Shuswap Cabining Weekend

We made the most of the rapidly disappearing summer last weekend. Our lovely friends have just as lovely friends who have a cabin out at the Shuswap.

Cabining is an age old Canadian past time. The equivalent of going to the shack or beach house in Australia. It reminded me of the good old days, spending your summers on the boat, swimming and developing a great tan before going back to school. Remember the days when you actually got tanned over summer? I guess my skin health thanks me for not doing that anymore, but I miss the envious "you're sooo tanned" comments.

This wasn't just a weekend of meeting some friends of friends (love doing that!) and hanging by the lake. This was a weekend of firsts. Some had their first keg stand, some their first cliff jump into a lake, some their first view of the salmon run, some their first paddle board, some their first homemade cider keg stand (everyone?), some their first skinny dip in a lake, and some their first skinny dip full stop.

Unfortunately we're at that age and some have professional careers, so including photos of these events isn't really appropriate. We had a wonderful weekend friends! Here's hoping Autumn brings just as much fun.

Some Summer Weekends in Kamloops

We've been in Kamloops for the last three weekends which has been really nice. Last summer we were travelling a lot, so didn't get to enjoy the lovely summer heat in town very much. We now don't have a weekend at home until October so I guess it was good timing. Summer has been awesome in BC as well, as long as you like hot and no rain (who doesn't?). Kamloops is dry as a chip, so it's not pretty but it's hot.

The first weekend was the August long weekend. Our friends Greg and Lil came up to the 'loops because Greg was playing in a soccer tourney. We floated the river TWICE that weekend. The river was moving a fair bit slower than the Channel in Penticton but there aren't many better things to do than float down a river, in the sun, drinking beers with a good group of friends. My underwater camera has decided to die so I sadly didn't get any photos on either trip.

This is what happens when you try and fit people and floats in your car!

Next weekend was the much anticipated Kamloops Ribfest. We missed out on going last year, but had friends that loved it. They loved it so much the went all three days, and it sold out each day. We were in Vancouver for work during the week, but came back Saturday so we could attend. We were pretty excited! On Sunday we got the kayak out (finally) and paddled down the river to Ribfest (again). I think we would have tried 4 different types of ribs over the weekend. Not sad about that at all!

Granville Island Brooms and a blurry kayak shot.

People will wait for these delicious bad boys!

This last weekend we had a quick visit from an Australian uni friend and his wifey. They moved to Vancouver at the start of summer and were on a cheeky interior trip before their baby arrived. Looking forward to visiting them in Vancouver with their new bub soon! We also went out to Barriere for a chicken rotisserie BBQ. Homegrown chickens and everything! I don't think I've ever had chicken that tasted that good. There is no comparison!

I'm looking forward to the weekends of fun that are coming up. In particular a short trip to the Motherland in September!!

Penticton with Friends and Family

We've had my family in Canada for two weeks and O'Hara did an amazing job of host for the first week. They arrived after a long journey and thinking they were going to have a chance to rest a bit... but no chance of that. The first three days while I was at work they went hiking, downhill biking at Sun Peaks and canoeing down the river. None of those activities are restful!

Extreme downhill biking and kayaking

For the weekend we went to Penticton for a wine tour and channel float. Another item on the bucket list all checked off. Win! We also visited the farmers markets in Penticton and I had my first PROPER Aussie pie in about 18 months! You probably can't understand how good that was. It has since lead to the discovery that there is a pie truck in Vancouver by a different Australian. The bastards cost $8 a pop there but it's worth it.

MEAT PIES!!!

For our wine tour we toured again with Grape Escapes which was again amazing. We went to Naramata bench and visited 5 wineries and well and truly worked out our credit card. Our wine rack is stocked up for summer which is always good. Hopefully we get more guests to drink it with us!

On Sunday we braved the cloudy skies and floated down the channel. The original plan was to only do a half float, but the water was moving quickly so we decided to go the whole way. This. Was. FUN! We finally got to get out our giant floating Havs, luckily the water wasn't too cold as these bad boys are not really designed to keep you dry. O'Hara was nicknamed Señor Froggy as he wore a sombrero and pulled us around by frog kicking on his thong. It worked a treat!

Finny is a float dog with Señor Froggy 

Floaty float and now a floating eski dog

I love our weekends in Penticton, they're always a blast and it was great to see it in summer.

Kamloops Thrive Festival and Revi Again

O'Hara is the greatest. I'd bank on him to rescue me for sure!

They won the BC Provincial Mines Rescue Competition a few weekends ago, which means they're going to Fernie in September. Of course it meant O'Hara had to change his flights back to Australia, but don't worry Aussies it's only a few days less in the Mother Country.

Go Hubby Go!

