The Head
Welcome to my blog....I thought i would give this a try....this is a personal on-line journal to help me stay connected with family and friends at home while I work and travel.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
parting is such sweet sorrow
It is my last day here on the island and my last night here at the Sea Raven apartment.
Our lab group had dinner out at the Oceanview restaurant - I always try to talk everyone into going to the new greek restaurant that just opened down the street - that always takes them by surprise - as their is no greek restaurant. But we would all love to have another choice for food. Fish and chips was pretty good - my last fish and chip dinner for a while - although I may be having a salmon dinner on Jericho Beach tomorrow night - sounds too good to be true.
Our lab group had dinner out at the Oceanview restaurant - I always try to talk everyone into going to the new greek restaurant that just opened down the street - that always takes them by surprise - as their is no greek restaurant. But we would all love to have another choice for food. Fish and chips was pretty good - my last fish and chip dinner for a while - although I may be having a salmon dinner on Jericho Beach tomorrow night - sounds too good to be true.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Jaffa Road
Last night we picked up 3 band members of Jaffa Road - one of the headliners from the Edge of the World music festival here on Haida Gwaii this past weekend -last night and gave them a ride to Tlell.
I guess you can stand out there for hours and not get picked up.
The vocalist is actually a fellow Londoner - when I heard the band was from Toronto - I insisted on going back to get them. They were grateful and we entertained them with stories about the island.
http://youtu.be/ozOMNiqu2Q0
I guess you can stand out there for hours and not get picked up.
The vocalist is actually a fellow Londoner - when I heard the band was from Toronto - I insisted on going back to get them. They were grateful and we entertained them with stories about the island.
http://youtu.be/ozOMNiqu2Q0
Friday, August 5, 2011
Friday August 5, 2011
Another birthday today - seems that almost everyone I know is celebrating their birthday over these summer months that I am away from home - beginning with me at the end of June, followed by my three kids, their Dad,numerous family and extended family members, and a couple of my friends.
Sadly, a birthday is a reminder that yet another year has passed, everyone is getting older, and our lives are evolving and ever-changing.
Sadly, a birthday is a reminder that yet another year has passed, everyone is getting older, and our lives are evolving and ever-changing.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Save The Date - July 29th
Save The Date - July 29th
I wanted to see this expedition but didn't make it - instead - I accidentally had breakfast with the photographer - chanterelles and eggs - at a lovely bed and breakfast in Tlell.....I picked the chanterelles - Farrah prepared the eggs - lesson learned - be nice to people you don't know...especially when you are travelling in Haida Gwaii.... you just never know who you are going to meet.
I wanted to see this expedition but didn't make it - instead - I accidentally had breakfast with the photographer - chanterelles and eggs - at a lovely bed and breakfast in Tlell.....I picked the chanterelles - Farrah prepared the eggs - lesson learned - be nice to people you don't know...especially when you are travelling in Haida Gwaii.... you just never know who you are going to meet.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Beach fire, dinner, and fireworks in Tlell
Had the pleasure of visiting the "Ranch" in Tlell - anyone local knows exactly where this is and who owns it.....A picture perfect place that makes you feel as though you are travelling through a storybook - we survived being chased by bulls in the bull pen - on own way to the beach with our picnic basket.
Had dinner of smokies, grilled zucchini, and potatoes cooked in the coals, s'mores for desert, then fireworks by Matt and Dane, met some new people from Ontario -
As for the history of "The Ranch" - I need to do some more research and learn more of "Mexican Tom" - a former owner of the ranch and notorious character in the history of the Charlottes.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Naikoon Park - forest trail
We decided to take a break from the Tlell fall fair and hike partway to the pesuta. Check out the hiker to get a perspective on the size of the trees. You really feel like a midget in this magnificent forest.
