In Nova Scotia anything out of the province is "away."

Just spent several days in Nova Scotia. Had dinner with cousin Maureen Docuet and her husband Lee. Treated to lobster, and what a treat!

Finn and I went to the park Thursday while his father worked for a while at our house. Great fun.

If this works it's really neat. The spider will follow your mouse. From http://abowman.com/

Back home to the mainland. This ferry was heading off to the Sunshine Coast.

A stairwell.

An architectural detail at Rivendell. It is a really nice building. I'd recommend the place to anyone who wants to rest, read, and meditate for a few days.

A sign in the cafe where we ate.

Before we left we checked out Killarney Lake. I'd like to return in the summer, when it's not raining!

There's a large labyrinth for meditation, but the path is a bit tricky to follow since it's made up of irregular stones. Or maybe I just got impatient as I tried it.

We both got some reading and writing done, and had talks along with our walks.

And she was interested in this slime mould. She has to buy this stuff for her biology class to examine.

As always, Ros was on the look out for interest flora. I think this is some sort of lichen.

There are lots of places to walk and enjoy the woods. It was raining lightly most of the time we were there, but that was all right.

During Spring break, Ros and I spent a couple of days at Rivendell, a retreat centre on Bowen Island. It overlooks Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver and the new road to Squamish.

Finnegann with his horsey, a gift from Bettina Gruver. He really likes it. The toy comes from Germany and was played with by Bettina's children, now in their 20s.

One of the many, many posters and banners in the city during the Olympics. These on a bridge. They created a festive air.

Here is many of the media tent's volunteers. At the desk in the centre was the person in charge of the operation. A friendly group. What we're doing here is having a glass of beer of wine after the men's gold medal game (that Canada won; the women took silver).

Here's where I worked during the Olympics, in the media tent at the curling venue. Occasionally I would get to see the curling. There were up to about 30 journalists working out of here. I tried to be useful... but mostly made sure only accredited people were in the media section, and handed out some pages of statistics.

A bit of hyperbole, I think. Nicely designed poster, though...

In uniform

Here I am in my Olympic uniform.

The Olympic torch relay

The Olympic torch today (Feb. 11) came along King Edward Ave., about half a block from our home. While I've complained that the relay has little to do with the Olympic's athletic competition, people certainly enjoyed it and were having fun. Tomorrow the opening ceremony, and on Sunday - Valentine's Day - come my first day as a volunteer at the curling venue. Last night Ros and I took in the final dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony... they've certainly spared no expense to try to make it grand.

Reception for the newlyweds

We had a party Feb . 6 to introduce Nick and Naomi to many of our friends in Vancouver, most of whom hadn't been able to go to Victoria for their wedding last August 23. It went well. The bicycle wheels had decorated the reception.

Countdown clock & Georgia Hotel

Countdown clock & Georgia Hotel, originally uploaded by NealeA.

Here's the Countdown Clock at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The Olympics are almost upon us... just 20 days, 4 hours, 32 minutes, 10 seconds to the opening ceremony. That was this week, Wednesday?

Granddad Don made a puppet show stage for Finn (and another for Elliott) for Christmas, which he - and several adults really like. Uncle David was putting on the show with a snake that Finn got for Christmas, and Don is participating somehow.

Finnegann's biggest gift was a renovated wagon improved and painted green and yellow by his dad. The boys at the part were Finn, Elliott, and Mika.

Here Granddad Buker reads to Finnegann and Don's other grandson, Elliott, from one of Finn's birthday books.

Finnegann turned 2 on January 2. Here Jane holds him as Russell presents the cake. In the background (in the silly hat) is Conrad, Russell's friend and father of Finn's friend Mika. (These are Ros' pictures.)

Van Dusen Light Show

The Gardens presented a light show - quite simple really, lights turned on and off to music, but still quite effective. (Ros shot this video with her little camera.)

Van Dusen Christmas Lights

P1024959, originally uploaded by NealeA.

We finally got to the Van Dusen Christmas lights display on Jan. 2. Had hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, and wandered about looking at the lights strung up all around the grounds.