Here we are...another couple of weeks have slipped by and time to update the blog. The weather continues to be hot and sunny with above seasonal temperatures but they are supposed to sink down to more seasonal values by the weekend.
Since it was going to be another hot day on Monday (May 15), we got out for a walk along the Riverway and Airpark at 9:00. We had planned on getting out a little earlier but we had our resistance exercises to do first. And that was pretty much it for the day...we hunkered down inside with the AC running. I worked on a blog while Steve chilled in his recliner catching up on some of his TV programs.
Tuesday (May 16) morning we met Earl and Allison at Nymph Falls at 8:30 to walk the trails. It was nice and cool walking since the park is heavily treed.
Steve made a short 30 second video...
This photo is just above the next photo as we start our Long Loop Trail hike...
From below the above photo shows an island...
No looking ahead on this part of the trail or else!
An hour and a half later we were back at the cars. Unfortunately I forgot to turn my tracker on but my FitBit says I took 6900 steps and burned 461calories so that was good!
The timing was perfect as we had an hour to get to our wine bottling appointment at 11:00...with enough time to stop home and get cleaned up a bit.
Noel immigrated from Ireland and is the new owner of Corks and Caps by VanIsle Wine and Beer Makers. When I was in to put a batch of wine on just after we arrived in early April, he was "in training" with the previous owner (who decided it was time to retire). Since we find it much more convenient putting our wine in bladders instead of glass bottles, Noel took care of that for us...
The rest of the day was spent inside with the AC running.
Wednesday (May 17) morning we decided to get out for a bike ride. To get to the Courtenay Riverway Path, we have about a km to ride on a quiet road until we get to 5th Street...the path starts across the street but to get to it, we had to walk our bikes up to the crosswalk and back down the other side, so that was a bit of a pain. But once on the path, it was smooth sailing!
We rode to the end of the paved path (where we usually park and walk from) and back. We stopped by the marina next to the Courtenay Airpark for a rest, and have some water...
And to watch a plane coming in...here a 20 second video Steve took...
That afternoon we dropped the quads off at Courtenay Motorsports to have their final service before putting them up for sale...
Thursday (May 18) morning we had the car packed with our suitcases and Steve's fishing gear and were on the road shortly after 9:30...we are heading down island to visit friends, Ray and Deb, at their beautiful home on Lake Cowichan.
Deb had a wonderful lunch ready for us and afterwards, we set up chairs in the backyard...
Time to go up to the sundeck so Deb can finish dinner prep...and check the beef brisket that has been smoking on the Traeger all day.
Friday (May 19) morning Ray and Steve headed out fishing just after 8:30. It was a gorgeous morning to be out on the lake...(over to Steve)
We started off trolling the shallows and drop offs near Goat Island...
(Ray's photo)
A couple of hours later they were back, lured, I'm sure, by Deb texting that the Monkey Bread had just been taken out of the oven!
We took Deb and Ray out for lunch at their favourite lakeside restaurant...Jake's on the Lake...
Ray served us his "famous" margaritas....deeelish! (Ray's photo)
Steve took his drone up for some pictures and video of their fishing and area(4:57 minutes)...
The guys adjusting the ropes holding the boat in place...
As usual, late afternoon we move up onto the deck so that Deb can be closer to dinner cooking. Today it is a Pork Rib Roast that is on the rotisserie on the barbecue...
Looks delicious, Deb! And it was! Including the Twice Baked Potatoes! You certainly don't go hungry around here, or loose weight LOL!
Saturday (May 20) morning the guys headed out at about 7:00...they wanted an early start as they had planned to go to Shaw Creek, about a 35-40 minute boat ride up the lake. (over to Steve)
We didn't last too long out there...the temperatures were much cooler than the previous day's and the wind made it feel even colder.
Deb and I had a relaxing soak in the hot tub and then spent the rest of the morning in the kitchen prepping for dinner tonight. Lots of chopping and dicing to have everything ready in bowls for later.
When the guys got back, they were frozen...so Ray made them both hot chocolate (with Grand Marnier in Steve's!). They watched Deb and I as we finished up our prep work and then we made sandwiches and headed down to the dock. The wind was a little cooler today but at least the sun was shining!
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Ray took Steve and I into town and treated us to some Mountain Man Ice Cream...thanks Ray! Deb chose to stay home as she had to get the chickens ready to be smoked on the Traegar. We chose our ice cream flavours and then walked over to Saywell Park and the Cowichan River.
