Wednesday, December 30, 2015
The trip yesterday was a perfect day to drive up Eagle Mountain. Quite amazing to leave the house and be driving up the mountainside in about 15 minutes. Some very upscale homes being built in that area and the view is unbelievable. Of course the weather is a little cooler the higher you go but I did notice those electric heater lamps on their balconies
Another area is called Mill Pond right in the centre of Abbotsford. Really well laid out for walking, playground , nature and a wooden walkway right over the pond. We drove around and stopped to see where Clara works as a teacher in an elementary school Abbotsford is about 25 minutes south of Mission and Clara enjoyed showing us the points of interest. Katie is a young (15) international student from Cologne Germany who lives with Clara and Terry for the semester. They also have another student Danny from China who has been here for a longer period of time. At the moment he is home staying with his family and so I have his room
A nice mixture of sightseeing, family visiting and relaxing times in between. Chelsea's paternal grandparents live here in this house and maternal grandparents about 10 minutes away. Today Scott and I got a ride into town and spent the afternoon walking through the downtown area of Mission. Stopped in an Antique store, second hand book store, and had a nice afternoon of course ending up at Tim Hortons. Chelsea took her grandparents out for a breakfast date to spend time with them. Tonight Scott went to a hockey game with Terry and Chelsea's uncle
Tomorrow sounds like it is going to be a full day
Another area is called Mill Pond right in the centre of Abbotsford. Really well laid out for walking, playground , nature and a wooden walkway right over the pond. We drove around and stopped to see where Clara works as a teacher in an elementary school Abbotsford is about 25 minutes south of Mission and Clara enjoyed showing us the points of interest. Katie is a young (15) international student from Cologne Germany who lives with Clara and Terry for the semester. They also have another student Danny from China who has been here for a longer period of time. At the moment he is home staying with his family and so I have his room
A nice mixture of sightseeing, family visiting and relaxing times in between. Chelsea's paternal grandparents live here in this house and maternal grandparents about 10 minutes away. Today Scott and I got a ride into town and spent the afternoon walking through the downtown area of Mission. Stopped in an Antique store, second hand book store, and had a nice afternoon of course ending up at Tim Hortons. Chelsea took her grandparents out for a breakfast date to spend time with them. Tonight Scott went to a hockey game with Terry and Chelsea's uncle
Tomorrow sounds like it is going to be a full day
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Sunday, December 27, 2015
I'm having some problems remembering how to post pictures to the blog. So I think for the time being I will just do the text.
The location of the Abby is about 10 minutes upwards on the mountain. Quite massive inside with continually work being done. Stained glass windows above high on the walls of different colours. No figures but just patterns. It is the home also for the Benedictine brothers situated on a fairly large property which overlooks the mountains as you leave the church.
After going to Mass at the Abby on Christmas Day we all went to Magda and Endre's dinner for a Hungarian meal. They are Chelsea's grandparents on her mothers side. All I can say is that there was an enormous amount of food on the table. It has been interesting observing the family and recognizing Chelsea in their mannerisms.
The household where I am staying consists of Clara and Terry ((parents). Marian and Johnny (grandparents) Also, they have an international student who lives here with them for a semester. Katie is a 15 year old girl from Cologne Germany. Her older brother Max also was part of this programme 3 years ago. Danny the other student is home in China for the holidays. He has been living here for 2 1/2 years because he is completing his university education. There is 3 bedrooms on the upper level and each has their own washroom. Clara and Terry are both school teachers and have been associated with this organization for about 6 years and it fits quite well into their lifestyle
Yesterday Terry offered to take me on a tour of the "valley" of the area all the mountain. Out to White Rock on the Pacific where you see the Polar Bear swim on New Years Day. It was quite interesting as he is well versed in history of the area. Terry's family had a dairy farm with quite a bit of land which they have sold off and retired. These are the grandparents that have a wing of the house on the lower level. The other side of that level is Chelsea's wing which consists of a bedroom and a large sitting area.
Today Clara and I went into town to check out the sales at the Superstore. Later I went with Scott and Chelsea into Abbotsford which is a larger city for an outing. Checked out mall looking for my souvenir sweatshirt. I will pick up one at the airport.
Scott and Chelsea fly out on Sunday morning very early from Abbotsford. Parents will be driving into Vancouver to pick up their live in student. So the best plan is for me to go with them stay at a hotel and shuttle to the airport the next morning. My flight leaves at 4 on Monday.......so this works better
The location of the Abby is about 10 minutes upwards on the mountain. Quite massive inside with continually work being done. Stained glass windows above high on the walls of different colours. No figures but just patterns. It is the home also for the Benedictine brothers situated on a fairly large property which overlooks the mountains as you leave the church.
After going to Mass at the Abby on Christmas Day we all went to Magda and Endre's dinner for a Hungarian meal. They are Chelsea's grandparents on her mothers side. All I can say is that there was an enormous amount of food on the table. It has been interesting observing the family and recognizing Chelsea in their mannerisms.
