Yesterday we went to visit a friend❤️

       Gary's Restaurant car on the wall

Was a stormy day and after we said we would go we thought, hmm. But we went, the wind was blowing, the rain was pouring, the inside of our truck was warm and dry. Yes this was the right decision, as our friend reached out on messenger as most of our connections are, our phone numbers change every once in awhile. 

The drive was great, was nice to see the trees swaying, and leaves coming down, just a beauty day. Cameron lake was wind blown, but not crazy. When we arrived at the pub by the water the ocean was huge waves and wind and rain like crazy. Our friend was there already watching the water rage. We got a hug in then looking at the pub, Closed Monday sign was not expected. So off we go to another local restaurant Gary's for a bite. 

Vax and ID please was the first order of business. Once that was outta the way,

Coffee ☕ and a shrimp cuissant for me, Shrimp wrap for Polly, and a bowl of Soup for our friend.

We sat by the window looking out at the street, but didn't pay much attention as conversation was good, very good. Been awhile since we caught up, and much had changed. Lot's to talk about, past events, present decisions to be made, and future plans. So much of our lives were changing for many reasons. 

Was a beautiful day to meet and talk just the right day and best time. 🤗❤️ 

Time passes fast when it has been a few years since you met last. Before we knew it 2hour flipped by just like that. We had covered alot of ground, made loose plans for the future, listened, & talked our way through lunch, like the food wasn't even there. All on a rainy, windy, ugly kinda day.

 What a gift we had that day. ❤️

We parted outside with a hug, and off we went on our seperate journey's just a little more prepared as we now are on this journey with a friend, a friend that knows what's up. A friend that you know is on your journey, as you are on there's. Reconnecting gives us that comfort to move forward knowing you have people that care along with you as you move through this life. 

We were on our way home when I asked Polly, "Wanna go look at the water?" "Yes" she says, and after a few turns we drive close to the water and what a change, water was calmer, no wind. Like we had talked the weather into calming lol. 

The turnarounds took us to Judge's row a little known street by the water, was nice to drive slow and look at what I remembered from my youth. Just a beautiful place. The subdivision at the end of the street was a football field when I was younger, now full of huge houses, all with there own place by the beach across the road. 

I have the memory of walking across that field years ago, that will stay the same 😉

Never know what a day will bring if you go with what comes to you. Thanks to our friends for all we get and give. I'm thankful always for our friends, always 😊❤️

The rains are here for awhile, enjoy the sounds inside our dry, warm home. 

Love this life I do 🤗❤️

Are you going South?

          Our view today is sunny ☀️

One of the most asked questions I have been asked lately "Are you going South now the boarder's opening up?". Along with "Where are you going to go?"

Yes we are going south, but will wait till January as we have a house to watch over here in Port Alberni while our friends go south. This will give them peace of mind, and us a chance to see how the boarder opening goes. A little time to have the crazy get outta the way, so when we do go the rules in play will be just a little more organized. 

I think the first of the people that go may be in for a long lineup's, with mixed up boarder control officers. The way this  passport is being created as the boarder opens makes me happy to stay put till things get better. 

Our plan will be to make our way towards Yuma, by way of Palm Springs and to Indo at Indian waters, we have friends we want to see there. Then a couple weeks in Yuma.

Talking with our friends recently, I believe we will head to Mexico again, San Carlos was a good place to spend our time together in early 2020, so will try that again. We did love the beach, and looking at the water, dolfins, sandy beach. Just love that kinda beauty ⛱️

Just messaged or friends, yup all reserved already, so lucky Rock is looking out for us. He has it booked, and we are ready to go, just a couple more months to go.

Wile we stay at our friends I'm going to do a few things to the trailer that Polly wants, improvements that need time to get just right, and while we are out of it will be the best time to do them. Nothing big, just some comfort alterations. 

So, Yes we are going south. 

Now for my morning walk, looking just beautiful out today❤️🤗

Loving our life as we plan ahead. 

