Busy times

On a cool but sunny day, Janice and I did a tour of our time share at Pacific Shores and then had lunch at the Landing restaurant on the deck.

Thursday night we finally did something we have been promising to do since we retired. We started Tai Chi classes!!! The centre is just 2 blocks from our house, and we so enjoyed our first class. We are going to pack as many classes as possible into the 2 months we have left here, and then practice all winter on the pool deck, in the park, on the beach.....and then come back and pick up classes again next summer.

Sunday was the Paws for a Cause SPCA Walk in Parksville. It was damp and drizzly, but lots of folks turned out with their pups to do the walk and raise much needed funds for our local shelter. Maggie, as chair of the local community branch, took me out for a tour of the shelter and to meet the staff, and I will soon be volunteering as a cat buddy....:-) The trick will be to NOT come home with any more cats.....!



The walk started at the Community Park, went along the boardwalk, and then back to the park for wiener bobbing (for the dogs!!!), agility training, paw painting, and other fun activities.

Beach walk

So, dear friends in Puerto Morelos, this is our beach in Canada, and is looking like fall is here....!

We went for a nice walk on the boardwalk, but it was cool, windy and trying to rain....still very beautiful, however.

Have to work to remember the kids on the beach, all of us sweating in our bathing suits...!

Miki's fall outfit (the sunglasses are just a habit now, sure didn't need them for the sun!!) - can't wait to get back to our shorts and tees in Mexico!!!

Fence magic!

Dear Jason came for the weekend to spray on the Sikken - a serious wood preservative - on our new cedar fence. Nasty stuff, so we were all suited up with masks, respirators, goggles the works!!!!

Mother and son - yes, that is Daf on the left.

Jason and Miki during a break. We sprayed the whole fence once on Saturday and then again on Sunday morning.

And here is our beautiful fence - just in time for the rain today....!!!! Thank you dear Jason - it was a great help to have a pro do this for us.

Sad note

On a very sad note, dear little Tippy, who Maggie rescued years ago, passed on to that great dog run in heaven. A friend in Ontario did this lovely portrait of Tippy, and it sat proudly with us all at the oyster dinner on Friday. We know she is no longer in pain or distress and we will miss her.

Tippy and Chiik never did work it out to be friends, but we are glad that they at least knew each other briefly. Happy trails, dear Tippy.

Champagne and Oyster feast

Friday night we attended a scrumtious dinner at Ingrid and Maggies. Half a dozen superb raw salads, prawns and breaded oysters done on the barby, great company, great evening.

The Chef tasting her wonderful food.

Absoutely wonderful meal.......

Enjoyed with dear friends. Doesn't get any better than that.

Day at the pool

Wednesday we had Nessa and Jonah for the day and spent it at the Oak Bay Rec centre - such a great Victoria pool.

These pics are pretty self explanatory, so no need to expound on kids having fun in the water!!!!

Victoria and horses

Last Tuesday we headed to Victoria for 2 days, returning Brianna home. That afternoon we went to Vanessa's vaulting class in Saanich to watch a rehearsal for the upcoming Labour Day performances. Here are the girls warming up.

Nessa and a partner executing a movement - these kids have amazing balance, and the horse has infinite patience.

Another balance move that would no doubt facilitate a face plant for me, but which Vanessa carries off beautifully. Then we went to Mary Lois's for dinner and overnight.