You are currently browsing the Maple MOLE weblog archives for May, 2008.

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.

electricity

Monday, May 12th, 2008

When I was down town one day abundounce of electricity towers caught my attention, and how loaded they looked. They are in most of the older back allies where the garbage bins are kept, so its not prettiest of places. I am sure soon these log pylons will be a thing of the past as Vancouver undergoes redeveloping. There is a lot of redevelopment downtown, which sometimes looks really scary with wooden scaffolding. More pictures of that can be seen on picas. The power cables look so exposed and look like they have been thrown together, or as a temporary measure. When you look around and think that the majority of the building are only 3 or 4 stories its not an issue, but I can see as more and more tower blocks go up these cute pylons will become history.

More holes

Monday, May 12th, 2008

When I was taking pictures of electricity cables I spotted some building going on, you really can’t miss it there taking down and rebuilding all over the palace, some in preparation for the Olympics, others because that’s what builders do! I have noticed how they dig a huge hole for car parking or underground shops then things start to take shape and you get the over ground stuff. I was stood at street level when I took this picture, just look how small the people on the other side are, and the porta loo in the bottom. Gives you an idea how far down it went. I have some other shots on picas of the hole and a building next door showing wooden scaffolding. It looks very primitive, but it works.

Taking of holes, I have put some up dated pictures of the Canada line on picasa. The area where I took my first hole pictures is now being filled in and they have even taken out one of the temporary bridges. So check them out.