Monday, August 1, 2011
oystercatcher in charlotte
I followed 2 of these cute little birds down the beach and was quite happy with the results i got with my little camera. Oystercatchers are common in this part of the world but rare in other places.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Blue Lagoon Iceland geothermal spa resort
Blue Lagoon Iceland geothermal spa resort
So! In my imaginary trip around the worl - the Blue Lagoon in Iceland would be my first stopover - unless I were to travel in the oposite direction - in which case it would be the last.....I first read about this magical place in a novel recently - and thought it would be a cool place to hang out for a day!!
soon to be an almost empty nester
Its a happy sad time right now as my oldest child prepares to leave home and move to Toronto. Hopefully it will be a new adventure for everyone in the family as I will have an excuse to go and visit Toronto - a wonderful place to eat, drink, shop, and be entertained - and I will have a couch to sleep on. I already have tickets for a concert in September and Alicia is going to see Brittany Spiers with her friends. now if only I could get my son to move out.......
Ok - back to planning my imaginary trip around the world.
Ok - back to planning my imaginary trip around the world.
Hawaiian Luau - Haida Gwaii Style
Another lovely barbeque lunch today at the hospital - pink and white salmon grilled on the barbeque, with mustard dill or teryaki sauce, Ellens' famous salad, a pasta salad with tropical fruit, and fresh fruit and ice cream for dessert.
We even had palm trees and Hawaiian music. Pictures to follow....
We even had palm trees and Hawaiian music. Pictures to follow....
TripPlanner powered by AirTreks: Plan and Price your Custom Around the World or Multi Stop International Airfare
TripPlanner powered by AirTreks: Plan and Price your Custom Around the World or Multi Stop International Airfare
Ok maybe this is just a dream - but it seems to me it might just be do-able. Just click on the trip planner and a map of the world pops up - pick out places you might like to visit.You can purchase a Round the world ticket - depending on your itinerary for a mere $3-4000 bucks. If you focus on visiting just one hemisphere - its cheaper - plan on spending at least an extra $1000 or more to cross the equator.
There are several companies on-line who offer such a thing - but Air Treks has a nice little tool that does a lot of the work for you and it will suggest stopovers for you so that you can get more bang for the buck.
Ok maybe this is just a dream - but it seems to me it might just be do-able. Just click on the trip planner and a map of the world pops up - pick out places you might like to visit.You can purchase a Round the world ticket - depending on your itinerary for a mere $3-4000 bucks. If you focus on visiting just one hemisphere - its cheaper - plan on spending at least an extra $1000 or more to cross the equator.
There are several companies on-line who offer such a thing - but Air Treks has a nice little tool that does a lot of the work for you and it will suggest stopovers for you so that you can get more bang for the buck.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Queen Charlotte BOX
Queen Charlotte BOX
Check out Jan Poynter's website. She is a west coast artist visiting Haida Gwaii, commissioned to paint a utility box in Charlotte near the Visitor's Centre. Here is a shot of her Blue Heron.
Monday, July 25, 2011
1. If you are not having fun, what are you doing?
2. Everything goes better with a good laugh.
3. Everyone deserves an I'm sorry or I understand.
4. If I give you a second chance, you will give me one too.
5. Laugh at mistakes and then set goals to do better.
6. Praise accomplishment, no matter how small.
7. Help me to understand because what I understand, I appreciate.
8. A thank you goes a long way.
9. If I care about you, you can tell.
2. Everything goes better with a good laugh.
3. Everyone deserves an I'm sorry or I understand.
4. If I give you a second chance, you will give me one too.
5. Laugh at mistakes and then set goals to do better.
6. Praise accomplishment, no matter how small.
7. Help me to understand because what I understand, I appreciate.
8. A thank you goes a long way.
9. If I care about you, you can tell.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Your First Trip to the Big Island | GoHawaii.com
Your First Trip to the Big Island GoHawaii.com
I am looking forward to a trip to the Big Island this fall - with a group of fellow adventurers.
This website looks like a good place to start collecting info on sightseeing ideas. My last trip to Hawaii - Maui - in November of 2008 - I believe- was awesome - so diverse and the coastline was beautiful - like Haida Gwaii with better weather.
I am looking forward to a trip to the Big Island this fall - with a group of fellow adventurers.
This website looks like a good place to start collecting info on sightseeing ideas. My last trip to Hawaii - Maui - in November of 2008 - I believe- was awesome - so diverse and the coastline was beautiful - like Haida Gwaii with better weather.
cant wait to see this group in concert
Roy Thomson Hall - September 25
I first saw this group on "The Talk" back in march while I was vacationing in Mexico.
