The Locals.........

 

Ha! Only the locals know where to find goodies like this in Parksville! (Shhhh, Eat Fresh Urban Market, shhhhh!)

Spending a lot of time hanging around French Creek these days, and why not? (It's like a 4 minute drive from our place.)

The view changes constantly, love it!

If I had a better camera than my iPhone, lol, I would get a better shot of the sea lions that hang around the marina breakwater.

Had a visit from Junior and his girlfriend in April. Toured around a bit. On this day it was to Cathedral Grove, just west of Coombs to see the majestic Douglas fir trees. (Some thought to be 800 years old, wowza!)

Junior in his element.....

The water so clear......

Ritsue in a new pose, lol. (Not so much a new pose, but I suppose a new pose very old location)

Words cannot express.....

Truly ineffable.....

One of my top 3 hang-outs in the local's hood, Sunray beach access.

On this day we took Junior and his girlfriend out to Beachcomber Regional Park in Nanoose Bay. Saw a couple of seals, but the all the action was on a log boom close by. There had to be at least 50 sea lions hanging out and barking, wow! Alas, my iPhone camera couldn't quite reach them.

French Creek at dusk, was a good visit all around.

.....and off they go back to Gibsons on this Sunday, Junior needs to back. "Murder in a Small Town." Season 3 continued filming on the Monday.

Yikes, I don't even like putting a nail in the wall for a picture, never mind this!

....but then I go and pay Brian from "My Techie Friend" to put the holes in. (I'm ok as long as I don't go behind the t.v. and look, lol.)

Part of our local reconnaissance has been finding the best "happy hour" spots. 

The beer, the appies, and the view of Parksville Bay certainly means we will be back to the Bayside Restaurant and Lounge.

We found St. Anne's Anglican church very close to our place. This is the oldest log church on Vancouver  Island and was built in 1894, wow.

Another day, another visit to Sunray Beach.....

....looking towards French Creek.....

Thought I was finding another beach access at the end of Sanderson Road, but this deer kindly let me know it was a dead-end.

That was a very delicious and memorable roast beef dinner. We were celebrating Ritsue's birthday, was a real treat!

Looking towards Parksville from another favourite beach access, only us locals know about it! (....and the bonus is it's less than a 15 walk from our place.)

Unk sent me this lovely little trinket, hmnnnn.......

...wrapper off, huh......

....I see a wrinkle in the trinket, and yes, in this story......

...a t-shirt, yay!!

The cedar outside by our patio has given us many visitors, like this chickadee, locals always welcome!

Otter be happy....

 

To be living the retired life in Parksville, you bet!

A lot cooler at Sunray Beach in March, (albeit sunny) as opposed to the balmier 20 C we experienced today.

Yay, our newest addition to the family, door stopper guy!

Walking to these beaches close to our place has become an almost daily ritual.

Not a White Rock, but I'll take it!

Need to get out on the water soon.........

Tide's out at Rathtrevor........

....and so are we!

....always sunny in Parksville!......

...without.......

....a shadow of a doubt!

Mount Aerosmith Brewing Company is really close to Rathtrevor Beach......

....so when in Rome......

We had the best view from our truck as we hopped on the ferry.....

.....and headed back to the mainland.

...we had bought tickets to Les Miserables at the Queen Elizabeth theatre in Vancouver many months ago. Had a great night with Teala and her beau Aaron. 

Sunday morning we had a quick look at the cherry blossoms in Burnaby, grabbed the last few things from storage and headed back to the ferry at Horseshoe Bay........

......where we ran into Junior! He was also in the ferry line-up, but was heading to Gibsons, where he's working on t.v. series that is being filmed there.

.....back to retirement.

....the not so random, cuz I took this pic, cannot remember why or even what it is, mystery pic.

A short walk from our place to get a great view looking out from Doehle Ave. to the Strait of Georgia and all the surroundings.

...been to Coombs quite a few times now. It's eccentric, but the fruit and vegetable market is worth the 10 minute drive from our place.

...new posing territory!

.....too early in the season for the "Goats on the Roof." These two were chilling in the sun just behind the market. (As of the May long week-end, the goats are back on the roof, just sayin...)

....one more "tides out at Rathtrevor" pic....

One this day we found Beachcomber Regional Park in Nanoose Bay.

....and so had about 15 seals. It was an entertaining afternoon.

All that exploring left us quite thirsty, once again. The Rocking Horse Pub in Nanoose Bay had just what we needed, lol.

Ritsue made a new friend when we were at the French Creek Pub in French Creek, less than 5 minutes from our place.

Outside the pub was quite a gathering at French Creek. (Apparently for the Herring spawn)

My truck was at the Ford dealer for yet another recall notice. (3 alone since we've moved here.) It took 2 weeks for the parts to arrive, so I was given this rental Chevy Malibu to tool around in. (and it was okay, I must say.)

Another add to our favourites list. Bill G's Doughnuts in Coombs, well, wow! I recommend the 5 o'clock somewhere.

Ritsue was equally enjoying the Prairie Schooner.

Another day, another Legion break.......

Yup, a good start to the day, and retirement.........