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.

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 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

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.