Sweet Goodbye

Summer's over.  There can be no doubt about this.  I woke up this morn to discover that at some point during the night husband had stolen all the blankets.  This is a sure sign that Summer is on her way out.  I could also hear the sound of rain pounding on the roof through my cat, who had wrapped herself around my head like a turban.  All cats know this survival trick, employed when they are in grave danger of having to spend a night indoors in a well-furnished home.
Yes, there are signs about which tell me that while Summer may not be completely gone, She is certainly standing on the front porch, nervously jingling her keys. And as I sit here nursing the first cold of the season I have a chance between sneezes to think over the summer's adventures....

I tried climbing again-for-the-first-time with Husband, who learned that if you buy a girl new shoes, she will do just about anything to wear them. Even if that means scale a craggy mountain side.

We went to Wild Play in Naniamo, an adventure park filled with ropes and bridges suspended in the amazing canopy of the local old-growth forest. I learned that Husband will do anything I ask him to do, if it costs less than a pair of climbing shoes.

Tubing! I could write an entire piece on tubing and still not have said enough about soaking the heat of the day out of your bones as you float down the river.  Each time was a little different from the last as the river winds along its' course.  There is nothing more pleasant, more quintessentially BC than tubing. The fact that it is also moderately low cost (tube:$26; Gas:$10; beer afterwards: $6) means I was on the river 3 days out of every 7 since June.

Camping on Quadra Island clearly made an impression and will hopefully be repeated before we are posted away.

Husband surprised me with a trip to the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) which was fantastic.  It reminded us both of every great fair we've ever gone to as kids.

BBQ's, backyard parties, dinners on patios, helping friends move, cycling, swimming and generally ignoring the phone were enjoyed to the fullest.  Farewell Summer.  Until next year, I shall think fondly of you as I sit, sipping Neocitron (TM), sneezing and wearing a cat hat.
Cheers.