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January 17th - Fort Langley, BC

Just opened the door on the RV to take some pictures of the beautiful snow covered landscape.  Didn’t put my foot down though.  We have several inches of new snow, just came down over the past hour, on top of the six or so inches that we already had.  Yup, winter has hit Fort Langley, and it ain’t finished yet.  Forecast is snow, or at least flurries at least till the weekend.

The difference between snow here and home is basically the temperature.  Here in the Fraser Valley, aka, lower mainland of British Columbia, the temperature hovers between -3 and +8 C at this time of year.  Now, when the media is rattling on about the “frigid temperatures and terrible conditions” it is +2 during the day and drops to -2 at night.  So its lovely to be outside.  People here don’t prepare for snow, and frankly haven’t got a clue how to drive in it.  So it is safest to stay off the roads.  Or, drive very defensively.

Jack and I are enjoying this as a quiet time.  We knew the storm was coming.  This is the Pacific coast where they see weather patterns developing and give lots of warning.  We came back to Fort Langley on Thursday.  Stocked the fridge and cupboards on Friday and ensured we have lots to do.  I came home with lots of reading material courtesy of my sister-in-law and her family. Fourth reader of pocket novels which I will pass along to the fifth readers when I am done with them. 

Have also had some work (articles to write) come in which I need to do, emails to catch up on, bookkeeping stuff to do.............the list of chores needing to be done multiplies to fill available time.

Being in an RV during a winter snow dump in BC is as satisfying to the soul as being storm-stayed back in PEI.  There are no expectations that you go anywhere or do anything. Keeping warm and cozy, relaxing, veging out; are the expected order of the day.  Lovely as long as the bread and water hold out.

One of my most exciting events this week is getting new software for photo handling, and putting my photos onto an external hard drive.  John came out and gave me lessons on Sunday and helped both myself and Jack with some upgrading.  I went from having no available space on my computer to the point where it struggled to shut down to having 53 free space.  Computer works so much better.  It is wonderful.

On that note, its time to shut out the world.  Once its dark the inside lights put us on display like a TV in the woods!  I hate to close the blinds because it is like a Christmas card out there. Lights in the little buildings are glowing gold against the freshly fallen snow.  Beautiful. And the dark skies are a reminder to go get supper.

Till next time!

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January 10th - Jack went off to meet with the historical fire fighters engine restoration enthusiasts and Sandy and I did the tour of Victoria and the southern coast of the Island that is such a popular driving tour.  This route takes one along Marine and Beach drives, right along the rocky shore and popular beach areas.  Lovely with the views of Washington State across the water, dozens of people out enjoying the sun shine and such.  And, of course, the fabulous millionaire homes and gardens.  We spent the entire day out playing sightseeing tourist.

Highlight of my day was the daffodils and gerber daisies out in full bloom, the sun shine and driving the beautiful areas with the windows down.  Took loads of photos so if it turns grey and dismal, or snows or whatever, I can just sit and gaze at my pictures.  There is a storm building off-shore so we will be heading back to the mainland soon.  Can’t take a chance on missing the big motorcycle show in Abbotsford next week.

More next time

January 9th and the magnolia trees are almost in bloom.  The buds are fat and pink, looking like a warm day will see them burst into full flower.  Victoria, and Vancouver Island, are among my favourite places.  I always feel at home here. Jack is out and about with his buddy Bob a lot.  I spend time with Sandy, but find myself longing to get out to explore and enjoy nature.

Today I finally got for my visit to the beach. The Lagoon near the Fort Rodd historical site is popular place. Ocean on one side then a narrow beach backed by piles of logs and driftwood, a parking area, road and the lagoon - a small lake? - on the other.  People come here for a taste of nature, a walk, to feed the birds and, I swear, to breath the salty moist air.  Its wonderful. Our visit was, as usual a short one. Jack pulled to the side of the road so I could take pictures of ducks, geese. Didn’t turn the car off.  Then we went a bit further and he pulled onto the other side, near the logs.  Got out an actually walked down to the beach (maybe 20 feet) for a few “I was here” photos, then back in the car.  I called for a stop a bit further on to photograph some swans and we were off.  It was chilly, so I let that happen, but really regretted not spending more time just enjoying the place.