These 3 teenagers are 16, 16, and 17 but with very mature voices, a ton of talent and the best part is they are coming to Toronto.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
I am from ...
I am from a country road with big maple trees for climbing and a forest waiting to be explored. And in the spring, where dog-tooth violets and trilliums of white, green and red bloom just before the trees open their leaves. And a big yard with space to set up blanket tents where i would sprawl out and read books. And a sandbox and 2 cats named Fluffy and Tuffy. And a cabin in the back where my uncle would stay. And a pond where I made clay pottery and looked for tadpoles and kept some mallard ducks.
I am from a family of five with grandparents who lived "over home" - just a short walk up the hill where we would fill a tupperware pail with drinking water from an outdoor pump where grandmother grew hollyhocks that could be made into little dolls.
I am from playing monopoly and a ouija board that we got for Christmas that told us we should look in the door in the ceiling for another Christmas surprise.
I am from watching Bonanza and The Beverly Hillbillies, and The Red Skelton Show with my dad and watching him go out to the field to prune evergreens and hearing my mom call "Yoo hooooo" to let him know that dinner was ready.
And from picking grapes and taking them to market in the wee hours of the morning in the back of a car with the seats removed.
I am from an old Bernina sewing machine that was used to make barbie doll clothes and later my own clothes and from spending hours in the fabric department searching the Simplicity and Vogue catalogues for patterns for a new dress or a blouse.
I am from The Beatles, Sonny and Cher and The Carol Burnett Show.
And Gilligans' Island, Flipper, and My Favorite Martian. And The Addams Family, Candid Camera, Laugh-In, Green Acres and Petticoat Junction. And from a trip to an Island called Treasure Island with my parents. And a movie called Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. And a trip to Toronto with my cousin Greg to stay with my big sister who was already married.
I am from a family birthday dinner with lemon meringue pie for desert.
I am from a family that soon dwindled to be just me and my mom.
And a new baby that was born on Easter Sunday.
I am from bell bottom jeans and polyester and crimpolene. And piano lessons and band practice and school trips to Quebec City and Fort Myers, Florida.
I am from a family of five with grandparents who lived "over home" - just a short walk up the hill where we would fill a tupperware pail with drinking water from an outdoor pump where grandmother grew hollyhocks that could be made into little dolls.
I am from playing monopoly and a ouija board that we got for Christmas that told us we should look in the door in the ceiling for another Christmas surprise.
I am from watching Bonanza and The Beverly Hillbillies, and The Red Skelton Show with my dad and watching him go out to the field to prune evergreens and hearing my mom call "Yoo hooooo" to let him know that dinner was ready.
And from picking grapes and taking them to market in the wee hours of the morning in the back of a car with the seats removed.
I am from an old Bernina sewing machine that was used to make barbie doll clothes and later my own clothes and from spending hours in the fabric department searching the Simplicity and Vogue catalogues for patterns for a new dress or a blouse.
I am from The Beatles, Sonny and Cher and The Carol Burnett Show.
And Gilligans' Island, Flipper, and My Favorite Martian. And The Addams Family, Candid Camera, Laugh-In, Green Acres and Petticoat Junction. And from a trip to an Island called Treasure Island with my parents. And a movie called Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. And a trip to Toronto with my cousin Greg to stay with my big sister who was already married.
I am from a family birthday dinner with lemon meringue pie for desert.
I am from a family that soon dwindled to be just me and my mom.
And a new baby that was born on Easter Sunday.
I am from bell bottom jeans and polyester and crimpolene. And piano lessons and band practice and school trips to Quebec City and Fort Myers, Florida.
I am from so many places, people, some sad times, and many, many happy times.....
http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Keeping an eye on this yurt that is being built up on the hill with a million dollar view of the bay, the village, the mountains and the foxgloves. walked around tonight searching for berries and checking out a couple of warships here in the bay. Feasted on fresh pink spring salmon this week.
This is a work in progress but I will be back to add more details and pictures....
