Thursday, July 11, 2013

Up to This Week

Mural in Campbell River

Here are a few more shots from our great wildlife tour from last Saturday.   We came back from that tour firmly believing that we need to get out onto the water more often.  Since one of our goals this year is to learn how to Sea Kayak we have just signed up for an introductory lesson which will take place in a week and a half - for $40 each we get two hours of basic instruction and a bit of paddling time on the Courtenay Estuary.
   If we feel that we want to proceed with lessons after that they have more courses we can take and then just rent kayaks after that whenever we feel like it.  This works great for us as we don't have to own kayaks, nor transport or store them.   We took a walk down by where the lessons are last night and we got to see last night's class end.  I am a bit chicken  but the credit card has been charged so there is no going back.  This money will be taken from the travel fund as after all the very large bills of late (house tax, house insurance, car insurance and car repair bill) it would not have taken place otherwise - and it is like being a tourist in your own town so we can justify it.  That plus based on our current schedule we may not end up getting away until our trip to Oregon in late September so day trips might be it in the mean time.
You talking to me?

Hubby is back looking for another car after the 24 hour car debacle a few weeks ago - he goes from saying "we are keeping the car" to "we need a better more reliable car for our road trip in September to Oregon".  I could go either way.  We looked at one today but it just wasn't the right one.  The search continues.

We took our deposit bottles to the depot this week, $20 goes into the travel fund and $6 into the Sealed Pot Christmas fund, and the garage looks much better.

I made steak tacos last night with black beans and rice as a side.  They were made from dried blackbeans and it turned out really great - made it in the slow cooker to keep the house cool and use less electricity.  The steaks were sandwich steaks which only took a two minutes on the BBQ.  It turned out very tasty and I had everything in the cupboards for the meal which was a bonus.

Today I did all sorts of mundane things as most of the week's Company work is done - sewed a button back on a pair of pants and cleaned the bathrooms.  One must break up the house chores into pieces, otherwise it would never get done :).

Tonight?  Chicken legs on the BBQ, leftover beans and rice, salad  and a glass of cider and later tonight a dip in the hot tub.  Life is good!

Breathtaking Scenery in the Discovery Islands

17 comments:

  1. Life does sound good. I will take a vacation in the great outdoors any day to one in the city.

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    1. I completely agree - so much to see and do that so many others miss in their hurry to see the "attractions"

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  2. Please do share your bean recipe. I'm looking for one for the slow cooker.

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    1. Actually not really much of a recipe, just soaked the beans in water over night, rinsed, put in slow cooker with 2 cups of water to 1 cup of beans with an oxo cube. I actually added my rice directly to the mix when the beans were done and cooked for another hour. I ended up making a bit too much though as it is very filling. Next time I would make half as much. Cheers!

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  3. OOooh, you will LOVE kayaking!! The first time I went was when I was going to school in Portland, Oregan and we were taken down the Columbia River. It was so amazing but I was terrified. They actually put me in a tandam and that was just what I needed. I wasn't terrified of the water or flipping over but that my little body would not be able to keep up with my classmates with my lack of energy. And that I would be left behind, drifting down the river! All was well in the end. And now we're hooked. One day we'd like to have our own kayaks, probably once we're settled out on Salt Spring. Enjoy!!

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    1. I am a little afraid of kayaking for all the exact reasons you have stated - that plus I am uncoordinated but we are still taking the plunge. Wish me luck!

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  4. IMO, you can't spend to much time on or in the water!

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    1. I find it very peaceful and calming, don't really know why. They say the Ocean has a life of it's own, maybe that is why.

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  5. Everything sounds sounds wonderful! Ah, to slip into a hot tub this time of year..

    Kerry, as for a black bean recipe - it is your taste really, but I add the black beans, water to twice the height. I typically do not soak the beans, but just rinse them. Add a couple of chicken bullion or split the water with some chicken stock. Then add salt, pepper, minced garlic, some chopped onion, bay leaf, cilantro, smoked paprika (I also use turmeric and sweet basil in almost everything, but it is not a have-to) and I like a can of diced tomatoes or green chilies in mine. Put on low and let it cook all day.

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    1. Now I want to try your blackbean recipe! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Sounds wonderful! Sometimes the best expiriences are in your own backyard!

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    1. Just part of the reason why we moved here, we love it!

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  7. I see more and more WHY you made the life choice to move to Vancouver Island. The Discovery Islands look stunning! And you can't show enough photos for me! What an amazing wildlife tour experience. I am a bit nervous on the sea if I'm honest, but I've kayaked/canoed on lakes and rivers before-my favourite expreience being on the Zambezi River in the Caprivi Strip-I saw local people fishing, a tiny little beeater in a tree on the river bank, rare African Skimmers and then we stopped on a mudbank in the middle of the river and saw their eggs. Just an amazing experience. I agree there is something about travelling on water. I even went out to see the Humpback Whales in South Africa knowing I would be sick from the sea, but I did it anyway. No regrets!

    I love that you are brave enough to do your kayaking and I am already looking forward to the report.

    Good news about the bottle deposits-I like the way you have spread the money.

    Oh, and today I will be leaving lots of comments on your blog. I LOVE reading your posts, they give me inspiration and a little buzz for the day but I haven't had time to comment so I will now.

    Sft x

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    1. We don't get seasick fortunately but you might have on this trip - still worth it though to take medication before the tour. Good for you for going in South Africa, unforgettable I imagine!

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  8. More great pictures. What a beautiful area! I'm a sucker for murals. I painted a few in my parents garage and in the garage of my last house. Fun!

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    1. My favorite part of the mural was that the artist even painted the metal railing that goes in front of it just like the picture! There are lots of murals around Vancouver Island. Our town of Comox has painted every electrical box in murals.Cheers!

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  9. Awesome post! I love the way you think.

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