Wednesday to Tuesday, June 24 to June 30, 2020 (Trip to North Saanich and Lake Cowichan, BC)

Wednesday morning we packed up the rental car and headed for the 1:00 p.m. sailing...we left early so had to wait for over an hour but we couldn't miss that ferry since I have an eye check-up appointment late this afternoon.

It was an uneventful sailing, staying in the car on the car deck through the sailing, and arriving at Rob and Angie's place just before 3:00.  After unloading the car, Steve, Angie and the boys headed out to hike the neighbourhood trails while I went into Sidney for my eye appointment. All is fine with it...other than some "floaters" in them that he didn't seem to be too concerned about. Guess I will just have to get used to them!

Rob has to go into work this week, rather than working from home, so when he got home we all sat outside on the deck...and enjoyed a great visit with them...followed by a delicious dinner of homemade grilled burgers.

Thursday (June 25) morning Steve headed off for his dentist appointment just before 10:00. I stayed home and did some work on the laptop and played with the boys. Angie had various on-line  meetings with her school throughout the day.

Steve got home just after 12:00 noon...having had a molar extracted. They gave him a quote of $6,310 for the complete implant procedure! $1,093 of that was for today's extraction and bone graft. Hopefully he'll be able to wait until we're able to go down to our dentist in Los Algodones, Mexico to have the implant done. I did a cost comparison last year when I had to have an implant...having it done in Mexico saved me over $3,300 from the $5,800 I was quoted.

With Steve back home with the car, I headed out for my appointment in Sidney...a pedicure! Sidney Nails have all the Covid-19 protocols in place to reopen with thick clear plastic partitions hanging from the ceiling separating the chairs, as well as one in front, between you and the nail tech. They were flexible therefore worked better than Plexiglas, getting in and out of the chairs. 

Back home, I continued work on the blog while Steve researched used cars...we had planned on spending tomorrow looking at some but it doesn't look like there are any over here that fit our criteria.


By late afternoon, there was some shade on the sun deck so we sat out waiting for Rob to get home...







A view of our rental car (Kia Rio) from the side of the deck...
A fellow from Drain-Master had been working on their septic system all day...so once Rob got home, Steve showed him the work done. Tree roots have plugged some of the septic lines in the field.
Rob and Angie...
Grampa with Conner and Bryce...
Friday (June 26) Steve and I decided to go into Victoria, even if we didn't have any cars to look at. After a stop at Mark's so Steve could buy a new pair of shorts, we went through the 'drive-thru' at A and W for some burgers and then decided to stop in Sidney for our favourite walk along the waterfront.

As we started to walk out on the pier, we saw this Harbour Seal swimming among the rocks below...

We had a special dinner tonight...Roast beef tenderloin, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and broccoli casserole. It was excellent! Thanks for a wonderful dinner for our last night with you! Oh... and they had their new counters installed last week...looks great!
Saturday (June 27) morning we were all packed up and ready to go by 9:30. After big hugs, we said goodbye to Angie and the boys (Rob had to work today so we said goodbye before he left at 6:00). 

Now that BC is in phase 3 we are expanding our bubble a little more. We are heading up to Lake Cowichan to visit Ray and Deb for a couple of days. But first we stopped for a quick visit with Steve's sister, Nadine and her husband, Mike. We enjoyed about an hour with them and then continued north. Thanks for the coffee, guys...great seeing you again.

Last years route...we actually left from near Swartz Bay...
Deb had lunch ready when we arrived...so after unloading the car, we sat down to wings and beer! A great treat since we don't want to chance going out to the pub!
Then it was time to go sit outside to continue our visit...
We ended up moving a couple of times as we dodged the wind and enjoyed the sunshine...
(Ray's photo)
Apparently this past winter the lake level had risen to just below the top of that pilon with the black top at the end of the gangway and was just below the ferns...yikes!
We eventually went to the front yard to get out of the wind...
Finally ending up on the deck...lots of sitting options at Kyles Resort :)
We felt sorry for them having to self quarantine earlier in such a place :)

