Mainly Landlubbers

The EGR valve was replaced

We have been home since 1^st June and looking back at the calendar there were only six days in June that were free of medical appointments, health walks, summer fairs, babysitting and line dancing.

Then Jeremy replaced the front discs and brake pads

The first thing to sort out was our 11 year old Ford Focus, which still had an engine management light glowing on the dashboard. A diagnosis at a Ford garage revealed a blocked EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve. Jeremy saved us several hundred pounds by buying the part on ebay and fitting it himself.

Ben and Sophie on Searose

 Jeremy was the first to start physiotherapy sessions and learned that he had snapped a tendon attached to the rotator cuff in his shoulder. He has been doing exercises ever since the diagnosis and is waiting for a referral for steroid injections.

Ellie and Emily on Searose

I began doing exercises on my knees, which are stronger now and much improved, although setbacks occur from time to time.

Sara, Abigail, Isaac, Pat and Mum at Silverdale, Isle of Man

We started to collect our granddaughter, Ellie, from school once a week and take her to our house for tea. We also collect our other granddaughter, Sophie, from Nursery and return both children to their parents once they have finished work.

Mum on Port Erin railway station, Isle of Man

July was equally busy. I went to the Isle of Man for a week to visit my Mum (now 93 years old) and my sisters and the rest of my family.

Painted and edged. Fully restored shed in Tobermory, Mull

Jeremy went to the Isle of Mull in Scotland to paint the roof of the shed we restored last October. On the way there he spent two nights with his brother, Gavin, and his wife, Eileen. They watched the start of the Tall Ships Rally as they left the River Wear at Sunderland and made their way to the North Sea.

Knitted yachts at Sunderland

On our way back from the Isles of Man and Mull, we stayed for two nights with my college friend, Stella and her husband, Geoff. It was lovely to catch up on three years of news and see a bit of Leicestershire. They took us to Foxton Locks on the nearby canal.

Stella, Geoff and Kathy

We learned more about Searose, a 34ft Southerly yacht with a lifting keel, recently bought by our daughter, Emily, and son-in-law, Ben. We were able to take her out a couple of times on the River Deben and make use of our old Avon dinghy and Mercury outboard.

Languard Fort, Felixstow

Towards the end of July we took part in a Westerly Owners Association Suffolk Rivers Rally. As our Westerly, Sal Darago, is in Mexico, we were boatless, but still enjoyed all the social events, which usually took place in pubs, and a visit to the stunning Languard Fort at Felixstowe.

Kathy, Sam, Michelle, Sylvie and Patrick after the BBQ

During August, we had a day visit to see our nephew, Patrick and his wife, Michelle, and their children, Sam and Sylvie. The weather, which had been tropical since mid-June, continued warm and dry for a delicious BBQ in their garden.

Oyster BBQ at our bridge in Mull

Our family holiday in Mull had been planned for several weeks and the ferries had been booked, when Jeremy had a second event with his bowel, which led our GP to refer him for an appointment at Ipswich Hospital within two weeks. He had a sigmoidoscopy, which revealed a medium sized polyp and he was referred for a colonoscopy. After a few unsettled days, Jeremy learned that his appointment would not take place for at least two weeks, so we were able to go on holiday. We spent a lovely evening and comfortable night in Durham, on our way to Mull, with long time friends, Andy and Moira.

Kathy, Sophie, Emily, Ellie, Ben and Tess near Croggan, Mull

The first week was spent with Emily, Ben, Ellie, Sophie and Tess the dog. We went out every day come rain or shine, which we had in equal measures.

Jeremy, Pat and Graham at Calgary, Mull

My sister, Pat joined us for 10 days at the start of our second week and Graham, a sailing friend of ours, spent three days with us.

Novel use of an expired liferaft

Thanks to Emily checking our mail and from phone calls, Jeremy learned that his appointment would be on 21^st September. We could enjoy the last four days of our holiday with just the two of us.

Another house job - professionally rebuilt chimney

Unfortunately, we both went down with colds and spent the last week coughing and sneezing!

We are home once again. Autumn is on the doorstep and already two named equinoctial storms have battered much of the UK. Suffolk has escaped the worst but it’s certainly not a good time to go sailing.

Today, Jeremy had his colonoscopy and the polyp was removed successfully. He is a little uncomfortable and has to remain on a fluid only diet for another 48 hours. The polyp will be tested and I’ll let you know the result in our next blog, which I hope to post before Christmas.

Canada Land Trip 3

VIA Train

The VIA Train route from Jasper to Prince Rupert passes through stunning wilderness landscape for 1,060 kilometres. The route guide lists 46 points of interest taking in massive pine forests, vast lakes, long river valleys, a number of villages and a few towns.

The observation lounge and dome carriage

Passengers booked for Prince Rupert have an overnight stop at Prince George, for which they must find their own accommodation and transport to and from their hotel. This is not the all-inclusive Rocky Mountaineer. We spent the night in Canada’s Best Value Inn and made use of the supermarket in Prince George for our meals the following day.

Lake and Mountain views through the windows

From the website, we expected that we would have designated seats and a dining car. Fortunately, we found out the day before that the only food would be sandwiches, crisps and other snacks and it would be wise to take our own food with us.

