Poultney Pennies

Zambia February 3

2011-02-03T04:05:00.000-07:00

Still no solution for high speed Internet connection so it has been another couple of weeks since I was able to do a posting. Things have continued to go well and I have been having a busy and productive time. Apart from daily work for the farm I have been taking our English friend, Ann, to visit different aspects of the SPF project.

One of the highlights was a visit to the Chilunga area - another section of the community. It is across the Mulungushi river which bi-sects the community and the river is running too deep at the moment to cross in a vehicle. So we had to park at the river, cross on a wooden foot bridge made from poles cut from the bush and then walk the 4 km to the school which is the focal point of the community. The school is a community school which caters for children on that side of the river from Grade 1 to 7. There was only one teacher (out of 4) with a small class of about 12 kids in session so we sat in on the lesson. Apparently a lot of kids - and the other teachers - were unable to get to school that morning as there had been a heavy storm during the night and other rivers in the area were flooded. Anyway it was good to see the place again and we enjoyed the walk there and back in the sunshine. On our way back, at a village near the river, we were presented with a live chicken - to be taken home to eat ! Ann was thrilled and got to carry it under her arm back to the car !

We also visited some of the people that have benefitted from the micro loan fund - always good to see how they are doing with their small businesses or farming as a result of being able to borrow money to get started. That evening we had supper with Banda and Tsitsi who had cooked the chicken we had been given - it was very tasty with the sadza/nshima !

Ann flew out of Ndola on Sunday January 30 to head back to UK. She thoroughly enjoyed her stay in Zambia as a whole and particularly at Kakulu. She is sure that she will be back sometime in the near future to do some actual project work with SPF. It will be great to have her as part of our UK "team".

Three young men - Kody, Ryan and BJ - arrived safely from Canada today. It is great to see them here and the community is going to be very excited to see them moving around exploring everything and inter-acting with the people. They are here for most of February so it will be a busy time.

Zambia January 19

2011-01-19T05:48:00.001-07:00

My first couple of weeks in Zambia have gone well overall. I spent a few days in Lusaka as I had several things to get done there. It was quite tough getting adjusted to the time change and the weather change - such a contrast coming from minus 20C and snow in Canada to plus 28C and rain in Zambia.

I was very glad to leave Lusaka and get to Kakulu on Thursday January 6. Great to be back in the community and to my final destination, after the last few weeks of intensity in preparing for the move here. The farm is very quiet and peaceful so I am lucky to have such a nice place to live.

I have been settling into the new routine and starting the work that I need to get done. Mike is very pleased to have me here and is already keeping me busy with many tasks. The crops are looking great and everything in full swing with the tobacco harvest under way and ongoing maintenance on the maize (corn).

I have been able to spend a bit of time in the community catching up with a few people and starting to asses what the immediate priorities are for SPF. As usual I have spent quite a bit of time with Pastor Justin who has brought me up to date on a number of issues. I will give more details of things as I get to visit places and people to see myself what's going on.

So far I have visited the clinic and Sungula school. Ednah has been transferred to another clinic in the region and a new sister-in-charge has been brought in. She was actually here before, in 2006 standing in for Ednah during her long leave, so is familiar with the community. Things are ticking along okay at the clinic - nothing major to report and I've got a list of a few things to consider for us to work on.

At the school I found that Kirby has been replaced as head teacher. (Kirby and Stella are still living at the school - she is still teaching there and the Ministry of Education is trying to find a placement for him although he is keen to retire he tells me.) The new head teacher seems to be good although we only had a short meeting this first time round. We had a quick tour of the school grounds. They have got to roof-level on another teacher house - similar to the one SPF/Taylor built in 2008 - this new one funded by the government. No other major developments at the school but, again, a few items on the list to consider for future work.

Ann Hendry is the niece of a good friend of ours and recently graduated from university in England with a degree in Environmental Science. She spent a couple of months in Kitwe - a city North of here - at the end of 2010 on a student exchange program. During that time she did a research project on the effects of the copper mining activities on the water quality of the rivers in that area. After going to South Africa for the Christmas holidays she came back to Zambia to spend a couple of weeks with us to learn about SPF work in the community. She is interested in doing what she can to help the Foundation once she goes back to UK.

As predicted in my last posting Internet access is very sporadic so further updates will be done as the opportunity allows. Even e-mail is a struggle so I will respond to messages as quickly as I can. We are working on some other options to improve Internet access at the farm so hopefully something will come about soon.

Cheers, Gordon

Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-01T04:42:00.002-07:00

My trip from Canada to Zambia went well. Thanks to Milt for driving me down to Calgary on Thursday December 30 and dropping me at the airport. Although I had a few hours to wait until flight time it was good to relax after the past several weeks of hectic activity as I packed up and prepared to leave. Also a chance to make a few last minute phone calls to some people. The flight left on time at 8:30 pm and was full, but it went smoothly and I was able to get 2-3 hours of sleep on and off.

We arrived at London Heathrow at Noon their time on Friday. Fortunately I only had 5 hours to wait for the next flight and didn’t have to change terminals. It would have been nice to get out of the building for some fresh air but it was foggy and rainy so I didn’t bother with all the formalities of having to check out through immigration and then back in. As it was I did a lot of walking in the terminal to stretch the body out, in between making calls to a few people in the UK to catch up with them and wish them a happy new year. Also had pint of English beer for old time sake – and to celebrate new year in Hong Kong at that particular time !

The flight for Lusaka left on time at 6:30 p.m. – this time the flight only at about 70% full. Initially I was in an aisle seat next to another person on one side of the plane – a Boeing 767 so just two seats next to the window. I then moved across to the middle row of three seats as they were all open and thought that I would be able to stretch right out for a sleep. About 30 minutes after take-off the flight director came to me and asked if I would mind moving up to Executive/Club Class – she wanted to give the row of three seats to a woman with a small boy as they only had two seats. What a question – I couldn’t move fast enough ! There were only 7 people in total in that section so I got two seats to myself – what a blessing having the extra space with a foot rest and further tilt of the seat, as well as fancy headphones ! The food was no different to what was served to the “back” but more enjoyable in the comfort. After dinner I slept for a couple of hours. I happened to wake up just before mid-night UK time and was given a (real) glass of champagne to welcome the new year in – along with a few others who were awake in executive class. (Nothing much happened back in economy class as the lights were off and most people were sleeping !) So although nothing spectacular it was still fun to bid 2010 farewell and spend a bit of time wondering what 2011 has in store for me.

I only managed to doze for another couple of hours before we landed in Lusaka right on time at 6:30 a.m. local time – 9 hours time difference to Alberta so I had been on the go for 36 hours ! No problems getting through formalities and Chris Rogers was there to meet me. We went to his place for a great egg and bacon breakfast and a decent cup of tea before he dropped me off at Bob and Mary’s house. (They are away in the USA on furlough until end of January so I have the place to myself. Well except that they left their little dog, Nick, so I have a bit of company.) I took a bit of time to do some unpacking then had a much-needed shower followed by a snooze for a couple of hours. Then ventured out in the vehicle – no problem getting back to driving on the left had side of the road ! – to do some grocery shopping. The traffic was relatively light being a public holiday and the two malls I visited were not too crowded so it went well.

Most of the day has been cloudy with some signs – including thunder – of rain but nothing materialised here. It was 25C when we landed this morning and was up to 31C by the afternoon when I went out. Now, early evening, it has cooled off to 23C – which is actually very pleasant since there is a cool breeze blowing. As I write there are the bangs of fireworks going off around the neighbourhood – people obviously still celebrating new year tonight !

