Living the Dream...: June 2023

Wednesday, June 21 to Saturday, June 24, 2023 (Trip to North Saanich, BC) PART 2

I didn't have much free time for "just me" stuff during our week but on Wednesday (June 21) it worked out that two of my ex-coworkers were available to meet for lunch. So, Steve agreed he could manage the boys for an hour or so while I met them.

He dropped me off at Glo Restaurant in Victoria and took the boys down to the waterfront and Ogden Point to walk the breakwater. I'll pass this over to Steve...

Pilot boats...

1.6 km/1mile return, Ogden Point Breakwater is a deep water port at the entrance to the Victoria Inner Harbour...

A fisherman with his small catch at the end of the breakwater...

And a couple snorkeling...

A tug heading into port..

Whale watching boat heading out with Race Rocks Lighthouse in the distance...

And another...

And one returning...

Fish boat heading into port...

HMCS Winnipeg anchored in the distance...

Bryce and Conner... and time to go pick up Gramma...

As we head back, the Coho Ferry arrives from Port Angeles, WA. Olympic Mountains in a haze from Washington State and Oregon wildfires...

Meanwhile, I enjoyed a good visit and catch-up with Gwen and Lynn! Thanks for organizing our get together, Lynn! Great seeing you both! (Lynn's photo)

After Steve and the boys picked me up, we stopped for a visit at Pacific Controls Ltd...just a quick catchup with Steve's former co-workers, Cheryl and Marty.

Thursday (June 22) morning we dropped by my (ex) sister-in-law, Sandy's for a visit. It has been absolutely forever since we last saw her! Sorry for taking so long to pop over, Sandy! It was a wonderful visit catching up with her...

Next on the agenda for today was a hike in John Dean Park...one we have done numerous times but we never get tired of! The trail starts with quite an elevation increase right from the parking lot, but then we head down...

...and down...

To Pickles Bluff...a great spot for lunch with a fabulous view! I love this picture of Bryce and Conner...

Before carrying on, it was selfie time!

Emerald Pool...

View of Lily Pond...

...from our bench...

Another great hike! Although my tracker says it was just over 3 kms (1.9 miles), it felt like a lot longer with all of the elevation changes!

Late Friday (June 23) morning I had an appointment with my Orthopaedic Surgeon to have an injection of Cingal in my right knee...it was time! Steve and the boys came with me as the appointment is usually pretty quick. However, today he was a little behind so I texted Steve (sitting in the car) that I would be awhile and suggested he take the boys down to Brentwood Bay. (Steve here)

We headed down to the docks...

We were astounded by how many crabs were crawling along the bottom...something I'd never seen before! None of them were of legal size...

We headed back up and over to the other marina. Paddle boarders heading out...

Bryce immediately headed down to the beach to clear it of as many stones as possible! 😂

The injections (yes, 2...one to freeze the spot before the Cingal) in my knee hurt like heck! I told him that I didn't remember it hurting so badly and he said that since I was so sensitive, I was definitely due for the shot! Anyway, my knee was sore for the rest of the day, especially in the evening but a couple of extra strength Tylenol before bed and it was 100% the next morning.

Although I was to do minimal walking after the injections, we decided to still carry on with our plans to take the boys to Fisherman's Wharf in Victoria for lunch.

Of course, we have to have fish and chips from Barb's Fish and Chips!

Well, everyone but Bryce had fish...he chose a hot dog...

After lunch, we wandered towards nearby Jackson's Ice Cream for a treat, then wandered the dock...

Jackson's Ice-cream...

We only explored one of the houseboat docks...

Now at the end of the dock, a Water Taxi and the Pacific Grace at anchor...

That was a great afternoon!

Rob got home not long after we did and a little while later, company arrived! So glad that Steve's sister, Nadine, was feeling better and able to join Mike, Amanda and Matthew for a visit with us tonight. We enjoyed lots of deck time catching up and then Steve grilled burgers for an easy dinner.

A family picture! Left to right...me, Nadine, Angie with Conner, Mike, Rob with Bryce, Matthew, Amanda and, of course, the picture taker, Steve! Good job, honey!

Saturday (June 24) morning we were all packed and the car loaded shortly after 9:00. With huge hugs, we said goodbye to Rob, Angie, Conner and Bryce...thanks for keeping us entertained, boys! It has been a great week, but we were both looking forward to getting home.

The 3 hour drive home was uneventful. We were home, unpacked and relaxing by about 1:30 or so. Since we'd basically sat all morning, we decided to get out for a walk, going down the trail along the river here in the campground. With the warm weather and lower water flow in the river, lots of tubers are out enjoying the water...

