Saturday, September 23, 2017

REMINDER

Your dues for 2018 are now payable!  Please mail your $10 payable to the Vancouver Islanders to:

Audrey HAUGE, 3286 Jacklin Road, Victoria, Bc. V9C 3H5

Sandy Quesnel

Sandy's Scribbles Seal Bay


First, a huge thank you to Wayne and all the volunteers who helped make this a great rally!  As the old saying goes..."Many hands make light work" and it was proven so.  Also, to my right hand, Audrey HAUGE, who isn't always seen but is always a part of or behind everything I make happen.  Also, thank you to Clarence & Darlene Zimmerman for the taxi service!
As always, Seal Bay Resort was the perfect setting for our last rally this year. Overnight on Monday, we had some very heavy rain, otherwise the sunshine returned in the morning and stayed with us all week. 
A total of 15 coaches, 29 people, arrived Tuesday and all enjoyed a hot and hearty Chicken Stew with dumplings and Pot Luck desserts.   New members, Joe & Margaret Hazelwood and Dennis & Bev Ross were quickly introduced to our love and abundance of good food!  Unfortunately, Rita Roy called to say she could not join us because of serious health issues.  Rita was bringing Spaghetti dinner for Wednesday dinner, so we did some quick head scratching and planning!  Card Bingo was the evenings entertainment and the winners of every game received cash prizes! Verne & Audrey Hauge volunteered to do the coffee prep every evening, so we had delicious coffee every morning started by volunteers.

Wednesday was off to a great start when Randy & Barb Cooper and helpers, prepared us French Crepes with bacon, berries and whipped cream for breakfast.  Very delicious and much appreciated! Thank you!  Joe & Marg Hazelwood stepped up immediately and saved the day with the missing Wednesday dinner.  They took a trip into Comox and made arrangements for Chinese food, managed a reduced price (!!!!) and went back in to pick it up!  For their very first visit with us, they sure proved their worth!   Thank you!  In the afternoon we had a noisy game or two of Mollke, both won and prizes from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate House claimed by Randy Cooper. Then we just enjoyed the day as someone else prepared our dinner!  The Chinese food was very good and followed by more Pot Luck desserts.  Immediately after dinner we started the Cribbage tournament.  Congratulations to Judy Axelson for First Place.  Judy skunked her opponents EVERY game!  Well done, Judy!! Second place went to Linda Schwagly and Third to Henry Schwagly.  All were awarded prizes of Walmart gift cards. Congratulations to you all!

On Thursday, Don & Bev Purdey assisted by George & Linda O'Briain and a few others, made us a wonderful breakfast of individual omelettes.  A choice of toppings, toast and fruit were provided.  Delicious again.  Thank you!   Another warm and sunny day to go for a walk, sit and visit, explore or shop.  The intention was to play more lawn games, but the company and conversations were too enticing! 
Pizza dinner was delivered to the door and again, Pot Luck desserts were enjoyed by all.  Clarence & Darlene Zimmerman got us an unbelievable deal on the pizzas, more than $100 savings over last year!  And, it was great pizza!  Thank you!
Those wishing to participate stayed for a Court Whist tournament.  Marg Hazelwood finished with the highest score, followed by Arnold Aronoff and then George O'Briain.
Again, all were given prizes of Walmart gift cards. Congratulations!
The Continental breakfast on our last day; muffins, pastries, bagels, hard boiled eggs, fruit, yoghurts and all the accoutrements got us all fuelled up and ready to move out.

By the responses and emails I have received since arriving home, this was another great rally, enjoyed by all.  Next years rally schedule is in the works - stay tuned!

Some things I would do differently...less appetizers so that more of the main meal is eaten and not so many leftovers.  Also, not 3 nights of cards.  Instead, maybe another movie night or an evening of mixed games, so there is a choice other than competitive card games.  As well, I wouldn't mop the whole Pavillion floor myself again!  I have a terrible blister!

