Sad news

It's with a heavy heart I write to tell you that on Thursday March 23rd Josée had to have Chloé, her Great Dane and lifelong companion, put to sleep. They had been together for 13 years and Chloé played a huge part in Josée's life. Chloé had been growing steadily weaker due to her great old age. She hurt her back leg on the garden steps. When Josée, Cynthia and I took her to the vet, the leg was fractured and the break was also full of cancer, which is probably why the leg had broken so easily. The vet informed Josée there was no way the leg would heal. Josée knew the consequences of that announcement and was heartbroken. At 4pm, and while resting comfortably on her couch at home, Chloé was put to sleep. We will all miss the old girl so much, but none as much as Josée. Please pray for her healing as she struggles through the days to come. 

Home From the UK

Hello everyone! I got back from the U.K. on Wednesday evening, around 8PM local time. I had been over there to see my mother who will be 94 in June. She had not been too well recently, so I traveled over to see if I could be of any help to her and also to hopefully cheer her up by surprising her. We had a good two weeks together and I think she was feeling much better by the time I had to return to Canada. She had gained weight and her swollen legs were looking much better. During the time we were together, we spent a lot of time chatting over years gone by and recalling memorable times together and from her lifetime. It was very interesting that she could recall clearly events from 50 years ago, but was now having trouble remembering things we had discussed only an hour or so before. When I left, her spirits were good, she was still able to care for herself in her own home and she made it easy for me to leave.

Home Again

Hello everyone in the family who might read this. I am very happy to be able to tell you that as of Thursday last, February 23rd, Tim is home again from the hospital. He had been there since Feb. 07th following a regular scheduled visit to the transplant clinic at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. The doctors have considered that the improvements seen in his recent blood work have been sufficient that they were able to predict a continued improving trend, and therefore were able to release him for home. I had been withTim at the hospital on a daily basis since Sat 18th, Cynthia before that for a few days, and me again before that. One of the nurses told me that I looked like a permanent fixture at his bedside. I mentioned to her that either his Mum or I had been by his bedside whenever he's been sick since he was three weeks old.
Thanks for all your prayers for Tim.

Update on Tim

Hello everyone....Tim is still in hospital in Victoria. He has been there since Tuesday, February 07/06 following a regular visit to the transplant clinic at the Jubilee. Tim has been short of breath and retaining more fluid. Tests done on him have so far revealed that his transplanted heart is fine, with just minor narrowing of some of his arteries. The attending cardiologists are not too concerned over this. Tim is also about to receive a new (to him) medication which is now routinely given to new transplant recipients. This drug, delivered in two IV doses four days apart, goes to the part of the brain which deals with rejection, and further suppresses it. The drug is coming from St. Paul's Vancouver. He should receive his first dosage today. Please keep Tim in your prayers and also pray for his wife Andi, daughter Charlotte and all of us in the family.

St.Kitts-Caribbean Cruise-Jan.2006

January 5th. 2006, Cynthia and I headed to Seattle and flew to Norfolk Virginia. We overnighted there and then boarded the Maasdam, one of Holland America's ships for an 11 day cruise to some of the islands in the Eastern Caribbean. The ship left Norfolk late due to prop problems and as we left on one engine only, we missed our first port of call at Half Moon Cay, Holland America's private island. Other stops were at St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Dominica, St. Kitts (where the picture above was taken), Bridgetown Barbados and finally San Juan Puerto Rico. We had a fine time and felt it was a marvellous way to celebrate our fortieth wedding anniversary which was earlier in January.
When we returned to Norfolk, we again overnighted there and did some exploring before flying back the next day to Seattle. It was one more overnighter there and then came the drive back to Vancouver Island which took us about 7 and a half hours. It had been a marvellous time, but we were also glad to be home with friends and family.

First Driving Lesson!

This picture was taken at Tim and Andi's home on Christmas morning. Charlotte had unwrapped one of her gifts and Tim was trying to show her how to ride it. She wasn't quite sure about the whole thing and for a while preferred to push it around, which was just fine with us. The morning was great, for as usual Andi had invited family members on both sides to come and have breakfast together at their home. Everyone chipped in something, we all got a chance to see each other and to wish each other a Merry Christmas. It was a fine time! 

Christmas Day Dinner

Christmas night Ron, Jean, Ben, Josée, Cynthia and I shared a meal at our home. Cynthia had cooked a lovely turkey, prepared the veggies and the dessert. About 4pm Ben and Josée arrived and were followed around 5:30 by Jean and Ron. We had some nibbles before dinner and a couple of drinks. About 6:00 pm we sat down to the sumptuous meal Cynthia had prepared. As the wine flowed, conversation was lively and we had a really good time. We even had a Christmas pudding for Ron! When the meal was over, we retired to the living room and played a new game Cynthia and I had bought a short while ago. It was called Buzz Word and provided us with some laughs as the men took on the ladies for the title. The evening came to an end about 11:00 pm when the guests left. All in all it had been a fine day, one to remember.