Mexico here we come 😁🏖️

Thanksgiving weekend lasted 2 weekends

It started early, and ended late this year, as we didn't have the regular kinda Thanksgiving dinner as family is still kinda separated. Vax, non vax, in town, outta town, also some other stuff. Our families, like many others have challenges when it comes to all getting together. 

When Polly's Mom "Memere" was alive we all gathered at her house at times like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthday's.

Dinners were an event, everyone brought something so there was many different flavors, we all dressed up, so that was exciting too, we were working so was a rush to get there and organize the families each trying to get everyone we could to show up. The more the merrier was Memere's way. 

Cards, always cards after dinner, cards sometimes just a few games of crib would keep Memere happy, but most of the time poker, Texas Holdum was the game of choice. A few times so many players we weren't sure if we had enough cards to play 😂😆 Always fun that lasted late, and the last one at the table was Memere, saying aww, comon, 1 more game 😀 you guys.

As Memere aged and we took the rein's organizing the day, things started to change. A few wouldn't show up, then some would be late, and the day would kinda change. Memere though, always a smile happy to have who came to be there and spend time together. 

I remember one year two of the families, us and another, and our kids went to the cabin to celebrate Thanksgiving, Memere was not happy about that, and she let us know 😠😆

This year was very different, we had 3 small dinner's that was great, but different in that we didn't all get together in one place. Funny how things changed, and how fast it seems it happened. 

7:00 am now and just starting to get light out, and thankful we had time with family, & friends even if was in small groups. 

Next year we will have to start earlier, so we can get to everyone's place for a "Hi how are ya!" Thanks to everyone for the Mmm 😋 good cooking, and the fun visiting. Was a great Thanksgiving ❤️

 Remembrance day ceremonies next, a solmen time we always observe.

 Christmas day, we are staying home for this year, let the boarders clear up, and get the rules figured out, well travel in January this winter. 

Life on the road is also different this year, but travel we will. Mexico is in our sight's as we make plans for our winter. 

Life is a changing, just like the season's. 

Loving our Life ❤️🤗

 

Friend's are just so great 🤗 gotta hug em.

We return after our summer trip north to the fall weather and visits with friends we have not seen for months, some it has been a year or more. When we meet again a hug, (something we have all been told, educated, not to do) we do it like we have been without a hug forever. Hug's are one of the things we have been lacking with all the cautionary behavior we have been asked, told, forced to believe we had to do without. I'm so happy we can now hug without guilt, or feeling like it is wrong. 

Over the last month we have been hugging friends and family as we meet and greeting with so much gusto, never appreciated a hug as much as now. I remember a line from a song by Louis Armstrong that said, I see friends shaking hands Saying "how do you do" There really saying"I love you" this I believe we say and feel this with a hug. 

Coming to Crofton now I realized it has been 2 years since we were here last. We started our adventures here just before we retired, after we sold our house in Ladysmith and we're committed to our home on wheels, and travel being our new retirement dream. 

Fall of 2019 was our last time here. We did have friendships we gained here, and one couple still live here, although the park has sold this last year, it's much the same, like coming home. The location is great for catching up with friends we have not visited with since that time.

 We met Chris & Barb yesterday when they came for a visit, we had a yak on the telephone, video chat but has been a long time since we got close. Hug's all around.🤗🤗🤗🤗 Was just great. We got the trailer tour outa the way right away, then got down to to good ole fun BS'ing about so much. Them that are not with us anymore, those that have made changes, what changes we have had in health, how our kids and grandkids are doing. Just so much, as it's been so long. 

I asked them to look like they love each other 🤗❤️.    They both LoL 😆

A couple beer, Polly always brings a snack, we all sat in the sun, then shade and just forgot about all the can't do this and shouldn't do that for awhile. We just talked & enjoyed each other like we used to. Was such a very good visit. 

This was one of many we have had since returning to the island, started in Qualicum Bay with family and friends, then as we traveled to Cluxewe, we met people we had not seen for 2 years, and friends we traveled with. Also met new friends there. Now in Crofton we traveled to Victoria, got to visit with friends there and check up on there lives, and share ours. Hug's were given and received. This is something I'm so happy for 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

Normal, I believe we are all looking for what was just normal behavior to return. Our world has been turned upside down, inside out, we need to get our shit together and enjoy our lives, as we all know, life is not forever. Polly & I have been continuing our travels best we can, and at the moment we can we will travel south to USA & Mexico with our home behind us, looking for warmth and new campsite's & new sights to see. 

