Monday, May 21, 2018

On a May Long Weekend



We took a quick trip to the mainland. My parents recently moved from their home with a garden to maintain to a townhouse where someone else takes care of it. They didn't move far, from Chilliwack to Abbotsford, and now they are living where they first met, probably 65 years ago, or more. 


We spent Friday night with them, and Saturday, seeing where they volunteer at MCC (Mom with quilting and Dad with the thrift store). On Saturday night, after a good dinner cooked by Mom, we drove to Vancouver to spend the night and following day with Ashley and Owen, our Vancouver kids. 


Following church on Sunday we drove to Deep Cove and enjoyed a yummy brunch at The Village Table. Ashley and I had Eggs Benedict, with spinach, tomato and avocado - and we ate all of our platefuls. Tim and Owen had the Village Hash, also good. 


The weather vacillated between sun and clouds, warmth and a bit chilly from the wind. We warmed up considerably during a hike to Quarry Rock. Up through the forest, past trickling streams, catching glimpses of the waters of Indian Arm through the trees. 

The trail is a popular one, too popular, perhaps. I've never been on such a crowded hiking trail. Unfortunately, a few hikers seemed to be unaware of hiking etiquette - some didn't know to stay to one side of the trail, or to stop and let others pass in narrow spots. Worst of all were the ones who carried personal speakers blaring out their choice of music whether one wanted to hear it or not. Hello people, wear earbuds!  


Once we arrived at Quarry Rock, there were fewer people (and no music), and we watched a couple dozen kayaks going to and fro, with a few power boats zooming by occasionally. Sitting on the sun-warmed rock was very pleasant.


Another hiker took this photo of the four of us. The descent took much less time than going up. That evening Tim and I caught the 9 pm ferry home and were tucked up sound asleep by 11:30 or so. 


We've had a lovely Victoria Day Monday at home, puttering in the garden and kitchen, and getting ready for another week of work. It's short one! As you can see, the chives are in full bloom and oh, how the bees love those flowers. Have a wonderful new week!

42 comments:

  1. Loved reading about your weekend in Vancouver with your family Lorrie. That's such a great photo of you all. Scenery looks awesome but, as you say, many people have no consideration for others, especially when it comes to outdoor activity!

    Have a good week.
    Mary x

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  2. Lorrie - apart from the rude hikers, it sounds like a delightful weekend. Family, good food, lovely scenery, and some time at home to potter around … my kind of deal! Enjoy your 'short week'!

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    1. It was a little bit of many good things.

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  3. What a lovely weekend to see your family and go hiking. I have to say eggs benedict is one of my favourites. The scenery looks so beautiful in your part of the world. Have a good week. B x

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    1. Thank you, Barbara. We do enjoy the outdoors in this part of the world. Hope your week is going well.

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  4. Such a lovely weekend in a beautiful place Lorrie. It's great that your parents are happily settled in their new home, and so nice you could spend time hiking with your family. Short weeks are always nice! xox

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  5. What a great family photo! That anonymous photographer did a fabulous job.

    Your parents’ choice to move to a townhouse sounds a great idea. Some days, I
    think of doing something similar. It all depends on how wonky the back feels.

    This morning, I was out before 7 trimming up the azalea bush with my handy bear
    saw. No problems and I am now enjoying my morning coffee reading blogs. ☺️

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  6. It looks and sounds like it was a wonderful weekend!

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  7. Lovely weekend with family.
    Joy

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Joy. It really was.

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  8. Oh! The bee! (well, the humans are pretty special too :-))

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  9. bonjour
    merci d'être passé sur mon blog
    j'ai changé d'adresse mail

    letreu50@gmail.com
    je me suis réabonner avec cette nouvelle adresse

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  10. Despite the lack of etiquette from some, sounds like a lovely weekend. A lovely family photo.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you - it was a truly lovely time.

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  11. Like you, I find blaring music, especially out of doors, so inappropriate. Nature is there to be admired...quietly!
    It sounds as though your weekend was a great delight.