Wayne and I wish for you all to have a good winter, whether you are south or home, may it be not too cold and not too wet.  As well, we wish you the best of health or the best you can expect.  For those of you wintering away, or south, please watch for our notice of the Pot Luck we will be hosting in the spring, late February or early March.  Everyone will be invited and we hope as many as can will join us.  If you are near or passing through Yuma, please visit us at 14469 East 29 Place, North Foothills, Yuma.  Phone first 928-247-9302 to make sure we are home.  Happy trails to you all.

Sandy Quesnel

Tuesday, September 05, 2017

Seal Bay Rally - September 19 to 22.



Check in after 1 pm

We will be enjoying a Cribbage tournament, Court Whist tournament, Trivia and Card Bingo. Perhaps a Craft hour for anyone interested.

Tuesday, Sept. 19 - Pot Luck

Wednesday, Sept 20 Breakfast...Cooper Surprise - Randy & Barb

                              Dinner.....Spaghetti and salad - Rita Roy et al

Thursday, Sept 21 Breakfast.... Purdey Special

                           Dinner........Pizza Dinner - Clarence & Darlene

Friday, Sept 22 Continental Breakfast. Out by 11

This rally fee will be $70

Campground fees are payable at check-in.

If you wish to attend please send your cheque before Sept 10 for:

Single - $40   Couple - $70


PAYABLE TO:

Sandy Quesnel,  3819 Cavin Road,  Duncan, BC.  V9L 6T2

Monday, September 04, 2017

Sandy re: Cowichan Rally

Whew!  Now I understand the phrase "environmentally challenged"!  16 coaches braved the long weekend traffic to come spend a few idyllic days at Cowichan Bay.  Coming home today was hard, and the difference in temperature, unreal.  Even at the hottest times of the day, the cooling ocean breezes kept us comfortable.
The actual empty area at Westcan has shrunk as Pacific Industries spreads out and uses more and more area for storage.  Still, we were able to get all of the coaches a front row site right on the ocean.  As usual, the wild life and local flora and fauna kept us all entertained.  The blackberries are almost finished, but still provided lots of picking and eating.  As well, Barb Lucas found a very nice plum tree today, lots of fruit!

Some of the folks flew at the job and put up the 2 small shelters immediately.  So nice to sit in the shade, enjoy the breeze, and visit. Westcan had kindly left a tall stack of lumber for us to tie down on, and the wall of shade was appreciated.  New members, Arnie Aronoff and Judy Axelson were introduced.  The group enjoyed burgers with Pot Luck sides and desserts on Friday night and then just settled in to the serenity. There was a small gas campfire, later.

Saturday was a lazy, slow day.  A few of us heard the bird hunters popping off shots very early and several men were at work for an hour or two.  Nothing serious, but when it goes from absolute silence to little "offside noises" you notice.  Bike rides, exploring, shopping, playing card and board games and just vegetating.  The biggest thing some of us did was string lights to the shelter.  We all brought heavy appies for dinner, which we lingered over and then a good part of us played "Pass the Ace".  New member Arnie won twice, so we have a new convert!

There was a problem with the gate being breached, and even left wide open on Saturday, so it was necessary to set up a gate keeper schedule for Sunday.  The people in our group were not responsible for the problem, but of course, we were the first to be questioned.  I think it went very smoothly as 7 or 8 of us each took a shift going out to the gate for 10 - 15 minutes on every hour. That made us feel better, but did not settle the issue, as there were still vehicles getting in.

Joe and Matt Blogg cooked up a slew of pancakes to get us started on Sunday. It was a treat to pile on the fresh picked blackberries! Another play day, no stress, no prep, no worries!  Everyone was on their own for dinner.  Some of us brought out leftovers, some cooked, some went out, some ate too much!  Everyone enjoyed ice cream sundaes for dessert, provided by Joe and Stella Blogg. The lights went on....more Pass the Ace!
Today, Monday, the shelters were down by 8 AM and we were out of the site by 11 AM. Sad, but necessary.  Until next time......

Sandy Quesnel
Sent from my iPad
Pictures courtesy of Marge