Will we hug those we haven't seen for years now, dam right we will, life is just too short to not express our love for friends as we go. I say "it's our last hara, so enjoy" 

Life is good here with hugs, love, and sunshine ☀️🌞

 Love this life 🤗♥️

Perspective

Every day I wake, think for a short time, stretch, and get up. Sometimes getting up is easy, sometimes it's got some pain involved. Almost always I'm recharged, and looking forward to what's next. 

I believe I'm an optimistic person, looking for the best in people and circumstances. Not every day is full of bliss, but most are happy, interesting, with new experiences, meeting new friends as I travel through, along, in this life. 

What I'm looking for I find in the smallest ways sometimes, like a beautiful stone on the beach, a moment with a friend, a chance meeting of someone new to me, the opportunity to pet another friendly dog. 

Seems kinda small moments, but all are important to make up my day. 

Some days have important things I have to get done, appointment, moving, repairs, improvement, meetings, empty the tank 🙂😆. Today I wake with little to do. It rained all night, and windy to start, but no rain now. A walk is in order, but I decided to write first, see if it calms a little more. 

The bluejay, actually a Stellar's Jay is squalkingas I write, just love to hear the birds in the morning. When we are close to trees or bushes often the birds are near too. Here at Cluxewe we have many birds, Eagles, geese, docks, loons, plovers,

crows, ravens, as well as the small birds in the bushes peeping around all the time. I know of wrens, but many others here I don't lookup the names. 

Makes for a beautiful place to spend time. Fishing is what many people come here to do, I like to watch, and eat fish, not so much a fisher anymore. Funny how life changes. 

A Robin on the fence as I write, many birds come to the fence as we look out the window. I like this, the neighbors feed the birds, and we get to watch them. Good all around. 

Now for the walk, I've waited long enough. Polly brought me another coffee ☕, so off I go. Nothing earth shattering today, just some thoughts on me. My perspective is just as written, and my day is clear. A little wet I'm sure, but clear perspective. 

Loving life here at Cluxewe 🤗♥️

To tell a story, every day we write one, some just put it in print.

I wake early most every day. Partly that's how my body works, and partly I'm excited to see the new day. Today was one of the stellar wakeups. I felt bright, no pain to speak of, I have a plan for the day with clear goals. I laid for just a moment to think about the sounds I heard. Quiet except the sound of a car that went over the bridge. 

Up I get with gusto, I look at the clock on the microwave, 5:30. Yea, it's time, a pee, and face wash next look out the door, is the moon and stars still shining. Ahh the little bit of red sky has started, morning alright. 

Coffee ☕ is next, I make a pot then slip on my untied shoes and out I go to take a good look, oops the phone, always need my camera to capture the moment. 

I walk towards the light from the electrical shed built this last year, it's changed the ambiance. Also gave light when walking around early.  The moment was great, one I had to capture in all it's early morning glory. 

I walk along working with the light, loving the sounds, the eagle's crying out already, the turns peeping, the seals sound like a rabid dog, making the sounds that scare me. 

I walk along the grass staying off the gravel looking towards the water all the way, just wanting that just right shot. Listening all the way. A car goes by, an eagle or two cry, then that growl, and snort comes again. I keep shooting, but that sound does sound like an animal close. 

I backup a little, and keep shooting. I find the waited views, and the narrowest. I'm totally in the moment. Just loving the sky, the stars, the light available to capture this beauty. 

I make my way back to the trailer, shooting all the way finding more as I go. I get back and take a walk on the rocks behind the trailer for some river shots, I shake my head, such a beautiful place this is. Such a beautiful morning. I'm so lucky to have an internal clock that says"Get up Brent, the day is breaking" 

Even as I write this I hear the eagle crying out, and the clock tick tick Thanks Julie, and a car go over the bridge. Such a warm feeling, mind you I did turn on the furnace a but. 😊

Today I depend on my grandson to help me. We need a ride after dropping off the truck at the transmission shop in Naniamo, to Polly's Dr appointment in Chemainus, then back to Qualicum Jayden was "sure I can do that." 

