The Mill

Why is it just as you are about to leave somewhere you always find a little gem very close by. This was exactly the same with this bay only a mile or to from the apartment. Oh well.

Its the site of an old logging mill. We had a picnic lunch here a couple of hours before this photo was taken, but on the other side. Then the whole bay was empty - the kids had a great time turning over rocks and running away when loads of crabs scurried out.

Now however its a different matter. Aaron playing plonk again or trying to hit the uprights with Ben continuing the crab hunt.

Crabs! Arrrgh run away….

Jessica, as usual, was on top of the world again.

How she does that I don’t know but she does and she is good at it.

Not only can Jess climb up the impossible but she can walk on water and balance on old rotting supports. Notice how she is not wet - not even a tiny bit. Trust me I didn’t get wet either, you must be joking - how then? Yes I made her stand there until the tide came in…. only joking.

And with that thought which isn’t really worth pondering on the sun sets on Beautiful British Columbia. A much better thing to think about and experience.

To The Beach

We finally made it down from the mountains to the sea - the weather having turned for the better, and the first thing you do when you get to the beach is…..

Get your brother and sister to pick up all the heavy stones and bring them to you… Yes its sand castle building time.

I think this is more of a sand castle excavation than real sand castle…

Meanwhile Ben plays with the kite - being truely patriotic as well.

With the tide rapidly coming in we move along the beach to the ‘white rock’ - hence the name of White Rock.

Jessica of course scampered up it with ease leaving poor Aaron and Ben in her wake unable to summit - about which she was very proud. Can’t you see her at the top.

She beat not just Ben and Aaron but a load of passing teenagers too.

After we managed to get her down - Jess wanted to stay up there - we walked along the pier and saw how big / small it really was.

And its painted white too so we are reliably informed by ‘rockie’.

Next up we had another fantastic fish and chips meal. If only we could buy them in India - dream on. Aaron followed this up with his trademark MCC Ice cream.

Wait for it…. I have to savour it…..

Oh yes!!

Meanwhile Ben and I wait patiently, as Kathy and Jess are off shopping and wait for the next passing train.

Yes it is that close and it is that loud!

Whistler

Whistler is famous for skiing and snow you would think its a winter destination. Hell no its the middle of June and were off for some cold and wet fun.

First stop along the winding coast road between cliffs and the sea is to have a picnic next to a creek on a tree stump with what seemed to be loads of bear hair - obvioulsy a good scratching post.

Jess and Aaron spent quite a while eating wild peas - very juicy and sweet.

We arrive at Whistler with just enough time to get to the top before the last chair lift up stops running.

As I am taking a photo it must be Aaron (grey and orange jacket) who has thrown that snow ball at Ben (blue jacket). As the blow up below shows - snow hurtling towards Ben. Talk about brotherly love.

There was a little more snow than this with skiiers and snowboarders still riding where they could.

And where there is snow you have got to have a snow ball fight.

Now where is Aaron off too in such a hurry?

Arrrr to round everyone up for a photo. Not running away from Jess.

Not sure but there seems to be some sort of conspiracy against me… its Kathy who is taking photos and sending Jess in to attack me…

The big push…

The fall…

Oops!

Exhausted from running on mushy snow, we head down the hill again on the cable car.

Which was very high up.

Though more fantastic views.

Down at the bottom Jess goes on a bouncy thing - as if she needs anymore bounce.

Up…

And Over…

And back down again.

With a bounce…. boing… boing… boing!

Dragon Boat Racing

No actual pictures of dragon boat racing - it was all to far away but Jess had her face painted.

A beautiful butterfly..

and Aaron tried his best to get the puck up to the ring the bell.

Good donuts too and back to the car just before the heavens opened.

Quick off the Bridge

Now this is the Lynn Canyon in North Vancouver.

And this is the bridge that crosses the canyon.

Why we couldn’t stop for a proper photo I just don’t know - this will just have to do.

More importantly this is where Jess started to show off her expertese at rock climbing - not cliffs (yet) - just rocks.

This one - everyone was able to climb - not true of all the others though.

And notice the carefully placed fake… (Ouch that hurt!)

With all that walking, rock hopping and fresh air & water it sure did feel good.

So much so that Aaron developed a taste for Mint Cholcolate Chip Ice Cream. A: This is good.

A: Mmmmm really good.

A: Really really good I don’t want to eat it yet.

After all the ice cream - it was time to see it was easy to fall off a log.

Who lost I can’t remember - it was probably me.

Walks just wouldn’t be exercise if you couldn’t find the local keep fit apparatus to swing from now would they.

My three little monkeys - not so little now that is for sure.

The weather wasn’t all good - in fact the first week or so was very English - cold, wet and windy - especially compared to Delhi. But since when did that stop you from visiting the beach.

It also doesn’t stop you from the worlds greatest sport - chucking stones into water - river / lake / sea, it doesn’t matter which as long as it goes plonk.

Just plonking and plonking for hours and hours on end.