Since going to Revelstoke we've been taken it pretty easy in the rain. June Gloom exists in Kamloops as well, and I'd be sad if it didn't mean we'll get lovely green grass. Unfortunately it also means we get bazillions of mosquitoes. It's actually out of control. I went for a "walk" at work the other week out in a field and the air was thick with mozzies. I think I was only outside for about 5min, I was running and had RIDIC helicopter arms and still had 9 bites. It was like Jamanji!! When we ran inside the little sh*#s were banging against the window. Probably my worst experience in Canada so far!

Last weekend Kamloops had it's first ever Thrive Festival, which is hopefully going to be an annual arts festival. Unfortunately I don't think enough people knew about it, as it wasn't as busy as I expected. We only really knew about it because work sponsored the event. O'Hara did a sausage and jerky making course and I did a portrait photography course. We both really enjoyed them and would likely do a course again next year! Though O'Hara smelt like meat for hours. It was kinda nasty. Also, now I want a better camera.... These things make me miss Hobart, as Tasmanians seem to be awesome at getting involved with local events.

We've also been growing stuff on our balcony. It's so cool, Chrystal gave us some wild strawberry plants and these things are delish!

Two extremely beautiful things!

We're off the Chicago and Madison this weekend for Connor and Karen's wedding. So excited!! Then the parentals and little brother get here!!!!!!!! AAAHHHHHHHHH!!!! It's the first time any of my family has visited (aside from big bro O'Hara and Leonie). Cannot WAIT!

Ok, so this time we were a little piratey

WE CAME 5th!!! The Pirates are the greatest! Or the 5th greatest at least!!

This weekend we had a beach volleyball tournament in Kamloops. It was generally the same teams we play during the week, but it ran over a whole day. Rather than being in different pools (where we're C of D) we had to play against people who were much, MUCH better than us.

Pete after a rather unimpressive (outcome) face plant

We were the only ones dressed up, and the only ones who brought a sweet amount of gear to keep us entertained. People were jealous of our get-up, until they saw us play. During pool play it was all bad news. We didn't win a single game and were ranked 12th .... out of 12. It was not looking promising.

Drinks/Pool break

Luckily, during the quick break we stocked up on enough beer and smokies to make us semi amazing. We then had to play best of 3 (like regular beach volleyball, but nothing we'd done), which at one stage meant playing 5 games in a row. Half cut. In 36 degree weather. After playing 5 previous games. Painful!

Trying to stay cool and hydrated!

Some how we managed to win 2 matches, get flogged in the next, then win our last one by default as that team got too hot/tired and went home! Best. Outcome. Ever!

6 in the pool

While the husband works hard, the wife plays

I have the greatest husband in the word, I'm sure none of my non-married friends would disagree. Over the last few months O'Hara has put in hours and hours of overtime to ensure New Afton will actually start making money. A lot of people obviously made this happen but I love O'Hara the most and I'm super proud of him!

YAY to O'Hara and money!!

So what have I been doing while he's slaving away? Fun things. Lots and lots of fun things.

A friend had her hens/bachelorette party on a cruise. To Mexico! It was amazing and I was so lucky to be living in Canada and therefore be able to justify a cheeky trip to LA for the party. It was a 3 nighter and I think we spent ~1hour in Mexico. We ate street tacos and sampled tequila so that was a success. Her family is hilarious and I spent much of my time with stomach pains from laughing too much. This ended in stomach pains from cruise flu, but aside from that was awesome!

The beautiful people I got to cruise with!

My favourite Safety Manager is making the trip down under to Peak, which means we sadly have to say goodbye to him. There was however, a pretty sweet farewell that included teaching my boss to shotgun a beer and Two-Step (no not Tassie Two-Step. It's a real dance).

Who wouldn't want a cake with all your workmates giving you the finger? (Or "fingering you" in Canadian. Dirty bastards)

I spent a Sunday on a lake out at Barriere, on a supposedly cold overcast day that turned out to be a balmy 27 and sunny. A friend at work has a wake boarding boat which I'm pretty jealous of. We cooked up a delicious feast of cheese smokies and spent the day on the water. The lake was pretty much empty as well due to the shitty forecast. Double win!

First time tubing in a long long time. My face says it all

 An interesting side note, the Canadians jumped in the water and hopped straight out saying "ooohh it's a bit brisk in there". I jumped in a floated about for about 10min noting how warm the water was. It appears they don't breed them as tough as they do in Tasmania!

Smokies are a delicious version of hot dog that you cook on a BBQ

Finally, I had a work trip to Blackwater which is a New Gold mine in the exploration stage. It's basically in the middle of nowhere in northern BC. Helicopter or a 4 hour bus trip from Prince George is the only way in. I didn't see a single Moose though which was a bit devastating, but the scenery is beautiful and it's really interesting to see a mine in this stage.


I wouldn't mind commuting so much if this is always how it was!

Unfortunately, I have a 9 hour layover at Prince George airport waiting for my flight home. This is NOT what you want to see when stuck somewhere for 9 hours (this is the only food stop)....

To all the Kenso College kids... it says Eurest down the bottom there

O'Hara is now on a 7/7 roster which means he gets every second week off. Now it's his turn to relax!!