Father's Day

It was a sunny Father's Day this year. I was preparing for my cataract surgery and had to wear my glasses all weekend so I wasn't very interested in going anywhere. My glasses have a bad prescription in them so not only do I look funny but I can't see either. We took a quick trip out to Krauss Berry Farms. I really like this farm but I'm finding they are increasing the prices a bit faster than inflation. They were selling honey for almost twice what we could get local honey for elsewhere. We picked up some pies and pastries and we stopped off at the Honey Bee Centre on the way back. Much more reasonable prices.
 

Surrey Historic Rialway

I volunteer at the Historic Stewart Farm and one of the perks is that I often get the opportunity to be a tourist in my own town for free. This time it was at the Surrey Historic Railway. The starting point of the railway is in Cloverdale and they have spent many years restoring some of the original railcars. The one we were in had been shipped away and they found it in the US some place. It was once part of the British Columbia Electric Railway (BCER)'s interurban line which operated from 1910 to 1950, connecting communities from Vancouver to Chilliwack. It's interesting to think we had local rail service so long ago only to lose it and to need to resuscitated it later.

If they had kept it going and built all the cities around rail it wouldn't cost us so much to do Skytrain now. The trip itself is fun but not very long. They take you down their private spur and then have permission to use the mainline on Sundays. You then proceed through some industrial and farmland before turning around and coming back. You'd think you would be backwards in one direction but not so. The seats allow you to stand up and switch them to face the opposite direction. They were very proud of those restored seats. 

A Trip to Granville Island

For the first time in a very long time my brother Eric came down to visit me. His wife had planned to come fly down but that was cancelled but then reinstated and he drive down with her. Since he hasn't been to the lower mainland much we took a trip to Granville Island. I think the most interesting part must have been the seagull at our table since that's the only pictures I got from the day. It was very respectful of our presence as it at the garbage next to us. We checked out the market, got bagels and fudge and then drove home. I don't think he enjoyed the traffic getting down. It was admittedly a bit busy getting there. 

Mother's Day

Mother's Day started with our traditional breakfast at McDonald's. Kerry's main goal for Mother's Day is to not do anything and typically that means not going anywhere however this year we took a hike up to Golden Ears park. It's a provincial park which means it remains very unspoiled. It's only a 30 minute drive from our house when traffic is light and as soon as you enter the park you are into beautiful lakes, streams and trees. Our hike was about 5k each way and I got lots of pictures of stumps and rocks. It's now been over one hundred years since some of the first old growth was cut down and the stumps are still hanging on.

We got back early and Callie started preparing the traditional mother's day after noon tea. She made sandwiches, lemon aid and biscuits and had taken the time to get clotted cream and jam like we had when we went to London. Kennedy happened to be in town and her and Brenda didn't have any other plans so they came for tea as well. Tulips and fine China topped off the setting. 

Easter Weekend

This Easter was a bit unique for us. There was a snap federal election and Barb and Reg had decided to volunteer one more time and this time they managed to get Callie her first formal job. Canadian elections happen quickly so there isn't a lot of time to post positions and hire. It's mostly about calling past volunteers and asking who they might know that is available. Callie did a quick interview and was hired on immediately. Her role was not too stressful as it was in Oliver and involved dealing with people who weren't registered correctly. She partnered with Barb who had plenty of experience. 

The commitment included the four days of pre-polls that were over the Easter long weekend and then doing vote counting on the actual election day. Kerry, Carter and I went up with her as it was Easter weekend and someone needed to look after the dogs while everyone was working. Kerry did an elaborate Easter dinner that she packaged up and sent to the other poll workers who were very appreciative. The dogs of course enjoyed having the extra company. Carter and I got some driving lessons in and we left Callie there to come back for school. Kerry went up the weekend after the election to pick Callie up. 

 

Evan's Birthday

For my birthday this year I knew exactly what I wanted to do. A certain Republican president had recently taken office and had announced sweeping tariffs for everyone including Canada. Apparently 'friend-shoring' was not a concept and Canada was the little brother that he felt he could bully. The tariffs were supposed to take place on February 1st and thankfully were later delayed but the idea of supporting Canada was already born. We went down to Granville Island which is something I like doing but isn't overly convenient and things aren't cheap so there isn't a lot of incentive to make the trip. The one thing I feel about most issues though is that if money is going to be wasted I'd rather it get wasted locally. This goes for government contracts and apparently steaks as well. We found several cuts of beef that looked good as well as some sausages, fudge and bagels. It definitely would have been cheaper at Superstore but I enjoyed supporting local businesses. Same goes for travel. It will be hard avoiding the US for four years but I'd rather spend that money supporting things that support Canada. I don't see things changing until a new party comes to power.

Carter's Basketball Season

This year Carter made the senior basketball team. At the end of grade 10 we weren't quite sure he would continue with basketball as he chose not to do the spring session but there was a training camp in the first week of summer that we adjusted our vacation to ensure he could attend and I think it made a big difference. We've been watching his school team for a few years and I have two observations. One is that very few parents seem to stick around for the games. At times Kerry and I are the only ones watching. The other observation is that unfortunately the North Surrey team is not exactly top ranked. It saddens me to think that more parents might show up if they won more.

The season goes from October through January and although they seldomly got completely blown out they lost quite a few close games. They did manage to make it into the playoffs which was fun and I think the team enjoys playing. The playoffs ended without a win but there were still tears for the final pictures. For the seniors it would be their final game. Not sure what will happen for next season. They lost their one tall guy. There was a short spring league where Carter got a lot more playing time which he enjoyed. I hope he makes the team again next year.