The Ouseys in Victoria Page

Well I'm a temporary bachelor. Carolyn is off to Winnipeg visiting family. She will return next Wednesday with my Mom. She called this evening, apparently she got there in good order, unfortunately her bags didn't. She and 4 others from Victoria are missing their bags. Hopefully they will show up tomorrow.

I have driven Noni's new Ion and it is a nice comfy, peppy little car. I didn't fit the old Saturn's but I have lots of room in this one. Must check to see if it is towable. Might be a good one to look into if and when I need a new Toad (towed).

Had a good golf game on Monday, and today it was a totally different fella out there. Couldn't hit the broad side of the barn door, lost 4 balls. Crazy crazy game. It was just after dropping Carolyn off at the airport, maybe that was it, I missed her, couldn't concentrate, hey that is one of the hobbies of golfers, creating excuses.

Yesterday I booked us into Fort Lewis from 29 Dec to 3 Jan 2005. Thats when our trip South starts. This is near the Kirkwoods where we will spend New Years and the fun begins.

Sidenote to my last blog. Besides all else that happened to Noni that weekend, she was called by her bank (Monday Morn) and asked if she made a withdrawal in Vancouver that morning. She said no as she is on the island and in no way shape or form could she have been at the ATM they described. She was then informed that an attempt to withdraw $1000.00 was made, but since she has a $500.00 daily limit, it was refused, subsequently $500.00 was withdrawn, obviously fraudulently. They traced her case along with several others to an Esso station employee who was double swiping cards, and otherwise watching for PIN numbers. They also have replaced the money she lost, but on top of everything else that few days brought, it is a wonder she hasn't blown a gasket or two.

She is also now a proud owner (lease) of a Saturn Ion. Haven't seen it yet but she loves it.

We are back from our sojourn to TRADEX RV show. Not as good this year and the attendance showed it. Not as much on display and fewer people. However, had a good time with Andy and Kathie as we do this annully and it is as much a party as it is looking at Motor Homes and stuff. We also run around to the dealers in the area too. O'Connor's in Chilliwack put on a BBQ to attract people, so that made for a good lunch. Andy and Kathie are on the lookout for a camper for their son Chris. Chris has a diesel truck and tows his show car on a trailer behind him. A camper would give him living space when he goes to shows. Drew and Sherry joined us this year, they just purchased a Gulfstream, new to them, so they had to find things to put in it, of course.

Weather had been and is great this weekend. So that made it all more enjoyable.

And Carolyn is making breakfast for supper! Don't ask.

Well it has been an interesting week, particularly for Noni, who swears she is going to change her last name to "Murphy". Her darling daughter took her first foray into overindulgence with alcohol, had passed out and ended up in emergency; she scared the hell out of herself, her grandparents and her Mom. She is OK and has learned a good lesson, which she swears she will not repeat. That was Friday night, Saturday and Sunday her dog Charley took sick, fever and throwing up. Her cat (who thinks she is a dog) had sympathy vomit attacks. Dog ended up at the Vet, and is now recovering. Monday her car died and is still parked at her work. It is stuck in Park and cannot be moved. She is shopping for a new car, as she wants one more reliable. Noni has held up quite well considering. I've told her to blog, blog. She has enough to talk about and it is therapeutic too.. Isn't it?

We are leaving tomorrow for the weekend, we are going to the annual TRADEX show in Abbotsford. We are going with friends and will stay in Abottsford Friday night and will return Sunday.

Monday, I'll try to get Noni's car either running or towed somewhere. If it can be repaired inexpensively, she may be able to sell it. By then she may be the owner of a 2004 Ion by Saturn.

Carolyn has packed for us, I try to help but she keeps kicking me out of the bedroom. Seems to think I don't know anything about packing, something to do with the necessity to fold things neatly. Hmmm.

Just been out shopping yet again. I have come to the conclusion we spend less money while travelling then sitting at home. We bought another table for the living room. Carolyn has been slowly been redecorating that. Also bought an electric(ac/dc) cooler to use in the motorhome. It cools or heats, can be used upright or as a chest and we plan to keep our drinks stored and cold in one of the bays. This will give Carolyn more room in the fridge. It is made by Coleman and its capaciey is 40 Qts.

We have made (and paid) for our month in Cocopah, Yuma AZ. Jan 7/Feb 7. To our delight the Kirkwoods (see their blog right) booked the same place, same time. We stayed there a month last year and really enjoyed it. Golf course on site of course. Want to see what else we are doing take a read of Kirkwoods blog. We are doing a week over New Years with them and we are also doing Puerto Penasco too, thought timing might be slightly different. It's gonna be great.

