I had planned on a trip out to Costco today, so decided to go ahead. I headed out at 10:00 while Steve got started on his last bit of work on the trailer. It was a quick trip, for sure, as I was back home within 2 hours...it didn't take long walking around Costco for me to realize I'd better get done and off my leg. So as soon as I got home, put the goods away, I was in my recliner, with Tylenol and ice!
Steve finished his work on the trailer...it's all de-oxidized and waxed! A huge job done.
Thursday (Nov. 14) morning, Steve got out for a walk down to Island View Beach...something he has been too busy to do for the past couple of weeks. After that, he puttered around outside for awhile and then retreated inside to chill.
I cleaned up inside, did a little baking and then headed into Sidney to do a little shopping. Not too terribly exciting I'm afraid.
Friday (Nov. 15) we woke to rain...no wonder my joints have been screaming LOL! However by late morning, the rain had stopped and the clouds were breaking. Sunshine and blue sky...nice!
I cleaned up inside, did a little baking and then headed into Sidney to do a little shopping. Not too terribly exciting I'm afraid.
Friday (Nov. 15) we woke to rain...no wonder my joints have been screaming LOL! However by late morning, the rain had stopped and the clouds were breaking. Sunshine and blue sky...nice!
We headed out just before noon to meet friends, Dan and Barb, for lunch at the Prairie Inn. We had a great time...reminiscing over some old pictures they had brought! OMG...we looked so young, but then again, we are talking 30+ years ago! Wonderful seeing you both one last time before we head south! We'll have to get the whole gang together again on our return next year.
Back home, we decided to get out for a walk. I have walked a fair amount but mostly just shopping and walking around the trailer...but I need to get out for more actual distance walking...not just wandering, so I walked down to the beach with Steve. At that point, he decided to carry on and walk down to Island View Beach. I turned around and headed back...must increase my distance gradually. I am also using my walking poles.
Saturday (Nov. 16) we met Rob and the boys for breakfast at Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe again. Angie didn't join us this time, though, as she had another appointment. After breakfast...and the highlight of the day for the boys, Conner in particular...was a visit to the BC Aviation Museum...which happens to be right across the street from the restaurant.
For those of you interested, Steve took pictures...
Conner is airplane obsessed, perhaps more than Grampa. We may have a pilot in the family one day:)
The Hoffer H-1 was the first successful aircraft designed, built and flown in the Province of BC...
Steve's uncle John trained on the Harvard after WWII...known as the T-6 Texan in the US.
The kids can practice landing a plane that hangs on a wire onto the deck of an aircraft carrier...
Conner on the right flying an F-18 on a flight simulator...
Bristol Blenheim Bomber...
Cockpit...
Navigators table...
Constructed from a Consolidated PBY Canso Blister...
2/3 scale Spitfire. The builder died before completion so was finished by others...
We walked through the blue doors into another hanger...
Note the pilot...
Lancaster Bomber fuselage under restoration...
Canadian built Noorduyn Norseman bush plane...
Above and below Lockheed T-33 jet trainer...
Water Bomber...
Vickers Viscount the worlds first turboprop airliner and Steve's first airplane ride as a kid...
This aircraft has a beautiful custom leather interior and was donated to the museum by it elderly owner in his 90's...
Republic Seabee amphibious aircraft...old and...
...newer...
One of four engines...
Part of the cockpit far centre...
The American owner of this Russian built bush plane flew it to Victoria for restoration and was allowed to store it at the museum...
When we were in Cuba years ago we used to see these planes flying tourists on sightseeing tours...
I headed off in the car, running a few errands and then went home to ice my knee. A couple of hours later, Rob dropped Steve off...they had a good time.
The rain settled in late afternoon...and it rained and rained all evening and night.
Sunday (Nov. 17) started off socked-in and rainy but by late morning the rain had stopped and the clouds broke up. It turned out to be a pretty nice afternoon.
Steve joined me on a couple of short walks around the campground but also went out for an extended walk down to the spit.
Somebody had dumped a couple of salmon in the creek...there has been no spawning here.
It rained so hard last night it flooded this area on the spit,,,
Our neighbour's duck...
We went over to Rob and Angie's place around 3:00...making a quick stop at Canadian Tire to pick up a new fire extinguisher for the trailer. The old one is going on 10 years old, probably about time we replaced it! Besides the holder that fastens it to the wall was broken.
We had a wonderful evening and dinner with Rob, Angie, Conner and Bryce...we plan on leaving in a week, must get as much time in with them as possible! Me and Brycie...a little character!
Monday (Nov. 18) was a rainy "inside" type of day. I went over to Rob and Angie's to pick up a load of laundry that we had left in the dryer last night. I ran a couple of errands as well, and when I got home I found Steve finishing up a few things inside...vacuuming air ducts, testing the furnace, and running the fridge on propane. Just wanting to check everything out as we have been on full hookups for the past 8 months.
Saturday (Nov. 16) we met Rob and the boys for breakfast at Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe again. Angie didn't join us this time, though, as she had another appointment. After breakfast...and the highlight of the day for the boys, Conner in particular...was a visit to the BC Aviation Museum...which happens to be right across the street from the restaurant.
For those of you interested, Steve took pictures...
Our tour guide said these aircraft used ropes for escape at the emergency exits as chutes were not yet in use...