Christmas Eve Gift Exchange

Here's a lovely picture of Andi taken at our Christmas Eve gift Exchange. This year the eight of us, Jean and Ron, Tim and Andi, Ben and Josée, Cynthia and I, went to Boston Pizza for our annual Christmas Eve lunch and gift exchange. Prior to this day, we had drawn names and each bought a gift for that person for Christmas. The gifts had to cost ten dollars or less. (We'd allow you to go over ten by the amount of the tax!!)
We had a good time, the food was ordered and while we waited for it to come, we opened the gifts from each other, one person at a time with all the others observing and making all the necessary rude comments! It was good fun, a way of keeping the shopping and expenses down, and also keeping the focus where it should be...on the birth of Jesus! 

Berkshire Group Open House

On Dec. 22th 2005, Ben's company, The Berkshire Group, held its annual Christmas open House. Cynthia had spent quite a bit of time cooking sausage rolls and mince pies for the occasion, and Ben provided a variety of drinks for the clients who were invited to drop in from noon - six pm that day. Shelley and Jennifer helped serve the goodies to all who came.
In the picture you see Jean and Ron Hussey along with Jennifer Gilbert who is the new employee Ben hired in September of this year. Jennifer has settled in well and is enjoying her time with the company we believe. The day was a great success and many clients dropped in for some finger foods, a glass of their favourite beverage and most of all some chat! Thanks to all who came and to those whose preparations made the day work for all of us.

Getaway to the West Coast of Vancouver Island

From Dec. 17-20th, 2005, Ben, Josée, Cynthia and I traveled to and stayed at the Clayoquot Orca Lodge close to Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Ben and I, (but mostly Ben!) had planned the getaway as a surprise for the ladies and we managed to pull it off without them grasping too much of what was going on! During our stay there, the weather was superb for two of the days. We were able to walk Chloé, Josée's Great Dane on the beach and also watch the surfers riding huge waves incoming at Long Beach. In the picture you see Cynthia with her God-daughter Keltie Minton. Keltie works at Middle Beach Lodge another beautiful resort on this coast. We surprised Keltie with a visit too, and she seemed delighted to see us as we were glad to see her. We managed a short chat with Keltie before she had to return to her work. We had a great time there. Ben and Josée got some R & R and we just did what we do everyday!

Sprint to the Spit

Last Saturday, Dec. 10th 2005, Ben's company, The Berkshire Group sponsored its first charity run. Featured events were a 10Km run and a 5Km walk. Between 30 and 40 participants came from Victoria, Port Alberni and Campbell River as well as from the local running group.
Sprint to the Spit wound its way through the streets of downtown Comox, then out to the Spit and back. All who took part, whether walker, runner or volunteer had a good time.
In the picture above, we see that famed athlete Ron Hussey of Comox bursting through the finishing tape in a magnificent last place finish! It is to be noted though that Ron is over 80, walked for pleasure, and asked Dr. Neufeld's wife Heather to marry him as she walked along with him over the 5Km route!! 

Charlotte takes first steps

On Tuesday November 15th, I took Tim to Victoria for a heart biopsy. For all you friends and family reading this, I'm pleased to say the biopsy result was a good one. He had to have this done as the previous encounter with "the snipper" had resulted in the docs not getting enough tissue to do an accurate biopsy. So, we had to make the trek again on the 15th.
As we were returning back up the island, Tim's cell phone rang. It was Andi calling to tell him that Charlotte had taken her first few steps across the living room. Tim was naturally disappointed that he hadn't been there to see her walking, but was happy for Charlotte.
Now the fun really begins for them! 

Elephant Girl!

Andi's aunt Patti bought this elephant costume for Charlotte just after Charlotte was born. At Hallowe'en this year Charlotte wore it for the first time to go trick-or-treating at her Grandma Jo and Grandpa Bill's home. I think she also went to see Great Grandma Liz in the costume. She looked great and wore it without too much complaint. 

Charlotte in the Patch

Just before Hallowe'en, Tim and Andi took Charlotte out to the pumpkin patch to look at the pumpkins. She had a great time rolling on them and climbing over them. They picked two nice ones and brought them home to carve. 

