November 27/11

OK, so we survived the getting lost and now know we can handle the traffic, the crazy drivers, the poor signage, - well all the things that go with city driving that we are not used to.  And we did it at night, in the rain.  We’re smiling.  

Decided to reward ourselves next day.  Sun was shining, beautiful blue sky, white clouds up against the mountains, fresh air day.  Took country roads, my handy dandy map book and headed for Abbotsford.  Visited Fraserway, a posh RV dealership to buy a new sewer pipe bit to replace the one Jack dinged yesterday.  Found a terrific Greek restaurant, Rendesvous, in Abbotsford (Jack is still raving about the calamari) then meandered off looking for some farm gate eggs.  Visited a market for fruit and veggies.  All in all a lovely day.  Figured we should enjoy it because they are forecasting 100 ml rain and high winds.  Again.

They were right.  Limited our out-and-about to a Christmas Craft Fair at the community hall and coffee in a tea room. Then going to Langley to the Canadian Tire store.  It is absolutely bloody amazing how many things you have to go get, buy whatever; when you are a) camping in an old rig which you were too busy to pack properly, and b) married to a Jack who wants everything right.  Drives me bonkers sometimes, but he does keep things in good working order.  Frustrating though  - we constantly seem to be going to a store to get something.  Earlier it was to get a second key cut for the car.  Had to go to three different places, but the good news is the guy can fix the door lock on the passenger side of the RV.  The tumblers all sort of fell apart before we left home.

This time, we just got home and settled in when the heater quit.  Its just a little ceramic heater, several years old, but is all we need and costs us nothing to run since electricity is included in our fees here.  Our furnace is propane, and like all hot air furnaces blows cold before hot, so its not as cozy as the little heater.  So it was back to Langley (we have made a pact to try and have a Langley-free day in our near future) for a heater, then back to figure out the laundromat.  We have such a rewarding life!

By the time the laundry was done, it was absolutely pouring with rain so we left it in the car and made a bee line for the dry.  Woke up to more rain but figured we have to take our approach to life from the locals and just ignore the wet stuff.

It amazes us.  It can be pouring and windy, but when we drive through the village there will be people sitting outside having coffee or tea or whatever concoction the local cafes serve up.  They are a heart bunch - give them a roofed in porch, or an awning and they are out there in the great outdoors.  Its one of the things we love here.  And, you can bet on seeing at least one person sitting with a dog at their fee, or hanging nearby.  Dogs are welcome everywhere here.  Most of the folksy eateries have places to tie them and water bowls filled.

So we drove by all the outdoor enthusiasts and went to a White Spot for a $30 breakfast.  Bacon and Eggs with home fries and toast - nothing amazing.  We have made another pact.  We have to pack a picnic when we go out and stop with the restaurants.  Too expensive.  We explore in the other direction today - west to White Rock.  Had a yen to see the Pacific.  OK, I know its really the other side of Vancouver Island, but its salt water and it was lovely on Marine Drive - even squeezed in a little walk in the rain.  We drove around looking for our friends Rob and Elizabeth, but since I left their address in the RV we failed to find them.  Called when we got back - we were on their street.  Huh.  Going to meet up with them tomorrow.  By the time we got settled back at the campgrounds the sun was shining and the skies a beautiful blue.

Event personified one of my dilemmas.  Do I unload my purse and save my shoulder, or do I carry every darn thing we, or read he, might need?

Funny, when its raining you don’t see anyone much around here, but when the sun comes out the emerge like kittens tumbling out of a box.  Many with dogs prancing around their feet.  Its kind of neat.  Jack does wonder what they do when its raining.  He is already starting to by a bit trying with his need to be out and about all the time.

Must be off. All the best to you all.  Remember if you want to get in touch, email me at julie@seacroftpei.com

Julie