Perennial Border-May 30

Ken & I are just sitting out on the patio reading and admiring the flowers. As you can see they have grown since last year. This purple one is called Spanish lavender, the bees love it and it's huge. We have 2 climbing roses and a wisteria making their way up the lattice at the back. It will be nice some day.
The bird bath is used mainly by our resident black and white crow, who appears daily with pieces of bread which he swishes around and then eats.

Walking in Sunshine

This is the power cut line where we walk every day on our way to the Leisure Centre-miles and miles of Broom makes us feel like we are walking in sunshine.
Usually it's a rather dull place to walk but not right now-the birds seem to love it.

I'm still sorting out the different species of birds.
I saw a Townsend's Warbler, an Audubon Warbler, lots of Varied Thrushes, and lots of bird songs I've not heard before.

Paddlers help bring breast cancer awareness (The Peak, May 17th)

Low tide at Okeover Inlet

Low tide is the time to head towards Lund for a day picking up oysters and digging for clams.
Several Sliamon residents took pity on us, lent us a rake and taught us what to look for.
We white guys are allowed 75 clams/day and about 20 oysters.

So as we speak, my clams are soaking in sea water, and eating oatmeal which I understand encourages them to spit out sand and makes them less gritty. Helen is supervising Ken and Harley in the background is supervising everyone else.

The dogs had a wonderful time-Bailey munched away on barnacles and we are thinking of getting her a job in the harbour.....

Dragon boating

We had a full boat last week as we were running classes for beginners. They were very good and the boat just flies along when that many people are paddling.
We started with our regular practice at 5:00 PM -6:00PM, a break, then beginners at 6:30PM-7:30PM.
A good workout.
Thanks to friend Carol whose husband took these pictures.

Beach trail

This is the path that Bailey and I walk every morning from the Leisure Centre down to the waterfront. It takes about an hour from our house.
Very lush at this time of year, as you can see. The huckleberry bushes grow out of decaying stumps and the ground is covered with wild bleeding hearts.
We keep an eye out for cougars.....

May 5

It is the end of a beautiful week as far as the weather goes. As you can see, the cherry tree in the front yard is out and the Japanese maple looks great. We intended to go for a cruise, but got busy putting up flower boxes around the deck, cutting the lawn, planting annuals etc.
The picture of the back yard shows the solar patio lights David/Michelle gave us for our anniversary. They look so cool at night.
We made a quick visit to the boat before supper, not quick enough for Bailey-the wharf is not her favourite place.
I was hoping to get a picture of one of the herons which stand like statues on the dock until you get about 6 feet from them. HUGE!
There is a home show this weekend, lots of garage sales, and maybe rain.
I think if you click on the picture it gets bigger, otherwise kind of hard to see.
Cheerio.....