British Columbia in December

  I continue to learn more every day about Canada and its winter temperatures.  Weather reports are very detailed and updated regularly. 

The range went from a balmy 4C in Vancouver to a perishingly cold -20, REAL FEEL according to all the weather reports was -28C !!! some even said " Very Cold".

The road web cams are amazing, and updates before you travel are very useful.

Then there is the Pine Pass Facebook page, where followers write in,  give the updates and states of areas along the highway. Moose, deer, timber spilt, man and his dog missing, And the best " I'm driving to ???,Do you need anything picked up or taken?  Real outback generosity.

Some images of the web cams.  Powder King skifield  access road

Highway 97, at Highway 16 Junction, Prince  George

Highway 97, North of Prince George

Powder King access road, on 18th December. 

Snow tyres are essential, and in some areas you are advised to carry blankets, food, a torch, and extra clothing.

From the vicarious travel, I understand that 4  layers of real winter clothing,  fleece lined long boots, and air activated hand warmers ( that last the whole day in your gloves) are the norm,  when working outdoors for many long hours, and " a whole new respect for those who work in these conditions all the time " was a comment.

Meantime back home, a dear friend Jenny Benton has a huge sorrow, as Robin passed away suddenly at the end of November. His memorial service has been held in Levin. Sympathy and caring thoughts from so many have been sent .

The  panels are still in their original condition, I'm waiting till 2025 to tackle them and find patterns to do them justice. I have read that a non stick needle is a great help.

Quotation of the day from Khalil  Gibran

" When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight"

Greetings from Jean

Living Vicariously

 That was the word given to me as Josh  left for Canada.

I think I will leave the real world  adventure for anyone else brave enough to cope with the cold, and see Canada  through his eyes. This week in the work site  the temperatures have dropped to -20 Celsius, 4 layers, 2 pairs of socks and hand warmers that stay warm all day inside gloves.

Prince George Airport , and the view from above.

Meantime these beautiful Faux Leather panels are waiting for some serious consideration and ample time to sew carefully. This is something entirely new for me, so I need to concentrate , use the Teflon foot, and roll the seams, no pins.

I have plain vinyl to go with these, and a new friend in the South Island and I have shared some of the plain metres,  we  will meet in January near Dunedin.

Quotation of the day from Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.,

A mind that is stretched by a new experience 

can never go back to its old dimensions.

Greetings from Jean

The weather up North

The  weather in B C, Canada,  involves me researching each location, as Josh moves from here to there, and back again. 

This week he flies from Vancouver to Prince George, leaving with a temperature of maybe 4C, but arriving to minus 14C.!!! Then a  2 hour plus  drive  further  for  a 12 day work schedule . The days there start early,  in the dark, and it will be colder, one weather App I looked at said :" Very Cold" for at least the first 6 days. And Canadian Very Cold is a lot colder than what we down here call cold.

 I can track the flight, and then wait till he is again in mobile phone reception.A device similar to  our PLB ( Personal Locator Beacon) means he is able to communicate when out of range, and  some survival gear will be in the Ute. 

This is similar to a friend in the Yukon, who flew to remote areas, she mentioned they carried a rifle, food for 3 days, something to start a fire,  survival clothing, and at least one passenger had to know what to do if the pilot fell ill on the flight;.

Winter takes on a whole new meaning for anyone from down here, with fleece lined boots, foot and hand warmers, multiple layers,  and more. The options when I look at the stores are massive, and so many different stores to venture into. I would be so spoilt for choices.

Back in Vancouver he  posted this, a photo taken on his commute to work. I'm happy for you to identify the charming fellow . Friends have identified him as a " Barred Owl" 

'Meantime I have been sewing bags, fabric baskets with leather handles, playing card holders for the elderly with frail hands, or little ones with tiny fingers.And lots more.  A Pop-Up-Shop  in our driveway, or  under the veranda if raining,   7th December, when friends will also participate. THIS is ample motivation to sew and sew more !!!!

And the latest ,  next venture will be sewing with Faux Leather panels, from MW Designs . Melanie lives on Waiheke Island , and recently had  so many  amazing designs printed.  Photos to come when I summon up some courage to find  a  pattern and put a panel and a plain  colour together.

Quotation of the day, from Maya Angelou

" If you don't like something, change it.

If you can't change it, change your attitude"

Greetings from Jean

News from Home and Abroad

 The night shift work has begun on the huge bridge that had a troubled construction. 

The Ironworkers Memorial  Second Narrows Crossing Bridge   will have lanes closed, with single and double lane closures each night from 9 p.m. or 10 p.m.  to 5.30 a.m. Then the 10  or so workers will thankfully go home for some sleep.

---------------------------

 Info from the Internet

The bridge is a steel truss cantilever bridge, designed by Swan Wooster Engineering Co. Ltd. Construction began in November 1957, and the bridge was officially opened on August 25, 1960. It cost approximately $23 million to build.^[5] Tolls were charged until April 1, 1963.^[6]

The bridge is 1,292 metres (4,239 ft) long with a centre span of 335 metres (1,099 ft). It is part of the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1).

