Boxing Day 2014 and Kathy's Birthday

 On Boxing Day Jim and Irena fly to Thames in their club aircraft for a days visit.

 They are set to fly back home, and are certainly enjoying themselves.

 Kath, Irena and Rose, not often they get together for a visit.

Christmas 2014 with Vita, Hadley and family in Thames

After arriving back in New Zealand in November and a busy spring getting Ardmachree ready to sail and Goldie (our classic caravan) certified as self contained we are off to spend a few days over Christmas with family in Thames.

Rose and Carl on Christmas morning.

Hadley and Louie.

A Christmas feast.

Vita, Kathy and Toby.

Argosy, our new condo in Sidney

In the latter part of August we took position of our new condo. The initial job was to empty our storage locker of 19 years and move everything into this much larger storage area.
These photos are taken from the other side of the bay looking towards our building, the top apartment on the left is ours.

 We are right on the shore looking East and onto this small marina. Tsehum Harbour is a mecca for pleasure boats and has a number of large marinas. There is always activity out in the harbour.

Our top floor patio looks west and is ideal for the afternoon sun.

Wild life is abundant in the harbour, a local pair of white swans come by almost every day.

One afternoon Kath was looking out the kitchen window when an otter ran across the parking lot.

Looking North from the front balcony towards the BC Ferry docks and Vancouver.

Looking East and South East from our balcony.

Resthaven Island is in the back ground with Van Isle Marina beyond.

Views from the kitchen windows to the Marina parking lot and Dean Park Mountain in the distance.

                          Patio at the end of the building.

                          Living room and dinning area.

Looking down the entrance hall with 2 'vintage' desks waiting to be repositioned.

                       Kitchen with 2 windows over the sink looking west.

                     From the kitchen looking onto the living room.

Laundry room with washer, dryer, deep freeze and storage shelves.

                Guest bathroom.

                Guest bedroom.

                 Master bed room, with a low level bed!

Entrance to the en suite with walk thru closets.

The den showing the East and West facing windows and the entry to the small balcony.

Millie and Nelson visiting

Millie and Nelson drop in to see us at the PBRV Park. Nelson has just picked up his classic 1962 Chevy Impala 2 door Hardtop. It's a real 'eye catcher' as you can see in the photo.

It was a great ride down the beach and restaurant drive in White Rock. Every where we stopped the 'old guys' always came over to guess the year and tell there own stories and memories of a similar car from the 60ies. Several days later we were able to have a good visit with Millie and Nelson in Sidney. 

North on Vancouver Island

Kevin has joined us in Sidney for a trip North on Vancouver Island to Campbell River. It is a day trip in Dutchess with Granny in tow.

 On our first day in Campbell River on the spit we find a float plane company offering 2 hour 'mail run' flights in a Beaver. Kevin's Bucket List includes a ride in a Beaver....this chance is perfect with a flight over and beyond Desolation Sound. Five landings and take offs, with a stop at Refuge Cove and several luxury lodges.

Our second day sees Kath and Kevin going out salmon fishing from Painters Lodge. The salmon run is one of the best in memory, with Kevin catching his limit of 4. Kath landed one and had 2 more on the line.

 The fishing guide for the day.

 The fish are landed and the fishermen are well dressed up for the cool weather out on the water.

Back at the dock the 'catch' is headed and gutted before taking their catch home.

We've found a floating shop on the fishing docks, "Crabby Bob's" selling live crab. We 'dispatched' them, cooked them and had a feast that night back at our campground. 

 All good things come to an end the next day as we drive South to Nanaimo camping at the Living Forest RV campground. A beautiful spot with views out over the Straight of Georgia to the North Shore mountains. A campfire sets the mood for the evening.

The following day we head back to Sidney and catch the Washington State Ferry to Anacortes.
A trip to the Boeing factory provided us with a tour of the assembly buildings for the 737, 747, 777, and the new 787 or Dream Liner. The Dream Liner utilizes carbon fiber for many of its components. These components are built in many countries in the world and are flow on the modified and huge Boeing 747 to the assembly plant. One of four Dream Lifters is pictured below. No pictures were allowed to be taken in the assembly plants.

From the Observation platform we spotted 2 new Dream Liners painted and ready to be delivered to Air New Zealand...note the new colours.

Visiting the Island

Today Bea, Fran and Grant took the ferry from the Mainland to Vancouver Island for a days visit. After meeting at the ferry we were able to show them our new condo, all be it with no furniture! A tour of Sidney then off to our summer camping spot on the beach for lunch, including sweet corn. It was great to see them and have a chance to catchup on all the news. Suzie, who was having a summer holiday with us can be seen in the bottom corner of the picture.

Summer Camping

Over the summer we spent many pleasant days at this Regional Camp ground. Few services are provided but the beach activity of swimmers, walkers, dogs and even horses on the beach meant there was never a dull moment.

A day out on Reflection

                                        The condo as viewed from the sea....

        A great day out with Brian and Marilyn, and Havelock and Anita who are visiting the 'Island'.

                       Chanel entrance to the Marina Port Marina with the condo in the back ground.

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