ablaze with merriness

I know it looks like someone ought to call the fire brigade, but believe me, this house is not on fire, though it appears that way. It is covered in an over the top display of christmas cheer, that's all. The excesses of this house really do make it look like a blurred mess, that minor detail aside, there is a full-on moving santa and pack of moving reindeers on the lower roof and a scary moving snowman behind it. This house is in the next street to ours. If it were lit up during the day time it would actually provide a great contrast to the largely grey skies. While Alex is asking that we make our house "look pretty" too, I think our's will simple become known as "where the Australian's live", since it looks like being the only one without the numerous luminous light display.

Alex- sick of the endless photographs!!!!

 

Olivia 20 months

 

Reluctant Alex is photographed

 

Winter sun

Now that's a sunset Vancouver style. Sorry! We were so excited to see the sun after so much rain, cloud and fog that we just had to photograph it; just in case the sun vanished for months on end, as it is rumoured to do in these parts at this time of year.

Me and my sunshine

 

Lighthouse Park

This weekend we headed to West Vancouver to check out Lighthouse Park, a place where Vancouver's oldest forest is located. So on this crisp clear afternoon we walked amongst 500 year old trees, and just took in the place. At the end of the walk is a point, and the lighthouse, which once proudly stood vigil for the boats traversing these parts. With its light permanently dim now, the lighthouse stands only as a romantic monument to its noble past. And still, there is something about the lighthouse that has such drawing power; is it its symbol of protection? Or maybe it is a testimony of our own light within that shines out to the world. Or perhaps it is symbolic of that hope, that ray of light in the darkness that will guide us through dispairing times? I don't know, but many a people come to this spot ...... to watch in silence.

farewell honoured friend.

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to a dear friend today. We will no longer see his familiar face at the breakfast table each morning. He has provided much comfort, for as long as I can remember. Now there is a void.... just emptiness.
With the realisation that this was the end..... we tried to scrape together every last morsel of his presence, before the vessel in which he was encased was sadly, and regrettably taken away - but it was all in vain.....there was nothing left.
Goodbye salty vegemite. Toast will never be the same.

Seen it. Ok, lets go home!

We didn't intend to see snow yesterday - it just sort of happened! First thing we were trapsing through a rainforest, then we were knee-deep in the frosty stuff. We happened to see a sign to Mount Seymour, and knew that the road would take us all the way to the top, so we checked it out and got a great surprise half way up with lumps of what began to appear at teh side of the road. By teh time we got to the top, one lane was completely blocked with snow that had been pushed to the side by the snow plough and all the trees looked like a giant sift had spinkled them all with icing sugar.
We were surprised to find Olivia simply busting to get out into the snow and play. While Alex had been voicig his excitement the entire journey up. He was desperate to taste snow, but found that it tasted nothing like milk, as he had anticipated. Since teh trip into snow was not planned we weren't really dressed for teh occassion, wo we could only stay a short while (hands beginning to freeze). We were only able to drag them into the car with teh promise that we will return oneday soon.

Deep Cove

Tranquil, sleepy, still and quiet. The drive towards this little village at the foot of Mount Seymour just makes you want to up sticks wherever you are and go live there. It was just mmmm. We'll go there for lunch when I take you to Lynn Canyon! 

Lynn Canyon Park

On Sunday we went for a drive north to Lynn Valley, where there was reputed to be a excellent park, with a suspension bridge and forest walk, and unlike the Capillano Suspension Bridge, it was all free. We found it! The walk was pretty good, despite the cold. We didn't have to walk far to get to the suspension bridge, which was not as long and scary as the Capillano one, but was excellent all the same and with better views. There was a close-by, lofty and powerful waterfall at one end of the bridge (although largely obscured by trees), and this spectacular view in the middle of the bridge. The whole canyon park is a rainforest, and is inhabited by bears - but alas, none were seen today (sigh). There was an 11km walk to beautiful Deep Cove, but we gave it a miss this time. The walk through the rainforest was something in itself, but none of my photos were able to capture its extraordinary beauty of this place; so you'll just have to come over and give me an excuse to go back there!