As I commented on Facebook yesterday (and many times before), flying always amazes me. That 200-300 people can get inside a metal cylinder, get off the ground, cruise through the air to half-way round the world, and then land on the ground again is always a miracle to me ! When I am up at 35,000 feet with just the throb of the engines outside, it seems so surreal to me.

Anyway I hope that you had a great new year celebration wherever you happened to be. In case you don’t already have it my Zambian mobile number is (260) 976-198-207 if you need to get hold of me by voice or by text message. (260 is the Zambia country code).

As usual, access to the Internet is going to be sporadic. E-mailing should be no problem on a regular basis with a cellular Internet stick but access to the web to do blog and FB updates will have to wait until I am in a town and can connect to high speed.

TED Talk about training sniffer rats !

2010-12-02T17:56:00.002-07:00

It always amazes me how some people think way out of the proverbial box .....

Bart Weetjens: How I taught rats to sniff out land mines | Video on TED.com

Rainbow in Yellowknife

2010-09-23T18:02:00.002-07:00

Photo of Gordon taking a photo of the double rainbow in Yellowknife in late August - by Bronwen

"And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow." Gilbert K. Chesterton

Saying of the Week

2010-09-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

The truth is, you're not defeated until your doubts and regrets take the place of your dreams. Anon

Mark Smith Visit

2010-08-08T20:30:00.001-07:00

I had a fun week-end with Mark and a new Zambian friend : Bullocks, several pubs around YK, the drive and hike to Cameron Falls and taking in the sights of YK.

The Dog Days of Yellowknife

2010-08-06T20:26:00.001-07:00

Seems like most people in Yellowknife have a dog, some 2 or 3. You see them everywhere being walked, in cars, in the back of pick-ups, even a few wandering around on their own. I wonder how many thousands of dogs that would be given that there are 20,000 people in Yellowknife ?

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

2010-07-01T15:41:00.000-07:00

I have accepted the job of Branch manager with Matco Transportation at their Yellowknife Branch and flew up on June 10. Yellowknife, a city of 20,000 and the capital of the Northwest Territories, is 1,000 km North of Edmonton. It is a very cosmopolitan city having attracted people from all over the world to work in jobs dominated by diamond mining, government departments (federal and territorial), air lines, trucking and tourism and all the related services for the community. It is situated on the north shore of Great Slave Lake which is the ninth largest lake in the world.

I had been to Yellowknife several times when I worked for Matco before so I knew what I was coming to. It is a very friendly and casual place and still has a feel of being on the frontier. It is relatively compact so doesn’t take long to get around and you don’t have to go very far to be out in the wilderness.

The townhouse that Matco rented for me to stay in with another member of staff is in good shape but not in a very good location - on a rocky slope right next to the main road into town so pretty noisy at night especially with sirens from emergency vehicles passing by ! Also I am having trouble sleeping because of the light. This time of the year – mid-summer - the sun rises at 3:30 am and only sets at 11:30 pm but even between those hours it is not completely dark as there is a heavy twilight.

I was lucky enough in the very first week here to get on a helicopter ride over the city and surrounding area so it was good to get that perspective from the air.

More photos of my time in Yellowknife can be seen in the Facebook album Yellowknife 2010

Blast from the Past

2010-06-30T19:47:00.003-07:00

Canada Day 18 years ago - where have all the years gone ?

Road Trip to Yellowknife

2010-06-24T15:59:00.002-07:00

On the afternoon of Wednesday June 23 Johanna and I set out in a brand new Dodge Caravan for the drive to Yellowknife. (I had flown back to Edmonton for a few days and the van needed to be brought back to YK for the Matco branch). We stopped for supper with Bronwen in High Prairie at the local Chinese restaurant which was very good. Nice to see where she has been working for the past few weeks on her university practicum as part of her masters degree in Occupational Therapy . We continued on for a few more hours and stopped for the night at a motel in Manning - not the greatest place but all we needed was a bed to sleep.

Thursday we were up early for the continental breakfast and were on our way again by 7:00 a.m. Made good progress with stops along the way for breaks, fuel and some sight seeing. Amazing to again see such vast expanses of countryside totally uninhabited and so few vehicles on the roads. It was an experience that very many Canadians do not get and gave us a better appreciation of what the truck drivers have to contend with in getting up to Yellowknife and back. The winter driving must be brutal.

We got into YK at about 5:30 pm – 16 hours of actual driving and 1,476 km - and I gave Johanna quick tour of the place. We went for supper at one of the unique YK eateries called "Bullocks Bistro". It is in a small old log cabin and they serve just 2-3 kinds of fish – either deep fried, grilled or pan fried - and venison steak of some kind - whatever they can get hold of seasonally - all with a heap of green salad and a pile of hand-cut fries. Three women run the place - the owner who is the chef and two waitresses - and it is an incredible experience. We sat at the bar which is just a long kitchen counter next to the cooking area so we could chat with the chef and waitress and watch everything going on while we waited for our order to come along in the line-up. We chose pan fried Arctic Char - it was to die for and well worth the hour-long wait. YK time is like Africa time - so I am really enjoying it !

Friday I had to go to work so Johanna just chilled out on her own and did some walking around the town. In the evening we met up with a friend of Bronwen's who is doing her practicum up here and went for sushi and then a few drinks with her. Saturday morning we did some other touristy things - including breakfast at the most Northerly McDonald's in Canada !

For more photos of the trip visit the Facebook album Road Trip

UK Sojourn

2010-05-11T14:29:00.001-07:00

On my way over to Zambia and on the way back to Canada I stopped in UK for a week each time. As usual I stayed with my good friends Roger and Marinda Hiscoe in their lovely old house near Twyford – always a home away from home.

It was a busy time catching up with some family members and African friends. One of them – Willem Pietersen (below) - I hadn’t seen in over 22 years ! It was great to reminisce about all the crazy things we did during our teenage years especially the unforgettable cross country trip to the Chimanimani Mountains !

I also did two presentations about the Foundation to two separate groups. There were not many people at both as it was quite short notice but those that did attend were very interested and we will no doubt get some support and donations from them. I get a sense that UK is going to grow into a strong support base for us now that SPF is registered there as a charity and I look forward to future visits there to do more presentations and connecting.

During the time in UK I managed to visit three Rotary Clubs for their weekly meetings - Bath (in photo below), Beckenham and Reading Abbey. Great to be able to experience one of the key aspects of Rotary – visiting other clubs throughout the world and connecting with fellow Rotarians.

Zambia – March & April 2010

2010-04-30T11:37:00.003-07:00

Gordon was in Zambia for March and April visiting and working on the SPF Isaiah Project there. It was an incredible time and as always more transpired than had been anticipated with many new connections and opportunities.

For more details about the trip please download his report (PDF) and visit the photo albums listed on the right hand side of the blog.

Mighty Men’s Conference 2010

2010-04-20T13:55:00.003-07:00

In mid-April I had the opportunity to do a road trip from Zambia to South Africa and back over 7 days in order to attend the Angus Buchan Mighty Men’s conference. The magnitude of camping with some 400,000 other men and boys and joining them in worship, hearing the preaching and prayer is too great to adequately describe. It was the experience of a lifetime and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

For more details and the photos please visit the Facebook photo album : MMC2010

Saying of the Week

2010-02-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

"There is more to life than just increasing its speed" - Mahatma Gandhi

A Muppet Family Christmas Part 1 of 5

2009-12-26T10:19:00.001-07:00

An annual classic

Pancake Breakfast # 15

2009-09-14T07:09:00.001-07:00

At the annual Rotary Run for Life in Stony Plain. As usual an incredible meal put on by William Choy of Bings #1 Restaurant in Stony Plain and the amazing crew of volunteers mostly from the Rotary Clubs of Stony and Spruce Grove. If we weren't biased towards this event I would vote this the best breakfast of the year from the quality and the amount of food. However you do have to "pay" for it by either running or walking (5km, 10km or half marathon) or volunteering some time, so that does add a degree of difficulty to the overall judging ! In attendance - Bronwen, Brennan, Johanna and Gordon

Rotary Run for Life - 6th Annual

2009-09-13T05:46:00.001-07:00

As usual we participated in the annual Rotary Run for Life to raise funds for CSPP which is now a project of The Simon Poultney Foundation.

