Critter Care

A couple of weeks ago David’s sister Denny, her husband Jay and their 10-year old daughter Annabel arrived for a three week visit with us.  It has been five years since their last visit so it was great to see them on this side of the pond again and for Annabel to visit at an age where she can enjoy and appreciate Canada much more.

On their first full day we decided to head out to the Critter Care Open-House that we had seen advertised.  We figured our newest visitors would want a fairly ‘easy’ day after their long flight and this seemed liked a good option that would please Annabel too.

Critter Care is a charity-based organisation located in Langley, BC.  Initially started by a local resident who was taking care of some injured racoon in her basement, it has grown into BC’s only specialised mammal care facility and one of four Provincial bear rehabilitation facilities. Predominately volunteer based they now include 26 interns and 3 full-time staff.

While they do have one permanent resident, a bobcat who it was decided was never going to be able to survive on his own in the wild, the vast majority of the animals that come into the facility are rehabilitated back into their natural environment. These include bears, deer, coyote, racoons, skunks, squirrels, otters, marmots and pretty much anything else people arrive on their doorstep with !

Critter Care is not normally open to the public, but one weekend each year they open the doors to allow everyone to see what they do and of course make a donation to help keep the place running.

Far and away the greatest number of residents at Critter Care are raccoons. Considered by many to be annoying pests Critter Care still take them under their wing and nurse injured or orphans animals back into the wild.

There were raccoons of every age to see and watch them play.

Including some real youngsters

Looking for some cuddles since mamma’s not around to give them

Although once they’ve been fed and watered they appeared to have the run of the place

The interns that drew the short straw get to hang out with the skunks.  Because these animals will eventually be released they must keep their noxious spray glands so the staff must try hard not to upset them !

There was also a large family of river otters

We also visited the medical area of the facility to see where the really young and poorly are treated, including this tiny days-old racoon being hand-fed

The feature on the news about the upcoming open-house had featured bear cubs and indeed their website confirmed that they currently had 16 bear cubs in residence.  However due to the need to ensure bears stay away from as many people as possible and do not become used to human interaction bears are kept away from the public viewing areas on the open-house day and we didn’t get to see any.

There were however any other activities for families as well as the animal viewing, there were dog shows, pony rides, local artisans selling their wares and Annabels favourite – face painting.

Given Mojo can be pretty reactive to strange facial expressions, odd hats and clothing and things he considers out of the ordinary, we really weren’t sure how he would deal with Annabels blue and pink tiger half-face.

As it turned out he thought she looked pretty awesome !

Days out with Sue & Mal

At the end of Sue and Mals first full day with us we surprised them with tickets to a KD Lang concert.  A great Canadian performer, we knew Sue liked the artist but had no idea she was one of Mals favourites so it was a success all round !

KD Lang was performing at the Commodore Ballroom, Downtown which was a perfect venue as we were able to reserve a table and seating.  We were joined by our friends Sig & Helen and some friends of theirs so it was a pretty social evening.

David and I at the Commodore Ballroom.

Mal, Sig and Sue

KD Lang was excellent, and clearly loves performing.

Sue, up and dancing

On another day we went for a walk around Lighthouse Park. 

Mal loved Lighthouse Park, she is here on the steps of a cabin she decided she wanted to live in so she could be in the park everyday !

Myself, Mojo and David in Lighthouse Park.

On another day I took Mal on the Quarry Rock walk, which originates in Deep Cove and ends in a viewpoint overlooking Indian Arm.  Mojo and I at Quarry Rock.

We have also been to Pitt Lake and the wildlife reserve, where we saw osprey nesting.

Although Mal didn’t need to leave home for her wildlife fix….. here she performs as a bird whisperer helping a small chickadee recover after flying into the glass of our front doors.  After some water, a rest under a bush and Mals magic touch it soon headed off into the forest.

We have more updates to follow soon now that Davids sister, brother-in-law and niece have also flown out here.

