Friday 14 October 2011

AFTER THE TOFINO WEDDING (The CHALLENGE OF GETTING BACK IN THE GROOVE)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011

Well, here it is…Saturday and we’re homeward bound from Vancouver.  When we left the little apartment on West 12th, where we were staying, it was a grey and overcast morning.  But Alex picked us up and stuffed all our items into his truck and whisked us off to the airport.  It was good of him to take the time and a bonus to be with him for the short trip.  Precious moments that I wouldn’t have given up readily.

MORNING WAS OFTEN FOGGY
Our time in British Columbia was pretty special and won’t ever be forgotten.  The ‘together’ time that Joanna and Alex organized for us with her parents was to be commended.  Seven days of getting to know each other was made easy by J and A allowing us to stay with them in a wonderful cabin at Tofino.  For the most part the weather co-operated favourably and while there were some pretty wet days from Wednesday to the weekend of the wedding it was great to be there and to take advantage of the elements as they were thrown at us. 

We spent many hours riding the stretches of beach on bicycles and one day we, 'the four grownups', actually braved the Pacific.  Joanna’s parents donned wetsuits and managed to use boogie boards to ride the waves and enjoy the water in relative comfort.  David and I weren’t as warmly equipped but went into the 12 degree water wearing only our bathing suits.  We stayed in long enough for two short boogie board rides on our tummies then called it a ‘chilly experience’ and opted for watching the others do their thing in the water.  We at least ended up with 'bragging rights' that we had actually gone into the Pacific Ocean!

The days were lovely and we spent them well…exploring and enjoying the beautiful surroundings that Tofino has to offer.  We dined out a few times but mostly we ate back at the cabin where Alex (who has become an excellent cook) and Joanna prepared fabulous meals for us.  The fare always included fresh oysters, crabs, prawns, salmon and all good things.  We lived like kings/queens and got thoroughly spoiled!  A very good life indeed.

A COLOURFUL PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

WIND, WAVES and WEATHER



THESE BEAUTIES were
BOUGHT LIVE from the
FISHERMAN WHO HAD JUST
COME IN FROM HIS BOAT

A BEAUTIFUL BOUNTY OF FRESH THINGS


IRRESISTIBLE...OH SO YUMMY!

The wedding weekend was really special…even though it was filled with periods of cloud cover and sometimes heavy rain.  But nobody really minded and the celebrations started with all of the guests arriving at Middle Beach Lodge…a very beautiful resort that overlooks Chesterman and Cox Beach and has views of Frank Island and the Pacific that are endless.  There was a barbecue for everyone to enjoy on the Friday night.  The food was over the top in selection, quantity and quality.  The drinks flowed and the atmosphere was fun.  Afterwards those less familiar with the terrain were led down a dark and winding path, and over a nasty jumble of rocks down the cliff to the beach.  It was a bit of a scary walk since we didn’t know where the h… we were going but trusted (in our case) the young women that were leading the way.  The girls were actually leading David, who, with three plates and 14 screws in his right leg due to a nasty fall two years ago, was feeling a little unsure of himself to say the least! 

As gifts from the bride and groom we had all been given little flashlights in the shape that resembles a Beaver and it was an amazing sight to see all the little flashlights blinking, like many fireflies, as more and more people joined the gathering on the beach.

TINY BEAVER-SHAPED FLASHLIGHTS THAT BLINK !!!
IN THE WEDDING COLOURS - TURQUOISE and ORANGE

We eventually arrived at a protected spot on the beach where a bonfire was lit and the party continued to acquire a much livelier atmosphere.  At around midnight or so, by way of a much easier route up the steep and rocky cliff, we returned to our room at MIDDLE BEACH LODGE.  The younger people REALLY enjoyed their party...we were told it didn’t end until close to 3:00 a.m.!!!!

SEPTEMBER 24th, THE WEDDING DAY turned out to be a mix of rain, cloud and a smidgeon of sunshine.  Those who were surfers took advantage of the weather and the big waves by spending the morning riding waves, or trying to, until they got pinched for time and had to run up from the beach to don their wedding attire.  At 4:00 the Groom, his Best Man and Ushers, the Maid of Honour and the Bridesmaids, and all the guests gathered in a room made cozy by a fire blazing in the beautiful stone fireplace. We held our breath and waited quietly for the bride to ascend the stairs with her father.

Andrew was elegant and handsome as he looked lovingly and proudly at his daughter, Joanna, who looked stunning and was radiate in her winter white gown that set off her colouring and her beautiful red hair.  Her shoes were a wonderful surprise…they were bright turquoise!  The bridesmaids wore turquoise and carried mixed bouquets of flowers and carried deep red/orange shawls later when they were outside having photographs taken.  The colours, turquoise and orange, were chosen by the bride to reflect the colours of the area…sea and sky.

