Reading time

Love being able to take a day and do nothing but watch TV and read.  

Feeling tired but pretty good.  Bit of pain in shoulder and ankle but not slowing me down.

Meandering

Found some caches in Queensborough, Burnaby & Vancouver.  Got a tweet while in Burnaby that there was a new one in Kerrisdale & actually made it in time to get a First to Find.

Picked up a cinnamon bun for lunch & shepherd's pie for dinner at Characters.  A bit of shopping at Safeway & was home just after 2.

Sundials

I was on a mission to find sundials at English Bay & on the North Van waterfront for a multi we are doing at UBC.  Luckily, I sent the answers right away and Lori was able to send me back to the North Van one before I got too far away.  I had looked for the wrong data!  Can't read simple instructions.  Found a nice multi while there.  It took me to the War Memorial for the Boer, WW I, WW II & Korean wars and then an air raid siren put up for the Cold War.  Appropriate on Memorial Day.

Had some great halibut at Fishworks on Lonsdale.  Even ate a couple of brussel sprouts that didn't taste too bad.  Not the slimy balls of childhood.

Logged a couple of new caches in Burnaby and one at the end of Kerr St. on the way home.

White Spot comfort food

Had a quiet day.  Paid a few bills.   

Didn't feel like cooking, so went to the White Spot - chowder, burger & gelato.

Passings

Attended the memorial for Pam's dad today with Lori.  It was well done, with a brief bio and a slide show of photos. 

TRASK, Keith O.
May 19, 1922 - April 24, 2012
Surrounded by his loving family, Keith peacefully passed away on April 24 after a brief illness. He was a gentle and kind father, grandpa, husband and friend who will be dearly missed by Agnes, his wife of 65 years; daughters Pam Moulton and Sheryl Trask (Paul Spelliscy); and grandchildren Cameron Moulton (Cassidy Knowles), Curtis Moulton (Natasha Samuels), Caitlin and Brynn Spelliscy. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 26, 11:00 at the Mount Pleasant Legion Branch 177, Senior's Centre (lower floor) 2655 Main Street, Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Little Mountain Place, or the charity of your choice.

Wandered around a bit and found 3 caches in Burnaby.  I needed 6 to get to 100, but was tired and it was hot.

Came home to find that my cousin had died.  My dad was best man at her parents' wedding so she saw his photo every day.  Her mother had polio and was always one of my heroes.  She would visit on her way to the sun in Hawaii.

EADIE, Isabelle Grace
October 2, 1941 - May 23, 2012
Born in Edmonton, passed peacefully after a lengthy illness, in her 71st year. Survived by her loving family, husband Desmond, daughter Carolyn (Daniel) Anderson, her auntie Claire Kirkland of Edmonton, brother David Hough of Victoria, sisters Joan (Leith) Campbell of Edmonton and Shirley (Dan) Tweed of Trail, grandchildren Catharine and William; other loving nieces, nephews and family members. Grace was a well respected educator in Vancouver, retiring after 35 years of service as a teacher, vice principal and principal. Memorial service will be conducted by The Rev'd Roberta Fraser, Saturday, June 2nd at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anselm's Anglican Church, 5210 University Blvd., Vancouver. In appreciation of Grace's love of beautiful flowers, they are gratefully accepted, or a donation may be made to the General Fund of St. Anselm's Anglican Church.

Laundry day

Heard the door of a dryer close the first 2 times I arrived at the top of the stairs.  Finally chanced it and all machines were quiet.  Returned after 1/2 hour of washing to find both dryers full of almost dry clothes.  Took them all out and they were still there when I went back for mine in an hour.  Either someone forgot or just didn't care how long they left them.

Up and down the stairs 3 times was enough for one day.

Fort Langley

Spent most of the day around Fort Langley with Pam and Lori.  We found a bunch of caches.  They went on a walk around Macmillan Island from 2:30 to 4:10 and logged 7 caches.  I stayed with the car and read.

Good lunch at Wendel's Bookstore & Cafe - Spinach Citrus Salad: fresh baby spinach topped with citrus, spiced walnuts and red onions with poppy seed dressing & focaccia.

Point Roberts

Picked up a couple of things at Lee Valley Hardware and then headed to Point Roberts.  Filled up with gas & bought a bottle of wine & a scone at the Shell Station.  Had one parcel with several things in it at TSB Shipping.  Zipped right through the border both ways.  Love driving past lines of cars without NEXUS.

Thought I could remember where a multi was in Boundary Bay.  Should have stopped at first stage.  Walked 2 km and gave up.  Next time I'll do it properly.

Fell asleep this afternoon!

