Busy times this summer

Was a fast weekend, as I worked till 12pm Friday night, then Saturday we went to Port Alberni for Don and Bev's 40h anniversary BBQ.  Was a fun time, but Polly and I were not prepared for the cold as clouds came in, and we had shorts and a shirt Brrr...

We saw many people that we expected to see, and a few we didn't expect. Like  a reunion for me, as most of the people I grew up with, and were very close to me. Penny and Dax came with us, and we saw each other on and off during the evening. Dax was shy at first, then 1/2 way through the night he got on the trampoline with others his age, and away he went. Many children were there, and full of energy. Was fun just to watch them.

We left at 10:30- 11pm, was just time to get out. Cold had got to us, and party was winding down, beer pong was brought out, not for me. Brandie, who hadn't drank brought us home.

Sunday  morning Taxi! We got the truck from the now quiet party, and off to Swale Rock cafe for breaky. Love this place, best breakfast in town in my opinion. Homemade jam, real grilled potatoes, not deep fried, and bread baked in house. Now to Memeres, and call Dan for a trip to MacLean's Mill, steam machines will be there on display. Also the logging show will be in action.

Dan and I head to the mill in his cool 50's yellow Chevy pickup truck, with some clouds in the sky, but all went good. We got a good show at the logging demonstration, yard the logs with a steam donkey and wooden tower, load them onto an old Hayes logging truck with flat head powered wooden heal boom. We saw many steam powered tractors, as well as the steam powered saw mill that was such a beauty to behold. Like to watch as they break down a log slowly, all with less than half the man that used to work in the mill.

All in all a great weekend with old friends, and a few new ones. Port Alberni is a wonderful place to visit, especially when you have family and friends there that you love, and enjoy spending time with.  

Licence failure and my response.

Wednesday July 22nd  I had an appointment with the driving instructor in Duncan which I had booked since the trailer hitch was installed in May. I need a class 7 licence to tow our trailer as it is over 4600kg. I have been for a couple drives with Wayne, the man we had bought the trailer off of, as well as hooking up, and un-hooking the trailer, and studying the pages I had printed from the driver training site that told me how to do a walk around pre-trip inspection. I sent most study time on the pre-trip, and not much on the driving. I wasn't prepared for the actual driving test. I thought I knew how to drive this truck and trailer around, and would pass as I saw myself as a consciences driver, and this thought process was what made me think I would pass without a problem.

Well I didn't pass, and I was surprised. I was angry that the instructor took me for a drive in the down town area, I didn't plan to be circling in the down town area as my plan was to go from campsite to campsite off the highway with ourtrailer. I just wasn't prepared for what he expected of me. I cut corners at intersections, which I thought ok as no car was in my way, I thought if I need the room it was the way to make the turn. I didn't signal when he said pull over here and stop. I didn't look in my mirror often enough. I just didn't think I would fail.

At first I was just blaming the examiner, and had a few days of being pissed off about what I saw was an examiner that wasn't doing his job properly. Now after I've calmed down, I have looked at the test marked paper, I see where I went wrong, and realize that I have to practice more, and will make better use of the time I have to do a few more drives around Nanaimo, as this is the next place I will take my test. I should have tested sooner, as I just took what Duncan had for test times, that was a mistake. I should have driven more too, but even that wouldn't have made me better, as I thought what I was doing was ok.

Yesterday I was still upset, and on our early morning walk Polly heard it the whole way. What a dufuss I am for believing I was right, and the examiner was wrong.

My learning from this is I am not as good a driver as I think! Good for me to know. I think I'm pretty smart, (maybe not) now to use these smarts to move forward and get on with getting the licence I need to continue with our plan to see North America.

Thanks Polly for listening to my ranting yesterday. She tried to get me to see where I was wrong, but I wasn't listening. I will learn from what happened, and will practice driving with the trailer to do what is expected in the next test.

Oh we picked up a portable Coleman BBQ yesterday in Victoria for our trailer. Looks like a good one, Polly likes it. Will try it out today, and plan to hook it to the trailer propane plumbing.

Friday again

Plans for the weekend are head out after work today to our cabin, picking up or grandchildren Jayden and Taylor in Port Alberni. We will get a few unfinished jobs done, and of course fish for some of the best salmon we can find. Oh and if I was to ask Taylor, to swim all day!

Off to work now, weekend ahead.

Tuesday already, BBQ went good

Polly and I had a fun time getting ready for the BBQ. We were busy all morning, and afternoon till 4pm. Then we sat and waited for people to make their way here. The rain came and went during the day, but we never thought to cancel, we knew it would work out one way or the other. First came Barry and Branwin, then the yard started to flood with people, and it started. First people were standing all around, and meeting each other, then John said "do you want our stand up canopy?" Ahh. Ahh,Hmm yes ok that would be nice. So off we went next door to get the fold out canopy out of John's RV.

