Salmon Arm out in the warmth

The grandkids Boa and River came over again. After a bit of not sharing it all calmed down. I was most impressed that Sarah drove this sit on mower. As I was painting the pergola I could hear the alternating of engine on or engine off and kids laughing somewhere on the ten acres

All this fresh air they were exhausted

Dont need the patio heater now. Ww have decided to go to Banff on sunday to see a bit more of inner Canada. Then in 9 days will go to our next host on Vancouver island

Xxx

Ps thanks elaine for your lovely email

Painting & watering Salmon Arm

After water blasting a pergola pagoda for a couple of hours at close range it was time to enlist help for the next job

Sarah then mixed it up a bit

Before more help

The carrier bag to keep trousers clean.

Then later Randy wwanted to wash his drive

Beautiful house 2 of 2

So it seems more kids require less supervision.

These were former park ranger hats.

meanwhile the adults congregated in the kitchen talking about the house the surroundings, the trip, homeschooling, spiritual stuff and lots more. I got thrashed by Troy at table ice hockey. Wandered around exploring bookshelves and cd racks. Compared views on some books. 'A kind of blue' was playing. All the time surrounded by wood. Felt really at home. Then chicken roast.

kids are still at it supervised by 11yr old Selina

"Will you chase us?"

After getting up to three magnum ice creams a day in oz and nz I thought something had to be done. So for the last six weeks I have been a cookie, chocolate and ice fream free zone. So the above pie with sugary topping was like a coffee hit all by itself. It even had huckleberries in it..... (a canadian moment....)

It was a special afternoon topping up some of my empty tanks. The conversation could have gone on for ages...what is it to know our inner self..and why....the Landmark Forum they have done..  More than once I thought how lucky we were to have heen welcomed so much, and oh yes we are in Canada....and that Paul Webber from Yarra comment about feeling like you have known somebody longer than the actual number of days you have kniwn them

Thanks all

Xxx

Beautiful house by the lake 1 of 2

After a rainy morning  researching the transport options of our next move to Vancouver Island and eating popcorn with butter and salt

Kids loved the dedicated popcorn maker that spits it out...

I went with Randy to their permanent lakeside caravan 15 mins away so he could check a window that was leaking. It was currently in a 'winterised' state ie not yet ready to use for the season

7500£. Again it was a chance to reflect (as in NZ) how a huge country with hardly any people in it means that recreational extras like this are more available than at home.

Then later we were off to Reneigh and Terrys (randys brother we met last weekend) house

With the other 4 year old grand twins Boa and River (one of each). Once they had buddied up and learnt to share they got on with minimal supervision.

We arrived to a beautiful log house by the lake that was so comfortable earthy welcoming inside.

1 acre £200K

Live up. Sleep down

Of course we retold our story of 'teepee proposal' from 2006

With our hostess Reneigh. She teaches pilates in the house behind this one and homeschools kids

House behind

Xxx

A Warm Salmon Arm

By lunchtime the sun was out and the kids watched Sarah as she carried on yesterdays painting. I was water blasting/cleaning some raised beds ready for painting. Still so incredibly tired. I think my body is at the moment telling me to come home. But my mind says 'stick it out'

Tonight we sat outside under the heater eating bbq chicken drinking red wine talking about 'Landmark Forum' a series of some powerful 3 day courses that Randy and Debbie have done. (They run monthly in London)

Granddaughter Aumi was there. Rowan was more intetested in the game than the girl

Xxx

Salmon Arm -sarah braves the cold

After days of high quality sanding and preparation the stage was set. Getting into her scowl mode inside the boiler suit Sarah was ready

Next 2 are thru the door window. Whilst she was doing this I stopped the kids fighting as they played lego.

Randy and Debbie are lovely smiley hosts easy to talk to and feel at home with

This is Debbie talking.

This is Debbie saying something about "no" .....and "flat hair.....".  

  Debbie has to deliver 46" televisions as part of her job working for Canada post. Randy runs a convenience store he goes in to open up and shut and does the ordering hiring etc etc. Yesterday they sold $1300cad of cigarrettes. 

Xxx

Salon Arm-the property

Canadian pronounciation of property is 'prarperty' (with a barely sounding 't').  Ten acres. 4 bed house. W basement. 2 bed house. Double new garage. Double old garage. Small Lake. Old pump house. Another out building. Tool shed. Shed for toys and chairs. Outside jacuzzi. Small tractor. Small jump on mower. Lots of trees. All for £400,000.

Originally a very large farm used to be here which was subdivided many times to create this and surrounding neighbours places..

Amongst these relics are a home made tractor

Borrowed from a neighbour to flatten his grass

And 7 vehicles in varying states of repair and rust.

Xxx