Saturday, April 14 to Friday, April 20, 2018 (Peace Arch RV Park, Surrey, BC)

Saturday morning started off as usual...although there wasn't all that much time to lolly-gag around. I had dessert that I needed to make for dinner tonight before we headed into Chris and Angela's early this afternoon.

Dennis and Suzanne (my brother and sister-in-law) are winding up their trip to the coast with a visit to Chris and Angela's place in Coquitlam before continuing home to Kelowna. They have never been there and as a matter of fact, they have never met Angela in person...only over various Skype calls (Dennis and Suzanne had been unable to attend their wedding).

So at 12:30, with an overnight bag packed, we headed into Coquitlam to join "the party". When we arrived, Dennis and Suzanne were already there, having arrived about 15 minutes before us.

After big greetings, we sat and chatted for awhile and then Angela, Suzanne and I went to Ikea for a little shopping. Not a great time to go to Ikea...it was a busy Saturday afternoon there. But Suzanne and I picked up a couple of things and we had fun looking.

Back home, we sat visiting...and Angela started preparing dinner...

Chris and me...

Chris' cat, Dexter, did not much care for one particular house guest...Dunkin. Suzanne holding Dunkin while Dexter peaks around the corner before running back upstairs for the remainder of their visit.

Dinner time! Chris, Steve, Dennis, Suzanne and Angela....

And dessert...too bad we didn't get a picture of it before I served it (and started eating it LOL)...Chocolate Coconut Tart (wheat, grain and sugar free...but you have to like coconut and chocolate!...







Dennis and Dunkin...

Sunday morning Steve and I were up around 7:00, followed by Dennis a few minutes later. It wasn't long before everyone was up...and we were saying goodbye to Dennis, Suzanne and Dunkin. They wanted to get on the road early...looking forward to getting home after 10 days away visiting family and friends on Vancouver Island...and Coquitlam.

Just before 10:00, Chris, Angela, Steve and I drove down to the Townhall Public House to partake in their weekend brunch special...bacon/sausage, eggs, toast and hashbrowns for $5, a pretty good deal! Too early for a beer though :) Brunch was delicious...and the company excellent! So busy talking we forgot to get a photo. Always good spending time with you both!

Before we had left for brunch, we had packed all of our things in the truck, so once back, we gave Chris and Angela big hugs, hopped in the truck and headed home.

The rest of the afternoon was spent getting a little exercise going for a walk around the campground and watching TV...basically just relaxing after a great weekend with family!

We woke to rain Monday morning...and it basically poured ALL day! So it ended up being an "inside" day and pretty uneventful...that is, until Dave and Leslie pulled into the site beside us! We quickly went out to welcome them and then left them to get set up. Luckily for them the rain was now just a drizzle.

Dave and Leslie, recent retirees and now "full-timers", are on their way back to northern Alberta after spending a month visiting family and friends on the coast and Vancouver Island (we had lunch with them a couple of weeks ago while we were in Sidney). They surprised us a few days ago with a text saying they had managed to get reservations at Peach Arch RV Park for a couple of nights. Perfect!

They did a quick set up and then came over for drinks and dinner...(that's Margaret between them)...

Dinner time!

Tuesday was a little nicer day, weather wise...well, at least it wasn't raining! We all piled into Dave and Leslie's truck and headed out to show them some of the sights...in particular, our favourite "home away from home", Fort Camping in Fort Langley. The park isn't open yet, but there is a lot of activity going on in it as a crew is in falling more trees and getting it ready for the summer season. We are looking forward to moving over there on May 4!

We walked the park's trail down to Tavistock Point...a beautiful walk as the leaves are starting to sprout on the trees...so green! We managed a selfie at the Point...it was a little breezy...

After a great walk, we left a "pooped" Margaret to rest in the truck, and walked across the bridge into Fort Langley...time for lunch at The Fort Pub...

We wandered around town for a bit and then headed back to the truck...and home. A very fast, fun day!

Wednesday we actually had a bit of sunshine peaking through here and there...although it was mainly cloudy, it was a much higher, lighter covering. Dave and Leslie had managed to extend their stay for another night, so we had another day together...yay!

