Back to life, back to reality...

It's been a while, but it's been an emotional last few months, returning to Canada, and saying goodbye to life in Silverdale and living just around the corner from mum and dad. We arrived back at the beginning of August and started unpacking our belongings from storage and re-settling into our house. Then came the transition back to work... a bit bumpy and a shock to the system... and then the kids back to school... a bit scary and emotional. Brig and Al were a godsend during those first few weeks taking the kids during summer holidays while Josie and I got the house straight and got back into some sort of routine. It took some adjustment to get used to the size of the house and appliances after being in the bungalow in England for a year, it also took some getting used to the weather, 29 degrees, wall to wall sunshine, and no rain for two months. We spent most weekends in August up in Parksville & Errington and took in the annual sandcastle building competition.

The kids did amazingly well adjusting back to life in Canada and settling into school. Abigail went from being in the oldest year in the village school in Silverdale with 65 children to being the youngest in school with over 650 children at Bayside Middle School. Sink or swim time!!! thankfully she's swimming brilliantly and has adjusted well to life in big school. Ben dropped back into life in Brentwood Elementary without missing a beat and has a great teacher and friends in his class. The kids have also been enjoying the freedom of their own bedrooms and have been busy re-decorating and putting their stamp on the space.

The kids have also been re-connecting with friends and getting back into their activities, with Ben playing football for Peninsula Soccer and Abigail rock climbing at Stelly's Climbing Wall. We've also been enjoying the lake and forest, ice hockey and bowling, Tim Hortons and Maple Syrup!!

As we approached Thanksgiving and Fall weather, we decided to escape for a long weekend staycation in nearby Sooke (30 mins from Victoria) to visit the West Coast beaches and trails. We were so lucky with the weather as some late Fall sunshine welcomed us for the weekend (as opposed to the usual west coast rain, drizzle and fog). We enjoyed walking and beach combing at Whiffin Spit and roasted marshmallows on the fire, hot chocolate and BBQ lunch at French Beach. We stayed at the Prestige Hotel (Best Western) which had a fantastic pool, hot tub and bar/restaurant which we made the most of. A fantastic weekend staycation (it felt like we were in Mexico or Hawaii)...

Oh Canada!!! Our home and native land....