Tuesday was a total chore day. Conditions were right to get the trailer washed...the campground had sprayed the gravel roads to keep the dust down, and there was no rain in the immediate forecast. Steve had done the roof, awning and slide toppers yesterday...today, he continued with the underside of the slide toppers and the slide tops, then the rest of the trailer.For me, it was a day spent cleaning inside...I even managed to put a couple of loads of laundry on in the afternoon. Not a very exciting day....
Wednesday morning Steve was picked up late by the courtesy shuttle and taken to Gold Key Isuzu to pick up the truck. Yesterday the service manager called to say that he and the BC rep for Isuzu did a road test and were unable to duplicate either issue, the squealing when the exhaust brake engages or the engine knocking when cold. They have in the past always been able to trace the squealing area by a dark soot trail, but not this time. Steve had requested that they get an early start when the temperatures were cooler to listen for the engine knocking when cold. Well they hadn't started it up until 10 a.m., way too late. So Steve wanted to leave the truck overnight again and pick it up early today to do the test drive with the service manager, but by the time he got to the dealership it was 9:45 a.m., again too late for the knocking test. Geez! The service manager hooked up the computer to the truck and away they went. Well Steve was also unable to duplicate the squealing noise. For the other issue the computer showed that one of the injectors had a high reading and is apparently the reason for the knocking until the engine warmed up. At this point he said it's not fatal but should be monitored. That's an eventual $1200 bill we're not looking forward to. It was decided that on our return in September and they would have another go at the exhaust brake squealing. Steve no sooner left the dealership and on the first time the exhaust brake engaged, it squealed, so he immediately turned around and went back. The service manager hooked up the computer and away they went again. Hearing the squeal it was decided that he would talk to the Isuzu rep about possibly replacing the exhaust brake. This saga will continue sometime next week!
While he was gone, I walked into town, mailed a letter, picked up a birthday card for Bryce and was back home about 35 minutes later. I was planning on wandering around the shops a bit more but most didn't open until 10:00 and it was only 9:30. I had a nice long conversation with my brother, Don...hope you had a great Birthday!
Steve finally got home late morning...and after lunch, got to work waxing the trailer. He got the back of the trailer done, along with the over-hang ("snout"). I helped out where I could but I mainly spent the afternoon doing odd jobs inside the trailer...it's probably the cleanest it's been in a long time!
Thursday morning we were up and out before 8:30. Our first stop was at Langley Memorial Hospital where I had an appointment for a routine mammogram at the Screening Mammography Department. That was over with quickly and I was back out at the truck within 20 minutes or so.
Next on our morning agenda was a trip out to Abbotsford to drop the quads off at Checkpoint Motorsports for servicing. It's been two years since their last servicing...so Steve asked that they be checked out "top to bottom". I don't think I'm going to like paying that bill when we pick them up!
With the "chores" done, we went back home, had lunch, finished packing and headed to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal to catch the 3:00 sailing over to Swartz Bay.
Yes, we are going back over to North Saanich to visit Rob, Angie and the kids. Today is Bryce's first birthday, so we are going over for a short visit. There is our ferry coming in...we'll be boarding it once it off-loads...And we're off...another gorgeous day for a ferry ride!
We had a bunch of errands to run...Steve had to renew his driver's licence (it wasn't expiring until his birthday in August but since we will likely be somewhere in Alberta by then, he decided to just do it now). After that was taken care of, we stopped and picked up his contact lenses and then headed into Victoria to renew the insurance on our quads, as well as the trailer.
With those errands completed, Steve dropped me off at the Fifth Street Bar and Grill where I met a couple of friends that I used to work with...Lynn and Delcie were the only two available today. Sorry for cancelling last week, Gwen...I missed you! But it was great catching up with Lynn and Delcie. These are awesome ladies that I worked with at BC Assessment. We all retired within a year of each other...after most of us working together (in the HR Dept) for over 30 years! Steve also went for lunch then went to visit the staff at his former workplace waiting for my call to be picked up.
After dropping Steve off back at the house, I spent a couple of hours in Sidney wandering around a few shops and then picked up a few groceries for dinner. On the way home, I picked up Conner and Bryce at daycare. I didn't know whether they would be glad to see me or not but all was good. I got a look from Bryce that said "you're not my daddy"...but then he smiled and was happy to see me. He's had a rough week adjusting to daycare. I guess when daddy picks him up, he's been filled with emotion...poor little guy. It will take time for him to adjust to the new routine. Conner was a big help, carrying out things to the car for me...time to go home and see Grampa! Mom and Dad will be home a little later.
Saturday morning Chris and Angela caught the 9:00 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen arriving at Swartz Bay at 10:40. Steve and Conner went to the ferry and picked them up.
Conner and Bryce with Uncle Chris...Of course, a big empty box makes for a great toy...especially when Auntie Angela (aka "Auntie Zia"...Zia is Aunt in Italian, so that would be "Auntie Aunt" LOL), a kindergarten teacher, makes it into a house with a door and window. Conner referred to it as his spaceship!
Shortly before 5:00, we all headed over to my brother and sister-in-law's place. Dwight and Helen were having a 30th birthday party for their daughter, Vanessa. Unfortunately, the pictures are not the best. We forgot our camera, so I relied on my phone camera. Most pictures did not turn out...so I don't have many. The one of the birthday girl (Vanessa) was totally fuzzy!
The get-together started in their backyard where we enjoyed drinks and appetizers.
Sunday morning Angie and Rob had a birthday party for Bryce planned at a local park/playground in Sidney. So shortly after 9:00, Rob, Angie and the kids headed off into Sidney to pick up a few things before going to the park. Steve, Chris, Angela and I were in charge of stopping at Tim Horton's for two boxes of coffee. Luckily no other parties were planned at the park and we had use of the two picnic tables that were under cover. Getting all set up...while others chatted...
After big hugs, we said good bye...and Chris, Angela, Steve and I boarded the 1:00 ferry back to the mainland. We enjoyed our ferry ride chatting over a late lunch...and then went our separate ways as we left the ferry terminal. We caught the waiting shuttle back to the Park and Go lot while Chris and Angela walked back to their car parked in the BC Ferries lot.
And there you have it...we are back home after a great few days over on the island...having fun at birthday parties!
a great family weekend!! Happy birthday to Bryce!! can't believe it's been a year already!!
ReplyDeleteGood to see you guess made it back for Bryce's birthday. You guys better slow down, I am getting tired just reading it!
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