As usual, Deb outdid herself with the meals she cooked for us! Tonight it was ribs that she had done on the Traegar Smoker, along with homemade baked beans and coleslaw...yum!
After dinner, Steve and I cleaned up...gotta earn our keep!
While Ray sliced strawberries to go with the homemade brownies and ice cream...
With full bellies, we returned back to the deck...
We are all early risers, so Sunday (June 28) morning shortly after 6:00 we all sat out on the deck enjoying our coffee. After a couple of hours, it was time to get moving...we had showers and Deb got started on breakfast. Did I tell you we were spoiled with the meals Deb cooked for us? Yup...Eggs Benedict this morning!
Steve went on-line to buy a fishing license then he and Ray headed down to the boat. Meanwhile I took pictures...it was going to be a beautiful day! There are kids out swimming in the lake already!
A panorama shot...
Ray and Steve loading the boat...
And they're off! Good luck guys!
 Deb and I lounged on the dock...
 Looking back up at the house from the dock...
Time to switch directions...a view up the lake...
The guys arriving back...unfortunately no fish though. Ray is still learning the lake and Steve only has experience fishing the river outlets 30 km/19 miles farther up the lake...
Ray and Deb's place is in the narrow arm near the town of Lake Cowichan. We used to camp at the far end at Heather Campground...

Relaxing with a bevie and a few snacks...
(Ray's photo)
And then we all jumped in the boat for a little tour...
Houseboats for rent at the marina...
A boat has just entered the lock that lowers boats into the entrance to the Cowichan River...

Looks like Ray and Deb's neighbour on the left followed by a jet ski and houseboat...


 Lots of new homes being built along the north shore of the lake...
Our tour guides...Deb and Ray...
The town owned campground is beside the gated community Ray and Deb live in. It was busy this weekend! The beach in front of the campground...

After the boat ride, Deb, the brave one, went for a swim...
Dinner tonight was Prime Rib that Deb slow cooked on the rotisserie on the barbecue...complete with Yorkshire Pudding....
Ray carving the beast...
Prime Rib, Yorkshire Pudding, mashed potatoes (with fresh chives from the garden), gravy, corn-on-the-cob...
As usual, it was absolutely delicious!!
After dinner, we retreated back out to the sundeck for awhile before calling it an early night.

We had originally planned to leave Monday (June 29) but with a little coaxing from Deb and the weather so fabulous, we decided to stay another day.

The lake was like glass first thing this morning, so Ray and Steve headed out fishing shortly after 7:00. Deb and I finished our coffee on the deck and then went down to lounge on the deck...basically a repeat of yesterday.
(The next 4 photos are Ray's)
 What a beautiful morning to be on the water...
FISH ON!!!
It was a hell of a fight but I got it in! There are big fish here though...I caught a 4 lb brown trout a few years ago...
 The guys returned briefly, before continuing over to the marina to fuel up the boat
 Freya welcoming them back...
 Houseboats next to the fuelling dock...
Steve doing a little fishing off the dock...
Up to the yard for a couple of games of Ladder Ball...Ray and Steve went first and then Deb and I had a game...
Back down to the lake for a float...
 And then as it got fairly breezy down at the dock we retreated up to the deck...
Deb checking the chicken on the Traegar Smoker...
 Another delicious dinner!
Again, after dinner we sat out on the deck until we called it a night...another great day!

Tuesday (June 30) we were up early and after a quick cup of coffee, I went up to shower and pack. Once I was done, Steve did the same. We were all packed and ready to go shortly before 8:00. With big hugs, we said goodbye to Deb and Ray. Thank you so much for all your hospitality and sharing your piece of paradise with us...we had a blast! Now we have to diet and dry out for awhile LOL!

We caught the 10:15 sailing (that was 20 minutes late leaving) from Duke Point, just south of Nanaimo and arrived in Tsawwassen a couple of hours later. We rarely take this ferry, so it was a nice change...mind you, we didn't leave the car while on board.
It was just after 1:00 by the time we got home. We both unpacked our suitcases and then I decided to go do a little grocery shopping. While I was gone, Steve took care of a few things outside and was inside watching TV when I got home.

Once all the groceries were put away, I joined him...ahhh...it's good to be home!


2 comments:

  1. Over $6,000 for one implant?!?!? That is crazy! Looks like you had some great weather for your visit with Ray and Deb.

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    Replies
    1. For that kind of $ I can wait until we can get back to Los Algodones! We lucked out weather wise as it turned after we left.

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