Getting ready for our fishing trip and Birthday Lobster Feast for June! - June 9 - 15

Monday, after such a busy week, we took it easy today. We will hit the ground running tomorrow as we leave in a week for our 10 day fishing trip to Pinanton Lake with the kids.

Tuesday was errands in Duncan. Wednesday, Ray busy with his projects and I did my stuff, laundry etc. I also cooked a small prime rib on the bbq rotisserie for a late lunch as tonight was our annual strata meeting at June's for 6 pm. I made roast beef crostinis. 

Roy getting ready for everyone. What a spread.

Ray finished another puzzle, this one of Paris. He sure is making use of the puzzle table I got him for Christmas.

Thursday turned out to be quiet cloudy and cool out. No outside time today. Ray was kept busy sanding our bistro table. The epoxy had turned all white. It must have got water in it somehow last year. It's been quite the job. I was busy making a huge batch of chili for our fishing trip.

Friday, another cloudy day with the possiblity of a sprinkle. For dinner we had a Lobster Feast next door at Roy and June's, to celebrate June's birthday. Our contribution was fresh corn and butter. Pat brought buns, Donna made a potato salad and Debra made proscuitto wrapped asparagus for an appetizer. Roy cooked up 25 pounds of lobster flown in fresh this morning. What a great night. 

Ron and Roy

June and Pat

Donna, Pat and June

Ray, June, Roy, Mike Debra and Darryl

Darryl, Pat, Donna, Ron and Ray

These "Seabugs" have thick skin. lol

After we all could barely move, stuffing our faces, it was back to the campfire. Lots of fun and laughs. Party started at 4 pm and ended at 10:30 pm. We were very fortunate that the sprinkles forecasted managed to miss us and the wind stayed down. Most of us were not feeling any "pain" by night's end. Of course Ray was the only sober one. lol

Roy was styling his new cap, so Ray brought a couple of his over for Ron and himself. :)

Happy Birthday June! Thanks for sharing your birthday with us all and providing the lobster.

Saturday we headed up to Nanaimo to return some stuff and have lunch at Nori's, using our gift card from Steve and Dianne for hosting them here for 10 days. Thanks guys! A quick stop at Jason and Kristi's to pick up some 4x4 cedar posts that Ray needed to finish up Kristi's planters he is making.

This was called the Flaming Viper!

Sunday, Happy Father's Day.

We spent Sunday finishing up all our packing and getting it into the trailer and car other than coolers which will go in before we leave. Lunch and Dinner out as Ray had taken all the garbage to the dump. 

Ray and I will be on the road tomorrow by 5:30 am or so!

Excited about the 10 day fishing trip with the kids.

Amelia comes for an overnight and World's Ocean Day Feast - June 1st - June 8th

Sunday, June 1st, we headed for Nanaimo early to do some shopping, before spending the afternoon with the kids. Amelia's excited to see us. It's a beautiful day to play outside, although cool with the wind.

Amelia demonstrating how fast she can go on her new bike.

Monday, we lifted a bunch of stuff under the little boat in the utility trailer. Tomorrow he gets his second cataract surgery and will not be able to lift anything heavy for 2 weeks. Preparations for our fishing trip in 2 weeks to Pinanton Lake underway.

Tuesday, I drove Ray to the hospital for 7am. He's first up and returned tothe car by 7:55 am. Wednesday he's also first at 8:20 am for the post op. Both days he restricted himself to sitting and not doing too much as he was told :) Pretty hard for him, but he managed. lol

On Wednesday, after his post op appointment, he did a short walk around taking some pictures of the outside of the Museum.They received a grant a year ago to refurbish it. Looks great.

Thursday, Ray's outside by 7am doing some pruning he'd been planning once the blooms died off the lilac tree. He also deadheaded a rhodo and trimmed our three Japanese Maples. A gorgeous sunny morning.

Friday morning, I met Jason at the Highway 18 interchange for 9am. I'm picking up Amelia and bringing her to the lake for the weekend. She'd been asking her parents when she could come to our house for a sleepover. Makes our hearts happy she wants to spend time with us.

First up, some beach time.

Then she wanted to get her feet wet so life jacket on.

Next up, lunch at A&W

Before heading back home, we took her to the Greendale Trestle for a short walk.

Before leaving for lunch, we got the bread machine going, so when we got back it's time to form loaves for the oven. Amelia's so happy to help.

