Looking back...looking ahead

When I started this blog in 2007, the goal was to keep our friends and family in the loop as we began our travels.  Over the years, it also served as a diary for me and helped keep memories that might have disappeared.

I wondered if I should just stop posting since our travels were not taking us to far flung corners of the world.  But, I don't want to forget all the great moments that make up our lives - and so, the blog continues.

Winter storms down at the beach were beautiful to see 

Shelagh and John Slater rented an Airbnb in Qualicum Beach and spent a week with us to escape the cold Alberta winter.  Despite some rainy days, when I took them down to French Creek to see all the fishing boats, we were entertained by several big sea lions lying around and barking like mad.  

We got a dose of winter with a huge snowfall that lasted two weeks -- two weeks too long in my books.  I tell everyone I signed up for rain, but not snow!  My walking group gave up our usual route that had ice on it, and turned to the beautiful Lighthouse Trail nearby that is better protected by the canopy of fir trees.

From left to right:  Darlene, me, Dawn and Judy

In March, the annual herring run occurs in the area. This year for 4 days, countless fishing boats were anchored off our beach as they fished 24 hours a day.  The sounds of equipment, the fishermen talking and sea lions barking made the area come alive.  I said it looked like a scene from Dunkirk with boats of all shapes and sizes taking part in the limited season.

The water turns a turquoise green - caused by the herring's sperm.

We headed to the Seattle area for a great weekend at the end of March.  First, we went to Kenmore to see Brad, Anette and Magnus who had just moved into their new house.  It's a beautiful home with loads of kids for Magnus to play with.  Brad pulled up in a newly purchased 2014 Corvette and Roger was thrilled to take it for a spin with him!

We then headed to an Airbnb house in the Capital Hill region of Seattle, and rendezvoused with John and Shelagh Slater, and Paddy and Dave Carlson.  We spent the next 3 days laughing, eating and drinking.  We experienced Taste Washington; an annual event that showcases more than 230 Washington wineries and 60+ restaurants --- just a fabulous getaway.

It was like a grown up slumber party in a beautiful Craftsman style home

Brad, Anette and Magnus went to Hawaii on the annual Valve trip, so we brought their dog, Obi back with us.  Once they returned, they came to visit us and reunited with Obi.

We bought Magnus a bike to have whenever he visited and he loved zooming around the community

Good food and lots of laughs.

Anette and I spent a fun evening binge watching a Netflix series, having Kahlua on the rocks, and dessert.
I just love that girl!!!!!!

The Royal Wedding of Harry and Meghan was fun to watch with Daphne hosting a morning "come in your jammies" party.  Complete with fascinators, champagne and scones - we all enjoyed the pomp and ceremony.

Left to right:  Dawn, me, Daphne, Bev and Darlene 

One of our favourite things to do is have a bonfire down at the beach.  On a sunny Father's Day, several neighbours joined us, with the added delight of Bob and Andrew playing guitars and singing with the Salish Sea and mountains giving a gorgeous backdrop.

We returned to Kenmore for a fun weekend with our family to celebrate belated birthdays for Magnus, Brad and Roger.

Magnus is now 5 years old and is more and more fun and interesting to be around.  

At a fundraiser a fun-loving group of friends from our community bought a tour and tasting at Shelter Point Distillery near Campbell River. To make it a stress-free day, we hired a driver and van so we could imbibe without worries.

The copper distilleries were imported from Scotland.  Our tour was very interesting and culminated in an excellent tasting of whiskies and vodka made at Shelter Point.

After lunch, we stopped by Forty Knots Winery for a tasting.
Clockwise from lower left:  Stu and Bev, Bob and Darlene, Roger, Ben and Judy and me

On Monday mornings, some of the men get together for a coffee in the clubhouse.  They had been discussing going on a fishing trip, and finally 4 of them booked it.  They had a fantastic time and caught salmon, cod and lots of shrimps.  Happy boys.

Left to right:  Bob, Stu, Roger and Don

When the boys came home we had an impromptu gourmet seafood dinner at Bob and Darlene's.

So here's the part that we really didn't see coming.

Roger started the year gung ho buying top notch landscaping equipment and started doing maintenance around the complex for his new job.  Everything was going great until a new strata Council was elected in February.  And then things changed.

A few weeks into the new regime, and despite best efforts from Roger, things just went sideways even though there was lots of support and positive comments from neighbours.  Long story, but it became untenable as we dreaded opening up emails that became more and more confrontational.  We had a meeting with the council where they said they couldn't afford our contract and would be cutting work from our contract.  The only option given us was to rebid at a lower rate.  So, after many sleepless nights, we decided to terminate the contract.

We also felt the strata would need to levy special assessments in the coming years to address maintenance and accountabilities.  So, we also decided to sell our home.  Yes, the one we loved and thought we'd be here until they rolled us out feet first.

The good thing is though - that once we got over the sadness that life didn't turn out as planned, we started envisioning what kind of life we'd like.

When looking back to when we lived overseas, the favourite places were where we lived right in the middle of the action, like in Bogota, Medellin and Adelaide.  Walking to restaurants, grocery stores, markets and coffee shops were fun parts to the day for us, so we decided to pursue a place where we could do that. We decided to rent for a year and try out the south Island.

Our house sold in 3 weeks with a possession of mid August.  Last weekend we headed south and checked out places in Sidney and Victoria.  We met up with our good friends from Calgary, Annette and Dwayne Majcher who also have a condo in downtown Victoria.  We had a ball going to bars and restaurants and walking everywhere.

In the end, we chose to rent a small condo in Victoria West -- just a 20 minute walk from the Inner Harbour wharf and a stone's throw from anything we need to buy.  We get possession on August 1st!

With a view of the Inner Harbour and in a quiet, residential neighbourhood we are close to the action, but with better parking!

After a Sunday brunch, we had fun watching the Gay Pride Parade with Annette and Dwayne.  While walking I heard someone in the crowd of bystanders call out, "Heather!!!"  It turned out to be my childhood friend from Montreal, Andrea Vinet, and her husband Rod.  We've only seen each other a couple of times in the last 40 years and it was great to have a quick catch up with a promise to have a longer visit in September.

When we were in Kenmore a couple of weeks ago, we chatted with Brad and Anette about our decisions and hoped they didn't think we were flighty/crazy/or both.  They too, have moved several times over their time together, and they feel like us that each move expands our lives and we meet interesting people along the way.

To add another bit of excitement, a project Colin has been working on putting together is ready to begin the first phase.  Roger was offered a job as Project Manager and took the plunge to get his TN visa which was granted yesterday.  That was a huge relief, and so he is down there now finding accommodation and scoping out the job site.  The rotations are great, and he is looking forward to the challenge.

We are excited.  Energized.  Looking forward to yet another new start.  Maybe change comes TOO easily for us, but I love the fact that Roger and I aren't afraid to roll the dice to see what comes up.

"Don't be afraid of change.  Be afraid of not changing."

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