Leaving Nanimo going to Vancouver

Left Nanaimo at sunrise on the 8:30 sailing. It was a calm crossing. I also got my favorite seat at the front of the ship in the corner. Perfect spot to relax in. 

Got on the 257 Express bus and it took me within 2 blocks of the YWCA hotel. I arrived at 11:05 thinking I could just leave my luggage but I was able to check in. My 3 night stay will cost me $226.00. The room is at the back not the front as the last time I stayed here. Room is so cute. Single bed, desk, bar fridge, shelves, closet and sink. Bonus TV in the room, I don’t remember having one before. I also have a shared washroom instead of the one down the hallway.

Went out to the art gallery for the afternoon. They only had 2 floors available for viewing. It was still very interesting as it always is. Walking back I stopped at the IGA grocery store.  Got enough food for the 3 days that I am here for.

 I am a little nervous about the conference tomorrow. However I am looking forward to it. 

Last day on the Island

Awoke after a restless night. Ate too much too late. My seafood dinner was so good last night, I should have stopped at one dish but I couldn't it was too good! I think the fresh scallops and the shrimp were what made it so good. I even had to take a picture of it. I think the baked goat Brie and rustic bread helped add to it.

When I did get going Kevin and I walked downtown to mail a parcel of baby clothes to Laura. They are in a beer case box. I hope she doesn't think it's got beer in it. We went to see the demonstration in the sqaure in front of the library. It was interesting to say the least. Tents are set up. Police are there to keep the peace. Lot's of signs and stuff written in chalk on the side walk. I thought it was fasinating, Kevin looked bored by it all. We carried on toward the store I wanted to go into. We detoured to a beautiful Native arts store. I found a Cowichan hat and matching gloves. They will last me my lifetime. I'll have to write them into my will. We got to the Lux store. I found a scarf for Jocelyn and some little items for Christmas gifts. Walked back to the house, had lunch, then a nap. When I woke up I went for a walk in Bowen Park. Beautiful fall colours. 

Went out to dinner at Gina's Mexican Retaurant. As always it was excellent. Got my favorite table. Walked back in a beautiful evening. The harbour was quiet and calm. Nice ending to my visit.

Long walk again

Went out to a place called Jack Point. It is where the Duke Point ferry terminal goes from. Confusing to me. Kevin has today off and he has a brand new Nikon D5000. Just taken it out of the box last week. Hasn't ever used it yet. So off we go a little chilly this morning. Again I am never sure what to dress in. We walked along the seashore and saw lot's of ocean birds. Loons, ducks and seagulls of course. Also many little birds that are migrating through. I don't know what they are but they sound good and look cute. Stepped out to see an overlook and  heard an eagle trilling. Looked up and there it was in the treetop looking down at us. He/She just keep watching us. Very neat to see.

Carried on to the end of the point where we saw a sea lion swimming. Can't get a very good picture because they just look like Ogo Pogo. The trail was very nice and easy going. I however found a pine cone to trip over and fell down on a big flat rock. I think I actually stepped on it and it rolled my foot out from under me. Ouch! that hurt. I was mostly happy that I had managed to put my camera away in the case and it came to no harm. I keep moving and that was good but I could feel my back stiffing up. Got back to K & K's had lunch then had a hot bath and I feel fine now. Tomorrow may be another story though.

I am going to make dinner tonight the Scallop and shrimp dinner that Shauna made for me. Yummy!

A day to walk and a day to visit

Kevin headed out early to work and Kathyrn headed back to bed to get more zzz's. I decided to go for a walk along the seawall.Went the other direction away form downtown. It was a perfect clam quiet morning. There was fog north and east but bright blue skies in Nanaimo.

