In a roommette on the train

In a roommette on the train, originally uploaded by NealeA.

We shared a small compartment on the train which made up into two very narrow beds, one on top of the other, so we could sleep overnight. Here Russell is drawing me (while I was drawing him).

Amtrak

IMG_4735, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Russell and I took the Coast Starlight from Davis to Eugene and I went on to Seattle and by bus to Vancouver. It was great being with my son on the journey - just as it had been wonderful to drive down to Eugene in October with daughter Naomi.

Charades

Charades, originally uploaded by NealeA.

We played Charades after dinner, and of course brother Chuck was the most energetic participant.

Thanksgiving table

IMG_4705, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Naomi had flown to San Francisco, and Russell had driven down with his friend Joe. Great time!

Turkey at the Belzer-Adamses

IMG_4704, originally uploaded by NealeA.

We all went in to Berkeley on Thanksgiving for dinner. Some 21 people were around the table, and the turkey weighed 30 lbs.

Mike at market

Mike at market, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Then on to Davis to be with my brother Mike and his family for the Thanksgiving holiday. We cycled to the local farmers' market, where Mike seemed to know most of the farmers.

Russell at C.A.T.

IMG_4650, originally uploaded by NealeA.

I really enjoyed spending time with Russell before American Thanksgiving in Eugene. Here he is working at C.A.T., the Center for Appropriate Transportation.

A fire at Main Street and Broadway destroyed three small businesses the night before. A machine was tearing down what remained and dragging it to the street so it could be trucked away. What a mess!

Hiking in Oregon

We went on a short hike in a lava bed in a forest near Eugene. Actually we were looking for a hot springs but were in the wrong place.

Eugene Visit

Eugene Visit, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Naomi and I went down to visit Russell in Eugene on Oct. 24 and 25, and had a great weekend. He's down there studying bicycle cart fabrication at the Center for Appropriate Technology, and doing well, though he really misses his family. This was taken at the Saturday Market in downtown Eugene.

Russell, Finn, and Jane... another great shot.

Finn and his Dad. Another great shot.

Putting on Finnegann's slippers. These shots were taken by Russell, who commented that it sure took a long time to get them on!

Thanksgiving 2009

Here's a shot of our dinner for Thanksgiving, which we had on Sunday, Oct. 11. It's a composite so I could get both sides in. L-R: Margery, Colin, Nick, Naomi, Russell, Finn, Jane (attending the youngster), David, Ros, Winnie.

My crazy grandson Finnegann, at a party at the Buker-Adams' on Saturday, Oct. 10. The other, somewhat less dizzy, young dancer is his cousin Elliott. This was shot in low light, so the picture is a bit washed out, but you can see the twirling. He may have a career as a whirling dervish.

Both Nick (at left) and Naomi (at right) were pictured in local papers - Georgia Straight and Vancouver Courier - in accounts of the bike polo tournament.

Naomi at the end of the game tapping mallets with other players.

Here was Naomi's team in a bike polo tournament in East Vancouver, with her friends Valley (furthest from camera) and Cornelia (in black). They did quite well, coming in fourth of about ten teams. This is how the game begins.

Nick and Naomi opening their loot... I mean gifts... after the wedding.

I should mention the wedding included a procession on bicycles, too and from the park. Nick is at left, Ros in the middle telling all and sundry that her daughter was getting married. This was Nigel's photo.

I haven't blogged any pictures of Naomi and Nick's wedding. Instead I've put them on my Flickr website. This great picture was taken by their good friend (and fellow bike polo player) Polly. The wedding took place at Saxe Point Park in Esquimalt, near Victoria, BC on Aug. 23. Family friend - who married Ros and me - Herbie O'Driscoll was the priest. It was great. Do go see the pictures.

Finnegann reading with great-granny Margery. He's a smart kid (what else would I say?)

Here's the grandkid during a recent visit playing with a toy his grandmother bought. He prefers pushing to being pushed.

Here we all are working away from the press box at GM Place. The woman nearest the camera is the US team's attaché, I think. The man at centre standing up is Richard, who was the boss. I actually was working as a photographer's assistant, but there weren't a lot of photographers to assist.

I volunteered as a "press assistant" a pre-Olympic event, a women's hockey tournament. I worked in the press box, not doing a lot, but enjoying the view of the rink from way, way overhead. The national teams from Canada, the US, Finland and Sweden played. The US beat Canada a couple of times. It was fun, and I got to learn my way around GM Place, home of the Canucks. During the Olympics, though, I won't be working there, but at the curling rinks at Little Mountain.

Translink's Cycling Bridge

The new cycling bridge over the north arm of the Fraser under the new Skytrain line from Vancouver to Richmond. A nice wide pathway. It will be very useful.

Very corny kid... Finnegann

The Aquabus ferries at Granville Island in Vancouver, which go across False Creek. This neat shot was taken by Rosalind.

Finn presents Mother with flowers

Ros took some very nice video of Finnegann, our grandson.

KiteFestival

Kite festival at Vanier Park. Finnegann tried it too... I expect a big future for this kid, my grandson.

Jane and Finnegann... the boy is growing up!

Our very late snowfall, March 8--well, maybe not that late--covered a few crocuses that have come out.

Finnegan is one, presented with his cake by his father. He loves berries.

Granny's fridge. I really like this collection.