Mark and Jennifer

Jeremy’s Best Friend
Jeremy had many wonderful friends that he cultivated and shared his life with.  Mark was his Bro’.  Mark was someone that Jeremy played hard with, had long evenings with, laughed, cried and argued with.  They helped each other when they were ‘down’ and perhaps knew each other as well as brothers.

Our friends Mark and Jennifer
Fortunately we have maintained a relationship with Mark.  It wasn’t long after Jeremy died that Mark met Jennifer and not long after that when Mark brought Jennifer to the SC to meet us. 

Visiting Ruxton August 2010
Mark works along side Owen at things that need done around Ruxton.  Finishing the tar papering before the shingles go on and helping install the window,  Jennifer and Nadine share a love for art and work well together in the kitchen.   Mark and Jen arrived for 2 days and stayed 5.  Gotta love it.

Jer’s bro’ Patrick came along too for a few days.  Are we ever fortunate to have these wonderful people in our lives.

Honorary Grandparents 2012

Sometime after Christmas we received an e-mail and then a phone call from Mark telling us that he is going to be a Daddy.  Oh my gosh, did we hear him right?  A new baby.  Due June 24^th. 

We were back in Canada to attend the baby shower in May.  A great gathering on a beautiful sunny day at Jericho Beach.  Owen helped Mark set up and we all did the decorating.  A wonderful group of friends come out to support Mark and Jennifer before their baby boy is born.

We went back into Vancouver the middle of June to pick up the propane fridge and stove that Mark has ‘scored’ for us and the four of us go out for a lovely breakfast.  Jennifer is only 8 days or so from her due date.  Mark and Jen tell us that they’d like us to be their baby boys’ Honorary Grandparents, if it’s something we’d like.  Duh???  We are so excited.

 

Nadine Meets Luke

Jennifer delivered Luke Samuel Derek Chinque on Friday evening, June 29^th at Women’s Hospital on Oak Street in Vancouver.   He weighed 7# 9 oz.  Mark, a midwife and doula were there as Luke slipped into our world somewhere around 9:30 pm.  A perfectly healthy baby boy.

Mark had 'text' early that day to say that Jen was having contractions and that they were certain that today was the day.  Mark called me at 5:30 pm to tell me that Jennifer just called and he was to ‘get home’ to take her to the hospital.  Everything happened pretty quickly after that.   Jennifer was in a delivery tub and altho Luke was delivered in water, he was immediately put on Jen’s belly so Mark could cut the cord and then the baby was given to Mark to hold while Jen (abate shaky) got out of the tub and dried and was put into bed. 

A picture arrived of the 3 of them shortly after.  I love technology (most of the time).  We get photo’s almost daily of the baby. 

Baby Luke went home on Sunday, July 1^st.  We didn’t get to see Luke until Thursday, July 12.  He was already 13 days old.  Owen and I are both infatuated with the little guy.  Okay, maybe I am a little more than Owen, hmmm, maybe not.  Either way, I was able to spend 5 hours hanging out at the house.  Mama even took a wee nap.

Nothing Ever Goes Away

Kath's Weavings

I will miss Kathlyn.  Jer's Grandmother, Phil's Mom and my very dearest friend for well over 40 years.  My passion for weaving dwindled many years ago altho my love of woven items remains strong.  Kathlyn on the other hand began to weave shortly after I did and she never looked back.  She was an accomplished and prolific weaver.  Over the years she made hundreds of rugs, runners, hand towels, dishcloths, placemats, napkins, table clothes, shawls, pieces of yardage, diddy bags and so much more.  She was generous with gifts of woven articles to her family, extended family and friends.  She participated in many arts and crafts shows and fairs.  I have several of her weavings which I will cherish and enjoy.  I brought home another one of Kath's rugs from Phil and a few more hand towels and dishclothes.  They are beautiful and I am blessed to have had known Kathlyn and now to remember her whenever I wrap myself in one of her shawls or step out of bed onto one of her soft rugs, not to mention drying the dishes with one of Kath's delicate linen or cotten towels.  A lady of opinions; well read and knowledgeable.  Idealistic in her politics.   Sharp edges that blurred into kindness and caring.  Scrabble player extraordinaire. 

Gas Prices???

Gas prices are definately fluxuating and not particularly for the good. 

The price war in Victoria was an eye opener.

Best price:  100.9/litre

Average price:  103.9

Nanaimo price (no gas war) 134.9

Sunshine Coast gas prices 141.9 (what's up with that?)

Getting the most out of our weekend on Vancouver Island

Our trip to Vancouver Island was extra special because we got to see some very dear friends in a very short time.  After spending an evening with Glenn and Jodi and a leisurely morning, we headed south down the Island and stopped in Cobble Hill for lunch with Julia, Klaus and Corinna.  Lovely!  And we get to see them on Ruxton next weekend where they  visit us annually (3rd year).  Onto Victoria and a great evening with Phil.  Went to Bubby's Cafe for dinner.  Yummy and excellent value.  Serendipitous was our good timing.  Phil was house sitting on Beach Drive in Oak Bay.  Beautiful old heritage home and right on the water.  We were able to make ourselves at home for our two night stay.  We spent the next morning with Phil, sipping tea and watching the Tour de Victoria pass by with me cheering the riders on between tea refills.  And best of all, the sun is out.

