Out and About

At the end of my week off I am happy with the time I spent with my family in the sun exploring. On Saturday we began the day on the 8:55 am ferry to Nanaimo for our eldest daughter's dance classes. Afterwards we hopped in the car and took the parkway out to Coombs for lunch in the sun while admiring the goats on the roof. We enjoyed samosas, foccacia, smoked salmon and yummy dessert before heading to Errington to the North Island Wildlife Recovery Association to see the rehabilitated eagle release. We arrived early and wandered around the grounds seeing eagles, hawks, owls, ravens and many other birds much closer than ever before (alas we did not see the black bear). At 2 pm they released the eagle which was a spectacular event to watch. Then we were off for a quick play at the fabulous beach side playground in Parksville. After an energetic time of slides, swings, tires and tunnels we were heading back to Nanaimo in time to grab a quick dinner at Delicado's in the Old City Quarter before heading home to Gabriola. All of this was done in a day and apart from 2 very exhausted girls we had a fantastic day trip that we will definitely do again!

Planning for our park

"Gabriola Island’s largest park is on its way to getting a proper name and a long-term plan. Island residents and land-use experts throughout BC’s South Coast are developing a management plan for the 707 Acre Community Park, which occupies the island’s north-centre and its highest point. In January the Regional District of Nanaimo awarded a contract for the management plan to a group of residents and professionals, called the 707 Collaborative" (from the RDN news release). This past weekend they met with interested members of the community in a workshop format to start the process, the first phase should be completed by the end of this year.

Sea Weed and Faeries

Sea Weed, lots of it at the high tide line. Best picked when the tide is low so that it is dry and easy to transport. Wonderful for gardens, both ornamental and vegetable. No need to wash the salt off, compost it or put it on fresh - no matter which, you will see results! Our most productive gardens have been when we have gathered large amounts. And if you are lucky the garden faerie will come and help you spread it!

Spring Chickens!

My husband picked up our day old (some only hours old) chicks today from Fiddlehead Farm. We got 15 chicks and hope that enough of them turn out as hens to lay eggs for our three families. This is a heritage breed called Dorkings and they are soooo cute ... they remind me of chipmunks with their stripes. Our daughter has visited them in the studio several times this afternoon and just had her final visit before bedtime.

Been and Gone...

With a great sigh of relief and satisfaction we leave with a smile on our faces after another wonderfully successful Coast Realty Easter Egg Hunt. It began at 9:30 this morning with all the Realtors converging on the Coast Realty Office in Folklife Village to begin set-up for the big event. We had to transport signage, surveyors tape, tents, BBQs, food and drink, and of course the candy and bunny costume. We surveyed the areas, set-up the signs, and hid the candy. At 11:30 am The Kerplunks showed up bright eyed and bushy tailed and began to prepare for the show. The 4-H crew got the BBQs going and the hotdogs on. People began to arrive and we were ready to begin. The Kerplunks were fabulous as always and kids and adults alike sang, danced and clapped along with our homegrown heros. At one o'clock the hunt began and the kids were off like a shot combing the area clean just like a horde of army ants! Thanks for everybody's help and involvement, especially to Village Foods, Mid-Island Co-op, Shasta Signs, the 4-H kids and leaders, The Kerplunks, The Commons and to the Easter Bunny herself for making this a sensational event. See you next year!

A Hidden Treasure

This little cottage on a white shell beach reminds me of the old days on Gabriola when all the homes were either summer cottages or modest homesteads. This one peaks out from between bare branches, but in another month or so will be hidden from view.

Spring Pots

The weather has been really lovely, warm and sunny. I dragged out my pots, cleaned them up and stopped in at the local nursery to pick up a few bedding plants. The local nurseries have all your landscaping needs, and reasonably priced. The pansies are my favorite.

Here comes Peter Cottontail...

Hopping down the bunny trail! It is almost time for the yearly Easter Egg hunt put on by all of us at Coast Realty on Gabriolaon April 11th with the fun starting at noon. This year, the same as last, we are holding the hunt at the Gabriola Commons. The Commons is located across the street from the Elementary School on North Rd. The difference this year is that we are celebrating the 10 Year anniversary of Coast Realty on Gabriola. So to show the community our thanks we have arranged a concession which will be by donation and run by the local 4-H club as well as having a live performance by our very own, The Kerplunks! The show and the concession will start at 12 noon and will be followed by the ever popular hunt at 1pm. Don't be late as the kids on this Island will leave no stone unturned and the candy will be gone before you can say...what does the Easter Bunny say anyways!

Look forward to seeing you there, don't miss it as it only comes once a year:)