Oh, before the beach I finally got to check my emails - at McDonalds.  We also lunched at 6-Mile Pub today.  Something I’ve wanted to do for years.  It’s the oldest pub in British Columbia and a wonderful place in its own right.  Food was a bit ho-hum - bad choices I think. But the ambiance is worth the visit.  Mark 6-Mile off my list.  List of places I want to experience is long!!!

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January 8th, 2012

Last week we ventured across the water to Victoria.  It had been raining for a couple of days, and promised to continue but we decided to go anyway, and visit family and friends.  Has turned into a lovely interlude.  The trip over stood out as the first time I have not gone out on deck, especially when sailing through the Islands.  It was a tad rough during the open water phase of the trip, so I walked inside.  Then we had a window seat so I stayed with Jack.

We got the 1 pm boat and took the side roads rather than the faster multi-lane to Sandra’s.  Much more pleasant.  Arrived about 3:30.  Went to supper at The Rose, a pub that has been a family favourite for more than a decade, particularly with Jack’s brother and Sandra. John came over the next day, so we picked him up at the ferry.  That night we went out to supper with Bob and Linda, Sandra’s brother is a great pal of Jack’s and usually takes him out and about to do guy stuff (motorcycles, firehall, coffee shops and stuff).  Had a lovely meal at Boston Pizza but then.....

Jack was just sitting there and suddenly went rigid.  He had severe cramps in his legs, then belly, and chest. So bad he ended up on the floor and barely conscious.  Result, we got to ride an ambulance to Victoria General Hospital.  Yup, I got to ride in the front seat. Jack got checked all over, blood, kidneys, bladder (for infection, etc) At 2:30 am they decided he was good.  All tests came back good.  And sent us home with the recommendation that he stop taking statin drugs again.  This has happened before and he has had to stop taking the cholesterol drugs.  I don’t know why he keeps trying to take them. So we think the cramps got so bad because he sat on a hard chair for so long that his hips and/or back spasmed a bit and set off the other cramps.  Would never have called an ambulance for this at home, as it has happened before.  But when he looses conciousness in a restaurant and ends up on the floor, well.........

The next day John, Jack and Bob went out for the afternoon, touring motorcycle shops and going to a camping store to buy John a butane stove for camping. John spent Friday night with his friends Pam and Martina.   We visited our friends Marg and Dick Saturday afternoon.  Sunday we went to Jack’s nephew’s son’s hockey game (so cute to see the youngsters play) then we all did Chinese buffet.  Took John to the ferry that evening for the trek home (he does the bus/ferry rather than take the car because it costs $80 each way with a car!  Yikes.

We’re staying a couple more days in Victoria for a bit of sight seeing and visiting.  Weather says the sun will come out today so Julie is going to the beach, and down Marine drive to see the mountains.  I have been craving some time by the ocean.  I also need to take photos of the mosses and lichens, ivy growing up tree trunks, ferns and such.  This is what I love about this island on the Pacific.  Nature as I savour it.

More next time.

Julie

For those of you new to reading this blog please note that it is my means of keeping in touch with friends and family, and other interested folks, while the spouse and I spend the winter in Vancouver - and during the trip here and back to PEI.  I update when I can, aiming for every few days.  It is very simply my thoughts, observations and details I want to share about our travels.  Scroll down, way down, for details of the trip across the continent which began our odyssey and our adventures living in our small, 22 ft, Rialta RV, for the winter........

By the way.  If you want to get in touch, share a thought or comment on the blog you might want to email us at julie@seacroftpei.com

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I’m constantly impressed by the successful entrepreneurial endeavours of small farm operations in the Fraser Valley.  People with a small piece of land make a living from it, often a good one, because they work hard at creating both good produce and a good experience for their customer.

Just before Christmas we went to a place known as Krause Berry Farms.  They grow several kinds of berries which they in turn use to create products such as baked goods, jams, jellies and more. But that isn’t all.  They have a shop on their farm, a place to get something to eat, many photo ops are set up for parents to get some photographs to treasure. Wagons to sit in, character cutouts to stick their faces in - that sort of thing. They sell live Christmas trees, in pots ready to go into the house then into the garden.  They do gift baskets which they sell made up.  They have horse and wagon rides and other things to do.  Best of all, they have a number of things you can participate in - like making your own gift basket, decorating cookies, that sort of thing.