Johanna and Brennan ran 5km, Gordon ran/walked 5km and Carol and Bronwen walked 5km - in memory of Simon.

Saying for the Week

2009-09-12T05:44:00.002-07:00

"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems." - Mahatma Gandhi

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." - Helen Keller

Simon Mortimer Poultney - Memorium

2009-09-05T00:30:00.000-07:00

July 8, 1983 to September 5, 2004

Always remembered. Forever young.

Pancake Breakfast # 14

2009-09-04T07:04:00.003-07:00

At the University of Alberta in Edmonton. A welcome back to school breakfast put on by the Student Union. The food and beverages were standard and of average quality. (Always hard to be too critical when it's for free !) Gordon, Brennan and Bronwen in attendance and we initiated a new participant - Bethany Steen - who it was good to meet up with, and connect with, again.

Sayings for the Week

2009-08-30T20:29:00.004-07:00

"Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."

"If we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find we have lost the future."

both from Sir Winston Churchill

"There are people who put their dreams in a little box and say, "Yes, I've got dreams, of course, I've got dreams." Then they put the box away and bring it out once in a while to look in it, and yep, they're still there. These are great dreams, but they never even get out of the box. It takes an uncommon amount of guts to put your dreams on the line, to hold them up and say, "How good or how bad am I?" That's where courage comes in."

by Erma eck

Sayings for the Week

2009-08-23T08:31:00.003-07:00

"Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else." - Margaret Mead

Note : It's fun to find interesting quotes from people you've never heard of and then, by doing Goggle search, to read more about them. Gordon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Mead

"Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experience." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"To most of us the real life is the life we do not lead." - Oscar Wilde

"One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do." - Henry Ford

Pancake Breakfast # 13

2009-08-15T06:59:00.001-07:00

Central Park in Spruce Grove in conjunction with the annual Grove Cruise event. Pretty good value at $ 2.00 a plate for two pancakes and two sausages with coffee and juice. Pancakes were large and the coffee good. Juice the usual yukky MacDonalds orange - no wonder they give it away free to such events !! Rita, Cai and Gordon in attendance and enjoyed chatting to some other people at the same table.

Sayings of the Week

2009-08-09T04:40:00.000-07:00

"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." Robert Louis Stevenson

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." John F. Kennedy

Gordon watched "Crocodile Dundee" for the 100th time this week. Just love the part where they're in the bush and she's asking him if he has an opinion about anything and uses Aboriginal land claims as an example. He says "See those rocks over there ? Been there 60 million years. Will be there long after we're all gone. So arguing about who owns them is like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog !"

Is Africa a continent or a body of water ?

2009-07-29T05:22:00.003-07:00

I love this rant from a good friend, Craig, originally from Zimbabwe and now living in Vancouver :

Why are people so ignorant of African political geography? Why can people in the "educated" First World differentiate between England and France, but they can't differentiate between Egypt and South Africa? Why do people go on holiday "to Africa" (rather than, say, Kenya), but they go on holiday "to Italy" (rather than Europe)? If you told someone you were going on a trip "to Asia", do you think they might ask you to be a bit more specific? I think what's "dark" about Africa is not the continent itself, but the minds of people who don't pick up an atlas occasionally.

I'm moved to write this today because, on Sunday at a Starbucks in Vancouver I noticed that they had some beadwork for sale. So I picked it up and, according to the label, it was "Made in Africa". This is Starbucks' patronising attempt at "fair trade" (or whatever they call it), but they're too damn lazy to actually note the country of origin. Has anyone ever seen a label that says, "Made in North America"? Of course not! Most people -- anywhere in the world -- would scoff at that as being useless and lacking in specifics, and I'll bet the label doesn't meet labelling laws either.

And then today I read the following in an obituary:

"When confronted by World War II, Peter joined the RCAF and ferried airplanes [sic] around the world wherever they were needed for the war effort, ultimately earning the commission of Flying Officer. He survived two crash landings - in Africa and in Victoria Harbour."

I think that has to be the most extreme parallel I've ever seen drawn -- between the second-largest continent and a minor body of water -- but at least we know where Africa is, as opposed to the non-specific Victoria Harbour, of which there are several in the world on different continents.

Saying for the week

2009-07-27T18:55:00.000-07:00

"Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary." by Sir Cecil Beaton, British photographer and award-winning set designer

Pancake Breakfast #12

2009-07-25T04:56:00.001-07:00

The final Capital Ex week breakfast at Safeway in North West Edmonton. Reasonable value for $ 3.00 per plate - pancakes, sausage and bacon. Juice and coffee quality were below average again. The event was not very "green" with a lot of extra throw away bits. Edmonton Capital Ex organizers need to do a better job of that. Rita and Gordon in attendance.

Pancake Breakfast # 11

2009-07-21T04:50:00.000-07:00

Alberta Premier's Annual Capital Ex pancake breakfast in the Legislature grounds. It was a great day for it. Well organized to deal with crowds that poured through the lines. This one is in joint first place with the Calgary Stampede breakfast for overall most impressive. Pancakes, sausage, scrambled egg, juice box, milk box and coffee - all for free. Although not really free 'cos no doubt it was all paid for with our tax dollars ! Okay so that fact is off-set by the splendid location so still tie with Calgary for first place.

Although I was on my own - the team let me down ! - I fellowshipped with a very interesting Dave McNaugton who I sat down next to so that made the event special too. Gordon

Pancake Breakfast #10

2009-07-18T04:44:00.000-07:00

Old Grain Elevator, Spruce Grove. Billed as "Flapjacks at the Tracks" this was a fund raiser for the museum now located in the elevator. $ 6.00 for an and $ 4.00 for a child seemed a bit steep but then it was for a good cause. Food - standard two pancakes and two sausages - was good but coffee and juice not great. Gordon, Ritie and Cai were the participants.

Pancake Breakfast #9

2009-07-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

Today was at Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton - the kick-off to the Capital Ex. Pretty good value for $ 3.00 per plate - pancakes, sausage and bacon. Juice and coffee quality were average. The event was not very "green" with a lot of extra throw away bits. Good team effort by Gordon, Bronwen, Brennan, Johanna and Mark to get up so early to be there in time to beat the crowds !

Pancake Breakfast #8

2009-07-10T17:28:00.001-07:00

Today we got up very early 5:00 am and drove to Calgary to be there in time for #8 breakfast at Sunridge Mall put on by the Calgary Stampede Caravan. Boy do those guys know how to do a pancake breakfast. Best value we've experienced so far - pancakes, sausage patty, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee - all for Free ! We had hoped to catch another breakfast that day being that Calgary Stampede week is so renowned for them but it would have been too much ! It was good to have our Australian friends Daniel and Jenny New as part of the team this time, as well as Kate Gauthier and her Mum.

Pancake Breakfast #6

2009-07-04T22:32:00.003-07:00

Today Cai and Gordon attended the breakfast in Wabumun as part of the town's centenary celebrations. It was great value for money at $ 2.00 for adults and kids free. Instead of sausages they did sausage meat patties which were an innovative alternative as they are much easier to cook.

