Blogs from Powell River, British Columbia, Canada, North America

(Wednesday, July 10) On our way! Hard to say it, even harder to believe it, still crossing our eyes, and holding our breath, but we are at the top of Texada Island in the Georgia Strait and things are really going north for a change! It's been almost 3 weeks since leaving Portland, with 2 weeks in the Boat Haven in Port Townsend, WA, working on general maintenance and surprise repairs, before our journey has finally begun. No complaints really, the Boat Haven is a rare gem, with shipwrights, marine chandleries, journeymen, engineers, woodworkers, sail makers and skilled maritime businesses scattered closely among dry-docked vessels, huge to small, and boat sheds, warehouses, workshops, plus small mom & pop stores that sustain us all while we make our own boats whole again. Peter’s boat maintenance list was ... read more

Friday:We woke to an overcast but mild day so decided that a bike ride was in order to go for a coffee. After adjusting bikes and helmets we set off for "Serious Coffee". David and Mary will have some readjusting to do after this. David's bike wasn't too bad but Mary's was a bit of a clunker with strange gears, an awful seat and a brake that didn't work BUT the tires were good and it moved along okay. On arrival back it was starting to spit but not enough to stop a walk along the beach in front of the house. We did an umbrella hunt and came up with one and set off along the beach where a surveyor seemed to be measuring from the shore to the low water mark. By the time ... read more

After a haircut and a coffee at Seriously Coffee we figured that today would be a history and walk day. But first, to try and catch that bald eagle on film. We could hear it, see it, but to capture it on camera was nigh on impossible. So, from the photo it is a mere flying bird. Maybe another time. We parked at the Willingdon Beach Carpark where there is forest between Westview and Townsite and headed off along the coastal trail. We were happy that the trail was so well signposted as we learnt a lot about the trees and logging industry. Trees such as Maple, Alder, Douglas Fir, Grand Fir and Cedars were all identified as well as surrounding small plants. The remains of a grader, bulldozer, winch, steam donkey, boom boat, sled, and ... read more

We spent the morning finding our way around the house, doing washing, checking out the immediate area and then going along the coast to a well known cafe to see how the coffee measured up. Not bad at all. After lunch we took the car along to the coastal walkway and walked along as far as we could to the Vancouver Island ferry jetty and mariner. Strangely, it was cooler at the house property than in town and we were soon stripped down to singlet and shorts as it was much warmer along the coast. The views from the walkway are out to a large island with Vancouver Island in the distance with snow capped mountains. It is a peaceful laid back sort of location which is hardly surprising since the road goes only 20 odd ... read more

Pour tous ceux qui m'ont demandé des nouvelles: pas grand chose de spécial ! Je suis en cours tous les jours de 9h a 15h. J'ai tous les jours cours de Maths, Sports, Physiques et cuisine. En Sports je fais volley, football américain et badminton. En cuisine j'ai fait des cookies et une omelette, rien d'extraordinaire. Vendredi soir il y avait un petit concert organiser par des élèves, c'était pas mal. Le samedi une dame est venu tondre les moutons et le dimanche ont est allé a la fête d'anniversaire d'un ami d'Austeen, le père de ma "famille" canadienne, sur la plage...... read more