Seawall looking north

Blackberries  

 I walked to the end of the path and then up Cyress road a very steep climb to Terminal Ave. I could see where Save on Grocery store was so instead of 7-11 that I was looking for I headed down there. Went into Macdonalds and ordered breakfast which was my 2nd breakfast. Couldn't eat it all the place was so damn crowded and noisey. I walked out and there was a nice quite Starbucks that I should have gone to! Lesson learned. Bought grocery and headed down the bike path. In the shelter of the trees it was once again very warm. Got home all tired and sweaty. Kathryn was just waking up or I woke her when I came in not sure which. I took a nice hot shower. I had walked form 9 until noon. It was a long time for me but I felt good.

We headed over to visit with Bonnie and Ross on the 1:15 ferry to Gabriola Island. It is a most beautiful home on the most spectacular setting. Stunning is the word that comes to mind.

  

Shop until you drop day.

October 15, 2011

We started off early to find the best selection on a 30% off everything day at Penningtons. It was worth the trip as I found a pair of dress pants and a couple of nice work tops plus 1 work out top. Best part was I am down a pant size in the sytle of pants I bought. That always makes one feel so good. Next we went to Addition Elle where their very expense but well made bras were also on sale. Pick up one along with a new chain belt. 

Then it was over to see Kathryn's office. Very nice with a door and a window! Her own office! Wow. She is not reception she is the Executive Assistant and she even has her own assistant. It is a job with a whole different level of responsibility that I could not even imagine doing. Next we headed over to Sears to meet Kevin. His department is now the Childrens. Looked busy to me but he said it was a slow day. He couldn't join us for lunch so we went by ourselves sown the mall for sushi. Excellent Cali rolls and yam rolls.The Sushi is better out here. I will have to treat myself again in Vancouver. Went back to Sears and bought a bunch of baby clothes to send off to Laura. By that time K was exhausted. 

We came home so she could rest up as she was off to the hairdresser at 2:00 pm. I had a nice quite time reading and snozzing until the football game came on. Edmonton is again in first place, Stamps and BC are tied for second. Will be an interesting run to the Grey Cup. Kevin got home and Kathryn still was at the hairdressers. She didn't get back until 6:30. We ordered in pizza for them and wings for me. Watched the new X men movie to end the night. 

Martyn Joseph in concert in Nanaimo!

October 14, 2011
As I was preparing to come out for the conference in Vancouver Iknew that I wanted to come to the Island to visit. Then when MJ announced a concert tour  with a stop in Nanaimo I jnew I had to be here for that one. He was also touring with a friend Stewart Henderson a spoken word poet. I spoke to KO and she was as excited to see them as I was.

The day started off as another bright blue sunny day and remain that way through out the day. After K&K went off to work I took a walk first along the seawalk then up into town. From a great little stop for coffee and sausage rolls. Carried on down the street to a fun little shop Lux that sold nice little gifts. Bought a couple of little things. Next stop was a book store that the owner was retiring and selling his stock at 75% off. I found the Canadian history section and bought 13 books. One in particular is a 1st edition on the History of Railroads a beautiful book. I then had to abort my mission of finding the grocery store and head back home. I went up Fitzwilliam and ended up in the gardening store. I bought a couple of garden stakes one of a hummingbird for K&K and one for myself of a Pegaus. Then it was a home for sure because I could hardly carry what I had.

It was a warm day and I was overdressed. So by the time I go back I was cranky and overheated. I cooled off and had a short nap. When I woke it was already time to get ready for the evening. K got home and changed then we walked over to the Fox & Hound Pub. We arrived first and got a great table at the back of the place. It wasn't to crowded yet. Bonnie and Ross arrived about 10 minutes after us while I was at the bar ordering drinks. It was so good to see them again. Ross gave me his big old friendly smile and a hug. We all had great fun ordering food. It is a quirky low key atmosphere you can not be in a hurry. We had lot's of time. It was good food with great friends.

