#139 We're trying again!

Round Two!

Thank you everyone for responding. We're happy to know that our posts are being enjoyed.

We have re-created our blog notification list.

Once more we will send notices from the blog and via regular emails.

If you DO NOT receive a notice from the blog please let us know. We will try another angle.

Thanks,

Ralph and Linda

#138 PLEASE RESPOND To Notify or Not?

For over three years we have been in our motorhome full time. We love this lifestyle and enjoy sharing our thoughts and experiences with family and friends.

Our records show the email notices of new posts going out as intended, however, some people are not receiving the notices.

We are going to re-create our notification list. All existing email addresses on the list will be deleted.

We are asking everyone who wishes to continue receiving notices about new posts to respond by REGULAR EMAIL. We will then add your email address to our new list.

This request is going out by email and a new post so some people will receive this notice twice.

Thank you for helping us try to create a new effective list.

Ralph and Linda

#137 Feb 2017 Family and Music!

Mid February Ralph spent a week in Saskatchewan with his brother Paul. He was scheduled for an angiogram and Ralph wanted to be there for him. The results were not what we prayed for, as Paul will go for bypass surgery in a few weeks.

Ralph and Paul had a good visit with their nephew Ryan and his daughter Rosie. Kids grow up so fast when we’re not with them very often. Rosie goes to university in the fall!

Paul is very involved with local hockey teams. The brothers attended several games with very positive local scores each time.

I didn’t want to spend a week in the RV by myself. Too many challenges could crop up in this weather. I moved back to Paul and Marg’s house for the week. Again there was snow but it melted quickly. This is what their neighbourhood should look like at this time of year.

For almost 20 years Ralph has known Peter from a business perspective. We had very little exposure to his humor and musical talents. We have become friends with Peter and his wife Lorraine.

They invited us to the dinner theatre “Broadway Nostalgia”. What a great evening! We were surprised at how many great Broadway show tunes we recognized.

Peter manages the sound and lights for the production. Bob, the musical director/pianist is in his mid eighties. He has created the show and plays all the music by ear.

The six performers are very versatile, with great voices.

February 27^th only the chickadees were out in the snow again. Spring will come but no one is sure when!

For many years Peter has entertained seniors. “Musical Expressions” is another side of Peter’s repertoire. He performs with Ginny in senior’s facilities where they refresh memories and bring smiles to the audience.

Peter even brings cautious smiles to Ralph.

Recently Peter learned to play the ukulele. He and Molly lead a “Ukulele Strum-a-long”.

The event is held in the Fernwood Inn Pub. Everyone gathers for supper then brings out their ukuleles for two hours of singing and strumming. There were 43 ukulele players and only about 6 of us without an instrument. Everyone would quickly leave if Ralph or I tried to play a musical instrument other than the radio.

We had lots of fun with Peter and his musical talents. He spreads smiles!

Recently Ralph noticed an eagle on the inlet by our park. It appeared to be eating something in the mud of low tide. We walked over and saw two eagles competing for the same carrion.

 

There were several other eagles in nearby trees.

 

We have had very little sunshine since being here but we certainly enjoy this park with it wildlife and beach.

#136 Feb 2017 After 45 Years We Still Love Each Other!

We came to Victoria area because spring normally arrives earlier than in the Lower Mainland. Not this year!

February 3^rd snow caught up with us.

This is the same heather January 20^th and again February 3^rd.

 

Over the past few weeks we had noticed that on the main slide some cupboard doors, the microwave door, and the kitchen counter seemed to be out of alignment. We started looking more closely and discovered a BIG problem.

This photo shows the main slide that is 14 feet from the kitchen counter to the far side of the couch. The outside pens point to the top corners of the slide. The centre pen points to the middle of the slide, which had dropped 5/8 of an inch. Ralph could reach through the gap to the outside of the slide. Fortunately there are canopies protecting the top of the slides from the weather.

 

During his many years in the bus industry Ralph dealt with numerous repair shops. His preferred shop on Vancouver Island happens to be BMT Group Services which is located in Sidney a 10 minute drive from our location.

Emails were exchanged between the BMT body shop manager and our manufacturer Forest River Georgetown.

The main support across the top of the slide was two pieces of plywood on end. They met in the middle of the span but with no further support. That is where the sag happened.

One continuous piece of angle iron was inserted behind the plywood providing complete support across the slide.

This was a major, time consuming repair that would leave us homeless for a few days.

Paul and Marg came to our rescue again. In the fall we used their cabin on the Shuswap while my ankle was in a cast. Their home is in Greater Victoria. They are snowbirds, leaving their house available while our RV was in the repair shop.

Ralph drove the RV to the repair shop and I followed in the car. It was snowing so much that I could hardly see the white RV on the road ahead of me. These photos were taken the next morning February 7th.

We are very pleased with the repair of the slide. The doors close properly and everything is in alignment.

The following weekend was our 45^th anniversary. Lindsay came over on the ferry to help us celebrate.

The Empress Hotel was a great location for our “official” anniversary photo.

 

We explored Victoria’s Fisherman’s Wharf on a beautiful sunny day. The houseboats are endlessly fascinating.

One says “love”, the other says “in-law suite”. Which one would you prefer?

There are always harbour seals waiting for a handout.

They can create quite a splash when the fish food is not forthcoming as fast as they would like.

An otter swam along the boardwalk also looking for handouts.

He found an equally curious dog watching him. What a crowd pleaser!

Walking around Fisherman's Wharf has its limits. This sign is at the end of one walkway!

We had an enjoyable time with Lindsay as we explored the area including a winery and brewery. We love that she can join us for adult activities and be a fun companion.

Ralph and I look forward to many more years sharing our passion for travel with our family.