Pancake Breakfast # 4 & #5

2009-07-01T22:16:00.001-07:00

Today we attended two pancake breakfasts - a very popular feature of annual July 1 Canada Day celebrations.

#4 was the annual Canada Day breakfast put on by the Ismaili Muslim Community in the Legislature Grounds in Edmonton. Being free and open the the public they would have had to cater for thousands of people and did a great job. The food was pretty basic - pancakes and water melon slices. Very festive with everyone wearing red and white and wishing each other happy Canada Day ! Attended by Gordon, Bronwen and Brennan.

#5 was the annual Canada Day breakfast in Spruce Grove. Not a very good experience as it was so badly organized that it took an hour and a half standing in a line up (seen in the photo below)to get served and the food was pretty average for the $ 2.00 per plate. Attended by Bronwen, Brennan, Cai, Rita and Gordon

Book Launch

2009-06-20T05:22:00.001-07:00

This evening we attended the launch of a short story anthology that Bronwen contributed to in the Stony Plain community. The book, titled "How I Shot My Brother" (one of the stories in the book) is published by Prairie Dog Publishing. For more details see - www.prairiedogpublishing.ca

Pancake Breakfast #3

2009-06-13T23:05:00.002-07:00

Breakfast # 3 was in Holden, Alberta today (about 100km South East of Edmonton) during their annual parade day, this year celebrating the centenary of the town. Not very good value at $ 5.00 for pancakes and sausage (see below) with lukewarm coffee !

The lunch served at the fire hall later was incredible value - $ 2.00 for a burger, potato salad, pop AND dessert !

Pancake Breakfast # 2

2009-06-01T23:00:00.001-07:00

Breakfast # 2 was at Matco Transportation in Edmonton where Gordon works. This was in celebration of the opening of their new facility. Excellent value as it was free and in addition to pancakes it included bacon and scrambled eggs !

Pancake Breakfast Quest - #1

2009-05-30T22:49:00.003-07:00

This summer we have a launched a quest to partake in as many pancake breakfasts as we can, being that they are such a feature of Canadian summer life. Whilst most of them will probably be around Alberta we'll certainly enjoy them wherever we can ! If you have any to suggest or recommend we will always be on the look out for others to attend !

We launched the project at Stony Plain, Alberta, Farmers Days on June 30. The cost was $ 2.00 - great value for money as there were fat sausages and big pancakes. The coffee was hot and plenty of it too !

The Wisdom of Cai - Again

2009-05-18T21:17:00.001-07:00

Today Johanna, Cai and Gordon went on a road trip to Panoka to check out where Johanna will be doing her ambulance pracitcum. The photo shows Cai in his car seat in the back using Johanna's tanning goggles as sun glasses !

On the way back Gordon was driving - first along the highway, so at a good speed, then in the city where he slowed down according to the reduced speed limit.

Cai : "Bumpa, why are you driving so slowly ?"
Gordon : "Because you have to drive slowly. There are policeman watching and if you go too fast they'll stop you and shout at you !"
Cai : (ten seconds later) "But Bumpa I'm not driving !!"

The Wisdom of Cai

2009-03-23T03:50:00.000-07:00

Cai is nearly 3 years old and very cute. He has an amazing grasp of language so I am wont to share some snippets as they come about.

Two days ago he and I were sitting in the car waiting - he in the back in his car seat playing with some toys and me in the front glancing through a newspaper.

I hear him saying something to me but don't quite catch it.
"What did you say Cai ?"
"I'm not talking to you Bumpa"
"Who are you talking to ?"
"I'm talking to myself"

Five minutes later I hear him saying something to me again
"What did you say Cai ?"
"I'm not talking to to you Bumpa"
"Who are you talking to Cai ?"
"I'm talking to myself - remember ?"
"Oh sorry, I forgot"
"It's okay Bumpa !"

Blog Updates

2008-10-27T12:11:00.000-07:00

We are back in Canada now but will be continuing to do regular updates of some of our past travels and activities - please see below.

You can check out our Facebook photo albums which are linked and listed on the right hand side of the blog here.

Sunshine Coast

2008-10-10T15:39:00.001-07:00

Not much sunshine on the Sunshine Coast for us - cloudy and rainy again today - but it was good to catch up with another old friend. Above - Lois McKee (left) who visited us in Canada with Kathy in 1993. On the right is her husband, Keith, who we'd not met before and who is Kathy's brother.

In the evening we enjoyed another delicious meal with Allana and Skilly, our hosts - this time sushi made by Skilly.

Family Visit

2008-10-09T14:08:00.001-07:00

Today we went to visit Jenny's step-aunt, Janet Sutherland, who lives in Buderim. After tea at her house in a retirement village we went for lunch at the beach front at Mooloolaba - one of the more popular and upmarket areas of the coast. After that it had cleared enough for us to take a drive up to Point Cartwright and for a walk up to a view point by the modern light house. Below is the view looking down Buddina beach. To the left - out to sea - we saw a pod of whales swimming south for the summer -unfortunately too far out to get on a photo.

Queensland

2008-10-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we flew from Perth to Brisbane and are staying with Allana (daughter of Kathy and John Tosswill) and John Skillington at their beautiful home in Kiels Mountain on the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane.

Today we went to Mudjimba beach just north of Maroochydore where we enjoyed some sun, beach and a picnic.

Trees Ahoy !

2008-10-03T05:08:00.003-07:00

In many parts of the South West there are big tracts of Karri trees growing. The Karri tree is unique to this part of Australia and they can grow up to 90m tall - one of the tallest tress in the world. They only reach their top height in 100-125 years and can live to be 350 years or more.

Today we drove down to Pemberton and went to the Gloucester Tree which contains a fire look-out platform at the top - about 61m above the ground. (See more information below about these unique structures and the history behind this particular one.) Tim and Gordon climbed to the top on the metal-spike ladder/stairway - an amazing experience with photos below :

A view of the tree (with the bottom part cut off) the platform is just visible at the top

The start of the ladder/stairway

Gordon begins the climb

Trees ahoy - the view over the surrounding forest from the crows nest on top

Tim and Gordon relieved that they made it to the top

Gordon on the final descent

Excerpt from the WA Department of Environment and Conservation web site :

The Gloucester Tree, in Gloucester National Park, is probably Western Australia's most famous Karri tree. This 60-metre-high giant towers above the forest surrounding Pemberton. In the past, foresters maintained a regular fire lookout from its lofty crown. Today, visitors climb to the cabin in its upper branches for sensational views of the surrounding karri forest.

The Gloucester Tree was one of eight lookout trees built between 1937 and 1952 in the karri forest. The construction of fire lookout towers in the tallest trees of Western Australia's karri forest was the practical response to one of the most serious threats to forest communities in the South-West.

The Gloucester Tree lookout was built in 1947, in the highest of the tall karri trees near Pemberton. The floor of its cabin sits 58 metres above the ground. The tree was one of a group on a ridge overlooking the Eastbrook in an area that had not been logged when timber cutting operations of the Pemberton Sawmill passed through. Conveniently located just three kilometres from Pemberton, it gives a commanding view of the surrounding countryside.

The suitability of the tree as a lookout was verified by forester Jack Watson after an epic climb. Using climbing boots and a belt to scale the tree, it took him six hours to reach a height of 58 metres and return. The ascent was made more difficult by the massive girth of the tree, some 7.3 metres, and the fact that limbs had to be negotiated from 39.6 metres. This feat is claimed to be a record climb, and is widely recognised in forestry circles as one of the greatest efforts of courage and endurance in the Australian forest.