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    Replies
    1. I agree. Nature is full of lovely small sounds (and some large ones) that require attention, not distraction.

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  12. You are bookended with love and happiness by both generations! (Not to speak for our Daughter and SIL, but I think they’re the same.). Sounds like a good move for your mom and dad. Yard work is hard when you’re the oldest of the three! Beautiful weekend....even the bee looks happy!

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  13. How nice to do some family bonding over the long weekend. The image of the purple flower is fantastic!

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  14. So beautiful in your part of the world. What a nice quick trip. Sometimes we talk about doing what your parents have done and move into something easier to take care of. Hoping they like it. It does sound like they keep busy.

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  15. What a nice photo of you all! I think your parents did the right thing and will enjoy the easier upkeep of their new place. I know my husband and I will someday do the same when we get older. We've been working hard the past two weeks getting our gardens in shape, and although we love it, we felt more aches and pains afterward this year than ever. I sadly lost my chives last summer. I planted new ones but they are as thin as grass so far and no flowers as yet. I guess they have to mature.

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    1. I'm glad they've made the move to a place where they don't have yard work. Too bad about your chives. I'd share some of mine if we lived closer - they seed all over the place!

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  16. Such a beautiful area! That's what I miss the most -- beautiful hiking spots. However, I was disappointed to find that people litter even the most lovely of spaces. And there was also a biker who was blaring music on a nature trail that really annoyed me. Seriously, I love music -- but when I am hiking I'd much rather listen to the birds and wind through the trees and the sound of trickling water. Great picture of the 4 of you.

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  17. Sounds like the perfect weekend Lorrie - apart from others intrusive noise!!!
    Your parents have been very sensible in getting rid of their garden and moving whilst they are still fit and able to enjoy their new surroundings.

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    1. It was a lovely weekend. Yes, we're glad that our parents have moved to a place with no garden to care for. They still have a patch for flowers in the front and a little green space in the back, so they are not in a concrete jungle.

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  18. How wonderful to visit your active mom and dad in their new town home, Lorrie. I love hearing about your hikes and seeing pics of all of you. I smiled about the rules of hiking, as my late beloved used to wonder the same thing! Thanks for sharing your life.

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  19. That sounds like a lovely long weekend, Lorrie . . . visits with loved ones, time in the outdoors (despite the noisy hikers), a day to relax a bit. As always, I love your photos!

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  20. You had a hike in gorgeous surroundings. The chive tells summer! Enjoy these last days of May.

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    Replies
    1. May has been a mostly beautiful month here.

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  21. What a gorgeous area and lovely photos...especially that one of the bee on the chive. I never knew chive had such beautiful blooms!

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  22. What a fabulous long weekend, I enjoyed seeing your photographs.
    Yum! Eggs Benedict, with spinach, tomato and avocado!

    All the best Jan

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    1. They were delicious! (But not very low carb as I ate the muffins, too)

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  23. I think Im ready to kayak again...if the water is super quiet.
    I love that purple flower photo with the busy bee

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    1. Kayaking can be a bit unnerving when the water is less than placid.

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  24. It sounds like a perfect weekend, and then with an extra day at home to get things done. I like your new blog look!

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  25. The landscape is certainly beautiful--spectacular, I'd add. And I like the blog's new look. Very nice and clean.

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  26. What a perfect day! Except for the rude hikers, of course. What IS the matter with people who cannot enjoy a bit of nature without electronic intrusions?!

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  27. The scenery is certainly beautiful, Lorrie! I wouldn't have be keen on having to listen to someone else's music either, so thank goodness you didn't have that for the entire time. I imagine there must be a lot of fit people in BC if plenty go hiking.

    -Karen

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    1. There are a LOT of hikers here on the west coast, but plenty of others who are less fit, too.

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  28. Such pretty scenery on your hike and a lovely family photo. Love that your Mom and Dad are still getting out there, volunteering! So sweet! It's sad when people are inconsiderate on the trails. I can see why it is so popular, though. x Karen

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    1. Vancouver is such a large city and there are many who like to hike, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised at the amount of people on the trail.

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