"Soo Valley" Grand Banks For Sale

"Soo Valley", our 1972, classic 36' yacht, is for sale. The "Soo" has afforded us many hours, and many miles, of beautiful upcoast BC cruising. She has twin diesel engines and is well equiped for extended coastal cruising or gunkholing in the local waters.

Juvenile Eagle at Boundary Bay

Caught this young eagle just spotting his next meal. Seconds after this shot he flew off and I missed the perfect shot!!! 

Me and Mom (1911 - 1994)

Mom's Birthday was 27 March 1911.

This picture was taken some years back at a News Year Party for the folks at Lions Manor. I think she had started to shrink then because I was never that tall. 

Queen of the North

Hard to believe that the 'Queen' is now resting in 1400' of water. Our rugged BC Coast has claimed another victim. We took this picture while at anchor in one of BC's beautiful little coves. I remember the 'Queen' created quite a wave throughout the anchorage quite awhile after she passed by. 

Family and Friends in Japan

While in Japan we visited Weily's family and friends and some of Karen's friends. (Karen spent tree years in Japan teaching English, about ten years ago). Weily was born in Canada, spent a couple of years in Japan with his grandmother as a youngster, and again later in life he taught English in Japan and worked at Disneyland Tokyo. Weily's mother lives here in Richmond where Weily grew up but she has two sisters and their families living in Japan. We visited with and stayed at the houses of the two aunts....one near Tokyo and the other 450km north of Tokyo near Kitakami. I really enjoyed the living in a Japanese home/family enviroment we experienced while there. 

Family History

While in Japan we were able to visit Weily's family plot and memorial site in the city of Kitakami, 450km north of Tokyo. Weily's grandmother and his aunt and her family live in the family home in Kitakami. We visited the family plot and nearby a statue of Weily's grandfather. The grandfather was once mayor of Kitakami and very involved in bringing some important industries to the region...thus the statue. The statue is near a shrine where family celebrations including his aunt's wedding have taken place. We rang the bells at the shrine entrance and thus made our presence known before offering our thoughts for the family. 

Houses in Japan

These are the houses of Weily's aunts where we stayed. The top house is a country/family home, 450km north of Tokyo, (Kitakami). The middle pics are of Weily's other aunt's home near Tokyo, (Chiba prefecture). 

Eating in Japan

We had no shortages of food while we were in Japan. Weily's families treated us royally and once we got a little comfortable with the chopsticks we were able to experience a wide variety of foods. Weily's aunt took us through a traditional tea ceremony. The middle left and bottom middle pics show us at a standup "fast food"....quick and tasty! We mostly ate in the family homes....note the extended tables. 

Sites in Japan

These are just a few of the typical sites one sees when visiting Japan. Restaurants display their dishes outside in front of the restaurant. Vending machines are everywhere. The bullit trains are fantastic and you can set your watch to the subway and train times. The temples here are in the town of Narita, close to the airport but much older.