Pegging the ladder, and lopping of the branches, was carried out by another legendary south-western forester, George Reynolds. During this work, a branch which he had cut through twisted in its fall and snapped off a number of pegs. George remained aloft for several hours while his assistant Len Nicol repegged the damaged section from below.

http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/hotproperty/property/national-parks/gloucester-national-park.html

Bridgetown Break

2008-09-29T00:47:00.000-07:00

Today we drove down to Bridgetown in the South Western part of the state. The News had rented a holiday house for the week - as seen below, nestled on a hill with a beautiful easterly view over the Blackwood River valley. The area reminds us of a mix between Wales and Inyanga - very beautiful.

Marsupial Fun

2008-09-26T08:19:00.002-07:00

Today we visited the Marapana Wildlife Park near Rockingham where we are staying south of Perth, Australia.

Cai loved feeding the animals - a deer (above) and then he got a chance to pat a baby kangaroo (called a joey) in it's mother's pouch - below

Since the friends we are staying with know the owners of the park we got special treatment to visit the koala bears and to get up close to them

Above - a baby holding on to its mother and chewing on a eucalyptus leaf; below - an adult in a typical position in a tree

Above - Cai got to feed the adult; below Jenny holding one of the adults - a female called Crystal who is very cuddly

http://www.marapana.com/

G'day Mate

2008-09-24T15:28:00.002-07:00

Today we arrived in Perth, Western Australia after a good flight from Johannesburg although very restless for all of us being that it was overnight but with a 6 hour time change.

We were met at the airport by my old Plumtree friend Tim New who had had to "chuck a sickie" - take a day off work "sick" - to do so ! Reminded me of a book I read many years ago called "Lets Stalk Strine" - an amusing tome about how to talk Australian.

Rugby Fun in Durban

2008-09-06T06:44:00.001-07:00

Pete and Gaye are avid rugby fans and have season tickets to the games in Durban. They were able to get some extra tickets for this afternoon's very important Currie Cup match between Durban Sharks and Pretoria Blue Bulls.

Pete bought Cai a Sharks t-shirt so that he would be sure to cheer for the right side ! (Cai thoroughly enjoyed the game)

It was one of the best rugby games any of us had ever watched and closely won by the Sharks to elevate them to the top of the standings

Afterwards we enjoyed the Durban tailgate party which has supposedly been recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in the world .... with rump steaks fit for a king and cooked to perfection

Gaye and Jenny celebrate the Shark's victory and a reunion after many years !

Pietermaritzburg Visits

2008-09-04T06:12:00.002-07:00

Today we drove up to Pietermaritzburg where we caught up with Andrew and Clare Clarkson, who we saw a lot of in Zambia, (left and right below); Clare's sister Karen (second left) and Anne Lowe, Clare's Mum, (second from right)

Jenny and Cai were delighted to see Andrew and Clare's new baby, Leo Keith (second name same as Gordon's - both after Leo's granfather Keith Harvey)

We also caught up with Jenny's step-mother, Bingie (Ingrid) Tanner, who now lives in Maritzburg and who was pleased to hear that she is a (step) great-grand mother !

uShaka Marine World

2008-09-03T21:19:00.002-07:00

Today we visited uShaka Marine World the re-vamped Durban aquarium which we used to visit when we were kids

Highlight of the visit was the dolphin show which featured a total of nine dolphins in three separate group perfornaces - quite amazing

For Cai the other highlight was seeing a diver in one of the large tanks feeding the fish and many varieties of rays

Durban Reunions

2008-09-02T08:50:00.001-07:00

After 5 months in Zambia we have embarked on a fairly long journey back to Canada visiting family and friends along the way.

First stop is Durban, South Africa where we are staying with Gaye and Peter Goodridge. Gaye and Jenny were at high school together at Eveline and it was through Gaye that Jenny and Gordon met back in 1974 ! Gaye and Peter were at the Eveline reunion in France in April so Jenny had seen them there but Gordon had not seen Gaye since 1988 and never met Peter before ! In the photo below we are celebrating at a Portugese restaurant called Mozambik in Ballito.

We also caught up with Gordon's aunt (Rita's sister), uncle and cousins who also live in Durban and who we had not seen for 20 years ! From left - uncle Pat, Jenny, Cai, cousin Chris and his wife Roseanne, Rita (also visiting), and cousin Marion.

August 17 - Saying of the Week

2008-08-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

Cai is speaking very well - long sentences, clear diction and amazing comprehension. The other day he said to me "I've got a snotty nose. Do you have a kleenex ?"

Zambian Bird List

2008-07-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of birds that have been seen around the farm house or with-in a 20km radius while we have moved through the area since late March. Many of them are very common but several have never seen before, so quite exciting. Likely some of the more unusual ones are wintering in Zambia before moving south again for the summer.

The list will be updated as new sightings are made with the more recent ones at the top of the list :

Stonechat (July 10)
Longbilled Crombec
Miombo Rock Thrush (July 1)
Bluegrey Flycatcher (June 30)
Yellowbellied Sunbird
Tropical Boubou
Viloetbacked Sunbird (June 29)
Greyheaded Bush Shrike
Chispot Batis
Blackheaded Oriole
Black Flycatcher (June 28)
Namaqua Dove
Green Spotted Dove
Yellow White Eye
Fortailed Drongo
Blue Waxbill
Cape Turtle Dove
Swainsons Franklin
Pied Crow
African Pied Wagtail
Helmeted Guinea Fowl
Heuglin's Robin
Blackeyed Bulbul
House Sparrow
Lilacbreasted Roller

Victoria Falls Fun

2008-07-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

During her recent visit to Zimbabwe Jenny took a week-end break at Victoria Falls with Carol.

Above : viewing the Falls; Below : enjoying dinner at The Boma Restaurant

Above : going for an elephant ride; Below : feeding their "steed" after the ride

Sunset Shadows

2008-06-04T00:40:00.000-07:00

Cai and Bumpa watching the sun set with some interesting shadows on the garden wall

Bronwen's Zambian Outfit

2008-06-03T00:47:00.000-07:00

The headmaster of the school and his wife were very taken with Bronwen and all her efforts in connecting and working at the school and in the community. So before she left Zambia they took her to a tailor in Kapiri, had her measured up and this traditional Zambian outfit made for her. They had a matching one made for their own daughter, who Bronwen had interacted with, as a reminder of their Canadian "daughter" !

Watermelon and Campfires

2008-06-01T08:03:00.001-07:00

In the abscence of a supply of grapes Cai has been quite happy to have watermelon instead. A good thing as they are in season right now and a large one can be bought for the equivalent of $ 1.20 !

We have been enjoying lots of campfires in the evenings around the fire pit built by the Taylor team.

Mexico Update

2008-03-01T22:46:00.002-07:00

Jenny, Cai and Gordon are currently in Mazatlan, Mexico for a much needed vacation.

We have already been here a week - hard to believe - and thoroughly enjoying ourselves. The flight down was great. Fortunately it wasn't full so we had three seats to ourselves and Cai didn't have to be on a lap for the whole 4 hour flight. He really enjoyed his first experience of flying and was fascinated about going up and coming down.

We are staying in a hotel - The Hacienda - in the older part of the town - quite a way from the Golden Zone which is the main tourist area with the fancy resorts. The hotel is cheap and very comfortable. The large room, on the 6th floor, has a beautiful view over the main bay - facing West so we get some beautiful sunsets - and comes with a kitchenette so we can do our own meals. There are a couple of regular supermarkets close by so we can buy our groceries when we need them. We have seen a couple of traditional markets in the area but haven't plucked up the courage to buy anything there yet !