Cheering on the riders.

We drove out to Saanich to visit Clair and Gord.  Since their move to Vancouver Island, their visits to Keats have been few and far between and I have dearly missed them.  We finally got a tour of their mini estate.  Gorgeous home  - complete with pool, hot tub, vineyard, fruit grove, and gardens.  A beer and Gord's homemade quacamole on the patio in sunshine.  Yummm.

Clair and Nadine

On the way home to the House in Oak Bay, we had a late cocktail with my art buddy and good friend, Mary and her husband Don.  They are always so welcoming and such a treat to spend time with, abate such a short visit.

Back for more visiting with Phil and a late dinner. 

Phil with Owen in the background.

Leisurely morning and home on the noon ferry from Swartz Bay.  Drive through Vancouver to HSB, short wait and the ferry back to the Sunshine Coast.  It was a great weekend for sure.

Getting to Ruxton (with the wood), fridge and stove, etc.

The weather has been so dismal in the Pacific Northwest.  Who would think that the longest day of the year has already past us by.  Where is summer?  We have delayed our trip to Ruxton everyday for the past 10 days.  It finally looks like we'll be able to make the sojourn this Wednesday.

Last weekend (June 22nd), we left for Vancouver Island via ferry to take a load of lumber over on the boat trailer to Nanaimo.  The lumber will eventually end up on Ruxton.  It's 2 X 12 X 20 feet long.  It was a great score (only $200) from Steve Willgoose but now the dilema is getting it to Ruxton.  It is on the boat trailer in a friend of Glenn's driveway.  Glenn is then going to help Owen launch the wood and tow it to the Island.

That's us on the lower deck of BC Ferries. 

A mere $285 later, the lumber is in Nanaimo
and the truck back home. 

The lumber excursion is getting even more complex.  We now are going over on Wednesday.  I will take the truck over on the 8:30 am from Langdale.  A mere 40 minute crossing.  I will then get in the line up for the Nanaimo ferry to Departure Bay (Nanaimo, Vancouver Island).  It departs at 10:40 am and with luck, I'll be on it.  Remember it's summer time and the ferry waits can be outrageous.   This ferry crossing is 1 hour and 40 minutes.  Time for a nice leisurely breakfast - ymmm ferry food.  If there is a sailing wait, I will get the next one at 12:50.  I will be toting my art journal and a good book.  The ferry gets in at 2:30 pm.  Next:  I will pick up Owen at Nanaimo Harbour where he will have walked on the ferry from Gabriola.

Owen:  He will leave the house at approximately the same time I do.  7 am (maybe even earlier).  The weather man says it's suppose to be mostly sunny with light winds.  He will leave Gibsons Marina in the Double Eagle (17') and cross the Gulf.  Once he gets to Ruxton, he will use Glenn's floating dock, and Glenn's dinghy, row to the Island and pick up our dinghy and oars.  He will then proceed to empty the boat that is now carrying the plumbing (pump, little tank, hoses, etc.) and some of our gear for the season.  Bedding, clothes, new lights, signs, pillows, chair, and more...   At this point, let's hope he will have sat down, had some lunch and a beverage - a wee rest.  Now Owen will have to get some things together and down to the beach to prepare for the arrival of the wood later in the day and at the right tide (high) at 7:41 pm.  Owen will then jump in the boat (did I say jump?) and head over to Degnan on Gabriola where he will moor the boat and make his way across the Island to the ferry.  Here is when the hitch hiking will take place.  OMG - is this doable?  Hopefully he will be on the 1:50 pm or maybe even the 3:10 ferry.  The trip is only 25 minutes.  Maybe only 20.

This is where I pick him up.  And there is more.

We then drive to Mike and Mary's in Nanoose Bay.  I get dropped off and Owen and Mike go to meet Glenn at the boat trailer that is hauling the wood.  They will drive it to Boat Harbour (south of Nanaimo) and the three of them will 'launch' the bundle of wood and tow it to Ruxton with Glenn's boat (bigger and more powerful than ours).  This is all happening about 6 pm.  Once at Ruxton, they will tie the lumber to a tree at Hawaii Beach, the tide will go out and it will sit for the night.  Hopefully they will be done and home before dark.  Home means Mike and Mary's for the night.  All going well, Owen and I (and maybe Mike) will leave for Ruxton in the morning.  Low tide is at 12:15 pm, so 2'ish should be a perfect time to get the lumber up off the beach.  We can then take our time getting it to up to Mystic Manor.

I didn't mention the truck will be carrying the 'new to us' propane refrigerator and stove, provisions and many more other odds and sods.  They will have to be loaded into the boat at Degnan Bay and we won't be able to get them out of the boat until the tide comes up again in the evening.

A full couple of days - I'm exhausted just writing about it and so when I speak of exhausted, I speak of Owen.