This Beechcraft used to have radial engines and a twin tail. It was modified with twin turboprop engines and a single tail...
Our guide took us into the restoration area where they are restoring a Lancaster Bomber hopefully to flight status, but that will be many years from now. This is a wing section with an engine mount...
The rain settled in late afternoon...and it rained and rained all evening and night.
Sunday (Nov. 17) started off socked-in and rainy but by late morning the rain had stopped and the clouds broke up. It turned out to be a pretty nice afternoon.
Steve joined me on a couple of short walks around the campground but also went out for an extended walk down to the spit.
Somebody had dumped a couple of salmon in the creek...there has been no spawning here.
We had a wonderful evening and dinner with Rob, Angie, Conner and Bryce...we plan on leaving in a week, must get as much time in with them as possible! Me and Brycie...a little character!
Other than that, we researched potential overnight stops on our trip south.
Tuesday (Nov. 19) morning, Steve's sister, Nadine and husband, Mike popped out for a visit. We went up the road to Fresh Cup Roastery Cafe where we sat enjoying coffee and a great visit...
I also discussed having my other knee done next Spring...that's a no go. He said the x-rays still show some cartilage so it's not ready yet...basically continue having injections every six months until they no longer work (like my left knee). Unfortunately, I am due for my next injection in early February...but it will have to wait until we get back in April.
I got home to find Steve busy with his pre-departure chores...he's gradually getting all the things crossed off his "to-do" list. He had drained and flushed the hot water tank, replaced the anode then refilled it and tested it running on propane. He'll be very busy for the next few days!
We woke to a very chilly morning on Thursday (Nov. 21)...with temps down to 0C/32F...at least that's what the weather-app said. Our outside thermometer said 2C. Still brrrr....
Steve headed out for an appointment at 9:30, returning just before noon. While he was gone I did some housecleaning and spent what seemed like hours on the phone with SiriusXM getting our satellite radio activated.
Steve and I both spent the afternoon working outside taking care of a bunch of pre-departure chores. He got the bikes loaded back on the trailer and while we tried to zip up the cover over them, it ripped...great! But I managed to order one from Amazon with delivery guaranteed by Friday...whew!
Friday (Nov. 22) I headed out early to get a pedicure and take care of a bunch of errands. When I got home, Steve decide to go out and take care of some errands of his own. We have never had chains for our truck or trailer...we weren't planning on driving in snow, so why buy them? But we decided it would be a good idea to get some for the truck (at least)...it's mandatory to carry them when going through the mountain passes as we head south. So they are now stowed away in the truck...OMG they are heavy!
That night we met our neighbours at the Prairie Inn for dinner. Andy and Tami are from Ontario and have recently sold their home, deciding to start the full-timing lifestyle...welcome guys! Unfortunately their new lifestyle is getting off to a rocky start due to some health issues. Wishing you the best and hope the winter here goes well...there's always next winter to head south!
What a wonderful evening chatting over dinner and drinks! And thanks for picking up the bill, Andy and Tami! Not necessary but very nice of you!
Before we knew it, it was time to get ready head out to meet some family for lunch. My brother and sister-in-law, Don and Rhonda, from Bowser (up island) are down visiting and our younger brother, Dwight also joined us (Helen was away). We enjoyed a great lunch and visit at Brewskys Taphouse in Brentwood Bay. Great being able to see you all one last time before we leave the island! Left to right, around the table, Dwight, Don, Rhonda...and of course, me and Steve...
With the quads loaded and the bill paid, we headed home, arriving at 4:30...enough time to do a quick hair comb and head off again. Our good friends, Rob and Nancy had invited us over for dinner. So glad we were able to connect...we just haven't seen enough of you since we've been here! Rob cooked us a fabulous steak dinner and we finished up with Nancy's delicious apple crisp with ice cream...yum!
Sunday (Nov. 24) didn't start off well. Last night Steve started experiencing light flashes/streaks in his left eye. We went to bed hoping it would all be fine in the morning...but nope. Of course, we Googled it to see what it could possibly be and found it could be a detached retina that could eventually lead to blindness if not corrected...sheesh! So we headed off to the emergency room at Saanich Peninsula Hospital to get it checked. We were lucky...the wait was not long. The doctor did an ultrasound on both of Steve's eyes...who knew you could do that! Retinas are fine. After doing a pressure test...all fine. He said Steve was fine...likely a slight tear in the vitreous gel that causes floaters and flashes. By the way, Steve was no longer having flashes by the time we got to the hospital. Whew! There were a few tense moments!
We were back home by 8:30...time for a little breakfast before getting to work. I spent almost 3 hours up at the laundromat doing laundry...apparently everyone else had decided to do their laundry this morning too. Unfortunately, I had no choice but to wait for machines and get it all done!
Meanwhile Steve was busy finishing off his "to do list". We were both done just after 1:30 and decided to head over to Rob and Angie's. We need to pick up our final bits of mail and say goodbye to them. We usually are able to get together sometime over most weekends but this, our last, was a very busy one for the boys. They weren't home yet...so we waited, took care of the mail that was there and just as we were leaving they arrived home. So we had a quick hi-bye to them...except Bryce, who was out visiting a friend. After big hugs...we headed off. We'll see you via video chat until we return next April.
As soon as we got home, we hitched the trailer up. So we're all set to leave the island tomorrow morning! YAY!