Wow that went up nicely, and it covered the table, and a big area 10x10' "Oh that looks good, now it won't rain for sure" I say, and it didn't till most had left, and even then it was just a short sprinkle. People were talking and meeting each other, and Polly and I were doing the same. Chairs were setup outside the canopy, and all found a place to sit and yak. Claudette and Americo showed up and that was so nice to see them, now the appy's start.

 Polly starts cooking the prawns, and does this ever go over good, appys that were brought were put out  people were happy to have a few of these delicacies to start on. Polly wants to wait for Chris and Barb before we start, but finally she gives the go ahead, and I start on the salmon. Well I notice right away that as I had asked for, Americo brought a sockeye all cut up and marinated, so on that goes, and beside me is Polly cooking the Cod, with her light batter, and on goes the rest of the salmon I had marinating. Funny how when we get into it the time just fly's. All the sudden I'm on the last piece of salmon, and Polly is finishing off the cod. Everyone is happy with the spread, they all brought a salad, or desert and dinner was on. People kept coming up to me while we were cooking saying wow was this ever good, Love the Salmon, Love the Cod! Thanks was heard often. Polly and I were full, full of happiness, as we do like to see people mix and have fun and enjoy good fresh fish. I say to Polly at one point that "it would be nice to have our grand kids here to acknowledge them as the catchers of the fish" and also I think to show them off to the people.

Funny, when I start to write about our grandchildren it brings a tear to my eyes, Love em I do, proud of them too. Was a fun year this year at the cabin, and will be remembered for life by all of us.

I notice Polly rounding the fence, and heading down the street with a plate of food, Joan had gone home early, and Polly was making sure she had a dinner. Gee I love that girl! Polly I mean...

After dinner has been consumed, and people were calmly talking Polly says to me "we should make a toast to Marlene", and I say ok lets, so Polly made a toast, and we all raised our glasses, and toasted Marlene, and there was a quiet for a short while. Was good to remember Marlene as she would have been here if not for dying the week before. I will miss her.

Slowly couple by couple, person by person, make their way back home, but not empty handed as Polly make's sure all that leave have some of the left over salmon, or whatever they want that we have left. Always more food than needed, as Polly never wants to see not enough... LOL

Now we are down to the final few that usually are left, Polly and I, John and Carol, Barb and Chris, and Claudette and Americo. The rain starts and we move under the cover, and talk till the cool air finally gets to us. J&C leave, they have to let their dog Carley, out. We all clean up the rest of the food, and go in the house, and talk and drink a little more. The cab comes for C&B and now just 4 of us Polly says we can't go to bed till 12am, as she has to put breakfast in the Crockpot!

Ok so off to the trailer to play a few games of Poker, turn up the tunes and away we go. Funny how the end of the night we have been using the trailer as or final place to be. We played till 1:30am, and I made a beer spill on the carpet! First one, and all Polly says is better you than me!

Was a fun night, and all went well. May be the last one, as next year we expect to sell in the spring, and off we go. I will miss this place.

Tester trailer trip went good, BBQ today!

Wayne and I went for a trip to Duncan Thursday so I could get used to towing the trailer, and also get used to hooking up and taking off the trailer. I learned some more, thanks to Wayne showing me what to do as I about the jobs. There is allot to remember when hooking up the trailer, I have now started a list that I will add to as time goes on. Same for when unhooking, I will make sure these lists are continuously updated as I do now for the cabin list we have for packing to go the cabin.

The trip to Duncan was good, not a problem when traveling on the highway, but entering and leaving is where problems can happen. I turned off at the Canada avenue exit, and that went good at the roundabout, but judging how much time I will need to excel once I enter traffic again is something I will have to get used to. Canada avenue is narrow in some places, especially when there is a left turn lane beside straight through lane, trailer just fits inside the lines.

Next learning is when making a right turn off the road into any driveway, you have to judge carefully how wide to go and how tight I can turn, as the trailer could contact the truck cab. Do not want to hurt either of my babies!

Parking the trailer afterward in the same place in our RV park was difficult as there is another RV there now, and a boat in my way, again good for me to learn how to get around a problem.

All in all was a good experience, and will be ready for the drivers exam on the 22nd. Have to practice the walk around checks yet.  

Today is Saturday, having a BBQ with Neighbours and Friends, should be a fun day, will get to know a few neighbours from close by, and a few new neighbours in our small community. Looking forward to tonight, GTG as have much to do today.