In the village of Fort Langley there is another neat shop, Cranberries Naturally.  Everything they sell has cranberries in it.  Shop is one room, down a little alley in a little village that has turned itself into a tourist destination.  The day we went in, the door was constantly opening and closing as people came and went - almost always carrying a paper bag with something yummy inside.The only thing I didn’t see here was fresh cranberries - wrong season.  But they still attracted cranberry lovers with lovely displays of various products.  There was both a large variety of stock, and enough of most to make a display.  A jam and chutney were open for sampling with crackers.  Samples of candy were highly visible, placed well back from the door to entice people into the display area.  

There are literally hundreds of small specialty shops like these obviously successful and busy throughout the winter.  Several reasons for their success are obvious.  They have created a destination - somewhere to go for a satisfying feel-good experience.  The welcome extended when you visit is obvious.  At the little shops it’s a cheery hello, come in and have a look around. At busier spots its done with cheery signs inviting visitors to take photos by a sleigh, wagon, or the silly cutout you put your face through, followed by cheerful staff inside and again, lots to look at.

In Prince Edward Island we do have shops that have turned themselves into a destination such as Prince Edward Island Preserve Company in New Glasgow. Now if both they and customers could extend their seasons..................

January 1st

It’s the first day of the year and the first day we have seen ads on TV for garden centres urging people to drop by to pick up supplies for starting their plants from seed.  One more reason to love BC.  Anyway, I sort of snuffled my way into the new year.  Coughing, sneezing and blowing my nose marked my passage from 2011 to 2012.  In spite of that the day started well - my rabbit friend was waiting on the path when I came back from the washroom.  Its blond with a white tail that catchs the morning night as it hops away.  Makes me smile.

Jack and I had a lazy morning, ate some awesome Melton Mowbry pork pies from the English shop for lunch then headed out for a drive - just wanted to get some fresh air to blow the cobwebs away. We were amazed to see the tables outside Wendell’s Bookstore and Coffee Shop full of folks enjoying the day.  Temp is around 6 degrees C. They are a hardy lot here in BC and love the outdoors.  It inspires us to do the same.  Well me.  Jack kind of holds out for double digits.

There is a wildlife refuge near us - we keep seeing signs with rhinoceros picture on so decided to follow them and check it out.  The gates were closed and a sign said tours with reservation only.  From the road I could see a bunch of animals running about in a field so we stopped.  It looked like about 20 or so dogs or something - I think they looked like hyenas.  Its only about 10 minutes from camp so we’ll have to check it out. The road looped back to River Road which runs alongside the Fraser River.  Beautiful homes and small farms in here.  Lots of horses, blueberry growers and such. Even a couple of wineries. The soil is rich in this pocket of flat cultivated land.

We spotted a juvenile eagle in a tree, then a huge adult flying overhead.  Hoped to see more, but didn’t.  We kept meandering, always turning towards the river, and came across a lovely little park beside the Fraser River.  We stopped and started the year off right by going for a walk on the trails.  The woods were rich with green moss and ferns, blackberry brambles and lacy cedars.  Even though it was a cloudy day its was comfortable and the mountains were beautiful.  The things is they always are.  Their look defined in part by the sky.  The snow on the mountains glistens in the sun; clouds wrap around them like gauze, hang on the top or even hide them completely;  mists hang in crevasses and valleys.  Its always different, but always lovely.

We found our way back to Fort Langley and a relaxing evening.  On that note, once again Happy New Year.  