Stanley Park Totems

Met Lori & Pam at the Stanley Park Totems for an event held by a visitor from Germany.  We visited with other geocachers for quite a while.

Found 5 other caches before leaving the park.  Also got a parking ticket on each of our cars at the Tea House parking lot as our passes had expired.  Who checks in an empty lot in the rain!  EasyPark sucks.  I ended up paying $10.70 for parking & owe $39.20 for the fine.  

Home by 8 - tired, wet & hungry. But, I have 5,402 caches!

Bob goes into space

They finally got the commercial space launch off this morning, sending cousin Bob's ashes into space.  Appropriate when you look at his career with NASA.

Gave my shoulder another day of rest.  It is much better but I can't reach for anything or lift it without hurting.

Sore shoulder

Spent the day icing my sore shoulder and watching Titanic shows on my PVR.  

Stayed up late to finish my latest ebook mystery on my Kobo.  Love being able to borrow ebooks from the library.

Fort Langley

Excellent day today.  Met Pam at Sungod and we headed for Fort Langley.  Found an Earthcache on Brae Island.  We were there for an event in the Fort and 3 new caches were nearby.  Strange being in the Fort without a bunch of schoolkids in tow.  Found the nearby Outdoor Art #3 multi.  I only have 1 left in this series, but it is disabled since the art has been removed.

Love events like this when we meet people we know.  Had lunch with a few in the pub and traded stories and hints for caches.

Had a bit of time to rest before meeting Matt, Andrea & the kids at the Topanga Cafe for my birthday dinner.  Excellent food.  I will return.

Fell asleep watching the news.  Have a sore shoulder tonight.  I fell and wrenched it. 

Down day

Slept really well last night and didn't get up until 9.

Read & watched TV all day and not much else.

Letterboxes

Met Pam in Surrey and we headed to find a solved puzzle in White Rock.  Then we went to Campbell Valley Park and found a couple of letterboxes.  I have the number I need for the pyramid challenge.  Ended up with 11 for the day.  We had several DNFs  so I felt better at blowing some yesterday.  I've been back to one 3 times, but no luck.

Good lunch at Choo Choo's in Langley.  Grabbed some groceries at Save-On & Cobs when I took Pam back to her car.  Straight home after that, arriving at 5.  Took some time to get the energy to even take my shoes off.  Will sleep well tonight.

Poor caching day

Just made it in time to grab a tea before our metastatic group.  There were 9 of us this morning.

Drove to Coquitlam and had lunch at Applebee's.  Failed to find 3 caches in a row.  One was a 1.5 terrain but I could only get to within 12 metres.  No way I was clambering over a bunch of fallen trees with a cane.  Finally found one and then it was time to head home.  Got here just after 5.

VESTA AGM

Met Pam in Queensborough this morning.  Picked her up at the end of a trail I had done we found 3 new caches.  She came with me on an obscure path on Annacis Island to find one that she already had.

Home for a rest and then went to the VESTA AGM at the Vancouver Museum.  It was a long meeting, going until almost 6.  So nice not to have to do that any more.  I was tired, so left when my parking ran out at 6. 

Another 100

Went out this morning and found 3 quick nearby caches to get to 100 for the 14th.  9 more days and 203 caches to go!

Picked up a cinnamon bun at Characters on the way home.  Didn't do much else today.  Not feeling perfect, but a lot better than the last few days.

Family Birthdays

Family celebrated several birthdays (me, Chris, Patrick, Kathryn) at Chris's today.  Large group - about 15.  We had a Mexican lunch.  Several went off to minigolf at Queen Elizabeth Park, but I was tired and headed straight home.

Iffy day

Woke up with the headache I went to sleep with.  It finally went by the afternoon, helped with a few painkillers.  Felt sick after dinner, but it settle down without getting too bad.

Finished a good mystery and watched PVR.  Enjoyed World Cup game since Canada won, but the Whitecaps lost their game. 

Tired

Slept in to 9:30 this morning.  Watched Canada beat Finland in the World Cup hockey game and then went to Richmond.  Stopped at COSTCO, Chapters & Cobbs.  Had lunch on the beach in Steveston.

I am tired and a bit headachy tonight.  Still managed to finish The Hunger Games trilogy.  Enjoyed the books a lot.  Now for the movie.

Long day

So nice to have the sun for so long after the short days of Winter.  Left home at 9 and returned at 8 tonight.  Pam, Lori & I found caches from Strathcona, to the PNE and across North Burnaby.  I logged 26 for the day.  They did most of the walking.  I would let them off at one part of a trail and meet them at the other end.  Our map looks pretty good now.