We have been having a busy time. Most days we spend time on the beach, just across the road from the hotel, in the morning then after Cai's mid-day siesta we go walking and exploring. We've been in all directions - into the older part of town in the South and also down the main tourist zone a bit further North. There is an amazing promenade called The Malecon right along the coastline which stretches some 15 km in length. For those of you who can relate - a great deal of Mazatlan reminds us a lot of Durban or Beira in the old days. Most days are sunny and hot - in the high 20's C - but we have had a couple of afternoons and evening with a chilly wind off the sea which have forced us to wear our sweaters.

Cai was a bit wary of the beach and sea when we first arrived but is now enjoying the sand. Still not sure of the sea itself and prefers to paddle in the pool at the hotel. Still he's having a blast and so excited about all the sights and sounds he's experiencing. Of course he charms everyone - particularly with his curly blond hair - and (Mexican) people are always stopping to talk to him and touch his head - a sign of good luck. We've bumped into a few Canadians along the beach or promenade who are also staying in the quieter part of town and they have shared information with us about where to go for sightseeing and food.

The other day we spent a few hours at one of the huge resorts in the tourist zone. They have lots of pools and a nice play ground so Cai really enjoyed all that. We had a buffet lunch there - stuffed ourselves with all sorts of tasty delicacies washed down with mugs of local beer - included in the price of the meal ! We didn't have to cook dinner that evening so reckon we got our money's worth ! They make a delicious (cooked) relish here with tomato, onion and sliced cactus leaf - which looks a bit like green pepper. It tastes just like the relish we make to eat with sadza - very yummy.

We are very pleased that we decided to be here for two weeks as one week is definitely not enough and it would have been terrible to be going back today already.

Mexico Vacation - Photos #3

2008-02-28T19:36:00.000-07:00

Mexico Vacation - Photos #2

2008-02-27T21:22:00.000-07:00

Cai and Gordon enjoy some traditional Mexican food at a beachside cafe

Cai's first sandcastle

A beautiful sunset from our 6th floor balcony overlooking the bay

Cai hanging out on the beach

Mexico Vacation - Photos #1

2008-02-26T22:33:00.002-07:00

These are the first batch of photos that go with a later post with details about the holiday

Jenny & Cai on the beach with our hotel in the background

Jenny & Cai sitting on our hotel balcony enjoying the early morning sunlight

Jenny & Cai with her 50th birthday sand "cake"

Cai & Bumpa Gordon sit in a model/sculpture of the unique local taxi of which there are hundreds buzzing around the place. They're all based on a VW Beetle chassis and engine and fun to ride in

January 6 - Saying of the Week

2008-01-06T20:16:00.001-07:00

The Race at Sunrise

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows that it must run faster than the fastest lion, or it will be killed.

Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows that it must outrun the slowest gazelle, or it will starve to death.

It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle; when the sun comes up, you had better be running.

- African Parable

Christmas Done

2008-01-05T00:10:00.000-07:00

Today it was time to pack up all the Christmas decorations for another year and get the tree outside to be recycled - made into wood chips for landscaping or composting. Here's photos of what it looked like on Christmas day - above, all the gifts under the main tree in the family room, below, our main living room and dining area.

New Year's Day 2008

2008-01-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

As we start a new year I thought that a couple of sayings from the little book "Success - One Day at a Time" by John C. Maxwell, which showed up at our house at Christmas time, would be appropriate.

The Eight "P" Plan for Achievement

Plan Purposefully

Prepare Prayerfully

Proceed Positively

Pursue Persistenty

Author Unknown

"Success is 99 percent failure" - Soichiro Honda

Buy Nothing Christmas

2007-12-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

A bit late for the current season but this is an excellent site to remind us what Christmas is really all about ! And it can actually be applied to any time of the year when we get caught up in the commercialism of some event or another.

In Canada some of the average numbers are :

Christmas season - $ 23 billion (that is 23,000 million !)
Valentine's Day - $ 2 billion
Mother's Day - $ 1 billion
Father's Day - $ 1 billion
Halloween - $ 1.2 billion (1,200 million dollars on candy, pumpkins and costumes !)

http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/

Zimbabwe Exchange Rate

2007-12-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

I thought that this was a very interesting article which I came across on the web today. When travelling to other parts of the world and trying to determine the value of what one earns in a given place, we have tended to use the analysis of how long it would take a person to work to be able to buy a loaf of bread in the particular economy. I suppose eggs are fairly representative too !

Not sure who the author of the article is or which publication it first appeared in.

Zimbabweans use eggs to calculate exchange rate

Monsters and Critics Dec 19, 2007, 9:39 GMT

Harare/Johannesburg - Fed up with myriad official and unofficial rates for hard currency, some Zimbabweans have started using eggs to calculate the rate of exchange. President Robert Mugabe's government has set the official rate of exchange at 30,000 Zimbabwe dollars to the US dollar. But hardly anyone uses that rate these days.

Despite threats from the feared National Incomes and Pricing Commission (NIPC), shops, private tutors, street vendors and cross- border traders all use parallel exchange rates to set their prices.

The problem is that as the annual inflation rate rises - currently it's running at more than 14,000 per cent - black market exchange rates change all the time. And everyone wants to get the best deal.

So some locals have adopted the Hard-Boiled Egg Index (HBEI) to determine what they are calling a fair value exchange rate. The HBEI, popularized by a local financial columnist, works on the premise that across Africa, 1 US dollar buys around eight eggs.

To work out a fair exchange rate for the US dollar on a particular day, Zimbabweans take the cost of buying just one egg - usually from a roadside vendor because shops are poorly stocked - and multiply by eight.

On Tuesday, for example, an egg cost 300,000 or 400,000 Zimbabwe dollars, depending on where you were shopping.Multiply by eight and you get totals of 2.4 million and 3.2 million.

Work out the median, and the fair value HBEI rate for the US dollar is 2.8 million Zimbabwe dollars.'Sometimes the parallel rate gets ahead of the HBEI and sometimes it lags behind,' a local financial news service said Wednesday.

'Generally the HBEI reflects exchange rate inflation, purchasing power parity and domestic inflation in a very effective way.'

Mmmmm - Biltong !

2007-12-12T23:50:00.000-07:00

We make our own traditional biltong - African jerkey for those of you who don't know - by hanging it in our basement in the laundry area. This works all year round as it is cool and dry in the basment and no flies to bother the meat. We use bent out paper clips for hooks ! It only takes about 3-4 days to dry to the consitency that we like - a bit moist, not too dry. Once it is ready we store it in the fridge to keep it at that way. If we do make a bigger batch then we may even keep some in the deep freeze which works just as well.

This is a batch of beef seasoned with salt, pepper and teriyaki sauce. It usually doesn't last long in our household as everyone in the family - and several friends - really enjoy it - even Cai !

Cai Draws

2007-11-15T15:23:00.000-07:00

Amazingly Cai - at only just over 19 months - already knows a lot of shapes : circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, diamond, cross, trapazoid, hexagon and star. (He calls a crescent a moon !). His latest "party trick" is to name the shapes as you draw them for him on a white board or piece of paper.

The other day he got hold of a - fortunately washable - marker and decided to practise his own circle drawing on the wall in the kitchen !! He was so proud of himself and definitely impossible to get mad at him !!

He now has his own drawing stand and has learnt that that is the proper place to do his scribbling !