Afternoon shift this week

Today I go for a drive towing our trailer. Doesn't seem like a big deal, but with no licence to go on my own, it is nice to take the rig out, and get better used to driving it. I feel just a little apprehensive as to gain confidence, you need experience, and that is why I will go today. Wayne will go with me as he has a class 3 licence, and you need that or the trailer towing licence that I am going to be tested for on July, 22nd.

Polly and I have been sleeping in the trailer every once in awhile, seems like will be good as sleeps are comfortable, and we wake rested. We like to go out in the early evening when the sun is going down. We sit outside the trailer, in a couple chairs we have beside the trailer and watch the sunset, and talk. Many subjects come up, some are the places we want to see, and when we want to visit each place.

Polly got a booklet in the mail that she asked for from New Mexico, and ever since she has been planning where she wants to go, and what she wants to see. We have talked about routes, and events that she has been reading about. Excitement is building, but can't leave for another year yet.

Me on the other hand, I'm thinking more on the immediate future trips planned. First the licence, then propane certificate, and brake inspection,  then a trip to Port Alberni, to get Doug (who had a business in trailer repairs) to look the trailer over. Next we plan to make a trip to Port McNeil, not sure this will get done, as a long trip for just a weekend, but I may get another week off as some people are going to give up a week or two.

September... We usually take a trip somewhere as our anniversary is on the 10th, this year we have a trip to planned to San Francisco to see AC/DC, this will be our big test trip. 3 weeks of many different camping sites, and the moves as well as talks with others will help us figure out just what we need and want to make the longer trip we plan for retirement. I have made a few inquires, and we know that the ferry trip is better with no reservation, we will go to Victoria Friday night after work on the 11th, and stay the night in the ferry line up ready to board the ferry on the first trip out next day.

Our first campsite is reserved, hmm, just remembered have to call back, didn't get an e-mail confirmation. We booked in Forks, as we make our way around the Olympic Peninsula, will have a 2 night stay here to look around, and see what we can. Also our site is reserved in San Francisco for 4 nights. No other sites planned yet, just have decided to take the coast on the way down, and inland on the way back. More planning and sleeping in the trailer, discussion will then be around what we will pack.

All for now, got up too early for on afternoons, but will sleep good tonight.

Hot Thirsty Thursday Night

Lyn was at our house when I came home last night after work, her and Polly were already into the beers, and was nice to see her again, with a laugh and smiles, made coming home yesterday just a little of a surprise. We talked about the trailer, and how nice it was. Polly said Lyn's first words were "what a big bedroom!"  Polly said "Make Lyn a Margarita!" OK Polly, but a shower is first!  Now after that cool down, Margarita time! Just as I started a call came from John re the water usage here in our strata there is a problem, did you get the e-mail? Ahhh nope, I just got home from work.  So now an explanation, and I say ok, meet you in about 15 mins, and will go take a look with you.

Now back to the Margaritas... I made 3, and we all got a few drinks in as we talked, and talked,  and laughed and laughed, was just like in the past, when she would come and visit, was nice to have that brightness come to our home again. It is nice to see Lyn so happy, and full in her life. After 1/2 of the drink, I left to meet John and check out the water problems. We decided after some time, to take a look at the gauges at 8pm. Back to the Margaritas.

The house was still closed up, as the day was sweltering, and all windows closed till a break in the heat came. Polly had the fan a blowin, but the house felt muggy. We carried on yakin, and laughing till Polly performed her magic, and dinner was ready. Mmm gee my memory fails me now, what did we have? I know it was good, Oh yea stir fry with prawns, many big beautiful prawns, and rice oh, and a salad, with Spinach, also nice. Polly has a way of making dinner that seems to have it appear, with no effort!

We ate, and talked and laughed some more, and soon dinner was over, and we all were full, and satisfied. Thanks Polly, for once again performing your magic!  soon was time to go meet John, so off I went for a stroll with John to take a look, and we did find some info, but will look again tomorrow for usage over night.

Back to the party, we moved to the trailer as the night got on, to show Lyn the "Garage" under the trailer, her bedroom lol. We sat outside, and talked some more about our plans for the future, and how we liked our trailer, and what a good deal we got for all we had bought this spring. The sun was down now, and the sky was pink and blue, Polly noticed and wanted all of us to look, and we did. Yes she was right, what a beauty night, some cloud had made pink stripes in the gradient blue sky. Was a beauty evening alright.

We sat outside till dark, I was muckin with the fans in the trailer, and finally got them somewhat figured out, got them all working so we could cool it down. All windows open now, and fans on and still takes a while to cool down. I love the plan we have, and the freedom we will have as we head out on the road with no mortgage, and no payments like now to make.

