Filler......

Let's just say these are some filler pics until I catch up to now, lol. French Creek is close and becoming one of my favorite hang outs.

 

I know I will never get tired of these views......

......like where French Creek flows into the Strait of Georgia.

Before the goats got moved up to the roof in Coombs (May long week-end), we visited them just behind all the busyness of the market.

Uhhh, I suggest under my truck is not a good place to seek shade, Thumper.

Was worth a pic, though. Thumper decided the sound of my roaring engine was annoying, and eventually moved elsewhere.

Went for a short daddy/daughter hike on the other side of Parksville, not facing the ocean. This was Little Mountain Lookout.

....uhhh that's close enough......

.....bad actor, lol.

Down around the corner you do get a view of Parksville and the Strait of Georgia.

The mandatory, tide's out, always impressed at Rathtrevor, pic.

....another dusk, another, I can't remember where, but it's close to our place, ocean pic.

......seems like so long ago, Ritsue with her boarding pass at the Comox Valley airport. (Off to Vancouver, then Japan!)

....a blast from the past, I was going through some boxes after the move and came across this receipt from Kelly's Stereo Mart in Penticton. Excuse me, I paid $1600 for a stereo!, in 1980????

Another one of my favourite beach accesses close to home. Very tranquil, and I'm sure I will get that whale pic one day!

Well gosh golly, on our fence, did not think I would see Quail over on the Island. So used to seeing them in the Okanagan.

Gravitating back to French Creek Marina.

......and for the first time in 10 years I'm back on my mountain bike, feels good!

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!