We were meeting Ray and Deb for lunch at 1:00, so we had the morning to show Leslie and Dave more sights. So today, we thought we'd go to Crescent Beach for a walk along the waterfront...

Must be nice to have a waterfront home here...

This place had a beautiful tulip garden...

Including an old boat anchor...

It's nice being here during low tide...

That's quite the birdhouse!

Clowning around!

Looking back towards the pier we were on earlier...

After driving around trying to find a parking spot for Dave's big dually, we met Deb and Ray at Big Ridge Brewery. Dave and Leslie also follow Deb's blog so were looking forward to meeting them.

We had a great visit, spending a couple of hours sitting and chatting! After hugs...we parted ways...Ray's back was pretty well done in by that time, so time to get home and rest!

Once home, Steve pulled out the Campfire-In-A-Can (no longer available) and we enjoyed sitting outside with a couple of adult beverages. This was only the second time since we arrived here that it's been nice enough to sit outside.

My buddy, Margaret...(thanks for the picture, Leslie!)...

It started getting a little too cool to sit outside...so we headed inside Dave and Leslie's beautiful Lifestyle fifth-wheel. They had figured we wouldn't be very hungry after a big (and late) lunch, so had invited us over for a light dinner...salad and baked chicken breast were perfect!
Relaxing after dinner....

Thursday we woke to more blue sky than we have seen in a long time...still lots of clouds hanging around but at least there was also some sunshine getting through!

Dave and Leslie were all packed up by 9:00 and after big hugs, they were on their way. So glad you were able to stop by for a couple of days...always good seeing and spending time with you both! Safe travels on your way north!

Just before 9:30, Deb came by to pick me up...and we headed off for our pedicures. The last one I had was down in Yuma...so I was way overdue!! While we were sitting in the chairs chatting, Deb suggested that we pick Ray and Steve up and go to White Rock for fish and chips...sounds like a plan! Seems like all we have been doing is going out for lunch...oh well...LOL!

We went to the famous Moby Dicks Seafood Restaurant. I have heard a lot about the fish and chips there and it did not disappoint! You always get an extra piece of fish when ordering...Steve and I both had the one piece...and got 2...an interesting concept! (Ray's photo)

Ray hamming it up!

The one thing we don't like about White Rock is that it is all expensive pay parking. With a little time left on the meter once we had finished lunch, we went for a short walk along the waterfront. Train tracks go right along the waterfront, between the road and the beach. Looking to the east....

...and the west....

Ray, Deb and Steve...

The tide sure goes out a long ways here...

As we were about to leave, we could hear a train in the distance, so we hung around to watch it go by (we were near the car, just in case the parking police came by LOL)...

What a great day...pedicure and out for lunch! Gotta make the most of our time while we are both here in the lower mainland...likely won't see each other again until next spring!

We relaxed at home for a bit until it was time to be picked up by Enterprise Car Rental...I have more appointments downtown tomorrow, so time for another car rental.

Friday we were up and out by 10:00...getting me to my 11:00 appointment a little early but you just never know what traffic problems you may run into. All went smoothly though, and after my doctors appointment, we made our way to the lab for an x-ray...and then we were done!

With time to spare before the car had to be returned, we decided to try to find the road into the Renegade Flyers RC field. Steve's itching to fly his planes again! We tried a couple of weeks ago in the truck but couldn't find it so Steve went onto Google Earth and thought he may have found the road in. You have to drive through private property where semi trucks and trailers are stored. The parking lot is extremely rough and the very narrow road to the field has parking for two cars. No way we could get the truck down there and turned around. The parking area where all the trailers and trucks are parked is too far away to carry everything so that was very disappointing. 

Next we decided to go for a walk at Elgin Park and the Stewart Farm. We had been there last year and really enjoyed it. 

 Panorama view... v

 For more detailed info and history of our Stewart Farm visit last year just click here...

 Panorama view...

There is also a marina on site...

 Panorama view...

When we left the park, we drove through White Rock...and then dropped the car off. We were driven home and spent the rest of the evening relaxing...as the expected rain set in. It is only supposed to be a brief bout of rain...then sun with warmer temps are in the forecast starting tomorrow. Maybe spring will finally arrive...it's about time!