Annettes consolation visit day 6

Yesterday was a lazy day again so we went to visit Paul and the family. Paul, Dimples, Lelaine and Aunt Gladys were there and Angie dropped by for a quick hello. We sat and talked for a couple hours and it was a lot of fun. Then we mentioned we were going to check out some falls and he asked if he could come along because we were having such a nice visit. We talked Dimples into going as well so we all shot out to check out the falls and have a walk. The time spent with them was better than what the falls had turned out to be but we had seen the sign and had wanted to check them out. When we were leaving Paul asked if he could meet us for coffee before we took Annette to the airport and we said sure. We went on to Lake Cowichan to find a restaurant for dinner and after wards we went home and got Blizzards and put on a movie.

We took lots of pictures at Paul's but not on my camera






Annettes consolation visit day 7

I thought I heard Annette up early but I had just heard her packing in her room. I went down stairs around 7:15 and started watching some of Ted Kennedy's Funeral. Annette finished packing and showered and then came down stairs for a coffee. We chatted for a while then Patty came down stairs. I went down stairs to put some photos I had printed out from the week into a photo album we had got for Annette. Paul showed up so I gave Annette the photo album and told her I left the rest for her to do on the plane. We went out for breakfast and had a blast telling stories from the past. When it was time for us to hit the road we walked out to the car and Paul told Annette to come get her consolation hug from her consolation cousin. He told her he reads my blog and had just got all caught up this morning.

The drive to the airport was pretty good more traffic coming back than what was going in our direction. The airport was quiet and we got a good parking spot. We got Annette all checked in then walked her over to the gate she needed to be at to catch her plane. It was a sad goodbye and we had had lots of fun and said we hope Terry can make it out soon. Mandy hope all is going well with baby G and that he comes soon so you can bring your mom out. If not if you and JR decide to get married next summer like you mentioned you might do Patty and I will be out for it!

Annettes consolation visit day 5

Another warm sunny day in paradise. Where is all this rain we are supposed to get on the island? They even called for it 2 days ago and we never got it unless it rained over night. Yesterday Annette and I went down to walk around and shop in Victoria. The downtown is a beautiful area with lots of unique and touristy shops. Its close to the water front and the parliament buildings and also the Majestic Empire Hotel. We popped in and out of shops and grabbed a bite to eat then wandered down to the water front to check out all the buskers and art sales. We were there for more than a few hours then went to Langford to see my grand daughter and beautiful wife. Gwen was supposed to be sleeping but awoke shortly after our arrival for playtime. It was getting late so Annette and I headed out because we wanted to make a couple stops along the way. We stopped at the lookout, then we went down to the shoreline and looked at the same view from sea level. We arrived home about 2 minutes before Patty did and were still outside. We went inside and I decided to cook supper as Patty had 2 days watching Gwen and Gwen had decided not to sleep much this time around. Grandma had to get up at 2am with her and her afternoon nap was only half an hour. she probably slept all night for mommy and daddy. Today is a lazy day not sure whats on the plan although Paul is at a cottage and wants to see Annette so we might take a drive up to Youbou.

Annettes consolation visit day 4

Well it was another beautiful in paradise. Not the sunniest day but was warm and the ocean was calm. We started off with a visit to see my grand daughter and wife in Langford. Adam was on his way out to work and we got to watch Gwen take about 4 steps all on her own. She stood up on her own and then after making sure she had her balance she started walking then fell on her bum. We cheered then she showed off her huge grin! We waited there for Albert and Nina to show up then all piled in one car to go tend to the whales. Captain Ron gave us a great deal as usual and we got dressed and piled onto the boat to start our adventure. The whales were very close to Victoria so instead of a 45 minute ride to San Juan Islands and an hour viewing and a long ride back we had a 10 minute boat ride to where we saw our first whale. The whales were actually heading east toward Victoria and there were only about 6 other boats out there so there was plenty of room on the ocean. We followed different groups around and at one point lost the whales only to have them surface about 10 feet from the boat startling most of the passengers. Then we went over to Race Rocks to view the 100's of seals all fighting for a piece of turf and then it was off towards Victoria where Captain Ron was pretty sure there were some Orcas and no other boats. We spotted them then after 2 tries we got up in front of them shut off the motor and had them surface on both sides of the boat. You could see them as they went under the boat as they rolled on their side to look up at us hanging over the side of the boat looking down at them. This was one of the most memorable times out as we had over 2 and a half hours of actual viewing of the whales and got to see them so close! I took over 800 photos and just quickly grabbed a few to put up here for you to see.

Annettes consolation visit day 3

Yesterday Patty had to work so Ben Annette and I spent the day together. We drove up to Chemainus to walk around the town to look at the wall murals. It was another bright sunny day in Paradise! We spent a couple lazy hours walking around doing the tourist thing then stopped for ice cream before heading back to Duncan and the North West Raptors center. Annette really liked the flying demonstration and fell in love with the owls. Elton a fan favorite was grounded because the last few shows he was too lazy to fly. He did do a little dance for us in his cage. I like the Eagle Manwe but he only flew in the first show and the other eagle was off getting busy trying to make more eagles so was too busy to fly. On the way home we stopped at Walleys and picked up stuff for a BBQ. Patty got home and we sat outside at the bbq then went inside to watch a movie and eat.

Today was a lazy day for us. We went to Walleys to meet Aunty Irene then shopped for supper and then hung out with Al and Nina till Patty got home then we went out for supper. Now we are heading upstairs to watch a movie and eat chocolate. Tomorrow we got some whales to tend too!