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Larry & Kate's spaceDecember 24 Merry Christmas to allMerry Christmas to all and Peace on earth.
This year is quickly coming to an end and it has been a very busy year.From the east coast of Newfoundland(Canada) in January to the west coast of British Columbia (Canada) in December we have travelled,saw many sights,met many interesting people and just had a wonderful year.Kept busy by decorating after our arrival but it is just wonderful.Up in the mountains it is so beautiful when we get a gentle snowfall.The trees glisten.Even without snow it is beautiful when the fog drifts through the valley up into the mountaintop.
October 05 RAIN forestAfter all this time it finally is the RAIN FOREST, it has rained for almost the last month non stop.With just a few days of no rain(Still overcast) we are finally seeing why it is the rainforest.
After finishing the house painting,I travelled to Belle River for my grandson's 8th birthday plus a visit.It was really nice,I had a short visit at my old workplace and talked to the guys and found out that the work and stress has taken its toll on other peoples bodies as well since I have left.it is a very demanding hard paced schedule that has to be followed and after a while the old body lets you know.I hope Roger and Angelo are progressing in their recovery ok.
It was really nice to spend time with my daughter and grandkids,I stayed there so I could spend more time with them.I arrived before school went back so we spent time at the water park as well as going to eat out which everybody loved.
There were a few house repairs to be done,fix the fence,hang a door on the shed(a free door)trim tree branches,put up a couple ceiling fans,shampoo carpets,paint a new captain's bed for Tori,run dish coax to dylan's room.It was great to be there even though a couple of days were much warmer than what I have been used to in Newfoundland and B.C.Even with all those work projects i did get to spend quality time with everyone.It was really a nice visit.
Dylan had a great birthday party with just the few caring people present,we had KFC and ice cream and cake so who could ask for more.
He got more computer games than anyone needs but he also has enough physical activities like soccorr and hockey to keep his blood flowing.
After about 10 days I was off to visit my brother,I had planned on staying the night figuring my flight was the next day but when checking my ticket I found out it was the following day,I considered calling back and changing the date of my visit but then figured why not go anyway.so my daughter drove me,actually I drove her car while she ,on the way we stopped to visit Kate's old Church to view the changes they have done to the interior.Quite impressive,changed the choir loft and updated the interior colors.Also they were planting more greens around the yard the day of our visit.
On to my brothers,Tanya had to stay her distance from him as he recently went through some radioactive implants for cancer.So she only stayed for a short visit then she was off home to get the kids from school.
My brother and I had a nice visit then we were off to meet his friend for dinner.Not only was the rib dinner at Montanas good but it was made even better by my brother paying...
That night we had a really good talkfest then I suggested we should visit our cousin Doreen in Grand Bend.So the next morning he called her and said we are on our way over.She was upset because she had no warning to pick up something for lunch/dinner but we all think that was good because we all sat around and had a really good chat for about 5 hours.We have never been close and this visit was likely more talking than we have done with each other in 40 years since most of our previous visits have been at funerals.
On the way back to my brothers,(Ken) place we stopped at a small diner and this was my treat.At home we had another good talkfest then to bed.
The following morning after a quick breakfast I suggested he drop me at the airport and he could get on with his day.We both agreed we also talked more with each other than we have in 60 years.It was a good visit.
Onto the westjet home,we stopped at Winnepeg,Calgary and Vancouver and then home.A very fun week or so of visiting many people but always good to be home to Kate..
After arriving home I have tryed to paint the railing around the deck.So far I am about halfway with about 12 hours of painting left to do but it may have to stay til spring if this rain keeps up(or coming down). August 13 30 gallons of paint laterAnother great day on the mountain.It has been beautiful since we arrived almost 3 months ago.For a few days it got to 33 c. but that is unusual for here.Most days are between 14-18.The deer like to pass through our property and the other day I noticed about 50 quail walking up the driveway.Of course the drive is all uphill and amongst the trees so they felt at home,as I'm sure they are in the bushes by the drive.We had 6 days of rain about a month ago but thats been it.
Since when we arrived the wood siding on the house appeared to need work so I decided to paint the house(that was certainly a weak moment)Since the house is so large and high I didn't know what I was getting into.And the wood overlaps so no way I could use a roller..#o gallons later--with a brush-- and it looks much better.Today the roofers are here as part of the roof shingles were torn off in the violent winds last December..So 2 sections of the roof are being done today.There are 6 different sections all together.I tore down a leanto shed at the side of the house,as that was the first thing visible as you drove up the drive.Now some time I will put another patio where it was.Not just yet as we do have about 180 feet of deck now and we have been spending a lot fixing up since arriving.But the weather has been great for working,except the 33 c. on the ladder were a bit much.I have a nice farmers tan now anyway.My old jeans and t-shirt have been used all the time during painting,with just a few washes,so when i am finally done they will be thrown out or framed,one or the other.Very colorful looking..,
The dogs just love it here,I was worried at first if they would wander off but not to worry..They stick within 200 feet ost love eating the grass since it is very fresh and moist with no sprays of any kind.
We go for hikes in the rainforest a lot and the boys love that as well,very tiring for them and us as well..
I will put up some photos of the house since the painting has been done July 22 Still busy busy busyIt has been a busy 2 months so far here in Sooke.We have almost finished unpacking,I have tryed to fix the basement up for book storage.We have 4 bookcases full of books as well as some still in boxes but !!! getting closer to being unpacked.
We have tryed to paint the exterior of the house since it was beginning to look a little shabby.So far 24 gallons of paint applied by brush and still at least 6 more days of trim plus 2 smaller sections to do.It has been about 60 hours of labor,some up a high ladder as the sides are around 28 feet from the ground and some sides have only a 4 foot surface to put the ladder on the ground so I have needed a "watcher" in case of falling..So far no falls... I was busy for about 2 full weeks(when the temperature got up to 36 c.,which is unusual for here,now I have a really dark tan around my neck(a real red-neck)but it has now rained for 6 days so I guess this is what a rain forest is really like.It is beautiful some days as the clouds wander through and you can't see 20 feet at times then it clears.The deer seem to stay in the trees when it rains as we haven't seen any for a week. Today we drove to a different park,they are all beautiful.One tree was at least 35 feet around.Of course Kate had to hug such a large tree.Then the dogs went in the ocean chasing sticks and getting dunked by the surf..All are tired tonightToo tired to read our new Harry Potter book. At least this rain gives me a chance to work inside although I did tear down a shed on the side of the house that I think we can do without.Every time I tryed to take some of it down the rain would come around so I just kept working in the rain to get it done..
Time to sign off and get some rest. June 23 wildlifeIt is quite beautiful here on Vancouver Island in the rain forest.Yesterday we walked the dogs in a park and we checked out all the big slugs,I mean big.. and in the rain we saw 2 tiny salamanders on the path and as always deer.great beauty and fresh air,we met someone who has 350 acres near here and she has bears on her land,we don't need those here,the dogs wouldn't know what to do.Another great day today.a little rain but so slight it didn't even get us wet..
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