September has been a busy month, lots of leisure and travel and some work. I finished the stairs from the patio/porch to the garage/shop early in the month (please see last month for what it looked like before) using cedar timbers and decking to mirror the front steps. Also placed more rocks and build up a planter for herbs next year. New hanging chair and hammock in background came from Coombs on Vancouver Island – very reasonable and very comfortable; work may decline somewhat in the warmer months as a consequence.
Almost finished the laundry room. Cabinets below have maple doors and a wild countertop (Coop helped with install) and upper pantry shelves will be left open. Still need one piece of baseboard trim, door trim, and a door.
Decided to add a bit of colour to the chairs that are a great spot to have a cigar and watch the sun set. This will likely be the location of a hot tub in the future. The white rock in front of the chairs is being leveled out with rock and sand and then some dirt on the sloped side.
The first in a series of benches that shall be distributed at various scenic locales around the property. Each of the first 5 benches will be different, and I shall then choose the best design for the rest. Wood is cut from trees on site, finished with a german oil and then polyethylene. Legs are 1/2″ rebar, painted black.
Also purchased a sunshade screen for the porch – the early evening sun in July/August was rather glaring. Shade can pull down 2 meters, and will be stored during winter.
M and I had a delightful 3 day trip to Nelson in the West Kootenays and Nelson. Visited Kaslo, which was an internment center for Japanese Canadians, where we toured a beautifully restored paddlewheel steamer than plied the Kootenay Lakes for over 1 million kms. Photo is of engine room. Also toured outdoor Japanese internment museum in New Denver, and Japanese garden. David Suzuki, and one of my father’s mentors, Tommy Shoyama (a truly amazing man) were both interned in Kaslo for the duration of the war.
Coop and I had time for a quick overnight trip to Revelstoke. Great weather and roads, capped off by a spirited run up a recently paved 23km switchback road to the top of Mt. Revelstoke. Came back via two ferries and stopped in to see the hot spring at Nakusp.
Kelowna Art Gallery had an exhibit of Canadian art, including about 20 Group of 7 paintings, all of which were lent by local residents.
Lastly, we had a most enjoyable 4 day houseboat cruise on the almost empty Shuswap Lakes with Cam and Elizabeth and new friends from Ottawa and the Sunshine Coast. Boat had 5 bedrooms, a propane fireplace, two full-size fridges, a hot tub on the top deck, and great views. Each night we just beached the bow and tied the stern to 2 3′ long stakes hammered into the beach.
October again shall be a month of work and travel and visitors from away (friends from Saudi Arabia and Bamfield and a former colleague from Ottawa. Stay tuned for developments on the upper level, gabions, and other elements tbd.