After rising and baking, (the bread's a little dense, but tastey) .... TADA! She actually took this loaf home on Sunday for her parents. lol

We also prepped our chicken wings for the Traeger. Great help Amelia.

It's really hot outside, so we parked ourselves under the sundeck so she could use her chalk.

In between all these activities, Ray took her on a couple of bike rides, Amelia on her new bike and Ray on his e-bike.

 Of course there's snack time ....

and puzzle time.

We also set up her pool on the deck and filled it with warm water.

Are you tired yet ... this was just Friday's activities. We had a beautiful sunset, I'm the only one up to see it. lol

Saturday morning of course it's pancake time. Amelia's favourite thing to make and eat. After breakfast and getting dressed we went for a boat ride while the lake's calm. Amelia loved playing in the boat all winter while it sits in the garage. So different than last year when she hung onto her mom. This time she found a seat, crossed her legs and is ready. :)

Back home, Ray took her for a bike ride again, while I got some stuff done. She's not as busy today, I think a little tired from all the fun yesterday.

After lunch, Ray took her to the "Duck Pond" kids park and of course an ice cream before coming back home.

Fortunately, Ray took a cloth in a bag as she wore that ice cream everywhere!

We couldn't find Amelia's kite so Ray bought one here in town to try out..... not very successful.

They were hot so it's back to the beach. 

After playing by herself for awhile, she talked me into taking her for a swim..... that water is cold! Lasted only about 5 minutes.

Time to warm up on the sundeck in the pool we'd put out for her. The water's nice and warm from the sun on it for several hours.

Both nights she slept well and didn't wake me up. Bonus.

Sunday we were on the road early with Amelia back to Nanaimo after breakfast. No problem getting her going as she was missing her Mommy and Daddy and Olaf.

We left early to spend some time together before Kristi, Jason and us went to the Parksville Beachclub World Ocean Day feast. They have a babysitter for the afternoon. Kristi's on call. so they took their own vehicle and met us at the event.

World Oceans Day Celebration at The Beach Club

An Ocean Wise Feast: Local Sustainable Seafood

With celebrity Chef Ned Bell and The Beach Club's Executive Chef, Nick Mackay-Finn!

Immerse yourself in a feast for the senses—a culinary and sustainability experience that nourishes both stomach and soul. Set along the stunning coastline, this event brings together interactive food stations, fresh local ingredients, and inspiring stories from those leading the way in sustainable practices.

Event Details

Date: Sunday, June 8th
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: The Beach Club-181 BEACHSIDE DRIVE (steps from the beach)

Tickets: $89 per person

Includes:

• Sustainably sourced seafood stations offering a bounty of flavours that’s sure to leave you satisfied.
• A welcome drink, one drink ticket, and complimentary tastings from our local beverage partners throughout the event. 
• A coastal celebration filled with incredible food, inspiring stories, and community connection

This is a FEAST that you don't want to miss!

It was a fabulous event with all you can eat seafood.

First up though, we stopped at the renew art installation on the beach in Parksville, the Legacy Labyrinth.

Completed in 2013, the labyrinth was a joint project between the community and the City and was completely repainted by hand. It was opened a week ago.

This car was parked there too. Pretty cool, 1938 Mercedes.

And a great kite flying place.

Amelia needs one of these lol

Then it's back down the road a couple of blocks to the Beachclub. We arrived an hour before it opened, which is good as we're able to get a parking spot close and are able to choose a table with chairs instead of standing for the whole event. Fortunately there's a nice ocean breeze so we didn't get cooked on this really hot day.

They have four food stations set up with a variety of seafood and lots of vendors where you can sample, beer, wine, cheese etc. 

If we were 20 years younger, sitting on the beach like this would've been great. lol

One of the vendor displays.

Jason and Kristi arrived at 1:30 pm. Traffic's terrible between Nanaimo and Parksville.

Sold out attendance of 200.

Jason's photos of the fabulous food.

You received "sampler plates" but you could go back as many times as you wished.

Ray, Jason and Kristi in the lineup ... The tall guy in the sunglasses and his girlfriend would later join us at our table.

What a great day. Kristi had to leave at 3 for work at the hospital. Jason, Ray and I left at 5 just as closing time.  We arrived home by 6:30 pm. Still really hot outside.

What a week!