2024 travels before the New Year

 My vicarious travel continues across British Columbia, Canada.

Whistler, where the 2025 Invictus games will be held,  in February, some in Vancouver as well. The  ski runs are numerous!! and amazing.

Then not far from Vancouver, is Cypress Mountain. The night skiing has begun.

This was edited with a  B&W filter, I can only imagine the thrill of being there. And just 30 minutes from  North Vancouver, a dream that is really true. 

Down here, I am getting the rivet press into action, and all the new rivets, delivered by Hamish himself, we met at Sanson, so much traffic,  and SO  many thanks to you and the Green Beans  NZ staff, and then the other day a quick trip into Palmerston North, a visit to K Mart, and some nifty little containers for different colours. 

With messages from  Green Beans to stock up, I did just that. I guarantee there are enough to last me for ever !!!

 Originally for a Weber or similar BBQ, I have commandeered it before anyone decided to buy it. A few more containers next visit for some  bag hardware and it will all be neat and tidy.

Quotation of the day,  from Michael Bond, author of " A Bear Called Paddington" ,

" A wise bear always keeps a marmalade sandwich 

in his hat in case of emergency"

Greetings from Jean

Christmas and then 2025 will arrive

  Christmas and New Year Greetings to all my friends across the oceans.

We had a very quiet day, phone calls ,video links south and way further North, older daughter arrived, we  will fly south to see  younger daughter and son-in-law in January in time for Hugh's birthday. Older daughter joins us on the flight half way down.  Friends are staying to look after Boris and Smokey.

In Vancouver the rain continues, not as cold as when Josh was way further north, Season Passes for skiing at Whistler are sold out!!!

Grand-daughter is north of us, a  phone call then a wonderful card with words I will always treasure.

Santa arrived early here, but his  huge parcel wasn't opened until Christmas Day. Very practical, and SO easy to use, the front axle swivels, the tyres are pneumatic, and Hugh has made a removable thin wood base so that any firewood thrown in will not damage the floor.  

We had a few more phone calls, another video link, and  some gardening before the drizzle set in.

On a random note, my  Bernina QE 440 had a check up a few weeks ago and Barry tells me it has now  stitched  a magnificent  11,178,765 stitches !!!  , from March 2008 to  October this year. If it is anything like our previous Bernina machines, it will outlast my sewing days for sure.

Quotation of the day, author unknown ,

With the new year on the horizon,

 I wish you all go forward with faith, hope, and courage, 

love and laughter,

and family and friends to share the year ahead.

Greetings from Jean

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).

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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