More next time.  All the best to you all.  Remember if you want to get in touch, email me at julie@seacroftpei.com

DECEMBER 30th

Christmas has come and gone, and a lovely interlude it was.  Did I mention that this is only the second Christmas we have spent with John and Chrissy in 18 years.  They tell me it was.  Jack and went into Vancouver December 23rd, checked into a hotel just a half block from John’s apartment building.  Their place is small and they keep much later hours than we do so it seemed wise and worked out well.  We spent good part of the 23rd exploring Granville Island which has loads of really interesting shops and a fabulous market.  Naturally took home lots of treats for the holidays including Tortierre and amazing pastries and fruits.  Chrissy was working late, and Jack pooped out so John and I went out to see some of the Christmas finery.  First stop English Bay for the Caroling Parade of Boats.  Folks dress up all sorts of boats and watercraft and sail them up False Creek, past English Bay and so on.  It was lovely.  Then we went to Stanley Park to walk among the amazing light displays put up by the fire departments. One section of the park, where a miniature train takes folks for rides in the woods, is all decked out in all manner of Christmas displays.  It was a warm night, with a light misty rain.  John and I took photos - he was giving me lessons on night photography.  This event is a major fundraiser for the fire departments so it is quite spectacular and very popular.  The train was sold out.  Anyway, admission is free - donations appreciated. 

Christmas Day was wonderful.  John cooked us breakfast and we stretched out present opening for a couple of hours.  I was blown away by the thoughtful gifts they gave us.  We had all agreed that our being there was our gift to each other this year.  Money is a little tight.  Yet, we all managed to find special things with meaning for each other.  Chrissy got spoiled a little, but John loves to do it.  So we all ended up feeling very good about that part of the holiday.

John did all of the cooking for Christmas Dinner.  Well I peeled some carrots, made a trifle and the gravy, but he did all the rest.  There were 15 people squeezed into their little living room.  We all served ourselves in their little galley kitchen then ate where we could.  Jack and I, being the “elders,” got a small table, 8 gathered around the coffee table, the rest used laps, knees whatever. One of the 15 was little Malcolm, John’s cousin George’s son. Almost 5 he was very well behaved considering the excitement of the day.

Since Chrissy was nursing a cold, Jack just getting over one we had a kind of quiet time, but very enjoyable to spend it together.  Did stir ourselves to go to see the new movie “War Horse.”

Our friends Rob and Elizabeth invited us over for lunch one day.  Rob and Jack went to coffee with the “Over 60 Bikers”, Elizabeth and I went to do a bit of shopping - couldn’t resist the sales. It was lovely.

Anyway, we are now back at the campground.  I have now got the cold so Jack is doing laundry - which is very nice because I can do some trimming and organizing of my scrapbooking projects.  We have to head to Chilliwack to pick up some goodies Jack ordered from the English shop.

I hope everyone had a grand Christmas and would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year.  May 2012 be your best year ever.

Julie

Today, just 10 days before Christmas, was a most perfect day.  One of those totally unexpected special times that is all the more enjoyable because it wasn’t planned.  

We got up early after a night of heavy rain on and off.  Love sleeping to the sound of rain on the roof!  Anyway Jack took the car in for 2 new tires.  See, I told you guys he would not be able to resist spending $$ to fix it up.  Anyway, its safer now, so he’s happier, and we can take it on some longer trips.  Apparently the belts in the old tire were broken - or something.  OK, so the intention was to have a coffee then spend the day at camp. Its foggy, damp and grey today. 

Didn’t happen. I had cut an ad out of the paper for an English shop and a scrapbooking store in Chilliwak.  Mentioned it over coffee at Wendell’s Café and Bookstore and next thing I know we’re going for a “little ride” east in search of Dickens Sweets & British Museum and Classic on Alexander.

Dickens didn’t look like much from the outside, but inside WOW!  Along with the Museum it is a grocery shop, bakery and tea room.  The displays were fascinating.  One cabinet was all Gollywogs.  There was a “Mrs Beeton’s Kitchen,” pub displays - just too much to take in.  Even a model train set up that folks could drive. One area was an “animated Christmas display” complete with a live Father Christmas who was a hoot. I didn’t even get to the second floor museum. Amazingly, there was no admission charged to the museum and displays

What was the most charming was the food service, or tea room.  It was all set up amongst the displays.  Large, long tables, held up to 20 I think.  And they were full.  The tea room was set for twos or fours, it was also full.  A lot of slightly older folk like us, all enjoying the English fare from Dickens own bakery.  Soups, meat pies, sausage rolls, Toad in the Hole, Christmas Pud with Custard Sauce, Pork Pie, you name it.  They also had a Sweet Shop with dozens of jars of candy lining the walls, more than 125 different loose teas in the tea area, and give lessons on candy making and fondant and such.