Home in Spruce Grove

2007-11-10T15:10:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of the house we moved into in Spruce Grove. These taken a few days ago after a little snow fall - our first of the season. The house is about 15 years old and a four-level split so each level has its own character.

Views from the street - we're on the corner of a small crescent and it is a quiet neighbourhood

The back yard is small (perfect for the gardener i.e. Gordon !) and well fenced so perfect for Cai
It includes a Mountain Ash tree which - as you can see - is beautifully laden with berries this year

Exeter Sojourn

2007-10-24T15:44:00.000-07:00

During the last part of his week in England Gordon went down to Exeter to visit Dawn and James Pettit whom he had not seen since they came to visit us in Canada in 1999. Dawn persuaded James to take a day off work and they took Gordon on their catamaran which is moored at Brixham Marina. Unfortunately there was no wind that day and we couldn't set sail so just motored across Torbay, around Hope's Nose and anchored in Anstey's Cove for a picnic lunch on board. Dawn dipped her foot in the sea and declared that it was rather cold for a swim; she always likes to swim when they are out on the sea. Gordon decided that he couldn't miss the opportunity to swim for the first time ever in the English Channel so he just dove in. Well Dawn decided that she couldn't be outdone so she also went in - although slowly down the ladder ! Admittedly it was quite cold but nothing worse that a fresh mountain stream in the Canadian Rockies !

Here are some of the photos from the outing :

REPS Reunion

2007-10-23T15:28:00.000-07:00

During his trip to England for the family reunion Gordon spent several nights with Roger Hiscoe and his family in Twyford near Reading. He and Roger were at REPS together in the late 60's. They had re-connected - after some 30 years - in March 2007 when Gordon stopped in UK on his way back from Zambia, but it was good to spend more time together reminiscing about the old days. That included a pile of old photos from REPS days which Gordon had borrowed from Martin Sanderson to scan. (Album soon to be added here !)

Above : Roger and Gordon

Below : Roger and his wife, Marinda and son Ben with Gordon

Poultney Family Reunion III

2007-10-22T15:16:00.000-07:00

A couple more photos from the reunion held at Robert and Bridget's home in Carshalton, South London

The four of us - Gordon, Jen, Bron and Dave

The whole gang that made it for the reunion
Back Row : Robert, Bridget, Tom, John, Lindsay and Dave
Front Row : Rita, Caro, Jen and Bron and Gordon

Poultney Family Reunion II

2007-10-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

These photos were taken by Gordon's niece, Bridget, as he walked into the room to give the family the surprise of arriving for the reunion unannounced.

Poultney Family Reunion

2007-10-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

Gordon’s brother, Dave has lived in UK for many years. His sister, Bronwen, is now living and working there for most of the year – earning “real” money and going back to Bulawayo from time to time to check up on things there. His other sister, Jen, and her husband, John (Brebner), were over in UK from Bulawayo for a few weeks in September/October to visit their two daughters who now live there. Rita decided to go over in early October to see them for a couple of days before they returned to Africa and then stay on to visit family and friends for another few weeks. Although the family members have seen each other at different times and in different places over the years, they had not all been together in one place for some 30 years. So Gordon decided to make a quick visit to UK too so that they COULD all be together again. Thing is, he decided to make it a complete surprise – only his niece, Bridget, was in the know, as she had to ensure that there was a gathering at her place to fit everyone’s schedule. So Gordon arrived in London on October 5 and stayed overnight with friends near Heathrow. The next day he walked in on everyone gathered at Bridget’s house – and it was a total surprise ! Not even Rita, who had left Canada just days before, had any idea ! It was a wonderful reunion, sadly for only 24 hours as people had to get back to work.

The photo below was the last time we were all together in one place. It was at the home of Gerald and Nan Brebner in Newton West, Bulawayo. There is still debate as to exactly when it was but the general consensus is that it was sometime in 1977 !

Above : From Left : Dave, Rita, Mort, Bron, Gordon and Jen c. 1977

Below : From Left : Gordon, Jen, Rita, Bron and Dave October 2007

Run for Life 2007 III

2007-09-17T18:40:00.000-07:00

This year we initiated a project through the Simon Poultney Foundation to encourage local youth to produce artwork depicting "Hope" which was then on display in the pavilion for people to enjoy.

Run for Life 2007 II

2007-09-17T18:14:00.000-07:00

Families who have lost loved ones to suicide are encouraged to make up boards which are then displayed along the route of the run. Later the families parade with the boards in the pavilion and are recognized by everyone. This year our family lead the walk - a very difficult thing to do especially as we had a bagpiper going before us - such haunting, moving music..

Run for Life 2007 I

2007-09-17T18:01:00.000-07:00

On September 16 we all took part in the (4th) annual Rotary Run for Life in Stony Plain in support of suicide education and prevention. Bronwen and Gordon did the 10km run, Johanna and her boyfriend, Mark, did the 5km run and Jenny did the 5km walk.

These photos show Gordon and Bronwen sporting their medallions after their run and the backs of their shirts showing the photo of Simon in whose memory they were running.

Johanna, Cai and Mark enjoy the great breakfast served after the run.

August 12 - Saying of the Week

2007-08-12T13:32:00.000-07:00

Cai - at only 16 months - is already garnering an amazing vocabulary of words many of which he understands. However, typically, there are some things which he has picked up and uses in his own way.

"Home" - what he calls our minivan. Presumably because we always tell him that he is (mostly) going home when getting in the van to drive somewhere !

"Alright" - what he says when he either does not want something or has had enough of something, usually food or drink. (He started off saying "no" but then we would say "alright" - so that is what he has picked up on !)

He has an absolute fascination with the moon and is constantly looking for it in the sky - often finding it in the early morning or late afternoon sky when it is still showing. His first full sentence - over a month ago - was "I see de moon" - as he pointed up to it !

Wedding Day Photos - Batch 3

2007-08-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

Before the ceremony began Bronwen released a balloon in memory of Simon and we all took a few minutes to watch it float up in the sky

August 5 - Saying of the Week

2007-08-05T13:25:00.000-07:00

"When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always." Mahatma Gandhi

House Farewell

2007-08-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Today was a bitter-sweet day as we handed over our house to the new owner. I (Gordon) was up early this morning for a final walk around the "estate" and through all the empty rooms. Sadness on my heart as I recalled many happy and sad events that we have been through during the 17 years of living and growing in our beautiful home. But glad that we had finally come to the end of a hectic time of packing and cleaning - and looking forward with anticipation to the next chapter of our lives.

The morning sunlight was - as always - a perfect time of day to take some memorable photos.

July 29 - Saying of the Week

2007-07-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

This week's saying came with the e-mail to me from South Africa about the old bottle of wine (see older post below) :

"Drink wine, and you will sleep well. Sleep, and you will not sin. Avoid sin, and you will be saved. Ergo, drink wine and be saved." Medieval German saying

July 22 - Saying of the Week

2007-07-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

"By the power vested in me by the Province of Alberta I now pronounce you husband and wife" - Justice of the Peace, Joan, concluding the marriage of Bronwen and Brennan on Wednesday July 18, 2007 !

Loading Day

2007-07-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

The movers came today to load all our belongings into a trailer to be stored for the next 6-8 weeks until we move into our other house. Cai was both fascinated with, and a bit wary of, the "big truck" !

Wedding Day Photos - Batch 2

2007-07-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

The wedding took place in the Poultney's front yard with only parents and siblings in attendance and the ceremony conducted by a Justice of the Peace. Everyone then retired to the Hanmer's where they were joined by other members of the family for a celebration dinner.
Photos of the ceremony itself will be published soon.

Above - Brennan and Bronwen just before they left for two days of honeymoon - camping at Brazeau - in the much decorated car - below !

