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Our new home

Saturday, October 18th, 2008

Now if you read the ‘old place’ you will know that the move was elongated by the trek to and from the apartment. However as we took possession of the new place 3 weeks before we moved we decided to get a few things done before moving in – like decoration. Well we knew one bedroom would need decorating, as it was bright pink! Then at time went by we thought it was a good opportunity to have the whole house done whilst there was no furniture. Plus we didn’t think we wanted to tackle the living room/kitchen/family room ourselves as it all flows into one and would challenge our mountaineering skills – see the picasa photos and you will understand.

Our house is part of a strata, a private complex with a property manager who take care of the gardens and outside of the premises. A Strata can be apartment blocks or town houses. Our complex is town houses, but they are not like UK town houses and just to confuse maters our house is all on one level! A single detached home is called a family home, even though you might rent the basement to another family, so the family home might have 2 families living in it- get it, no, don’t try.

The fall

Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

Watch this space more will follow soon

Roof rack

Friday, October 10th, 2008

Roof racks, or more like the lack of. Over time we have noticed a recurring theme when Canadians have something large to transport. If you don’t have a truck to transport the large load the use the roof of your car. Literally just put the load on to the roof and tie it down. Whilst on a trip to Ikea we just couldn’t help snap this picture. This is just the sort of thing that you see every day. Unfortunately we didn’t see how the sofa made it on to the roof but we did wonder how long it took them as there were only 2 people and they weren’t tall!

The old place

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

We lived in the apartment for a year. It was close to transport, shops and school. It was different living 3 floors up an over looking a 6 lane highway, but we called it home. At times it felt like living in a hotel, the entrance and hallways were tastefully decorated, and an entry system that worked via our phone, a gym and a swimming pool, and a gated car park. All sound very nice. However there were some draw backs, the highway I mentioned earlier, taking the rubbish out was interesting, not a 2 minute job more like 15 – it became rather a chore. The apartment was well insulated, some may think that’s good, however in the summer it felt like living in a sauna. One of the things you have to remember when you are 3 floors up, is that you have to add an extra 10 minutes on to your planned leaving time, because by the time you have waited for the lift and got to the car and then out of the car park time has flown by. This also adds time and effort when you return home with the months shopping – how many times do you go to and fro the car!!!!! I never really worried about these things until it was time to move and I realised life would be simple with the garage attached to the house. The trips to and fro the apartment also meant when we moved would have been quicker but we spent sooooo much time walking the hallways and waiting for the lift it took as twice as long to move!

Malibu 08

Monday, September 15th, 2008

Having been on the school retreat last year I just had to go back to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. So a year later it still has amazing views and breath taking scenery. This year I was part of a team of 12 who served in the dining room. We had to prepare the tables, serve the food, clear tables, for around 250 people. Easy compared to last year as I didn’t have to get up so early. It also meant I did have a little bit of spare time so I was able to go cannoning and do the hike. The “hike” I was told is a 25 minute ‘hike’ and they views would be stunning. Well the second bit is right, they views are breath taking (see picasa) but ‘hike’ it is not, it’s a rock climb. Climbing up an almost vertical rock face with a rope to help. But hey I made it, and going back down is always easier!

It was good to catch up with people who I had worked with last year and make new friends this year. Although Elliot is no longer a student, he was still able to come as he now works part time at the school and collage didn’t start until the week after Malibu, he was very happy about this as last year he was restricted to calm activities as he has stitches in the palm of his hand.

