Visit To Tsa Kwa Luten lodge on Quadra Island

On the 23rd. of June Cynthia, Jean, Ron and I visited Tsa-Kwa-Luten lodge on Quadra Island. We had noted a special offer in the paper and decided to take advantage of it. The deal was dinner, an overnight stay and breakfast next morning. We made the 40 minute drive to the ferry in Campbell River and after a 10 minute crossing and a short drive, arrived at the lodge

 

The impressive lobby area at the lodge.

We had a wonderful dinner that night. Just as we finished our meal, the Sea Princess, one of the Princess Cruise line ships came sailing past the dining room window.

We had a fine breakfast next morning. We left the lodge in time to get the 11.00 ferry back to Campbell River. As the weather had turned sour, we decided we'd high tail it for home. It had been a very good break.
If you wish to see a slide show of 19 shots of the lodge, scroll down below.

.

Roger and Faye Hamson Come to Dinner

On June 16th, Faye, Ron's niece, and her husband Roger Hamson came to visit us . They had been on an Alaskan cruise and after returning to Vancouver they came up island for a two night visit to the Comox area. On the night of the 16th, they joined us for dinner, along with Jean and Ron. A good time was had by all and the evening enabled Ron and Faye in particular to catch up on lots of things.

 

The Golf Ball and The Radish (June 2009)

A few days ago we were visiting Ben, Josée and Lise at their Knight road property. Ben and Josée had put in a veggie garden a few weeks ago and were so excited that some of the crops were now available to them. The radish were among the ones that were ready to be picked. When Josée picked some of them, we were amazed at what we saw. This was just one of the giant veggies we got from that picking. I thought I'd put the golf ball by it so you could check the scale. God knows what the melons will be like!!

 

BBQ at Ben and Josée's Farm: June 03-2009

Quite a while ago I told Ben and Josée that my cousin Ian was going to come and visit us for a week.

They graciously offered to host a BBQ at their place when he came and June 03 was it. All of our family came along with friends Chris and Val Little and Tom Morgan.

Chris and Val tuck in.


Ian and Tom chatting

It was also a great pleasure to be able to introduce Ian to Josée's mum, Lise who is visiting Ben and Josée at this time from Quebec.


Lise prepares to attack her 'burger, while Cynthia and Josée look on.

From the family, Tim, Andi and their children Charlotte and Oliver were there.

Tim and Andi


Charlotte likes to eat too.

Jean and Ron were there (Jean is Ian's mother), and of course, Cynthia and I rounded out the number.

Jean tucks in.


Ron with Chris and Val


Ben BBQ'd some burgers, we had some salads and a few drinks washed the whole meal down. Charlotte and Oliver got rides on the tractor with their Dad and Ben, so they were delighted too.

Oliver enjoys the ride.



I leave you with this picture of Ian and Ben about to take a tour of the property.

The whole thing was a great time. It was capped off by the weather being very hot and picture perfect. Thanks to all for making it such a good time.

Ian's Visit : May 29-June 05-2009

On Friday May 29th Cynthia and I went to Nanaimo to pick up my cousin Ian. Ian had been one of the unfortunate people in the U.K. who lost his job due to the current recession. His factory in Risca, the town where he lives in Wales, was closed, so he, along with over 400 others, were out of work in the blink of an eye-lid.
While finding himself between jobs, Ian decided to make a trip to Comox to see his mother Jean, who has been living here since 1990 with her husband Ron. Ian wanted to surprise hs mum so there was no mention of the trip to Jean. I picked him up at the float plane terminal in Nanaimo for Ian managed to get a flight with Harbour Air, a company which connects with the Vancouver Airport and Nanaimo.



Their planes take off from the Fraser River terminal in Vancouver, just a short ten minute taxi ride from the main terminals of YVR. Ian chose to come on the float plane as their schedule fitted his. He'd also not been on one of the small planes before, so that was a great experience for him.
The ride up island was great. Cynthia and I enjoyed riding with Ian and hearing about his family back in Wales. When we got to his Mum's home, we enticed her out of the front door by telling her that one of her neighbours wanted to speak with her. She came out obediently and lo and behold, guess who was there? The re-union was a good one. Cynthia and I stayed for a short while but then left Ian with Jean and Ron to enjoy each other's company.

During the short time he was here (only a week as his daughter is about to deliver her first child), Ian visited with some of the family at a BBQ at Ben and Josée's farm,

went kayaking with me in the Comox Harbour and bay area, and enjoyed some good nights out with Jean and Ron. We even managed to squeeze in a round of golf at Glacier Greens, my home course.
As I write this, the night before I take Ian back to Nanaimo, the float plane trip, and the first leg of his journey home, Cynth and I are sad to see him leave, but live in expectant hope that he and Jacquie his wife, will be out to see us for a longer period in the not-too-distant-future. It's been a great pleasure to have him with us, and Ian, I wish you God speed for a safe journey home.