I had so much fun (and spent so much money).....it was great.  We are going back - have to, Jack bought out some of their stock and ordered more.  Besides, we want to take John and Chrissy and reserve Mrs. Beeton’s kitchen - you can eat there in amongst the memorabilia. What fun!

The scrapbooking store was great too, but I’m afraid my attention was focused on the trip down memory lane.  Turns out they are beside each other so I’m saving it for next time.

Just a bit of trivia for you:

- there are more then 300,000 Brits in British Columbia.  That relates to the number of British shops, tea rooms and such.

- So many of the things I relate to England are here: holly trees and shrubs, blackberries growing wild everywhere, hedgerows, but that is a topic for another day.  For now, I must sign off: Miracle on 34th Street is on.

Julie

For those of you new to reading this blog please note that it is my means of keeping in touch with friends and family, and other interested folks, while the spouse and I spend the winter in Vancouver - and during the trip here and back to PEI.  I update when I can, aiming for every few days.  It is very simply my thoughts, observations and details I want to share about our travels.  Scroll down, way down, for details of the trip across the continent which began our odyssey and our adventures living in our small, 22 ft, Rialta RV, for the winter........

Every morning I’m one of the first to be out walking the campground.  Mother-nature, or my body’s time clock, wakes me just after 6 am and demands, “Get thee to the bathroom. Now!”  So I do.  Most days Jack is still sawing off logs, when I slip my feet into my shoes, pull a sweater or jacket over my pjs, and quietly let myself out of the warm RV into whatever morning is serving up this day.

It has been snow, frost, rain, what we in my family call a “Scotch mist,” and occasionally glorious sun shine. But most often I am greeted with fog.  Occasionally so thick I need a flashlight to find the trail to the washrooms.  By the time I head back to the RV, daylight is burning its way through the mist, creating a beautiful landscape.  Trees rising from the mist are silhouetted against the grey skies with a golden glow marking the rising sun.

The fog, or mist, is to be expected since we are on a small island in the Fraser River.  Temperatures drop to near the freezing mark most nights.  Many mornings it hangs around for quite some time.  Much to the joy of many of us early risers.  

There is something magical about this time of day.  The air smells wonderful.  Like pine trees and damp earth.  Its cool and fresh against my face.  The people I meet this early tend to be the dog walkers.  One, with a beautiful, what I call water or springer Spaniel, is a regular.  Her dog is so happy to see me he is known to crawl under the bathroom door to say hello. Disconcerting the first time!

One morning, I walking back when a single headlight pierced through the fog.  A motorcycle? No it was a golf cart.  The caretakers/maintenance/security guys use them to get around the campground.  Between Jack’s knowledge of things like drainage tiles, water lines and dealing with Maritime winter challenges; and my early morning rambles, we are becoming firm friends.

This morning, as I came out of the washroom something ran across the lawn beside the path back to the RV.  Startled me.  I’ve smell a skunk a couple of times, but this was fast and brown. It ran into the ferns beside the path so I continued on, walking softly. Suddenly the wild animal burst out, right in front of me.  My heart missed a beat I swear, but the bunny didn’t care.  It hopped away with a burst of speed to be envied, little white puffy tail bobbing of down the path.

More next time.  All the best to you all.  Remember if you want to get in touch, email me at julie@seacroftpei.com

Julie

Sitting here trying to look very, very busy, so decided to say hello.  Its a lovely day here, and I have been viciously attacked by a flu bug or something so I'm feeling guilty about not being outside helping Jack - thus the desire to look busy.  He thinks I'm paying bills online.

This morning we finally got the hot water fixed in the RV.  Had to take it about 25 miles away, so dropped the car in at the local service station to get them to look at the tire/rim - whatever is causing the wobble Jack can feel when he drives at high speeds - at the same time. The RV took just an hour to fix.  Then we spent a happy hour in McDonald's talking to an older couple who used to RV back in the day.  "We were snowbirds - went to the dessert - you know in California.  Do you know California?"  and from there they entertained us with some of the most hilarious stories.