After we had finished supper it was off to the concert. We got to the church and walked into to no more than 30 people in attendance. I was so shocked. The 1st 3 rows were not occupied so we bee lined it down there. We sat in the 3rd row and no one sat in front of us. I could reach out and touch MJ if I really wanted too. Stewart Henderson was a surprise. He recited some of his own poems also a lot of Martyn's songs. It was a very beautiful combination of talents. Some of Stewart's poetry was funny some of it was sad. I should have bought his book and didn't. Instead I bought an live MJ CD. Couldn't help myself. They did a great version of Working Mother a song I don't really care for. MJ did a new very sad song that made K & me wonder if he has spilt with his wife. How sad if that is the case. Stewart was a very dry funny fellow and had Martyn in stiches many times through out the night. it was great fun. After the concert we walked Bonnie and Ross to their truck and then we when off to K & Ks place, An absolutely wonderful evening.

Back on the West Coast

October 13, 2011
Out here again to visit yet again. I will be attending the Access 2011 - the library is open conference in Vancouver next week. I tacked on a few days of vacation. Left a beautiful sunrise in Calgary. Took the bus from Crowfoot to the airport. Took an hour to get there but I had the time and it only cost me $2.75 as opposed to a $60.00 taxi fare. The airport wasn't too busy. However the plane was full do to a possible strike by Air Canada. The woman next to me was moved up to a front seat because she had a close connecting flight.  We had the only extra seat on the plane between the young girl and I. She was coming home for a visit from McGill. She was so happy to be back in Vancouver for a week. Took the Canada LIne Train into downtown. Wander around a bit found the bus to Horseshoe Bay. It wasn't the express. It gave me an interesting ride through the residental streets. The weather was sunny and warm.

As we sailed across the Salish Sea to Nanaimo the day got cloudy but I holed up in the far corner with my luggage and had a snooze. Talked with a nice woman who lives in Parksville. She told me about the joys of living on a rural property. I still think it is more work than joy. Kathryn and Kevin picked me up. went back to their place, got beer and take out from a new place that has opened up close to them. Good day for travelling.

Thanksgiving weekend was Fabulous

What a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend. I spoke to both daughters and both of my brothers. Took Mom on an outing. Spent time with friends in person and on the phone.

Saturday was a beautiful day to take an early morning walk along the Douglas Fir Trail.
First I was out early and got some sunrise pics form Ranchlands Hill. I thought that I should check out the Bow River. I had a great walk with the beautiful Alberta blue sky. I then went to Costco and pick up some stuff. Some for Christmas but most for when I return from vacation.Then it was over to Deni's. Brian helped me take the canopy apart and then transported it in his truck to my place. He is an odd duck but a good worker. He had been in the bush all summer and is getting use to being around people again. As I was coming into the house I had an invite to join neighbours for Shepards Pie. Yummy!

Sunrise Oct 8, 2011

Bow River looking westward

On Sunday I took Mom to Heritage Park. It is always fun to take her there and listen to her tell people about how she once lived. I always learn something interesting or funny. She was telling one woman stories about her family and everyone was laughing. We went into the print shop and talked about Armstrong Press. I have such intense memories of the smell of the ink and playing with pieces of type as a child. It was good to get her out and walking in the fresh air. I came home to watch the Winnipeg Jets. Great to see hockey in Winter-peg again. They sure deserve it. Even PM Harper was there to watch the home opener. I went over to the neighbours to have a delicous Ham Thanksgiving supper. It was a nice evening with Tim, Jocelyn and Dani. Jocelyn's sister, Jackie and her boyfriend Rich. They are a nice family and it was a great evening.

Sunrise Oct 9 2011

Mom at the front desk of the Wainwright Hotel

Holiday Monday I got to work early and did a big clean up of the house. I even managed to get the wallpaper up in the bathroom after having it around for years. I got all the laundry done and clothes are packed for my vacation to start on Thursday. I took a break and went to Jane Roberts' place. We were going to watch Doctor Who but somehow it had been earased off here PVR. We watched something else not as good of course but she feed me a turkey sandwich and homemade turkey soup. Came home to finish house work and get ready to go to work for 2 days. Then it is off to Naniamo for a week vacation and then Vancouver for a library conference.