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
20-Minute Huckleberry Muffins Recipe - Breakfast.Food.com - 240747
20-Minute Huckleberry Muffins Recipe - Breakfast.Food.com - 240747
Banana Oatmeal Berry Muffins
1 1/2 cup oatmeal
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup mashed banana (or applesauce)
1/4 cup veg oil
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 cup berries - whatever you have - huckleberries, mixed berries, blueberries - just fold in
Topping
1/3 cup oatmeal
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp butter or marg
Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes
Banana Oatmeal Berry Muffins
1 1/2 cup oatmeal
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup mashed banana (or applesauce)
1/4 cup veg oil
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 cup berries - whatever you have - huckleberries, mixed berries, blueberries - just fold in
Topping
1/3 cup oatmeal
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp butter or marg
Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes
Monday, July 4, 2011
July 4 - back to work
working 9 - 5 today, on call tonight and tomorrow night...maybe I'll plug in my ipod later, listen to Il Volo and go for a nice walk.
July 3 - attempted hike to rhododendron
The original plan was to drive to the end of Nadu Road, follow the old road through the town site to the pier and hopefully see the huge Rhododendron in bloom. Sounded like a good plan.
However, the plan was interrupted. There is a very old "roadway" that can be picked out on this hike, but it is unmarked and overgrown. Hard to believe there used to be a road, a bridge, and a peat moss factory. the road is completely overgrown with mosses and the elder are starting to grow in, although, I suppose there is only a little soil on the roadway - so it is easy to follow if you know what to look for. Lots of old abandoned relics of the former town site - some old trucks, a "reservoir?? and I understand the mating grounds of the sandhill crane. Just past the reservoit, it became very dense and some unidentified sounds were heard nearby. Not sure what it was - a bear? a tree creaking? a pteradactyl? Not wanting to stick around and find out, I turned tail and started back out along the same path that we took in, regrettably and missed out on the rhodo - perhaps there will be another time. in the meantime - I think I will read up on the Sandhill Crane.
http://www.northwestwildlife.com/articles/Sandhill_Crane.pdf
However, the plan was interrupted. There is a very old "roadway" that can be picked out on this hike, but it is unmarked and overgrown. Hard to believe there used to be a road, a bridge, and a peat moss factory. the road is completely overgrown with mosses and the elder are starting to grow in, although, I suppose there is only a little soil on the roadway - so it is easy to follow if you know what to look for. Lots of old abandoned relics of the former town site - some old trucks, a "reservoir?? and I understand the mating grounds of the sandhill crane. Just past the reservoit, it became very dense and some unidentified sounds were heard nearby. Not sure what it was - a bear? a tree creaking? a pteradactyl? Not wanting to stick around and find out, I turned tail and started back out along the same path that we took in, regrettably and missed out on the rhodo - perhaps there will be another time. in the meantime - I think I will read up on the Sandhill Crane.
http://www.northwestwildlife.com/articles/Sandhill_Crane.pdf
July 2 hike at White creek
Today we hiked along the beach, saw some interesting driftwood structures,and looked for "pinkies' on the beach.
pics to follow.....
Followed white creek partway back to the road but got too boggy, turned back and followed the beach back to tow hill road.
pics to follow.....
Followed white creek partway back to the road but got too boggy, turned back and followed the beach back to tow hill road.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Celebrating Canada Day in the Charlottes
Today we celebrated Canada Day in the Charlottes - a new experience for me as I've never been here in the month of July. These island people are troopers when it comes to weather. Apparently you just have to learn to pack rain gear- gumboots are great and an umbrella wherever you go and its all good.
Today I rode with the Over the Hill Hikers and hiked out to Yakoun Lake - a beautiful inland lake - with fairly warm water. It would be a nice place to swim on a warm sunny day.
Saw lots of old growth today as well as new growth - yes the elder are trying to swallow up the road to Yakoun. Its one lane, very narrow, and pot hole ridden. But an adventure!!
A great Canada Day celebration in the Charlottes is to take advantage of the rain and turn a big old mud hole into a competition - pictures will follow of mud bog event.....(I left my camera attachement back in London, Ontario so I will have to improvise in order to get my photos up on this site.....
A stop at the Crow's Nest on the trip home is always nice - great coffee, the best trail mix money can buy, home made muffins and other goodies and a warm, homey atmosphere. And, if you sit around long enough, someone you know will wander in!!!
Today I rode with the Over the Hill Hikers and hiked out to Yakoun Lake - a beautiful inland lake - with fairly warm water. It would be a nice place to swim on a warm sunny day.
