side.

We found a Bob's Burger and Brew restaurant near Burlington, WA.  This is one of 12 that operate in the state.  It never disappoints.  Jeanette enjoyed a seafood wrap and I chose a chicken wrap.  

Once our tummies were fueled - and the motorcycle too - we rode east in search of Highway 9.  That's a route that skirts the base of the mountains that include Mount Baker.  It never disappoints.

One view along Highway 9.

After six hours of riding, stopping to view the sites, and the required rest breaks, we returned home.

That sums up the past couple of days.  The weather girl forecasts a continuation of this fine, fall weather so we plan to take full advantage of that.  Do I hear GOLF, CFL Football, and more GOLF?  It's all possible!  More on that later.

Thanks for dropping by.