Inside the Dome carriage

Another expectation was that the train would be on time, as indicated by the timetable. It did leave Jasper on time, but the breakdown of a goods train on the line made us two hours late into Prince George. The 0800 departure from Prince George was about one and a half hours late and the arrival at Prince Rupert was three and a half hours late, which meant we arrived at our hotel after 0030. Apparently, changes have been made and the passenger experience should be better from 1^st June.

Changing the points was not hi-tech

Crossing a viaduct

That said, we found the rail journey amazing and marvelled at the determination of humans to conquer seemingly insurmountable obstacles to complete this transcontinental route.

Cabin view

We had about six hours’ sleep at the Prince Rupert Hotel on 25^th May, before setting off by taxi to the BC Ferry Terminal. We had booked an outside cabin and were able to view the scenic Inside Passage from the comfort of our own heated space.

Occasionally the murk lifted and we had a rainbow...

We were pleased we had done this because it rained all day and many of the lovely views were shrouded in mist. We did venture out from time to time and found sheltered spots to avoid the horizontal rain hitting the exposed decks at almost 20 knots. At least we could dry out afterwards in our cabin.

...But mostly it was wet.

The food on the ship was good; the staff was friendly and helpful and the schedule ran on time. Jeremy asked if we could visit the Bridge and we were given our own private tour by the Third Officer. It was a little different from the cockpit of Sal Darago as we looked down on yachts sailing below us, which appeared to be model boat sized. The Third Officer said that he would always prefer that yachts contacted big ships on VHF to discuss their course.

Back to school

We slept well in the bunk beds and left the ferry soon after 0900 the next day at its destination of Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. A converted school bus took us to the Quarterdeck Inn. Our room was ready; we had a view over the marina, a pub next door and a laundry across the road. Sorted!

Dorothy, Brian, Kathy and Jeremy above Elk Falls

The bus to Coutenay left at 10.45 on Sunday 27^th May. Two fellow passengers from the VIA train and the BC ferry shared a taxi with us to the bus depot. We arrived at Courtenay at 15.30 and were met by our sailing friends Brian and Dorothy, whom we last saw on the island of St Helena in 2013. They have a lovely house in nearby Comax. They no longer cruise the oceans, but do take to the water in their trimaran, kayaks as well as skiing and cycling.

They showed us the beautiful scenery at the waterfront and in Campbell River, where we hiked in Elk Falls Provincial Park and Protected Area.

On top of Mount Washington

The next day, we all drove up the lower slopes of Mount Washington, parked the car at the ski resort and hiked up to the summit. Brian and Dorothy are super fit and very kindly slowed their pace for us. I was slow as usual on the descent and used my knee supports once again.

Totem Poles in the Victoria Museum

It was great to catch up with our friends and fill in the gaps of the last five years. All too soon, it was time to be off again on the bus to Victoria. It was an hour late arriving, giving us just enough time to check into the Bedford Regency Hotel downtown and walk to the splendid Royal BC Museum.

Legislature Building, Victoria

Canadians on the VIA train told us we could book on a Greyhound bus in Victoria and it would take us on the ferry to Vancouver. Even better for us, they had a service which took us all the way to Vancouver International Airport. Our hotel, Accent Inn, had a free shuttle to and from the airport. All went well and we returned to downtown Vancouver for a walk along the waterfront and a horse drawn tour of Stanley Park.

Vancouver Sea Plane Marina (want one)

The horse whisperer - two gorgeous Percheron brothers (want both)

Too soon we were picking up our last hire car at Gatwick Airport and driving on the LEFT back home. Of course, home has its comforts and rewards... on Sunday morning we were having breakfast on board Searose with Emily, Ben, Ellie, Sophie and Tess. The only thing missing was the sunshine.

Breakfast on Searose

Canada Land Trip 2

All too soon, we were off to Jasper via the amazingly scenic road called Icefields Parkway. Short stops along the way gave us the opportunity to photograph breathtaking vistas such as: 

Herbert Lake

Crowfoot Glacier

Bowfoot Summit and Peyto Lake

Peyto Glacier

Tangle Falls

Looking south from the top of a pass

Athabasca Falls

On arrival at Jasper, we checked into the Maligne Lodge for two nights. The helpful staff at the Visitor Centre told us about the Sulphur Skyline Trail on the east side of Jasper National Park. We drove about 25 kilometres and parked near the Hot Sulphur Springs. I was slightly uneasy about the hike, which was described as difficult and had an elevation of 600 metres. Sure enough, once we found the start of the trail, it was uphill all the way. 

Lunch at the top

We had been warned to look out for black bears and to make a noise as we were walking. We sang many of the songs we knew as we walked and no bears were seen along the way. 

The trail passed through a brief snow field once we were above the treeline and became very steep for the last, short haul to the summit. All our efforts were forgotten and we were silent as we stared at the amazing 360 degree view from the top.

Stunning view from the top of the Sulphur Skyline Trail

I had my knee supports with me and needed them on the steep walk down. 

The next day we boarded a VIA train to take us on the northern route across the Rocky Mountains.