So the RV problem was just a breaker, but its hidden behind something else so hard to get at.  The car's wheel shimmy was a bent rim, so he's getting a used one from the wreckers.  Ya gotta love this service station.  Its in the village of Fort Langley and its called Fort Horseless Carriage Service Station.  And it looks that old.  Nice guys.  

Fort Langley grew up around the "Birthplace of British Columbia" - a fort which housed a Hudson Bay Post - the first British settlement and where they negotiated the border between Canada and the U.S. - or something like that.  The fort, now a National Historic site where they do a lot of re-enactments and stuff, is a couple of blocks from the main street.  The centre of the village has a lot of old style buildings.  Its a neat place, where they have retained the ambiance and character of the past.  That attracts a lot of movie makers.  Since we arrived there have been two movies filming on main street.  One is a Christmas film so they have fake snow machines, loads of trees have been decorated and such.

I keep finding new things to love here.  Today it was holly trees - they are covered with red berries and just a picture.  Some of these trees are huge.  There are also hazel nut groves near us, along with vineyards and high bush blue berry farms (their bushes are leafless but  look purple in the sun).  Pretty cool.

So, we have now started to set up for the winter.  Today Jack got the water pipes all heat taped and insulated. The cable hooked up for the TV and so on.  Tomorrow we tackle the add-a-room and the skirt and finally can unpack and find things we haven't seen for more than a month.  

So far we've had a couple of frosts, and were warned today that it can get down to -10 in January.  We are not worried about the cold.  Are set up for that.  We are a bit antsy about the wind storms though.  If we get a real bad one we could blow away with the add-a-room and awning. So we have to hope we don't get any of those (wind storms).

Was talking to Mom tonight - didn't get her until late because she went down to the turkey dinner.  She actually sounded very chipper when she answered the phone - then a few minutes later it was like she remembered she was supposed to be working me to feel sorry for her.  She finally admitted she had a good time and the meal was very good.  So hope she stays cheerful!

We are slowly getting ready for Christmas - its hard to put a stop to Christmas shopping, but we have to. We all agreed that our gift this year would be being together.  Just hard to remember that sometimes.

So, many of you will have deduced that we did not spend as many nights sleeping in the RV during our trip west as we had planned.  We did do one Walmart night, several truck stop/service centre nights and two nights in the Winnebago free camping parking area in Iowa., but we also coped out a bit a did motels.  First night was due to a snow storm.  Stayed in a Comfort Inn right after we crossed the Mississippi.  I believe that was probably our most southern point on the trip - and it snowed.

As the driving got tougher and we moved away from Interstate 80 we found less and services. Up to that point the rest stops on the interstate had free dump stations, and you could even stay overnight if you needed.  There were so many big truck stops it was amazine.

We took off across country through Iowa, but stayed at Winnebago, then drove through Minnesota into South Dakota and found we could not stay in the rest stops and truck stops were not well marked or as plentiful.  Of course the traffic, especially the truck traffic, was much lighter. Thus less truck stops.  There were two things we really missed about not finding campgrounds open. Showers! And a place to fill our water tanks.  

Everyone keeps asking about heat, but we were OK with the propane furnace.  Now, in the campground, we are using a small ceramic heater and its keeps us nice and toasty warm.

We also found that the rates for the motel were quite reasonable in November and included breakfast.  So we stopped before dark (by 5), had supper from the RV, breakfast in the motel and lunch out.  So we rated the motels:

Best Western - top rating.  Everyone was comfortable, clean, wonderful beds and decent breakfast.  Nice, comfortable table and chairs.  Good TV. Good value - we would look for them again

Comfort Inn - next best.  Breakfast is a bit same old, same old.  But very clean and comfortable.

Econo Motels - will avoid in the future.  Terrible breakfast, tired and tacky.  

America’s Best Inns and Suites - will avoid.  The one we stayed in was so worn it didn’t feel clean.  No breakfast.  A couple of weird bugs.  Just second or third rate.

So there you have it.  Best Western - best value

The Watson motel rating fall 2011

We have booked into a Best Western, next to John’s apartment building for Christmas Eve and Christmas night.  Putting our mouth where our opinion is - or something.

More next time.

Julie