Now off to work again, not too bad as Friday already, that was a fast week. I do every once in a while think.... Marlene... I will miss hr alright.

Canada day

Was a good day yesterday, went for a walk at 7:30am with Polly & Bosco was cool out, and a slight breeze to start the day. Marlene's daughter came over and we had a good yak and a coffee to help start her day. Polly went to get some groceries and I had a few cherries and then a nap! Nice... Then I get up and start on our BBQ invites for July 11th, as we will have the neighbours and some friends over for a get together. Got them done after fighting with the printer, and set about making the delivery. Met the newest neighbours and gave them an invite to BBQ, and answered a few questions about our strata.

John and Carol had called earlier and invited us over for a Canada Day toddy in the afternoon, and so off we go now, as we know Dan and Georgie will be along soon, as they will be over for dinner. Sat with John and Carol and yakked about Marlene and what took place, and what we are doing re our plans for the future. We all agreed, do what you want now while you can!

Dan and George show up, so off we go to show them our new to us trailer, and have a few more cocktails, this time Margaritas! Nice... They loved the trailer, and said like we think, we got a really good deal, and they loved it. Dinner was a beaut, Polly just loves to cook, and I love to eat. Everyone enjoyed it, Marlene's daughter came for dinner, so conversation was good, and common ground was found, and as always laughs were plentiful.  

After Marlene's daughter went home, we went for a walk around the diamond before we fell asleep, and walk and talk was good, it had cooled down a little from the 40+ we had earlier. Once home dishes happened, Polly was on it. Now talk and cool down outside with interesting conversation, that turned into what to do about Catherine?  Not the first of these, and Polly always gets her dander up when we talk about Catherine, but as I went to bed, the conversation had slowly got to a plan that may get put into place next week when Herb gets to town.

Was good here in the Browning home on Canada day 2015. Love our country, Love our LIFE!

How life changes

One moment you are here and the next gone.

 Our neighbour Marlene died yesterday, we knew her well, but didn't hang out to much. I would cut her grass weekly in the spring and have a beer and a yak once in awhile with her. She was more than a neighbour, she was a friend. She drank too much, she smoked too much, and she wasn't going to change. I will miss her.

 I saw her last on Sunday, after I had cut my grass, I went over and asked if she wanted me to cut hers. Yes she said, but could I do it latter in the day as she was watering. OK and off I went. I didn't get back that day, but called Monday after work and said I would do it Tuesday night when it was cooler, Marlene said she was "Bombed" LOL I said we have all been there, I'll see you tomorrow when it is cooler.

I went over last night and cut Marlene's grass, she didn't come out as per usual, but her screen door was open so when I was about to blow off the patio, I went and closed the patio door. I said to an empty room, "I am just closing the door Marlene." I heard the phone ringing, but thought she was either passed out, or had gone out with her son. The phone rang a few more times while I was there but I didn't go to the door, I just opened the patio door, and closed the screen when I was finished, and packed up my gear and went home, thinking I would go over tomorrow.  

I thought to myself last night as I was cutting the grass "Why do I cut Marlene's grass, not just $, I kinda take care of her. In a way she reminds me of my mother, drinking too much and needing some help every once in awhile." Yep I'm going to miss her.

Marlene's daughter called after I got home from cutting the grass, and asked If I would go check on her. I said I would, and I had heard the phone ringing when I was there. I went over and checked on her, and yes she was cold and no pulse. Not a pretty sight, I left without moving her, even though I thought I should, I didn't want to.

Now the call to her daughter back. I tell Polly... Good she didn't come with me, Polly gets quite upset over this. Her daughter took it well, and made the call to handle this herself, she would be in an hour or so she said. I was glad as I didn't want to make the call.

I asked Polly to go for a walk, as it had cooled down more now, and we did a little jaunt around the block, and had a chin wag with the neighbours. Took our minds off it for awhile.

Marlene's daughter made it in good time, and then the ambulance, and coroner, then the police. I had to make a statement late that night, and so did Marlene's daughter. I gave her a few hugs, and supported her best I could. Funny, was like hugging Marlene, just not so frail.

And there goes another, just like all of us, one day here, and then next gone!

 More for me to think about, and the reason why Polly and I will get on with doing the things we want to now, before we get to old, or sick. Our sale of our home, and changes in our life will make things easier to move around and see and do what we want, now before the end comes. I'm glad I got to know Marlene, she was a gentle soul, and a nice person.

Happy Canada Day! Do what you want to now, before it's too late.