visit with the Balls

Carly & Jamie spent 5 days learning how to sail-Jamie, I think got quite good at it. Carly seems to have spent some time falling out of the kayak and probably the sailboat, but always came up smiling.

Derek had to go home early, so Lesley, Devon, Grammy and Grampy went kayaking at Okeover, nearl Lund.

Wet Carly after a tumble out of the kayak on Powell Lake.

the Ball girls-always smiling.

paddling and looking for frogs on Cranberry Lake

Feeding corn to the fish in the harbour.

We will miss them. Lesley loaded a ton of stuff including 5 bikes in/on the truck and headed for Vancouver this morning. She will stay with friends overnight, then on to Mara Lake north of Kelowna to stay a few days with more friends.
Looks like a daunting trip to us with 3 kids. Derek hopes to meet her there and drive them home.

Ruth's ducks

Today, our artist friend, Ruth, spent the time between low tide and high tide, building a whole flock of stone ducks on the shore. When we arrived at 3:00 pm a lot were underwater, but a few remained heading bravely out to sea.

Ruth and Guy moved here from a farm in Peace River country, and Ruth is gradually learning to incorporate the ocean into her art.

If you look closely you will see a few on the rock behind Ken's shoulder.
They were everywhere and it was magic.

Van Anda Days

sunset on Sturt Bay-the harbour at Van Anda

In the spirit of BC's 150th birthday, celebrations abound. We sailed across to Texada Island, joined friends Ruth & Guy for Van Anda Days.
At the turn of the century this now sleepy little village had a population of up to 1000 people and was the largest center north of San Francisco, due largely to mining. Now there are huge limestone operations owned by Lafarge, and the product barged to Vancouver.

we all stayed overnight (Ruth & Guy had been there Friday night as well), met sailors/dogs from California, Edmonton etc, ate at the covered shelter on the dock, shared the boat with a few mosquitoes.
Sailed home on a 10 knot wind-wonderful. Thanks to Ruth for the pictures.

Little Sliammon Lake

Nora Lea spotted this guy-we think he's a barred owl-quite big, and obviously thought we were only worthy of his disdain

Richard redeemed himself after his failed attempt to lead us up Scout Mountain a couple years ago.
This time he was dead on-although the guide book led us to expect a moderate trail, we all had moments when we thought is was downright hard-especially 91 year old Bailey.
Toba the new wonder-dog is game for anything-except maybe jumping in the lake.
The BOMB Squad (Bloody Old Men's Brigade) recently built a very nice shelter, washroom and the dock even has a nice Coleman canoe for anyone's use, complete with life jackets.

Way out and beyond nowhere.

Kathaumixw closing

Derek thought the grandkids should see a picture of Grampy in a bow tie so here it is.
The closing was magic-
Huge crowds all holding hands for the finale-Oscar Peterson's "Hymn To Freedom"
We felt honoured to be part of it.

Kathaumixw 2008

Opening ceremonies
A city full of choirs and music this week.
I've taken a few pictures from the website to give you an idea.
30-40 choirs from everywhere.
Today and tomorrow are competitions-
the South African Youth Choir stole the show today.

Ken and I are volunteering every day this week.
I was leader for a choir from Slovakia-making sure they were where they were meant to be.

this was my choir too-
Kotori Children's Choir from Japan-absolutely wonderful-the youngest is 5 years old.

Phoenix Girl's Choir
Ken was their 'leader' today-getting them to rehearsal rooms, on stage, back to reassemble, back to another rehearsal, then another performance in a different venue-takes a pile of volunteers. After that he was off to join the Lions and Kiwanis feeding 400 of them at a BBQ on the beach.
Perfect weather.

Every day I get to attend choir practice to learn 5 pieces of music for the mass (1000 voice) choir at the closing ceremonies.
2 pieces are in Italian and a gospel one has to be memorized, because of hand movements.
Wish me luck.

Have a look at this clip from last time-they made a CBC documentary in 2006.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL9VqCeWkMw

Hot weather

30 degrees and the roses all popped out at once!
The downside is that this first show will be done soon, but they'll bloom again in a few weeks. This orange one faces the street and stops traffic-really!