Above - members of the family relax on the Hanmer's lawn and then gather around the BBQ to cook dinner. To the left of Brennan is his brother Devin and at the grill is his dad, Steve.

Wedding Day Photos - Batch 1

2007-07-19T21:20:00.000-07:00

Above : the couple with Bronwen's grandparents.
Below : Cai and Johanna - Cai was the ring bearer !

Above : FoB and GoB !
Below : Bronwen and her Granny Rita

Temporary Residence

2007-07-18T01:06:00.000-07:00

Having sold our house we have to be out of it by the end of July and do not get our other house, in Spruce Grove, until mid-September. So for the next several weeks we are camping out at Jenny's parents place - as seen in these photos. Jenny and I are using the tent and Johanna is in the camper on the back of the truck. All quite comfortable and we'll always be dry under the car-port roof ! Jenny has it all set up with toys and play area for kids so Cai is in his element and thoroughtly enjoying his new "home" - said with a very pronounced "O" in the lips !!

July 15 - Saying of the Week

2007-07-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

I have decided to start posting a favourite saying each week. If I know the source I will obviously quote the person. If there is no reference and you do know please let me know so that I can update accordingly ! So here's the first one :

"If you really want to do something you will find a way. If you don't you will find an excuse."

Le Bonheur Sauvingnon Blanc 1985

2007-07-10T00:17:00.000-07:00

Here is a story about an old bottle of South African wine that we recently drank :

It starts with my e-mail to the winery in Stellenbosch, South Africa

June 17 - Dear Le Bonheur

I thought that you might appreciate hearing about one of your wines from Alberta, Canada.

Last week-end we opened and drank a bottle of your Sauvignon Blanc 1985 vintage ! My brother likely bought it in Cape Town in 1986 when he was working for Pick n Pay and then took it with him to England when he moved there in 1988. Over the years it would have moved a few times - from home to home in England and into storage when he went to New Zealand for a couple of years and another time when he went to France for a year.

In 2003 he came to visit us in Canada and brought the bottle to us as he was clearing out some of his older stock. I had been keeping it in my 'cellar' for a special occasion. A few weeks ago we sold our house and decided that we should start enjoying some of the wines that we have collected over the years - to celebrate this change in our lives and to save us having to move them all too !!

I am not an absolute connoisseur of wine and was also suffering from a cold last week-end so I am not able to wax poetical about the characteristics of the wine. As you can see the colour was beautiful and the wine was very full bodied - it had excellent legs after been swirled in the glass - something I do know about ! The taste was rich and satisfying - an excellent medium. Not a trace of sediment in the bottle and the cork in great condition. It went very well with the Arctic Char fish which I had brought back from Northern Canada - right out of the Arctic ocean - quite an exotic paring.

Unfortunately, as you can see in the photos, the label had seen better days so I couldn't soak it off the bottle to keep. I have not seen any of your wine being sold in this part of the world but it may possibly be found in some speciality wine stores particularly in Eastern Canada where the market is much larger.

I have to wonder if you have any other stories along the same lines or if ours might be one of a kind !

On another note. We are all long time Africans. My ancestors were 1820 settlers and my parents moved to Rhodesia in 1950 after growing up and being married in South Africa. Some of my wife's ancestors were supposedly De Villiers of the Huguenots but we don't have the family tree traced back that far so can only wonder if there is any connection to Le Bonheur ! Perhaps in time we will find out.

Thanks for the great wine. Sincerely, Gordon

June 21 reply : Dear Gordon

What a treat to receive your mail and with photographs !!! Your story (and photos) are most unique.
Thank you for taking the time to let us know - I have sent this to the current wine maker as well as to our marketing team. Can't believe that the wine lasted that well - fantastic - and to see the old label ! Below find a picture of the new label... very different.

I hope you will enjoy lots of lovely Le Bonheur wines in the future.

Kind regards, Tanya

July 9 - a further follow-up : Dear Gordon,

Just a quick email from Stellenbosch to say thanks so much for your great email and photographs. Really is one great story and will be published to the website.

The Le Bonheur wines are made in a more Old World style where the focus is to produce wines true to the grape. Not interfering too much with nature, the LBH wines naturally do not see too much oak, have a good acidity, shows great minerality (given the weathered granite soils) and
have great fruit that all add to the longevity/long life of the wine. I am very happy you had joy drinking this wine. Great proof that the Cape wines can age... if made properly. The current releases you will appreciate with the character and style so typical Le Bonheur.

Imported into Alberta by Peter Mielzynski Available, various stores carry the products. I will get PMA to confirm some store names for you for possible purchase and enjoyment with your family, friends and food!

Best to you ! Cobus Joubert, Business Manager - North & South America

Balloon Fun

2007-07-07T00:49:00.000-07:00

A neigbour of ours has a hot air balloon and every summer he launches it right from his house at least once, creating a lot of excitement in the area. (Note the date of this posting - quite significant !)

Lift off from his yard

Heading out over the trees

A view of the balloon from our upstairs window

Canada Day 2007

2007-07-01T00:39:00.000-07:00

Cai enjoyed being patriotic on Canada Day - July 1 - this year being the 140th anniversary of the formal unification of all provinces under that national name.

Cai summer fun

2007-06-11T19:11:00.000-07:00

Cai also loves being out in the yard and has learned how to pick dandilions and watch the fluff blow off

Summer is here

2007-06-09T16:40:00.000-07:00

Sure signs that summer is finally here :

The lilacs are in full bloom

with the bees buzzing around in them gathering pollen

and the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis) butterflies visiting for nectar

Johanna's high school graduation

2007-06-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

On the evening of Friday June 1 we celebrated Johanna's grade 12 graduation at a dinner and convocation ceremony in Edmonton. About 340 students graduated so along with family and friends there were about 2,500 peole at the event. Quite amazing.

Above Johanna and Bronwen ready to head out to the event.

Cai was also in on the festivities with his own baby tuxedo.
He looked so dapper - as if he was off to the Oscars !

Cai and Johanna (above) and Cai waiting for the soup to arrive !
(He certainly stole the show and became quite a "celebrity")

A family photo after the ceremonies

Mort's Tree

2007-05-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

Having posted photos of Simon's tree a few days ago I was reminded - and inspired - to put something together about another very special tree - Mort's Tree. Here are a couple of photos taken in December 2005. Below is the URL for a web page about the tree that I have just posted to our web site. Enjoy !

http://poultney.rhodesiana.com/MortsTree.html#top

Simon's Tree

2007-05-19T20:54:00.000-07:00

Johanna, Bronwen, Brenan and Jeremy were in BC for the long week-end and they called at Trinity Western to visit Simon's tree.

Johanna bought a beautiful bunch of roses which she placed under the tree.

Cai Photos - May 18

2007-05-18T22:07:00.000-07:00

A few recent photos of Cai. He loves to sit and look at books on the couch - just like a grown up.

He is getting quite a mop of curly locks !

Another favourite - especially on these warm spring days and evenings - is to go on the old car tire swing; originally constucted by his great-grandpa and Bumpa for the Poultney kids

Crazy Hair Day

2007-05-17T20:48:00.000-07:00

Today it was crazy hair day at Living Waters and Jenny went with a beaver lodge on her head. She won the award for craziest hairdo for a teacher !

Adding Zambian Blog

2007-05-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

I am slowly adding the daily log - with photos - from my recent trip to Zambia on Simon Poultney Foundation business. The entries are "backdated" to the relevant days in March so you will have to check the March 2007 archives and go back to Older Posts to read what I add. For larger views of the photos click on them.