Homed

Dandelions stick their too yellow heads through my motley lawn. At last I have all the cares, concerns and stresses of the newly mortgaged. My weekend was spent measuring, cutting and nailing baseboards to the downstairs living spaces. A slow, easy and rather relaxing task, it has no doubt added a miniscule value to our rather budget but overpriced home.

Wen-shu and I have spent a lot of time and even more money going from a scantly furnished apartment to a filled out and cosy duplex. Sofa's, desks, dining table and "accessories" have caused more wealth gathering for the likes of VISA, Mastercard and American Express than any prudent person would be happy with. Yet, although no one likes to spend lots of hard earned money, the effect of spending it has been rather grand, and I am more than satisfied with the house. Wen-shu adds those fine finishing touches I could never think of that make a house a home. Three cats roaming around round off the feeling, and we lack for nothing as far as essentials go. Sure, we would like the 72 inch TV, but right now make do with all 19 inchs of the hand me down we presently own.

Trips to the Ocean

Yet more travel and sites seen. A trip that included four large planes, a couple of float planes and time on a small boat. Added in was an expensive hotel or two, a large 4x4 in a city (not recommended) and a canoe.

I had the privlage of doing my little bit to make the magic of the 2010 Olympics happen. Although rather indirect, it was at least something. I put in a dish to allow the team building the ski ramp to communicate. I then had a day off in Vancouver and was lucky enough to be able to help Daniel and Lorida move to their new apartment. They didn't know that I was coming and I rolled in with the truck just in time to move the big stuff.

I then had a night in the fairmont in the Airport, a rather swank hotel, miles above what I would ever spend money on myself. But who's complaining. I was in the airport as I flew out early the next morning to Prince Rupert up north on the BC coast. The whole place reminded me wonderfully of southern Chile, with mountains and snow soaring above the narrow channels and inlets. I got to flit over this in a little 6 seater float plane, strapped in to the co-pilots seat.

Low clouds meant a flight no more than a couple hundred metre above the rippling ocean and endless trees.

We skimmed to a halt at the tiny hamlet of Hartley Bay, and jumped into a boat there for the bone jarring hour and a half crossing to this place