Our Canadian Adventures: More adventures in Vancouver

Well we're off once again. It's 3 years now since our summer in Vancouver. Last year we had 9 days in Italy followed later by a short break in Scotland.

Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy.

On the Venice Canals.

This year has been a particular trying one for us. Holiday wise, we only manager 3 days in Darbyshire before travelling up to Yorkshire to visit our very sick Sister in Law.

These last few days have been a whirlwind of activity. Christmas presents have all been bought, wrapped and distributed. Cards have been written and sent. Albeit the list was savagely cut. At postage of 50p + per card my usual list of 70+ cards was becoming just too ridiculously expensive to maintain.

Our dear Sister in Law suddenly succumbed to the ravages of her Cancer after stoically fighting it for several years and aggressively the past two years. Her funeral was a sad poignant yet somehow happy affaire.

Sonia Lita Ilett. RIP

This trip to Canada is to celebrate 50 years of happy coexisting with my other half. On the 21st of November 50 years ago we stood somewhat nervously in Spalding Registrars office and committed our 'I Do's' to each other. The celebrations on the Anniversary were tinged with sadness when the news of Sonia's death reached us.

Saturday saw us at our youngest Great Grand daughters 1st Birthday party This was a 50/50 affaire of wee ones and adults all dressed in pirate costumes. The floor consisted of mix of kids, food and toys all coexisting quite happily. Not a jelly in sight!

Florence peeping from her Pirate tent.

So, yesterday, saw me celebrating my very low key 71st birthday at at cheerfull lunch full of reminiscing with my three strapping lad and 'himself' after which we had to get home and on with packing.

This morning I woke at my usual ungodly hour and decided to dust off the Blog. So in another 4 hours we will be packing the car for a 2 hour trip to Heathrow, 2-3 hours shuffling around the airport followed by a 9 hour flight to the other side of the world.

So......I've ordered all this for Christmas......