PVR day

Slept in until 10 and didn't really accomplish anything today.  I did have plans but ended up watching stuff on my PVR and reading book 2 & part of 3 of the Hunger Games trilogy.

Arriva Ristorante Italiano

Had a nice quiet day.  Did some cleaning  - mainly filling my recycling bag.

Met Robert & Pru at 8 and we went to Arriva Ristorante Italiano for an excellent dinner: Gamberi Piccanti  (Prawns, hot & spiced), Bruschetta and Piccata di Vitello al Limone (Veal, butter, white wine, lemon sauce).  So nice to have an appetite today.

 

Afternoon tea

I needed 7 caches to get to my 100 for the 7th.  Found one on the Surrey side of the Patullo Bridge.  Luckily it was away from all the road construction.  Failed to find 3 in a row in New West but then found a three quick ones.  Got one inside a branch library in Burnaby that was hidden under the geocaching shelf.  Failed under an abandoned rail bridge.  I don't do well under bridges.

Met Georgina & Marilyn for afternoon tea at Anni's house.  Always enjoy spending time with old friends.  

#100 was a new hide in Vancouver.  Had to explain geocaching to the man sittting on the rock I needed to look under.  Gave him an info card and he was quite interested.  Figured I could trust him as he had a nice dog with him.

Roaming North Van

Found 7 caches in North Van.  Met fellow cachers at the 2nd one and one of them found it under a bridge - good timing.  Even snagged a Letterbox.  Several were my 2nd attempt.  I must be getting better.

Stopped at Tomahawk for a lunch of beef barley soup, toast & tea.  They were just on You Gotta Eat Here.  A woman at the next table was attacking a burger that was about 8 inches tall.

Decided I'd had enough for one day and headed home. 

White Spot dinner

Enjoyed a lazy day reading and watching TV.  The Kentucky Derby win by a local jockey was amazing and the White Caps recorded an historic win.

Met Moira at White Spot for dinner. Ate quite than I've been able to lately.  Tasted good.

Cygnet silver ring splints

Found a cache by Children's Hospital on my way to Mary Pack.  Fitted with my new Cygnet silver ring splints.  They fit well and I had no trouble wearing them all day.

Picked up a couple of books & a bottle of wine in Point Roberts.  Was on the wrong side of the road for a cache and didn't want to miss the lane change in the tunnel, so I'll try another day.  Did find a couple of caches in Richmond near the tunnel.  Bought some produce at Richmond Country Farms.  Stopped at Landsdowne and then home. 

7 Caches

Felt pretty good this morning.  Met Lori in New West.  I needed 7 to get to my 100 for the 3rd.  We were back to Lori's car before noon.   11 more days to complete.  They were building sets for Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters in Robert Burnaby Park.  Have to see the movie now.  There were small houses, archery targets, barrels and a tower with a wall around it.  Should result in enough money to keep the pool open this summer.

Stopped at Byrne Road for some shopping.  

A bit of nausea tonight but ate dinner with no problem.

Still tired

Had to drop a paper off at Fairmont and then go to the pharmacy at the Cancer Agency for my new bottle of Tamoxifen.  We had a full house at the Metastatic Group.  We now have 3 Val's since Val J. has come.  We first met in 1993 at support groups.

Took Val home and stopped for groceries.  Fell asleep for part of the afternoon.  Couldn't eat much dinner.

Checkup day

Had an appointment at 8:40 with my oncologist.  Another doctor saw me first and then Karen came in.  My tumour markers are up on one test and down on another, there is no sign of anything in the lungs or liver, some tumours are bigger & some are smaller.  I can stop worrying about the 2 I can feel.  I am to give up the pool exercise and it is probably just too much exertion right now. 

I have lost a lot of weight and have been having enough trouble with my gut that I am being referred to St. Paul's for a look.  The CT Scan doesn't really show the stomach, so I'll need another scope.  Changed doctors.  Remember throwing up on the last one during the procedure.  Not altogether a bad thing.

Was feeling much better so decided to give caching a shot.  Stopped at Starbucks for a latte and it didn't upset anything.  Found Lori & Pam in New Westminster and drove them around.  Stopped for soup & sandwich at lunch and I was hungry for the first time in days.  Went out to Lori's house and she drove the two of us to Abbotsford for an event put on by a couple leaving in the morning for Africa.  I gave them a BC flag coin to drop somewhere exotic.  Logged a few more caches nearby and one in Cloverdale to get me to 100 for the 1st day of the month.  12 more days to work on to get those columns to 100.

I am tired but feeling much better.  Hope it stays this way for a while.

Recovery day

Got over 8 hours sleep and decided to have a quiet day.  Ate a bit but still don't have much of an appetite.