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A beautiful drive to Salmon Arm today...sunshine all the way! Lots of yard work in the days ahead.

Hair colouring, puzzling and birthday!

After being here for one week I was thrilled to have a visit with my little sister and my niece yesterday. We chatted, drank tea and were entertained by a "hair colouring" session.

Afterward, before the Academy Awards, we managed to place the final pieces in a really challenging jigsaw puzzle. My reaction to the the Oscars was....disappointment in the choice of MC!!

Adrian and Adam joined us for a delicious dinner of smoked pork picnic, scalloped potatoes and yam casserole. It was a delayed birthday dinner to celebrate Adrian's 33rd!

Quite a week

Well, it has been quite a week. We left Puerto Vallarta last Sunday afternoon and after a lengthy delay out of Los Angeles we landed in Vancouver at 2:00am (4:00am PV time). By the time our heads hit the pillow it was 5:00am PV time and John's cold bug had totally infiltrated his chest and head.

He has been trying to shake the bug all week and finally saw the doctor yesterday. A chest x-ray and the purchase of a very expensive inhaler were the recommendations. He is feeling a bit better today.

Meanwhile I have been reconnecting with family, prepping meals and dealing with sleep deprivation due to a snoshy bedmate!! Last night we finally had a good sleep.

My sister was in the process of getting quotes for reroofing her garage when she noticed a roofing job taking place down the lane. She wandered down the lane to ask if they would like to give her a quote and discovered that it was a team of two women! They were hired!!

Lady roofers!!

In the air tomorrow

We are leaving this little piece of paradise tomorrow, heading for Vancouver and much needed time with family. It has been sweet...great friends, amazing food, laughs, walks, creative moments and jaw-dropping sunsets!

Filip and Brody

Filip with his new friend Brody, a rescue dog

that will make the trip to Vancouver and his new home.

Sand sculpture and pelicans

This sand sculpture was finished yesterday and unveiled last night.

The young artist spent 10 days carving all of the intricate details.

These two pelicans were waiting patiently this morning

for the fish boats to arrive.

Vietnamese dinner

Filip and Aaron, our two young house guests treated us to a Vietnamese dinner last night.

They were busy in the kitchen for two hours before we sat down to savour the flavours.

The first course was a beef and toasted rice salad.

This tray of fresh veggies went into the next course.

Delicately wrapped salad rolls with grilled fish.

For dessert we had a refreshing granita made with fresh raspberries.

It was wonderful!!

Sunset glow

Last night's sunset glowing on the wall & painting above our bed.

Joelle Rabu, La Cruz & Sayulita

Last night we thoroughly enjoyed a Joelle Rabu concert. She sang Edith Piaf songs before intermission and a variety of songs for the second half. Her son, Nico Rhodes, accompanied her on piano. When I talked with him after the show, I mentioned that I was from Salmon Arm. "Oh my God!" he replied "my best friend lives there...Eric Gaw!" Of course we know the musically talented Gaw family...small world. Anyway, Nico is an incredible pianist and during the show he entertained us with a very complex jazz number! Joelle and her son shared the stage and gave us a wonderful evening of entertainment. They currently live in Nanaimo BC.

Today we drove to La Cruz for the market. It was a zoo, a crush of gringos shopping for hand made Mexican goods. We grabbed some nibbles and drove north to Sayulita which was also loaded with gringos. The highlight was a delicious lunch at the beach. These are some of the dishes:

Salad Nicoise with seared fresh tuna.

Veggie stir fry with shrimp.

Chicken souvlaki with humous.

We are all a bit weary of Mexican cuisine and this restaurant offered us a variety of dishes to tempt our palates. I chose a fish sandwich which was delicious (but not photogenic) with a generous topping of guacamole. I doubt that any of us will feel hungry tonight!

Dancers at the market

One of many Sayulita shops

Good luck wheels

A tiny toilet on the right for "the little one"!

Well Strung Quartet

Last night we had the pleasure of attending a performance by The Well Strung Quartet, four wonderfully talented young men. With two violins, one viola and a cello they transitioned from classical pieces to a variety of popular songs. Interspersed were touches of humour and personal history.

It was their final performance in PV...and it was great!!

Fine dining

Restaurant advertisement!

Shoe story

Story:

They were on a display rack at Sport Chek in Piccadilly Mall.

I fell in love with them immediately!

The only problem was that they were kids' shoes.

"What size do you wear" the clerk asked.

"Maybe there is a large enough size for you".

They were a perfect fit for my size 8 women's feet

and they have been conversation starters ever since.

Once or twice each week someone stops me in the street

to comment and compliment me on these shoes. 

I always refer to them as my "happy feet".

They have introduced me to some very interesting strangers!

Thank you to New Balance.

Pup & Caddy

A wishful pup and yesteryear's caddy.

Full moon

We were treated to another full moon spectacle this morning

as the moon slowly descended toward the horizon

with Jupiter following alongside.

6:02am...

6:13am...

6:30am...

Before the clouds swallowed it!

Moon drop

I was rudely awakened this morning around 6:30am.

"You have to see this! Come over to the door!"

A full moon was preparing to drop into the sea!

We sat on our bed and watched as it slowly

dropped below the horizon.

Constitution Day

Today is Constitution Day in Mexico, a national holiday.

The Mexican constitution of 1917 was the first such document in the world to set out human rights. It also forbade the setting up of a list of prohibited books, established the basis for a free and secular education and restricted the influence of the Roman Catholic Church.

Unfortunately there will not be an opportunity for locals to spend time at the beach in Puerto Vallarta as it has been raining for two days.

RAIN...RAIN...RAIN!

Two days of rain...

...and...

...the pool is drowning!

A stormy Sunday morning walk

Construction never stops in PV but...

...this doorway defies logic!

A young artist is taking days to complete this intricate sand sculpture.

Further down the beach I discovered this tribute to Westjet!

Under the bridge there is a colourful diversity of hot sauces to splash on fresh oysters.

Morning shadows dance on the walls of the Mercado.

This mural is painted on the wall adjacent to a steep, winding set of stairs.

John successfully tackled the stairs this morning for the first time.

Bravo!!!