Granville Island, July 2012

The last few weeks have been very busy as we have been entertaining visitors – David’s Mum Sue and her friend Mal arrived about 3 weeks ago.  We have been very lax posting updates of the things we’ve been doing so here’s the first of a few to catch up.

We spent a good day at Granville Island, a popular spot for visitors to Vancouver. Sue had never been to Granville Island on her previous visits and we hadn’t been ourselves for a few years so it was refreshing for us too.

Much of Granville Island is located directly beneath the Granvile Street bridge as it rises to cross False Creek.

The market is always a popular spot to browse and see the fresh caught fish and locally grown produce.

Granville Island also offers a host of unique and interesting artisan stores, including this intriguing hat shop.

Great views of False Creek from the waterfront.

Of course the visit wouldn’t be complete without an alfresco lunch of fish & chips !

While watching the traffic on the harbour and the little Aquabus’ buzzing from station to station.

Wine trip

So for my birthday treat I went with a few chums over to the Okanagan to visit some vineyards to try & buy lovely wine, eat delicious food & hang out with good friends. Only read on if you are interested in delicious indulgence well suited to celebrating my birthday.

On the way to our home for a couple of nights we stopped in Oliver at Borrowing Owl.

Just in time for lunch!

Colin, Andrea & Stephen.

And for desert…..

Andrea & Stephen ready to move on to the next place. One of my other favourite wineries is also in Oliver, Church & State, where I make a few purchases too.

And Stephen take some time to catch a few rays that have been noticeably absent back in Vancouver!

Next we are at Silver Sage which was a new one for us and turned out to be a great tasting. Some really interesting wines so many more purchases by all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are done for the day after the 5 Hour drive up, lunch & several sips of wine so we head up to Penticton where we are staying at the Crooked Tree suites. Before we head off some more relaxing in the sun.

The accommodations are fantastic (well done Andrea) & we quickly settle in with some nibbles & yes you guessed it, some lovely wine.

And the view from the deck is stunning!

Great end to the day.

Staying as we were on the Naramata Bench the next days activities were predictable visiting more wineries. This area has some of my favourites but we start with a new one to us, Therapy.

Then on to my favourite spot for wine & lunch, Lake Breeze. Here we meet up with Launa & Teresa & friends who are also in the area celebrating their 40th birthdays.

The food is as ever superb. I start with Wine Poached Pickerel & BC Spot Prawns
Chilled, on gazpacho with anise seed, and saffron marinated vegetables. Yum!

Being with good friends we get to try each others and I particularly like Colin’s Warm Chevre, Butterhead lettuce & Chicory Salad Goat yoghurt & honey dressing, fresh pear and Lake Breeze Merlot syrup.

Having done our wine tasting before lunch we knew we had to have a bottle of their 2008 Tempest. A delicious red that is sold out except on their patio restaurant.

Choosing red for our lunch helped me decide on the main course,  The Bench Burger -
Sirloin burger with bocconcini cheese, pancetta, arugula, tomato & balsamic relish, served on our house-made brioche bun, served with baked Pont Neuf potatoes.

Pure indulgence!

Not sated yet we move on to another favourite, Ruby Blues. Our now Party of 14 gets treated to our own full outdoor tasting complete with knowledgeable explanation of the wine making process for the various blends.

And Launa the birthday girl goes for the cheeky double tasting approach.

A great trip with lovely friends which resulted in the consumption of delicious wines, food & purchases for the consumption over the summer. Could only have been better if my darling Adrian had been able to come but who was waiting for me to return home giving me loads of gifts & love. X

Please Can I Have Your Seat ?

There are some who think a dogs place is on the floor and no room on the sofa for them keeping them firmly last place in the family pecking order.  They’re probably right but both Charlie and Mojo (and Aussies in general) are such snugglers its a wasted opportunity not to occasionally invite them up for some fuss.  While Mojo may be slightly confused on his place in the home getting his sofa cuddles, he at least has kept his manners – when a more comfortable option beckons him he does politely ask ‘Please Can I Have Your Seat’ ?