The countdown begins for heading south for the winter!

Our front garden has come into its own and filled in nicely. It is absolutely gorgeous ... at least that is what the neighbours say. I managed to choose things that the deer did not eat and the bees and butterflies were happy all summer.

The lavender hedge has grown a lot as well.

Monday morning Jason came down from Nanaimo to help us with the last projects of putting the house to bed for the winter. The rest of the deck furniture put away, the ladders brought up out of the water and bringing up the pontoon boat and kayaks up to the house for the winter. I washed down the ladders to remove as much of the green sludge as possible so they will not be so hard to clean in the spring. The biggest job for Jason though, was to pressure wash the sundeck to get rid of the marks from my flower pots etc. While he had it out, he cleaned the kayaks as well. Everything will look great next spring.

In between rain showers.

While this was going on I was cleaning out the hot tub I emptied overnight and used the shop vac to get rid of the water and then used the blower attachment to blow out any extra water. I was really surprised how much more water was sitting in the lines after it had emptied. Took me over an hour to make sure all the lines were clear so as not to freeze over the winter. Another job done.

We also took Jason on a walk through the house systems, water shut-off etc. He and Kristi will stay here a couple of weekends over the winter for their "get away" and will need to know how to turn stuff back on. lol

This all only took about 2 1/2 hours so we treated Jason to lunch at Jakes on the Lake. Thanks a bunch Jason for all your help.

In the afternoon I popped into the post office to have our mail forwarded to Kristi's office while we are away. Another thing done.

All that is left to do is more packing of dry goods into the motorhome, toiletries, dog items, last minute clothes etc.

Freya is doing better finally. I started her on Friday on the antifungal meds, changed her food to yogurt and cooked her up some rice and a pot of ground chicken. The most bland thing you can feed dogs with upset intestines and she is now eating again after a week. Almost back to her perky self. The immunosuppressant drugs will be in today to start her on. Hopefully she only needs them for a month or so.

Tuesday morning the rain they predicted was pounding on the roof. Good thing the yard was put to bed yesterday. Cindy our gardener, came by and mowed, so it looks so much better. Ray and I headed to Duncan around 1:30 for a little last minute shopping ... needed more ground chicken to cook for Freya, new water jugs purchased from Canadian Tire and Freya's annual vet appointment for her shots before crossing the border. As well, I received her new current medication. Needless to say it was an expensive vet visit. Freya was not impressed ...

Quiet night at home with the rain ... getting excited with only 4 more sleeps.

More rain overnight with temps only at 12C. It's definitely fall like weather, time to "fly south". lol

Today Ray went to Parksville to pick up the metal art piece he ordered as a screen between the fir posts on the sundeck. A little something so we are not looking directly in the neighbours office window. It turned out beautiful. This piece is in memory of Ray's dad and grandfather as they both worked for the CN Rail in McBride, BC. Ray sent the artisan a picture of the McBride Train Station and a locomotive train for the time period (1930's) he was interested in. He also asked for a peak to symbolize Mount Robson. Boy did he get what he asked for. It is 1/4" mild steel cut out with a plasma cutter and powder coated. A frame was welded on after. What a beauty.

Ray's a happy camper! (Notice the "CN" on the front of the train)

While he was gone, I spent the morning cooking up a large batch of ground chicken and rice for Freya for the next week and prepared it to freeze in the motorhome fridge. I took an inventory of what I was putting in the MH freezer for the border and then shut down the garage fridge. Another thing off my list. Getting close. Water filled and dumped and refilled and turned on ice maker after replacing the fridge filter, so good to go for those margaritas!

Ray and I took a few moments to enjoy the view as we had a few sunny breaks this afternoon. The lake was like glass.  The maples are certainly starting to show their colours!

Not much activity on the lake. Looks very peaceful, however across the lake from us, there is lots of noise though with the chipping and grinding of the excess wood in preparation for the development that is going to be built. Probably going to be a noisy winter for our neighbours. lol

I managed to get the rest of the stuff in the MH other than our last minute cold food and toiletries. Good thing I did it in the morning as it rained all afternoon. Ray did a dump run with the last of our recyclables and garbage. Any other garbage we create tomorrow will come with us.

Friday morning we both woke up shortly after 5am.... last minute things to be done running through our heads lol. One more sleep. Ray loaded the car up today in preparation of our departure and I did the last minute loading of the rest into the motorhome. Last of the laundry was completed. Ray took me out for a great burger for lunch at J & V's Diner. They make the best burgers here in town. Had a short visit with Pat and Darryl down at their dock enjoying some of the afternoon sun. We are now officially ready to leave. Jacks up tomorrow morning at 11am.

Saturday morning we were up at 5:15 am. Excited much..... let the adventure begin.

Let me see ... do I remember how to do this?

And we are off!