We saw the movie "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow". Dennis was right, it was quite enjoyable with great effects and done in the style of an old movie, but updated with modern effects. Nicely done.

Lyn's hubby Alan has a band and they are doing a dance on the 30th October. Anyone can go and its $10 a head. Anyone wishing to attend let her know.

ooh ooh, haven't blogged since Tuesday, Hmmm.

Lets see what has happened since Tuesday. Mostly unpacked the motorhome, washed the motorhome, washed the car, getting all the grunge off both having driven through much rain up north. Got enough sand off to build a sand box. Did some shopping restocking the house with stuff like food. Went golfing, must take a break more often, managed a 31 on a par 27 course. That won't last. Tonight we went to the spaghetti factory for dinner with Sue and John. They are leaving early tomorrow morning on a bus trip through Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore etc. Yes a bus trip, sounds like a brutal way to make a trip. But then he has had some trouble with his leg and they are both uncomfortable with him driving that sort of trip right now. He has had some nerve damage, thus the bus for this one. 11 days on a bus, hope it works out for them.

We have been planning our winter trip. We are looking forward to spending New Years with the Kirkwoods, (they have their very own blog page at, http://kenandhelen.blogspot.com/ After which we will be spending a month at Cocopah, with them. After that probably Picacho Peak (Tucson area) and Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Not sure what we are doing for April yet.

Lewis, Carolyn's bro, is coming for Christmas, dates TBA. In the meantime, Carolyn is traveling to Winnipeg on Sept 30th, returning on 6 Oct with my mother, who will stay until the 17th Oct and then I return with her to Winnipeg and I'll stay there at me bros. (Dennis') until the 23rd Oct. That pretty well takes care of October.

Glad to see Winnipeg is getting some of the warm weather that they usually get in the summer. Us, mostly, cool and damp, with intermittent risks of Sun.

Hey, the Europeans are doing very well in the Ryder cup, the US team are going to have to come up with a miracle to salvage this one tomorrow. I will be watching.

Charlene takes a break for a "coffee", outside? (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)

Mike "The Tickler" & Sierra

Monkeys up a pole, Mike & Char's house in background

Monkeys on a pole, Shawnee & Sierra

Cheyenne

Dakota the "Game Boy"

We are home again. For how long??? Who knows, probably until we go South, although we may spend a few days wandering around the Island.

I see Dennis' is having problems with kidney stones again. Poor guy, hope he doesn't try to break any records that he has already set for the size of kidney stones passed. Hope this episode is over quickly and as painlessly as possible.

We got the 1:00 pm ferry and it was a smooth ride, so won't have to get the MH checked out for any swaying. Opened up a month of mail and surprise, 90% junk. Now if we could get a spam filter for snail mail, then we would hardly get any mail. Hmmmm.

Blog for gods sake blog, Dennis is running out of anagrams.

Heellllloooo all you bloggers.

We have made it to Fort Victoria. We will spend the weekend here and then get a Ferry Monday and will be home Monday afternoon. We dribbled all the way down from Quesnel to here. Dropped in at Kustom Koach and had another minor problem taken care of on the motorhome, otherwise told them what a fine coach it is and how happy we are with it and Monaco. They actually had a tech look at the current problem and fix it on the spot; so nice of them.

We saw many cars at the car show, being held in Langley. So many nice 55,56,57 Chevy’s, Mercurys and others older and newer; so nostalgically reminiscent. (or is that repetitively redundant?)

Also thinking of where we were on this day 9/11 three years ago. We were with Andy and Kathie stuck to the TV a Fairmont Hotsprings, with disbelieving eyes and ears.

We’ll be home soon and looking forward to it and all our family and friends.

We are on the road. Got the ABS light fixed at Ford in Terrace. Drivers window started leaking, we have been driving in much rain. Stopped in Prince George to get that fixed (on warranty of course). We decided against going to Calgary as we would have to go through the mountains and snow and freezing temperatures were forecast. So we will take our time but we are headed home.

Had a great visit with Mike and Char and the kids. They are a wonderful bunch, too bad they are so far away. They would get more visitors if they were closer. Char will be working on her coffeeshop which she started stocking on Tuesday last. Kids are back in school too. Not all of them were happy of that.

We stopped to visit Anela Peskett (nee Bolton) had a very good visit and she appreciated visitors. Made us promise to stop by every time we are up there and to stay for a few days besides and do some camping. She likes it up here, but misses visitors and the city. We will make sure to always stop in.

We are in Quesnel and are staying the night at 10 mile Prov. campground. We shuld be back in Victoria early in the week..