And that concludes our week looking after Conner and Bryce...I find it hard to believe they are 10 and 8, where have the years gone!

Saturday, June 17 to Tuesday, June 20, 2023 (Trip to North Saanich, BC) PART 1

Our week in Victoria (North Saanich) was pretty full with us trying to keep our grandsons entertained 😄...so we broke our blog update into 2 parts. Here is the first few days....

Saturday (June 17) morning I had a mammogram appointment at 9:00. Before I left, I pretty well had my suitcase packed, leaving Steve to finish up with his. I was in and out quickly and as soon as I got home, we loaded the car up and were on our way down island. We decided to stop at what has become our favourite lunch spot...The Shady Rest Restaurant and Pub in Qualicum Beach.

It didn't open until noon and since we were a little early, Steve took a short video of Qualicum Beach.

We enjoyed another delicious meal with a fabulous view (hint...the Shrimp Cobb Salad is excellent!)...

Today is the last day of school before summer break for our 2 grandsons, Bryce and Conner, and the reason we are on our way down to stay with them. Although the boys have finished school, Mom (Angie) still has one more week before she is off for the summer, so we will be "watching" them for the week. (Angie's photo)

We arrived at Rob and Angie's at about 4:00 and were greeted enthusiastically by the boys...(and of course, Rob and Angie!) We enjoy sitting out on the sundeck...a little chilly this afternoon, though, as the sun went in and out from behind the clouds. Angie, Conner and Rob...

Sunday (June 18)...and Father's Day! The boys made Grampa a very sweet card from the family...

They must know he has a sweet tooth, as a box of chocolates was in that gift bag!

We had plans this morning with our good friends, Rob and Nancy. They had made reservations for breakfast at Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe. We enjoyed a wonderful hour and a half catching up with each other. We continued our chatting as we headed out to the parking lot...so wonderful seeing them! No pictures this time, though!

After saying goodbye to Rob and Nancy, we headed into Sidney and a walk along our favourite waterfront walk. Somewhat cloudy and a bit breezy on the waterfront this morning, but nice just the same. View of the Sidney Pier with lots of sail boats out on the water...

Beacon Park...

Rob and Angie had another wonderful dinner planned for us tonight...roast beef done on the rotisserie. Rob has just put the roast on as we all relaxed on the deck...with Bryce entertaining us with his latest magic trick. He's quite the entertainer!

Looking good, Rob!

Perfect!

Sitting down to a wonderful dinner...roast beef, Yorkshire Pudding, gravy and Caesar salad...Delish!

Happy Father's Day...a great father/son picture!

Monday (June 19) morning I had a dentist appointment at 9:00, leaving Steve and the boys to have a relaxing start to the day. Mom and Dad had already gone to work. Usually Steve and I both have our appointments together but of course I had to make them separate since we are looking after the boys.

It wasn't a particularly nice day...cloudy with rain sprinkling off and on. So early this afternoon, when Steve headed to his dental appointment, he dropped the boys and I off at Panorama Recreation Centre. It was a good way to keep them busy, especially since they love the pool!

I sat in the viewing area alongside the pool and as they were getting ready to go into the pool, it was hilarious to see Conner's face...the pool was full of seniors taking an aquafit class. Although the boys school year has finished, most public schools still have another week or 2 before they are finished. They are used to going to the pool and seeing lots of kids...so I explained this, and directed them to the area of the pool where they could swim.

They are the far right towards the back...

Enjoying the hot tub for a few minutes...

Speaking of the hot tub, about an hour into their pool time, the life guards started blowing their whistles. I looked over to see an elderly man underwater in the hot tub. The pool was quickly evacuated as they worked to revive the man. I sent the boys into the change room to get dressed and met them in the lobby. We saw an ambulance and fire truck as we went out to check out the playground...we still had to wait for Steve to pick us up. The ambulance was there for awhile and wasn't in a hurry when it left, so I'm hoping that the elderly gentleman was fine. That was the "excitement" for the boys today!

Tuesday (June 20) and another cooler, cloudy day. On the agenda for today was a visit to Fort Rodd Hill in Victoria. On our way we stopped at 2 different cemeteries to pay our respects to both Steve's and my parents, as well as Steve's brother and grandparents. After lunch at McDonald's, we arrived at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites.

Much to our surprise, we were greeted by Steve's brother-in-law, Mike. Steve had talked to Nadine and Mike this morning, finding out that Nadine has not been feeling well...so after hearing that we were going to the Fort this afternoon, Mike decided to join us! Great to see him and have him along!

Over to Steve...