Alex, the groom, was dashing in his dark suit and crisp white shirt.  He and the gentlement attending him were handsome and beautifully dressed for the occasion; but were tie-less and only wore flip flops on their feet.  A statement to further enhance the fact that the celebrations were taking place in an environment which is always controlled by the raw elements of nature…the surf and the sand; the wind, the rain and the sun. 


The wedding vows were deeply emotional and personal and brought tears to the eyes of most guests…very special moments for every one.  Afterwards the party began and it was a great party!  Wonderful food, fun speeches and lots of dancing and laughing.  Very impressive in a natural and intimate setting.

THE TOES WAIT

ALEX and JOANNA in the SETTING they LOVE to be in
at TOFINO on the PACIFIC RIM of BRITISH COLUMBIA


MAKING IT LEGAL







       










The DONUT MOUNTAIN and 'CHOOSE YOUR OWN TOPPINGS'




The BRIDE and the GROOM from the DONUT MOUNTAIN and
the original knitted donut which became a temporary
ENGAGEMENT RING
...and MAY THEY LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER!


The day after the wedding David and I returned to Vancouver for a few days to enjoy what the city offers…galleries, shops and restaurants.  Ula and Andrew were gracious and made us feel at home in their city and they were also most generous to let us use their wonderful little apartment.  We had marvelous dinners out with them and were joined by Joanna and Alex when they returned from Tofino a few days after the wedding. 

We had a pretty fantastic time and will treasure the fun we had and also be thankful for the fact that through Joanna and Alex our family circle has become bigger and also been enriched by the joining of these two vibrant and wonderful individuals.



FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011

As you can see by the dates on this blog there has been a large space of time between writing the above entry and today.  That’s because I’ve been trying hard to get back into a more consistent routine here in Peterborough after having spent such a wonderful time in Vancouver and Tofino.

After re-reading the above entry I mentally re-visited the entire sixteen days we were away.  David and I were extremely lucky to have experienced such a good time over that period of time.  But more than that I personally pinch myself every day because I feel that our family, which has now become bigger since the wedding, has been truly blessed…our lives have been so good to this point and I see no reason for it to not continue.  We are all strong and caring individuals so I know that the ‘links of the chain’ are solid and secure and there will always be comfort in that. 



Last week was Thanksgiving Weekend…a family weekend. David and I were able to celebrate it with family that lives close to us and raised a glass of wine to all those who weren’t with us.  But, many times during the course of the three day holiday I stopped to think of those less fortunate than we are and made a silent wish/prayer that some how, some way their lives might improve…one day at a time.  The poor, the sick, the lonely and the ‘broken’ men, women and children that for some reason have been handed a more difficult path to follow.  I’m not a religious person really but I do have faith in human kindness and it would be my hope that those in need of food, shelter, warmth, kindness and love will be given a ‘lift’ of some sort to help them continue on without getting totally ‘lost’.

Years ago when I was a small child I was given a gift from an aunt.  It was small bookmark with three pretty coloured ribbons on it.  At the end of each ribbon was a small charm…a cross, a heart and an anchor.  The symbols of FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY.  I carried it everywhere, but alas, which is often the way of small things, it got lost.  However, I’ve never forgotten what the symbols mean.  Ocassionally, in this rat race of a world we seem to be living in it’s hard to actually work those precious things into our lives.  But we all…and I include myself in the word 'we'... must try harder to keep these symbols in our hearts to remind us of others 'needs'.



Well, this is unbelievable!!!it’  Is already 2:00 p.m. and the morning has become mid-afternoon!!!!  I had determined I was going out to use part of my morning up by weeding the front flower bed…but as it turns out it's been raining off and on and the draw of writing and my computer have controlled me.  How I love to write…and this blog is a great catalyst for me.  I write to ‘get it down’ and I write to ‘help inspire me’ with ideas that come clearer with the written words.

I’ve been content today doing what I like to do…'musing' while sipping tea, eating a croissant lathered with honey and peanut butter and listening to “mellow jazz” on my little internet radio.  My dog and two cats lie sleeping close by.  Can’t get much better than that!

I will not go further with this blog today.  There's some food for though here and I feel there’s enough to this blog for the moment…tomorrow I may write again.  So until next time move through the seconds, hours and days with HAPPINESS and may every smile you freely give be returned with one just as warm.

CHEERS to all!
Angela    

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