Blogs

With the end of the hot weather approaching, lazy afternoons at the beach are becoming more precious. Today was one of those perfect afternoons with the water lapping at the shore, not quite reaching my spot under a tree where the temperature was just perfect for a siesta. When swimming I encountered a curious seal which disappeared before I could get closer to it. Finally, reading while drying off on my favourite warm rock felt so good. Every season, even different parts of a season the ocean feels different, the mood changes with the wind and the light. It's still summer and will be for another month and I will make the most of it.

With the stretch of warm weather, the goldfish are surfacing regularly. There are only two that have survived the winter, and, after talking to local naturalist Will Husby it seems that the little black fish are not goldfish but sticklebacks. He also confirmed that our lone resident frog that has come out of winter hibernation is likely a red-legged frog. It is fascinating to watch it perch on the same spot by the pond, sometimes not changing its position all day long. These frogs cannot be heard because they only make sounds under water. Will it ever find a mate? It's a long way to the next body of water. In the meantime, the fish as well as the frog are getting accustomed to our comings and goings by the pond, not being scared off by the sounds of hammers, weedeaters and the sometimes creaking wheel of the laundry line.

I was delighted to see one goldfish surface a couple of days ago, proof that the heron that passed by in the fall had not eaten all the fish, obviously only scared them into their winter quarters early. Today I was surprised to see a little black fish, about 2 cm long feeding on something just under the surface of the water in the pond. That has to be an offspring of the goldfish which have lived in the pond for two years, which ranged in colours from solid orange to white/orange to black/orange. Now I am curious to find out if any more have survived, especially if there are more juveniles.  - Daily trips to the pond are in order, rain or shine.

While bushes, trees and flowers are blooming and all signs of spring are here, I went on a hike in the snow up on Mount Seymour - actually the first time I was surrounded by snow since the winter a year ago. With my guides Johanna and Gerd I walked through the snow to the first peak, enjoying fabulous views to the snow covered mountains around and down to Vancouver. The steep parts along the four hour hike provided a good workout and lots of fun when sliding down on our bottoms on the return. You don't need expensive equipment and pay for lift tickets to experience the snow, just put on your hiking boots and bring a walking pole and you can be on top of the world (actually on top of Vancouver).

These last few months really felt like a blip. My last entry was in the fall and this weekend we are already changing the clock, heading into spring. All this time I had the excuse of working full-time, but now I am retired with more time at home. It feels rather luxurious, only having to tend to domestic affairs, and, of course to our guests.

The outside is beckoning with trees, flowers and bushes blooming and birds returning. Sitting in the sunshine on the rocks along the shore, summer seems but a few weeks away. I can't wait to start swimming again!