Helloooo from up North.
Cloudy today, but not rain yet. Yesterday was quite nice, sunny and warm. Got some good pictures of the kids, which I’ll post later, time permitting. We were going to leave tomorrow morning, but we are in a neighbours driveway and they return tomorrow to continue work on the house, so we have decided to leave this evening. I have an appointment at the Ford dealer tomorrow in Terrace. The Monarch is due for its first oil change and I also have an ABS warning light remaining on. So I’ll get that fixed under Warranty while I have a chance. We might be there a couple of days. While there we will contact Angela (nee Bolton), Jane Bolton’s daughter. They live in Terrace so it will be good to see her again. We, unfortunately, missed the wedding of her brother in Victoria, it occurred while we were at the Redmond Rally. So we should see some pictures of it.

It has been a fun visit, the kids have been great and got to talk with Charlene about her coffee shop that they are preparing to open. It is within a short walking distance of their house. She gets the space starting tomorrow and will be stocking it with all the necessary infrastructure. She is quite excited and, of course, nervous at the same time. It will be an energetic undertaking and we are quite confident that she is up to the task. Mike is in full support and will be a great help being such a handyman that he is. We wish them well in the endeavour.

Must go for a walk and take some more pictures, besides, grandchildren, the area here is simply gorgeous, surrounded as they are by mountains, forests, streams; I can see why many visitors love it up here. Must download some my pictures and see what ones are worthy of posting. Later TTFN.

Shawnee, Cheyenne, Dakota and Sierra with Lion cub at the Mall in Terrace. 

Catherine's home, hooray, seems like Dennis' been missing her a tad, probably very hungry, at least for home cooked food. She had a good visit. It can all be viewed at his blog. Ain't blogging great.

yesterday and last night the heaven's opened up, and, apparently, for them here that has been quite normal this year. At least we discovered our motorhome bedroom slide no longer leaks. It had the ultimate test and passed, as it should since Monaco said they fixed the problem.

Mike and Carolyn went into town to do some shopping and stayed here to help Charlene do up some signs for her Coffee shop. the location is quite nice and she starts stocking it September 7th and is looking forward to getting it running.

The kids are all so grown, Cheyenne's sprained foot is healing nicely. Dakota had a bit of a flu bug last night and went to bed early. Sierra and Shawnee have been bouncing of the walls, but today they and Dakota went to town with Mike and as a result it is quite quiet today, and Charlene is loving it. She and I have been able to have a good chat, that normally is not possible when everyone is around.

Haven't taken any pictures yet, but will this weekend and hopefully post a couple. In the meantime back to coffe and chatting.

Here we are. Made it to Terrace by noon. And Guess What. The gots a Walmart in Terrace, brand new, opened in Jan/04. That one is not in the WalMart atlas (2004) either. Anyhow, we gassed up and carried on to New Aiyansh. Arriving about 3:30. Road in is much improved and is now paved for 80 clicks out of 100 clicks and most of the rest is seal-coat. The town is seal coat too. We are parked in the neighbour's driveway, where we were two years ago. They still haven't finished the place, but work is progressing. It is good to see all the kids. It has been two years so they all have grown some. To our surprise Sierra is making shy, but that will pass. They are all so cute.

Must go, supper bell is ringing. More later, no kidding!

We had a great time with Ken & Helen Kirkwood as we always do. They are terrific hosts and can Helen cook, hmmmmm, yummy.
We departed Fort Lewis Monday morning and made it to Boston Bar. We stayed at a nice campground called Canyon RV Park. No problem through the Border, in fact no line at all, of course that was at the Sumas/Abbotsford crossing. The next day we got to the Walmart in Prince George. Apparently they were told to put up “NO Camping” signs by the town, but like the Walmart in Truro NS “nudge nudge, wink, wink, say no more” no one enforces it. So we and a half dozen other rigs stayed the night anyway. We could have made Terrace today, but decided to stop at Fort Telkwa Campground located in (surprise) Telkwa. It has free RV/car wash and the best, cleanest showers we have seen in any campground. We can make Terrace by noon tomorrow, and after a lunch and a bit of shopping should get to Mikes around supper time, providing the road is OK. We will call them tonight to get a read on that topic.
We had a bit of rain to drive through but otherwise the weather has been cooperative; sunny and 20 (68) tomorrow. The girl at the counter said that it was a good thing we weren’t a week earlier, a mudslide blocked the highway and we wouldn’t have been able to go to Terrace for a couple of days. No one was hurt, although one chap was trapped in his car. A couple of American tourists dug him out. Speaking of which we must have seen 40 to 50 rigs today alone, heading South. They were all probably wondering why those nuts in the Monarch were going the wrong way.
Lets see, we have cable here, so must go catch up on some Canadian news, munch on some left over KFC chicken from lunch, Carolyn’s idea!!! Really!