Twin Falls

The water was really coming down here with a thunderous rush. The whole place was breath-takingly beautiful. But I wouldn't want to fall in - the current was very strong and was pushing large fallen logs straight under the water and spinning them around as if they were in a washing machine.
Many people's lives have been claimed here due to currents, rocks and unstable ledges, whcih is why there is now a very good path and fence and signs telling people not to go out of bounds. 

Mallard duck mayhem

For the second time this week we ventured over to Westham Island and took in a visit to the bird sanctuary, which I think is my favourite place in Ladner, if not, Greater Vancouver. We had first come to see the famous snow geese, but, unbeknownst to us, it was low tide and we then learnt that there is good eating in the shoreline reeds at low tide, so they were miles away; just a mass of white in the distance. And although I was a little disappointed that we didn't get to see them up close, we still had a grand old time feeding the huge number of mallard ducks that always seem to be there. On this day though, we came at high tide; determined to catch a nearby glimpse of the elusive snow geese...... 

Snow geese

The arrival of the snow geese to Westham Island, is a every exciting occurance for the people of Ladner and bird enthusiasts everywhere. 70, 000 of them migrate each autumn, from their home on Wrangle Island (a remote Island above the most north-easterly tip of mainland Russia), to somewhere in California; the journey to Westham Island alone is 5,000 kms. The birds begin arriving late September - early October and stay for two months - mainly on Westham Island, but also surrounding areas. For these two months the birds graze on old crops left rotting in the fields after the summer harvest; rye and other grains, shoreline organic matter, potatoes, turnips - whatever appeals I guess. I spotted a large group in a field neighbouring the bird sanctuary; a turnip field. This field was next to the road and there were possibly a thousand or more birds here, the paddock over, which can just be seen in the background of this picture, had 4 times as many or more. The best chance of seeing them up close is at high tide, when they have to move inland a bit for their tucker. Most people are excited to see the snow geese and, as I am, are just in awe of how far they fly each year - twice.

Amsterdam canal

On the 5th Nov. Ashley headed off to Holland for a 5 day work trip. He had to conduct a hand-over with a Dutch colleague who was looking after the Nigerian portfolio, and attended a conference with an engine manufacturer. The trip was reported as a success, with all issues, aims and objectives being achieved. Since Ashley was not keen on writing, I have just put some of his photos on the blog so you can see what it was like there. And yes he did bring home some clogs!

The colours ....the colours, man.

Ashley noticed the distinct aroma in the air while walking the streets of Amsterdam.

The un-pronouncable resort town

Cat-as-slorg apparently pronounced something like that. This is the place Ashley stayed when attending the engine conference. He apparently tried hard to get the correct pronounciation of this little seaside sesort town, but then it just got embarrassing. So apologies to those who may be familiar with The Netherlands, but are confused as to where this place might be. The conference was not in this town, but a place called Denhelder. He didn't stay there, because the entire town was fully booked out.

Dutch Royal Palace

Amsterdam

I may have upset some Americans

It has been brought to my attention that I may have upset one or more American with my "Go Fish comic" story. To set the record straight, I was not having a go at the WHOLE country based on our one hour trip to Point Roberts. I was merely having a self-refelctive laugh at our over-excitment about crossing "the border", when it felt like going to Tailem Bend from Murray Bridge. No. I do not think that the whole country is sub-standard and yes, we will most certainly check out other parts of the US AND Washington state, and no doubt see thousands of examples of history, beauty and inspiration. I will most certainly make it known when we do. OK.!!!!!
However, our comments on Point Roberts stand - to us, the town was still a real stinker.

....that sweet Aussie air.