The Cowichan River is very popular for tubing in the summertime. Tubers enter the river by Jake's on the Lake so Ray drove us to where they pull out at Second Beach. It takes about 3 hours to float to this point, but only a fraction of that time to drive it! Today there are a couple of young fellows flyfishing in this calm section of the river. Such a beautiful spot!
Pat and Darryl (neighbours) joined us this evening. They brought smoked salmon that Darryl had done...it was delicious! Left to right...Darryl, Steve, me, Pat and Ray...(Deb's photo)
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Final prep before serving dinner (Steve took this picture from the loft above)...
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More entertainment as we relaxed on the deck after dinner! Very cool...
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A beautiful evening...a tad chilly but the heaters and fire table were on! (Ray's photo).jpg)
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Sunday (May 21) morning (Steve here) Ray wanted to see if we could find an open spot to cast from the shore of nearby Beaver Lake. We grabbed our fishing gear and rode bicycles to the trail that leads to the lake. It was quite a long and very narrow bush trail not conducive to steering a bike while trying to hold onto a fishing rod. We stopped at a trail that led down to the lake. This photo doesn't convey just how steep this trail was. To prevent theft of the bikes Ray wanted to take them down with us...easier said than done! Ray led the way slipping and sliding a good part of the way down, then I followed...not fun! Anyway, we dumped the bikes and went quite aways along the trail never finding a spot to cast. Well that was a bust! On our return it was a two man slippery job to get each bike back up top...Ray with a bad back and me with a bum ankle. At least we got lots of early morning exercise and saw some new area.
We had the car packed up and ready to go by 10:15...and after big hugs, we said goodbye to Deb and Ray. Thank you both so very much for all your hospitality...we had a wonderful time at Kyles Cottage! It's always nice to spend time with you. Time to dry out and go on a diet! (Steve)
Two hours later we pulled into our driveway. Nice to get away for a few days but always nice to get back home too! Now it's time to unload the car, unpack our suitcases and stow everything away!
Monday (May 22)....and our Wedding Anniversary. I still find it amazing it has been 41 years! Here's how we looked back in 1982...haven't changed much, have we? LOL!!
Rob, Angie, Conner and Bryce happened to be visiting close family friends of Angie's family in Campbell River, about 30 minutes north from us. They would be heading home today, so stopped by for a visit and to see our new digs. It was a great anniversary gift just seeing them, but they also brought a cute card and a lovely bottle of red wine.
Angie, Conner, Rob, Bryce and me...
It's amazing how much the water has gone down since we were here last week! The fish ladders are now visible. Note the dead tree on the rock next to the fish ladders...
Conner and Bryce...
From a previous visit on May 8th only the tree is showing...
Oh brrr....
Same spot as above from our May 8th visit...
Back in the parking lot, with big hugs, we said goodbye...thanks so much for stopping to see us! Safe travels home on this holiday Monday!
When we got home, we had a "Happy Anniversary" video call from Chris, Angela and Isaac. Always good chatting with them...and Isaac always has lots of interesting things to tell Gramma and Grampa!
For our anniversary dinner, we decided to try a new (to us) restaurant...Fluid Bar and Grill. Steve ordered Chicken Parmesan which he said was good...and I had Kung Pow Stir Fry with Prawns. It was tasty but I was disappointed to only find 3 prawns in it. When I mentioned this to the waitress, she spoke to the kitchen. On her return she apologized then gave me a 25% discount and deleted a beer from our the order.
We didn't do an awful lot over the next few days. Tuesday (May 23) we got out for a walk around the Airpark...unfortunately Steve's ankle doesn't seem to be improving much. He does the exercises that the Physiotherapist gave him daily...guess it's going to take time. After lunch, I left him working on picture editing and went out to pick up a few groceries.
Wednesday (May 24) morning I went to a chiropractor appointment and when I got back, Steve had started working on our yard. He is "cleaning up" the grass border...
By the end of the day, he had the "line" done...now to get all of the grass out of the gravel.
Thursday (May 25) I headed out for a haircut appointment at 9:00...again, when I got back Steve was out working on the yard. I helped out pulling some weeds out of the cedar trees on the other side of the trailer. Once the breeze dies down enough, Steve plans on spraying the Roundup to get rid of all of the small weeds in the gravel. It was tough work digging, especially in the heat! So by noon, he'd had enough. We had a relaxing afternoon...I worked on this blog update, while we both caught up on some old TV programs.
That's it for now!