-----------------------------

Routine work is being carried out over 5 nights this week, some nights have been fine, others a bit wet. Guess who is there from maybe 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., as 2 lanes are closed and one lane left open for vehicles?? I am such a morning person I told Josh I would struggle if it was later than 9 p.m. far less all night. 

Now the news at home. 

Just a short time ago Leeanne at Quilt Me Kiwi showed the massive piece of green satin fabric, that was loaded on her long arm quilting machine, and being turned into Christmas Stockings, a table runner and 3 cushion covers. She so generously did a giveaway for a cushion cover of your choice.

I WON a cushion of my choice.  So I chose a cushion, then realised I still had some lovely birthday cash to spend, so a quick email, are the other 2 cushions still for sale? YES. Yes please, can you add them to my parcel. YES.

Then I found the photo for the table runner, still some cash left, so could you please add that too? Yes, I'll open the carton and squash the runner in. This was Wednesday , it arrived  Thursday morning.

The runner is on the cabinet Hugh made to show his model boats, and I use the top for cutting out smaller fabric pieces. The new cat Smokey also loves to lie there in the sunshine and see out the window. She will be warned not to put and dirty paws or claws there from now on.

The detailed quilting that Leeanne does is stunningly amazing, even the back is beautiful.

If you need to see any of her work, or contact her to get a quilt top quilted, or to buy anything she has for sale, here are all her details.

https://felt.co.nz/shop/quiltmekiwi

Mobile phone. 0282104213

Home phone 09 4322449

email.   quiltmekiwi@gmail.co.nz

Or you can find Leeanne on Instagram,, quiltmekiwi

 Which is where I found the first post with thye cushion giveaway.

Quotation of the day, author unknown...

" Saving money for a rainy day  means 

when it rains you can spend it all"

Greetings from Jean

Sea Bus Travel in Vancouver

Courtesy of the internet.

The SeaBus is our passenger ferry that crosses the Burrard Inlet, connecting Downtown Vancouver to North Vancouver. Each ferry can seat up to 395 passengers at a time, and departs every 15 minutes during the day. It takes a short 12 minutes to cross the Inlet.

The Sea Bus at Lonsdale Quay

Views to North Vancouver

This is the way to travel to Vancouver City  across the Burrard Inlet, maybe a little like the ferry that connects Auckland to  other areas across the harbour. You can take your bike, your scooter, or even be an " Older person" with a walker frame. Up to 395 passengers, and a schedule that would suit people going to work or for a visit to another area of the city.

How I long to be younger and fly north.

Quotation of the day, from Viola Davis

" All dreams are within reach, 

All you have to do is keep moving towards them"

Greetings from Jean

Vancouver Island snapshots

 Josh has continued his travels in B.C., going across to Vancouver Island and staying near  Nanaimo, a kayak trip out near the open sea, a visit to the Museum in Victoria, a climb up Mt Washington, ( there is a zip line there) what views from the top, and now after a night back in Squamish  has returned to Vancouver and is ready to begin work next Monday.

This is Woolly, as he is known, at the Royal B C Museum,  He is a replica of the largest animal to ever walk on earth. He is built from plywood, chicken wire, foam and nine muskox hides.  The tusks are fibreglass fossil casts.  Quite impressive. 

I tried to align the photos but each time they returned to a different layout.

It seems so strange to know it is SO hot there, a swim to cool down, and here we have the fire lit and winter gear on. 

 I have found several ways to turn neatly the ends of zipper tapes, there is such a lot of very generous free info there, to make bag tops look neat and tidy, One lady turned the tape back, sealed the matching edges with a cigarette lighter, clamped the fabric together with pliers,  turned it back so the tops were exactly even !! and it looked very professional.

I passed my medical and the other test for my driving licence renewal, here in NZ, you have to renew the licence every 2 years after 80 years of age.A cognitive test, draw a clock with a given time, identify road signs, remember a person's name and address, and name as many animals as you can in one minute. I think I scored the required 30 points or more. Then a mini medical, I have lost weight, and lost height!!! BUT I passed !!!!

Quotations of the day, authors unknown

Nothing is impossible, and success is never final.

Greetings from Jean.

Vicarious travel in Alberta.

 Josh has arrived in Alberta, saying Banff is so busy.The height of the summer season probably. A few more photos from out and about.

Banff looking very colourful.

Now some from Lake Louise or near that area.

                                                                       

Look at that colour, similar to our southern lakes fed from glaciers.

And this wee chipmunk is my pick, that cheeky look and wonderful stripes.

Meantime, back here, a visit to ED, ( the notice did say we are so understaffed you might have a 10 hour wait!!!),  mine was a mere TWO hours,  finally saw the same Dr as the first time, so she has suggested an outpatient visit, probably a stress test and then maybe another visit to Wellington Cardiology ward. So a huge tidy up with  patterns sorted into large envelopes, fabric sorted too, and unfinished items all ready to be duly worked on.

Quotation of the day, from A A Milne

" If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember.

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, 

and smarter than you think.

But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you "

Greetings from Jean