The household where I am staying consists of Clara and Terry ((parents). Marian and Johnny (grandparents) Also, they have an international student who lives here with them for a semester. Katie is a 15 year old girl from Cologne Germany. Her older brother Max also was part of this programme 3 years ago. Danny the other student is home in China for the holidays. He has been living here for 2 1/2 years because he is completing his university education. There is 3 bedrooms on the upper level and each has their own washroom. Clara and Terry are both school teachers and have been associated with this organization for about 6 years and it fits quite well into their lifestyle
Yesterday Terry offered to take me on a tour of the "valley" of the area all the mountain. Out to White Rock on the Pacific where you see the Polar Bear swim on New Years Day. It was quite interesting as he is well versed in history of the area. Terry's family had a dairy farm with quite a bit of land which they have sold off and retired. These are the grandparents that have a wing of the house on the lower level. The other side of that level is Chelsea's wing which consists of a bedroom and a large sitting area.
Today Clara and I went into town to check out the sales at the Superstore. Later I went with Scott and Chelsea into Abbotsford which is a larger city for an outing. Checked out mall looking for my souvenir sweatshirt. I will pick up one at the airport.
Scott and Chelsea fly out on Sunday morning very early from Abbotsford. Parents will be driving into Vancouver to pick up their live in student. So the best plan is for me to go with them stay at a hotel and shuttle to the airport the next morning. My flight leaves at 4 on Monday.......so this works better
Friday, December 25, 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Arrived in Vancouver about 1:30 Tuesday ............proceeding to pick up my luggage walked thru the entrance and confronted by a phalanx of reporters and photographers. What a reception thought I lol lol Apparently they were awaiting the 20,000,000th person to come the the gates at Vancouver airport. It wasn't me so I continued on to meet up with Chelsea & Scott
It's true there are still flowers growing and moss on the trees. This is a rainforest area with regular showers of rain and then the sun comes out once more. They took me for a drive around some of the main tourist spots of the city. Lots of interesting housing. I found the architecture quite different from Ontario. Quite a lot of high rise apartments all with balconies also with the individual homes. The climate here is conducive to outdoor recreation and entertainment
Chelsea's mom was explaining the style of their home is East Indian. Square hall plan with 2 wings on either side. Then a staircase going up to the upper level with complete separate living area. Each of the bedrooms with ensuite bathroom and open staircase looking down. Balcony surrounding the back area. Looking out to the scenic view of the Rockies.
There are 8 people living in the house and you would never no it as it is divided up so nicely. Marian and Johnny are Chelsea's paternal grandparents and they have most of the ground floor. On the other side is a smaller living apartment with Chelsea's name as the occupant while in residence. The upper level is Clara and Terry's domain. They do exchange student for periods of time. At the moment Katy is a 15 year old young girl from Cologne Germany living here and attending high school. She is here for a semester. Her older brother was also a student here a few years ago. My room with an ensuite belongs to Danny who is back in China with his family for the holidays.
Mission is a small city north of Abbotsford which has a population of about 35,000. A good hour drive north of Vancouver. Somewhat similar to Newmarket and very picturesque sitting at the foot of the mountain. The city is actually named after the "Mission" which was built which is called Westminister Abby which is a community of Benedictine monks which has 10 bells. I will be going to Mass there in Christmas morning. Midnight Mass would be wonderful but there are other people to consider as it is way up the hill,so it will be nice also in the daytime
It's true there are still flowers growing and moss on the trees. This is a rainforest area with regular showers of rain and then the sun comes out once more. They took me for a drive around some of the main tourist spots of the city. Lots of interesting housing. I found the architecture quite different from Ontario. Quite a lot of high rise apartments all with balconies also with the individual homes. The climate here is conducive to outdoor recreation and entertainment
Chelsea's mom was explaining the style of their home is East Indian. Square hall plan with 2 wings on either side. Then a staircase going up to the upper level with complete separate living area. Each of the bedrooms with ensuite bathroom and open staircase looking down. Balcony surrounding the back area. Looking out to the scenic view of the Rockies.
There are 8 people living in the house and you would never no it as it is divided up so nicely. Marian and Johnny are Chelsea's paternal grandparents and they have most of the ground floor. On the other side is a smaller living apartment with Chelsea's name as the occupant while in residence. The upper level is Clara and Terry's domain. They do exchange student for periods of time. At the moment Katy is a 15 year old young girl from Cologne Germany living here and attending high school. She is here for a semester. Her older brother was also a student here a few years ago. My room with an ensuite belongs to Danny who is back in China with his family for the holidays.
Mission is a small city north of Abbotsford which has a population of about 35,000. A good hour drive north of Vancouver. Somewhat similar to Newmarket and very picturesque sitting at the foot of the mountain. The city is actually named after the "Mission" which was built which is called Westminister Abby which is a community of Benedictine monks which has 10 bells. I will be going to Mass there in Christmas morning. Midnight Mass would be wonderful but there are other people to consider as it is way up the hill,so it will be nice also in the daytime
Monday, December 21, 2015
Well I'm off in the morning to BC. Had a nice dinner with Laura Victoria Mahmood an the kids near the airport. Flying out to meet up with Scott Chelsea and her family. This will be strange not having Bob along beside me but we know he is with us all in spirit.
I haven't touch the blog since the last trip so a bit rusty with all the remembering how. Having some issues with getting the pics on but I'm sure there will be some help when I get there. Will continue the saga of my adventure in the next couple of days
I haven't touch the blog since the last trip so a bit rusty with all the remembering how. Having some issues with getting the pics on but I'm sure there will be some help when I get there. Will continue the saga of my adventure in the next couple of days
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