I'm back . . . .

Wow an even longer time since I was here last. Christmas is coming and Michael is already on Gabriola. We have Bob's annual Hanukkah party on Saturday, I am in Christmas Carol on Sunday and after that we have Rogers birthday party. So still busy.

Its been a long while since I blogged. Its the Halloween fireworks tonight so maybe some pictures. Its been an incredibly damp October so lots of mushrooms, old friends and some new new. This might be elfin saddle.

In March we went to China for the third time

Pictures from three weeks in South Western China

http://spero.smugmug.com/China

Spero's on Chinese TV in 2011

Seems like our trip in 2011 to the Chaoyang Basin in remote Western Liaoning Province was on China TV. We visited the Sihetun Geopark Fossil Site where late Jurassic shales hold fossils that have contributed much to what we know about the evolutionary transition from reptiles to birds. 

http://www.bpxww.com/83037330037800960/20110609/2467364.shtml

Copy link to a new browser tab. It does work directly from the blog.

Cousin Sue's visit to Gabriola

Orlebar Point

Sue and Tessa

Sue and Michael at Cathedral Grove

Rathtrevor Beach

Sue visited for 4 days. It didn't start well as her float plane was delayed for 3-4 hours by fog and rain but it did clear up. She left us to fly to Winnipeg en route to Churchill to see the polar bears.

Two days in White Rock with Susan and Paul

Arriving on the Fraser River (near the airport) at 11:20am on Thursday after a delightful trip via Pirates Cove on Cortez. (Photo by  Susan B.)

Crescent Beach

A well earned sample, or two! The Wellbrook Wineries 

Wellbrook Winery

Wellbrook Winery

Britannia Shipyard

Britannia Shipyard

On the Board walk at Britannia Shipyard in Steveston   

Britannia Shipyard - http://www.richmond.ca/culture/sites/britannia/about.htm 

I screwed up the tractor mower again!

The blade picked-up straw and hay just as I turned the blade off. When I turned blades on again it jammed and the belt drive seizedup and dark black smelly smoke erupted. Mower back with Henry again. Cant mow any more now anyway, we are in high fire alert, first shift only and if it doesn't rain we will go to extreme.

Gabriola Theatre Festival

A busy weekend. Thursday night dress rehearsals. Friday afternoon "Billy Bishop"; Friday evening Son of a Bitch Stew"; Saturday afternoon "The Old Maid and the Thief (Mennotti opera); Saturday evening "The Trashion Show"; Sunday afternoon "The Housekeeper" and Sunday evening "Jacques Brell".

The Housekeeper rehearsals:

Barred Owls

Woken on Wednesday morning by two barred owls at 5am. They stayed all day and into the evening but then moved on. More pictures at http://spero.smugmug.com/GabriolaLife/Barred-Owls/24545718_jD4sSx#!i=2004380181&k=nK4jMpT

Paul and Susan's visit to Gabriola

Paul and Susan float planed to Gabriola on Wednesday. We had great weather and did a lot of sight seeing. Also met and enjoyed Jane and Roger.

Susan has an album of her pictures from gabriola at:

 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151972422080531.882072.879135530&type=1