Nice to hear that quick answer, no hesitation. I don't ask easy, I depend on myself to take care of my needs, but this time I asked him. 

That's my story today, not a earth shattering story, but mine for this day.

Everyday we have a story. What's yours today, what is your passion, what moves you off the couch, or outta bed. Connect with that, and your day like mine becomes exciting. 😃😉

We moved to a new site yesterday, a new view, and new perspective.

Love this life I do. ♥️

Going to publish this and go for another walk before we have to leave. 

When we have a mechanical problem, what then?

Getting onto Vancouver island was easy, a little later than would want, but home at  last it felt good. We caught the tsawwassen ferry, was so nice to smell the ocean again. A wait at the terminal was good, had dinner and relaxed waiting for the boat. Seems like a long ride 2 hours but went by fast. We drove off with a few speedsters passing everyone, we just took it easy behind a truck. Once we got to Ault Rd, we turned knowing that Costco would allow us to make an overnight as our campsite reservation was for the next day. 

Just as we made our second to last stop the truck did something different, it was surging while I had my foot on the brake, a d sounded kinda loud, and slightly reved up. I made another stop, and then into Costco for the night. 

I didn't know what was wrong, or if it would make it to our site next day. So that night was a on again off again sleep. Worry about the truck played heavy on my mind. Polly's too. We did get a few zzz s in but not great. 

Next morning at 6:30 after I finally got to sleep, Polly wakes and says "It's light out Brent!" So even though we didn't have to leave till 8:30, we drove to Qualicum Bay Native Campground about 45min away.

All seemed to work good, shifted good, had lots of power, was like nothing wrong till I slowed down, then would be pushing at an idle with the brake on.

So I talked about it with others till later Sunday night, and we all had our thoughts on what it was. So . Monday I call the mechanic I thought could check it out, he was busy, cc all me tomorrow, ok I say and wait. Tomorrow comes and I call again, he says us busy but bring it up Will check it out. 

So I drive early to Port Alberni and George checks it, says his diagnosis machine won't pickup anything, so recommend I go to another guy. 

Off I go to another guy and have home check it out. I get to his shop and hear him talking with a woman about an employee that quit, and the problems he has and that he's burned out. 

After the Finnish I tell him my story, and he grabs his diagnosis machine and come to the truck and plugs it in. Can't get a reading so he takes it for a drive to see if he can get a reading and see what's going on. 

He comes back after about 5-10 minutes and says converter is buggered, so I ask a few questions, like when can you do it? when will you Finnish? What will it cost. I get no good answers, jus vegg answers, and no way would he give a Finnish date. 

All of this bothered me, so I called back the next day at 5 pm after he said he would talk to his guys and see if they would work Monday, and call me back. He didn't call so I called. he started with I have to talk with my guys, and as we are on the phone the one guy answers"I'll work Monday. Then the second pipes up I'll work too. Now I'm like hmm 🤔.

The guy then says I'm like 13/4 sure we can do it Monday. 😆 I'm thinking not Good, all the time feeling not good about this. Not professional, just kinda sloppy business. So I kind nail him into Monday morning bring it in. Then he says all my hoists are busy, so will have to do it on the pit. 

I agreed to wait till Monday, but needed a Finnish time, he wouldn't give it. 

After an evening of thinking about this I called in the morning to a business in Naniamo, and got a start date Tomorrow Friday, and Finnish next week sure. That's what I wanted, didn't need to know the price, I'll ask tomorrow. But I got service. 

Good reliable organized service. I feel much better now. I call the guy back, and to an answering machine it goes and cancel my appointment. 

That feels better, I arrange a ride with my grandson, will bring it there tomorrow morning 8:30 am. 

Will it all work out? I think so, I feel confident in this business and the way Tony at Alberni Automatic transmission in Naniamo talked to me about what I would need. Looking forward to our trip north to Cluxewe now, just a bit of later than we had planned.