We went to the Botanic Gardens today by default. We were suppose to go to the Museum of Anthropology, but upon our arrial we found it closed - as is the norm for all Monday's APPARENTLY! Anyway, we passed the Gardens on our way so I decided to go there anyway. The garden were pretty small and given the time of year, was a little bit ugly, but there was still some good stuff to see and do, and the kids had a good time. There was a huge cedar that was hollow at the bottom. Alex and Olivia enjoyed going in "the cave". Then they found a mysterious fallen tree with smokey vapors...oooohhhh..... (warm sun on frosty wood effect). And then they found some logs with holes made by wood peckers, a scarecrow at the Salvation Army veggie patch; the spooky moon gate and screaming tunnel (link tunnel that goes under a main thoroughfare), a sundial in the physics garden and magic tracks that somehow took you back to the same place you started from.....very perplexing to the child's mind.
The best bit for me was stumbling across an Australisian display and finding a eucalypt similar to the many that graced our backyard in Flagstaff Hill; and like a junky requiring a fix I immediately tore off a leaf, snapped it in half, brought the disected specimin close to my face and inhaled deeply through the nose. AAaarrrrhhhh bliss!
So inevitably the outing ended up being a rewarding and much appreciated detour, even if it was not the best time of year for it.

It rained and rained and rained and rained

Today it (see above). I have never seen it rain for so long and so hard, ever. For all the Australian's reading this and basking in the sunshine, it is 6 degrees and has been all day. Considering the wind chill factor, the weather channel says it feels like 2 degrees, and it sure feels that cold to me - it isn't even winter yet. Mind you, Blackcombe ski resort, which is just a short drive from Vancouver, opened today, which is said to be early. Apparently last winter was very mild and consequently produced a terrible ski season, so things are looking up for people depending on the snow this year. Washington state is ...errr... awash with snow this weekend. There are reports of 5 feet of snow in some places. I am just busting to see snow. Preferably if I don't have to drive to see it. Driving in those conditions seems a bit nerve racking. If this keeps up, maybe we will have a white christmas after all.

All hail King Alex!

This is the picture of Alex in his king costume; taken by the photo lab. lady from the local supermarket "Save-On-Foods" (see Ladner Pumpkinfest for more details). Alex loved dressing up as a king. He also wore his costume to pre-school for a Halloween party. It was so cute seeing all the kids dressed up. One brave mother had her daughter in a white horse costume.
Halloween night was a bit of a fizzer though. We bought heaps of lollies in anticipations of all the kids trick or treating. Various reports had told us to expect 80-100 one even said 300 - we got 12 kids at our door! There were also news reports that a 5 year old boy in Seattle found a razor blade in his trick or treat bag. For this reason I think fewer and fewer parents are letting their children participate. I noticed that all the kids who came to our door had parents waiting by the road. Our street is also filled with people who have been here since the area was developed 30 years ago, so there aren't that many kids of trick or treating age around. Anyway Alex still got piles of lollies, and we only went down our street.
Here's something funny. A group of three girls arrived on our doorstep Halloween night. I opened the door only to have one girl greet me with a, "G'day mate". At first I thought she has having a go at me, although I didn't recognise her. Then I realised this girl was suppose to be dressed as a Aussie. I reckon she would have wanted to shrivel up and hide under a rock once she heard me speaking to them.

Jack-o-lantern

With the pumpkin that Alex bought on his per-school excursion to the pumpkin patch, I made a Jack-o-lantern. I got the impression that pumpkin carving was a difficult task and only the skilled were capable, but it was easy as supermarket bought pumpkin pie! I knocked this one up in about 15 minutes.
I now realise why Canadians don't eat pumpkin - these one's are hollow. When I cut a lid in the top to scoop out the contents, there was nothing in there but a handful of pumpkin seeds floating around in a few gross bits of stringy goop.
Anyway, the jack-o-lantern adorned our front porch throughout halloween night. I was proud of my jack-o-lantern and haven't yet had the heart to throw it away. Come on... it's got a face on it!!! 

Olivia Grace

Olivia likes climbing, hiding, books, shoes, animals, water and making a mess. Olivia dislikes her highchair, sitting still, cleaning her teeth and clowns.