Boys and bikes

Thursday, August 28th, 2008

So once Elliot had returned for UK in the summer he was desperate to be mobile. He has a provisional driving licence, but in Canada new drivers follow a graduated licensing programme. Which means it will be at least another 8 months until he can drive on his own. The Graduated programme goes like this. At 16 yrs you take the theory and get an ‘L’ and provisional licence. 1yr later and at least 60 hrs driving under supervision you take another test. If you pass you move on to the ‘N’. You can then drive without supervision but with restrictions. After 2 yrs and a clean licence you take another test, pass and you get a full licence. If you have any violation in those 2 yrs the time on the ‘N’ is extended.
Back to the bikes, between them –Mark and Elliot that is, it was decided Elliot would get a scooter.
He had to take another theory test for a motorbike and a skills test. Plus buy a scooter! He passed the theory and got the scooter with some financial help the ‘parent’ bank. Before taking the skills test he was able to ride with supervision. So he and Mark would go out for a spin to get his confidence up before taking the test. The skills test passed he was up and running, there is a but – there are restrictions until you have passed you ‘N’ on the bike, so until that happens he can only ride between dawn and dusk. So since the winter nights arrived the scooter has been tucked up in the garage only coming out at weekends.

Summer outings

Tuesday, August 12th, 2008

Watch this space for more of what and where we went

Buntzen Lake

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

Buntzen Lake is about 20 minute drive from home. We took a trip out there over bank holiday weekend to see what it had to offer. Its really a reservoir not a lake that produces hydro electricity for Vancouver. It has a sandy beach, a fenced beach area for dogs, and designated walking and mountain bike trails around the lake. There were people fishing and kayaking on the lake as well, it would be good to do that one day. On route we spotted a couple of road signs saying Buntzen Lake full. Not wanting to be put off we carried on, the previous day had been VERY hot so we told ourselves the signs had been left out. Yes! we were correct, there was ample space in the car park. However the ‘beach’ was packed as well as the surrounding grass land. People had obviously came early in the day and had set up with picnic and barbie at the ready. O got his feet wet and reported that it was freezing, so I kept my shoes on and we went to investigate the surrounding woodlands. Following the trail we came down to the waters edge again where we spotted some youth on the opposite bank jumping in. Attracted by their brave/crazy moves we watched, then realised we could here what they was saying. As they jumped into the lake there was a couple of second sound delay, this was really odd to watch and listen. O then had fun with his echo, an echo that really worked. Clapping was the best one to hear. I think we will be investigating this spot some more.

Band Trip

Monday, May 26th, 2008

So having volunteered to be a chaperon on the Band trip (E&O are both in band this semester) I wasn’t sure what I would have to do. First I thought we was going to Victoria and would be staying with families at the host school, it turned out that we went to Nanaimo and stayed at a Christian Camp site. Lesson, Students don’t always get the fact right! So what did I have to do. Get up very early, staying up late, counting heads and counting again just to make sure, helping move band equipment to and from the bus, helping set up, uniform check – some students just can’t grasp the concept that what looks cool to them may not be ‘The Carver look’ that The Band Master wanted for the concert, and listening to instruments being tuned! At this point I was beginning to wonder if my new career should be as a roadie! However it was all worth it when I could sit back and listen to the choir and band at all four performances. They are a very gifted and talented group.

The camp was very old but in the most amazing spot, huts nestled in the trees with a 5 minute walk to the beach, where you could get fresh oysters. They had excellent outdoor facilities, volley ball, over sized draughts, trampoline, etc. The weather was good and we were the only people staying on the site so the students had free run. On our last night we also had a camp fire on the beach – cool.

British car day

Saturday, May 17th, 2008

British car day is held at VanDusen Gardens in Vancouver. All sorts of classic English cars are on show, both inside the gardens and outside in the roads. Mark & E were in their element, Whilst O & I had a quick look then found a shaded bench to sit on and sock up the atmosphere. There was a brass band playing and lots of car owners sitting down having picnics, which was relaxing with a kind of surreal feeling as you looked up and could see the mountain in the distance with snow on top. I didn’t take many pictures of cars, I left that to Mark, although I couldn’t resist this E-type with its unusual bonnet prop. You have to check out Marks blog for all the car pictures. I got a bit snap happy with the flowers, the colours were were so vivid you can see some of the pictures on my picasa page.