Highlights of Kelowna

Enroute to Kelowna we drove through some desert like areas as we neared the Okanagan. The diversity of this landscape is phenomenal as you can see from other entries.


Day One -while the Lord of the manor was in the ballroom....we did our own dancing around school books in the a.m. and the Heritage Museum in the afternoon. We discovered Knox Mountain to view Lake Okanagan. If your eyesight is good you might even see Ogopogo, the sea monster who presumably lives in the lake - ask Peter, he saw it!

Lake Okanagan with logging bays in the harbour...

Proof that we reached the Apex, frozen puddles!
Another view, northwest of the very long Lake Okanagan

Day Two - after a morning of homeschooling we continued our education at the Orchard Museum and Military Museums before heading out to Vancouver and seeing spectacular sights enroute. We drove through fall and winter conditions numerous times as we reached elevations ranging from 2,000 - 5,000 feet through mountain passes and canyons. God's mighty hand in creation is very evident to us as we discover more of this beautiful province.

Highlights of Vancouver

We had two days in Vancouver and so much to see! So we narrowed our choices from sheer entertainment to educational and fun. Here's what we did:

Day One - after a swim in the hotel pool, we took a drive up the northwest shore of the city to the Museum of Anthropology at UBC.

Here we saw First Nations, Haida art and totems; original carvings by Bill Reid, famous Haida artist. The Haida people live on the Queen Charlotte Islands and build their homes on the beach with totems at the entrances. If you look in the background of the first picture you will see a Haida house outdoors with a totem -this was brought to the museum from the Islands.


Knight Gideon assists the bear with whales in it's mouth...
....not sure whose fiercer!

Two monkeys or knights...we could have quite a totem at our entranceway!

The afternoon was spent at Telus Science World where the opportunity for the study of the workings of the body, nature and water were enjoyed....

Above the knights play "A Most Eggcellent Adventure" video in the Body Works exhibit - the goal? direct the "tadpoles up the channel to meet an egg"! Amazing how video games mesmerize even when the understanding is not present. Well, I guess years from now during Human anatomy 101 I'll be able to say remember when we were at Science World......

A frog? A prince? no its Knight Gideon. The nature exhibit at Telus Science World was hands on with opportunity to climb, to touch a beaver pelt, to sit in a cedar tree dugout.

Daming the waterways to observe the course of water was of interest to these mote guardians.

Day Two - after a swim in the hotel pool (enjoyed by all), we went to the Vancouver Art Gallery and were delighted to see many of Emily Carr's works as well as members of the Group of Seven. These artists goal was to show Canada's geography from coast to coast. Google Emily Carr to enjoy her works and those of the Group of Seven.

The highlight for all the boys was the Vancouver Aquarium. Sea turtles, anenomes, urchins and beluga whales! Amazing colour and texture in this part of God's creation.

We had a wonderful stay at the Fairmont Hotel -very posh (room rate $400/night, hopefully the town got a good deal!) and the lady of the manor was able to resist having a "Chocolate Massage" at the Spa (for the mere price of $300!). We did however have a few wonderful meals - great seafood at the hotel the night before the Aquarium and the best Italian I've ever had was at Don Fransceco Restaurant -try it if you're in Vancouver sometime!

Firsts at the castle...

Lord Albert used a statuatory holiday to demolish the d.r. wall and open it to the kitchen....
Now awaiting the electrician so the studs can be removed.



November 15th - first snowfall here..... the knights were outside by 8:30a.m.!
...today we received 3-4 inches!

More birthday gifts!

Sometimes the wrapping of a gift is more of an attraction than the gift!


Here's the snake....

which shouldn't contend with such a cute kitty (thanks Oma F)!
Thanks Scottie, Judy and Tony for the Thomas activity book. It's completed as of today (within a month this little knight devoured it!).

Sir Douglas aka Knight Gideon is 4!

The knights of the castle now have the assistance of canine in pursuit of any barbarians! One of the many gifts Knight Gideon received on his birthday.


Thomas, the Canucks and Playmobil rate high in the life and times of this Knight. He can practice enemy attacks with this Playmobil castle, canon and knights!






Lots of steam to get those four candles out (note Peter's assistance).

Opening the gift from his friend Manny.....Hot Wheels Motorcycle racers! The Lord and Lady of the Castle are fretting for the future, what with the recent new mode of transportation and a virtual child size one in hand!

Knights new mode of transportation!

The knights have been introduced to a new form of "horsepower"!

Knight Peter here smiling after a jaunt around the town on the Honda motorcycle owned by Tom the carpenter.

Knight Gideon patiently waited for his turn in the "saddle" and was all smiles at the end. Our friend, Simon started something last year....(yikes!).

Fun times with Opa and Oma

Knight Peter and Gideon watching the repair to the kitchen walls where the heater was removed in order to install cabinets. Opa is capable of many trades.

Oma and Peter displaying the painting he made.

An outing after two weeks of labour! Fall and winter in one day at 5600ft.!

One hour drive to have Oma & Gideon's taste buds satisfied. Oma seems to be taking on another a new habit!

Actually, that's a chocolate filled cookie from the closest Dutch Shop one hour away.

Another outing after a week of work....ferry across the lake....

Playing "peek-a-boo" with Knight Gideon.

Relaxing and enjoying the scenery......

Oma walked a mountain trail to see this beautiful Falls.

On the return home we entered a winter wonderland....sure makes Narnia come alive!

Peter's first snowball on October 6th!

One of the last days, Oma taught Knight Peter to do mending...always a necessary art in medieval times!

The second last day was not wasted as the Lady of the Manor followed Painter Opa around the castle painting the stucco. Next spring, the wood siding needs painting.... Alan...Henry...Bernice..how about an all inclusive holiday?

The last day we spent a the local museum, shopping for souveniers and enjoying a delicious meal together that the Lady of the Manor cooked (gave the chief cook a night off!). We enjoyed this time as can be seen....

Two men trying to finish off books before nodding off........

We are grateful for all that Opa and Oma did and meant to us during their "vacation" here. Thanks again!

Kitchen renovation!

Here is the kitchen before the renovation. Opening on left to diningroom.



Opening on right is from main hallway. Sink faces a wall and the dishwasher opens opposite the stove with no room to walk through!

This is the wall on the left side of the opening to the diningroom. That exterior door and window are removed and filled in to accommodate new kitchen. Through that window you see the covered porch (to be replaced next spring as it is rotting badly!)

Tom (our reno-carpenter) and Knights Peter and Gideon filling in the window and doorway openings.

The lady of the manor displays another talent -removal of countertop brackets from inside the cabinet!

Knight Peter and Knight Gideon being instructed by Tom in the ways of securing wood as the plumber looks on.

The lady of the manor delighted that her own, brand new refrigerator, which travelled all the way from Ontario, now resides in the castle's new kitchen.

The new kitchen!

This area previously was an open space for a table.

Now we can see the mountains from the working triangle in the kitchen!

This wall had the exterior door and window.

Ceramic flooring is next and demolition of the wall between the kitchen and dining room.