Sister Act Part One

Its quite a moment waiting at an airport to meet two sisters who you haven't seen for over 20 months.  A long overdue get together and entirely generated by the girls a few months previously.  The usual 50 minutes or so wait from landing to greeting occurred and it was very 'Love Actually' as the girls emerged from the arrivals doors.  It really is rare to see other than joy at the arrivals area in an airport.

Vancouver was a little overcast on that Saturday afternoon but bouyed by being together we headed for home some 50 miles East or 2 and a half hours away.  (The run from Vancouver Airport is mostly on urban roads and quite slow.)  For Manda this was her first trip to Canada and for Cherie I think her third.  Chins wagged continuously and jaws must have ached.  We laughed and set a trend for the whole week to follow.  We drove back via the Laity Pumpkin Patch just to show the girsl how big halloween celebrations were in Canada.  Nuts really.  Word has it that Haloween has become more important than Christmas in North America.  That say something about the times we live in.

Had I cleared the leaves that morning I would have been wasting my time as a fresh layer had deposited at home while we were on the road.  Kim opened up the house; lit the stove and lights and we unloaded the girls into their own rooms.  Cherie into the Spirit of the Whale room and Manda into the Cedar Four Poster.  For the duration of the stay Kim and I had decided we should move into the basement suite.  The added bonus for the girls was their own bathroom.  For us we decided this was like going on our own holiday; change of scenery and all that.

It took just minutes for all to settle and with Champ being beside himself with excitement and one of the cat's calling in to say hello introductions were completed quickly.  It is a tradition for Kim's family and now mine of course, to leave bed presents for visitors so this was duly done.  Gifts given in return were spectacular and we felt blessed. 

It would be remiss of us not to have some liquid refreshment so we toasted ourselves with the final bottle of home made Rhubarb Wine saved specially for the ocassion. We then checked our stock and assessed supply and demand.

Father Moriarty was already moving props behind the scenes so while Manda helped Kim prepare the beer can Chicken, Cherie and I headed to the Mission Springs Brewery to fill Growlers with beer.  This was not because we hadn't filled them in preparation for the arrival, it was because Mr Dirty Shirt had already celebrated the impending arrival the previous day.  Growlers hold 1.89 litres and at $7 on a Thursday are good value.  Anyway, I digress.  The pub hollered and Moriarty screamed which meant Cherie and I had a pint on the premises for good measure.  This fact was not entirely surprising and with the passing of time, Manda and Kim drew the appropriate conclusion.

Back at the house the Beer Can Chicken was ready to go into the barbecue and the local Peaches and Cream Corn was also prepped.  Baked potatoes were already in the oven and waiting for spring onions and sour cream.

Kim had another surprise waiting for the girls and I headed to the basement fridge to collect a Cake Pop specially designed as a welcome by Kim's workmate Yvonne.  Each part of the decoration is edible and extremely tasty.  The theme was a cross between thanksgiving and the arrival of the pilgrim fathers and harvest.  The owls were included to reflect our home owl population.

Jet lag can be quite debilitating so with dinner done we planned to allow the sister act to feel free to retreat to their sleeping quarters and in anticipation of the next day.  Kim and I were less than 15 minutes behind them!  Next day update tomorrow.

The Flayling Arms is Bursting at the Seams

Another summer has been and gone and actually before I launch into this blog update I have a gripe.  Since when does summer begin in August and end late September? Must do better next year I fear or my SAD syndrome may get the better of me.

So the rain is falling and the leaves are already laying their carpet across our acres and sending me a middle finger signal!  The leaves can insult me all they like because this year I have a leaf blower / mulcher that is powerful enough to eat small children.  Hurrah.

Jamie Franklin has just departed our shores having arrived in Vancouver on September 19th en route to Alaska September 22nd returning Vancouver for an overnight chez us, October 3rd.  We had an excellent visit and if it is a sign of things to come when Manda and Cherie arrive on 22nd October then we are truly blessed.

He miraculously brought sunshine with him and our trips up Grouse Mountain and to Whistler were awesome.  We love visitors and especially family because now being established rednecks and me with an Australian accent we can entertain in true local style.  Apparently mixing English English with Canadian English results in Australian English.  I must confess I sometimes hear myself being antipodean and I quite like the inflection.

Our barbecue has been in daily operation and our local hunting/fishing connections have been amazing.  We had some beautiful fresh Sockeye Salmon which we cooked on soaked cedar boards using one of Kims amazing recipes.  We had beer can chicken which is a terrific way to cook chicken, also on the barbecue but keeping the meat extremely moist.  We finished Jamie's stay with fresh T-Bone Moose Steaks, all meals accompanied by garden produce and ably supported by ale, wine and cider as required.  More of the same awaits Manda and Cherie.

Our children continue to stride through life and we couldn't be happier that they do so happy in heart.  Samantha has now successfully completed her second year nursing exams in University and is already into her last year.  Alexa is now at school and heading towards her 5th birthday next year.  David is self employed and is the doting father to Mason who is now two.  Heather is still in University at Prince George here in British Columbia and with grade scores averaging 4 she is being educated entirely by scholarships.  She is thinking of a year out then studying law.  Reece is now happily working hard and also very much connected with the lovely Emma in the relationships department.  Marcus is throughly independent; a Chef, rugby player, canoeist and all round great person.  At 19 and the youngest of the crop he carries the last flag of childhood into adult life where Kim and I are concerned.  They all make us proud and contented.  We would love them to be here more often but that is just not possible all the time.  Once my working gets moving maybe that can change.

We are so loooking forward to getting home next year for a planned month to see everyone.

I spent some time in the Flayling Arms this morning (our winery come brewery in our basement cellar).  Kim's Blackberry Wine is coming along very nicely and my new Ale is starting its fermentation in readiness for tasting once beloved sisters arrive.  The Poacher (our hot tub) and our Fire pit are primed ready for action and we pray for clear days particularly when we take the Ferry to Vancouver Island.  Venison is arriving shortly and there is the possibility of Elk sometime soon.  Elk is apparently an amazing meat to eat.  We'll see soon enough.

So as I watch another leaf fall past the window I sign off until another day.  Bloody leaves!!!