Saw lots of old growth today as well as new growth - yes the elder are trying to swallow up the road to Yakoun. Its one lane, very narrow, and pot hole ridden. But an adventure!!
A great Canada Day celebration in the Charlottes is to take advantage of the rain and turn a big old mud hole into a competition - pictures will follow of mud bog event.....(I left my camera attachement back in London, Ontario so I will have to improvise in order to get my photos up on this site.....
A stop at the Crow's Nest on the trip home is always nice - great coffee, the best trail mix money can buy, home made muffins and other goodies and a warm, homey atmosphere. And, if you sit around long enough, someone you know will wander in!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw3c5d3aBSE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw3c5d3aBSE
Guess who is going to see Il Volo on September 25 at Roy thomson hall. Me for one - now i need to find someone to go with me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw3c5d3aBSE
Guess who is going to see Il Volo on September 25 at Roy thomson hall. Me for one - now i need to find someone to go with me.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Happy Birthday to my big sister
Well its birthday season and I can hardly keep up - seems like someone in my family is having a birthday every day and Im too far away to celebrate with anyone. Maybe we can have a big catch-up birthday party when I get home in August.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
It s Wednesday, hump day. Mom is at the Ivey eye clinic today, getting her eyes polished. Ashley is working in Mount Brydges. I don't know Alicias schedule today but she has to get a growth removed from her eye tomorrow at the Ivey eye clinic so she will be out of commission for a few days. But its time to organize a cleanup day at Vanneck. It would help if Alex had his drivers' licence. He is scheduled for July 13 for a road test. In the meantime, we will have to get creative.
The house needs some major TLC and since I'm not home to do the work, i will try to orchestrate something from this distance.
I know this looks like a runon sentence but its how my brain works.....
Ok we may have a plan......
whole wheat bunsThis recipe makes 3 small loaves
3 cups warm water
2 pkg yeast
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup honey
1 cup milk powder
1 tbsp salt
8 or 9 cups of whole wheat flour
mix some of the flour, yeast and salt. Combine honey, oil and water. Add to the dry ingred.
Mix well, let rest 10 or 15 minutes or until double. Add rest of the flour. knead 10 - 15 minutes, Shape into loaves or buns. Let double in size.
bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 35 minute for a loaf, 15 minutes for buns
i am going to make these buns later today. I don't have any honey on hand so i am going to substitute molasses. i will let you know how it goes.....so I mixed up the buns on my lunch break, let them rise until 5pm, went out for dinner, came home and threw them in the oven to bake. I baked them until they were golden brown and tested them - about 12 minutes - still a little doughy,,,,baked them another 10 minutes - I think they are ok but will have to remember for next time.... maybe ill make them a little bit smaller next time and be more careful about checking them before I turnoff the oven.
Okay
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness and Greed: Amazon.ca: John Vaillant: Books
The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness and Greed: Amazon.ca: John Vaillant: Books
I read this book three or four years ago and have recomended it to many others who are interested in learning about Haida Gwaii and its history, inhabitants, weather systems and lots of other stuff - also the story of the golden spruce.
I read this book three or four years ago and have recomended it to many others who are interested in learning about Haida Gwaii and its history, inhabitants, weather systems and lots of other stuff - also the story of the golden spruce.
salmonberry season
its June in Haida Gwaii and its time to start picking berries. Salmonberries are starting to get ripe.
hike to regier lake
Sunday, june 26, 2011
This is my first attempt at blogging so i thought i would just share with my family members and a few friends. Being away from home for the summer, I am hoping to stay connected by sharing some photos and other things during my stay in Haida Gwaii. Maybe my kids will feel inspired to share their summer with me this way as well. At any rate, i will attempt to create an on-line scrapbook for myself and perhaps even learn how this how process is supposed to work.
Today i hiked through some beautiful old growth forest to the top of a "mountain" - not a snow-covered mountain but a steep climb nonetheless to a beautiful pristine lake that few folks have seen. Our pharmacist at work and his family cleared this trail over the past 2 years - (he is my hero) - i have to say i have gained a huge amount of respect for these people - this was a huge project and i get to enjoy it. It was a real pleasure.
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