Charlotte's First Birthday

November the 4th was Charlotte's first birthday, but Tim and Andi decided to have a party for her on the following Saturday evening, which was a good idea. Many of the family members were there and a couple of Charlotte's little friends came too with their parents. It was great fun to watch Tim open the gifts with Charlotte, while Livia, and Brady her two wee friends also helped. As Tim and Andi made notes on who had given what, the kids had a great time playing with the wrapping paper and the boxes! In this picture, Charlotte sits in her own chair, one of her birthday gifts. It was a lovely time. We all enjoyed it.

Friends in Portugal

During our recent trip Sept.17-Oct 23 2005 one week of the time was spent in the Algarve region of Portugal. We met friends from Wales and stayed with them at their accommodation in Olhos d'Agua between Albufeira and Vilamoura. We found a wonderful little restaurant in the village and spent dinner time each evening eating there. The fish was freshly caught each morning, the meals were simply cooked but absolutely delicious. Company was great and we had lots of laughs. We look forward to the next time when we be in the company of Barrie, Pat, Dilwyn and Sandra.

Cynthia and Friends At Valdelavilla

On Oct 23 2005 we returned from five weeks in Europe and the UK. One of the weeks was spent in a language centre held at the remote restored village of Valdelavilla in Soria province of N. Spain. During the week, twenty Anglos worked together with 18 Spaniards to improve the Spaniards' understanding of the English language. Days were very fully scheduled and the work was enjoyable and intense. However, there were many times when Spaniards and Anglos could relax and enjoy themselves, as seen above. We met many new people and made some firm new friends. It was a highlight of our trip and we look forward to going again in a couple of years. Anyone reading this blog might like to check out www.vaughanvillage.com to read about this place.

Visit to Vancouver and Gig Harbour

On the past weekend, Cynthia and I had a most interesting few days. Sunday August 28th we motored to Vancouver to attend the ordination of our good friend David Bowler. David was being ordained a priest in the Anglican Church in Canada (not "of Canada you note!). The service was held in Lynn Valley Rec. Centre in N. Vancouver. Quite a few friends went from the island, including people from Nanaimo and Victoria as well as a small contingent from the Comox Valley. The service was marvellous and we felt the presence of the Lord in a powerful way. Another young man, Ken Bell was also being ordained. Our Bishop, T.J. Johnston from Arkansas, presided over the service. He spoke brilliantly. I could listen to this ex-lawyer speak all day! After the service we left Vancouver and motored on down to visit with our cousins John and Rosaleen (seen in the picture) who live for six months in Gig Harbour near Tacoma Washington, and the remainder of the year in their Phoenix home. We arrived fairly late on Sunday evening after a difficult drive to their home, in horrendous weather. Sheets of rain hit us as we drove down Interstate Five, and we were glad to arrive at the Walford home. We spent two enjoyable days with John and Ros, during which we managed to play one round of golf. Another bonus was being able to spend an hour or so with Sian, the daughter of John and Ros, and her husband Jay. We began the drive for home on Thursday morning, but came home via Port Angeles and the Coho ferry. We arrived home about 7:30 PM on the Thursday evening, stiff and tired but very glad we'd made the whole trip!

Magnificent layout at Bear Mountain.

Ben and I were invited to play at the new Jack Nicklaus course called Bear Mountain in Victoria. It was a magnificent experience and the course is a masterpiece of creativity and skill. It is entirely on the side of one of the mountains close to Victoria. It is virtually unplayable without a cart, all of which have GPS systems installed. Many of the shots hit are to blind positions, so the satellite sytem on the cart is good for yardage to greens and hazards, as well as for locating the positions of carters in front of you on your hole.
Scenes of Prague

The Tall Ships

Yesterday, Friday July15th-05, Cynthia and Iwent to Port Alberni on the west coast of Vancouver Island, to see the fleet of tall ships assembled there. Most of these vessels are training ships for cadets in each of the countries where the ships are based. There were nine vessels there with the two largest being from Russia and Mexico. We arrived around lunchtime and after purchasing our tickets to the festival and for boarding the ships, we looked over the two larger ones. The cadets and officers welcomed us aboard and we tried to make them feel welcome in Canada too. Port Alberni had done a fine job in hosting the ships and there were no waits, either to get the tickets or to get on board. The general public was only allowed on the upper decks of the ships for obvious reasns, but even so, there was lots to see After a while, we stopped and had a hot-dog for lunch then finished looking at the other seven for there were nine in all.
This was the last day the ships were to be in Canadian waters I believe, for the next day they were to motor down the Alberni inlet and then set sail for Los Angeles. They were a glorious sight even moored at the quayside, and we wished we could have been there when they set sail for ports to the south