Brian and Kathleen strolling down a path as man and wife (or is that woman and husband?)
Warm buddies have been developed by Karen McKee in Richmond BC. Karen has a backgroud as a Registered Nurse and interested in alternative therapies, herbal medicine and aromatherapy, which led to studies in India at a natural healing hospital. The warm wraps and warm plush animals she developed have been used in children’s cancer wards, to help soothe and relieve aches, pains, and stress in the elderly, and also in wildlife recovery centers for orphaned animals. They have won the PTPA Media awards for excellence in parenting products and have won my heart. Many of my guests have purchased Bostrom’s warm buddy bears as momentos of their holidays. It is the warm buddy bear that Kathleen and Brian left with that continues to bring a smile to my face.
Bostrom sitting on the future site of his home with Brian and Kathleen
Brian and Kathleen arrived from Australia on their honeymoon. You can tell by their wedding picture that there would be plenty of love and warmth in their lives. The first morning at Bostrom’s B&B Brian woke expecting to see his beautiful Kathleen. Instead he opened his eyes to a pajama clad Warm Buddy staring right back at him. Throughout their stay, the warm buddy, they named Bostrom, could be found doing headstands in their bed, hanging from the lamps, and cuddled up in the arms of Kathleen. Though Brian may have had the few qualms of jealousy, common for a new dad, Bostrom was adopted into their family and left to his new home in Australia.
Bostrom posing in front of the infamous sideways growing tree
In the middle of the first snowfall of the year I recieved a bunch of pictures from the little family. Bostrom seems really happy in the sunny climate of Western Australia. Notice the sideway growing tree behind him on the fence? I wonder if it is true that the toilet water goes counter clockwise too. What an amazing land! It looks like Bostrom is on quite an adventure!
Bostrom sits on Mom and Dad's bike. "Are we there yet?"
I you have any pictures you can share of your Warm buddy Bostrom bear I’d love to see how they are doing and what they have been up to. If you are interested in a warm buddy Bostrom bear I’d be pleased to sell you one ($35.75 plus shipping) or go to the Warm Buddy Website for more options on these wonderful creatures. They have sheep with big warm bellys, puppies, and bears all in three sizes. They also have other spa products developed over the years by Karen McKee. http://www.warmbuddy.com/index.html.
Bostrom suntanning at Busselton Jetty in southwestern Australia
I’ll keep you posted on the travels of warm buddy Bostrom. I have a feeling there will be more adventures to follow.
Just married
People travel out to the West Coast for many reasons. Folk arrive just to enjoy the Wild west coast while some come for specific celebrations. This summer we have had birthdays, anniversaries, baby-moons, honey moons, and of course, weddings.
I wrote a blog on January 31 2011 after Chris and Andrea arrived on my doorstep to check in. They were bursting with excitement as Chris had proposed in the most romantic way. For those of you who are planning to “pop the question” you may want to flip back and do your research!
Andrea and Chris planned an eco wedding with moss centre pieces, an outdoor wedding on Big Beach, and a fabulous array of family and friends that arrived to witness the union. The wedding party arrived for the long weekend in September. The rooms were full friends camped on the lawn, and family wandered in and out to visit. By the time they stood on Long Beach in their wedding gard and gum boots to commit to a life together, I was moved to tears and was passing along tissues like an old auntie! I loved meeting the wonderful family and friends at the barbeque and at the wedding reception in Black Rock.
We did it!
The days passed in a whirl wind of excitement and joy and Chris and Andrea have given me permission to share some of the joy with your through these pictures . It is Andrea’s sister, Stephanie who took these photos. I have always been thrilled when I peek into her gallery. Her expertise is with pictures of new born babies and their parents. http://www.stephanierobin.ca/ After seeing these pictures, I know you will agree that her wedding pictures are eaqually amazing!
If you are wondering if Andrea and Chris went surfing in that beautiful wedding dress. The answer is yes! I found the dress on a quilted hanger hanging on a tree to dry the next morning. I’ve always loved a practical girl who could wear her wedding dress again….but surfing Andrea!
- Andrea, just moments before catching a wave
I look forward to seeing Chris and Andrea and all my new friends back here on the west coast.
I have a rather sad story to share. The 150 sea otters that had been camping out in the bay since April are no longer
Ocras taken by JF Marleau on the Ms. Judy
to be seen. On day we watched a pod of orca come into the bay. The pod was 30 strong. We were so delighted until we found out why they had come. They ate our sea otter like they were popcorn. When the sea otters first arrived in such numbers we were worried about the crabs and sea urchins. It is a favourite food of theirs and in such numbers we worried they would decimate them, as had happened up north in Kyoquot. Even so, when the orcas came, we were rooting for the sea otters. It was not a Disney moment.
Last week a grey whale came into the bay and searched around for about an hour. He came close enought to see all the barnacles on his back. We love the grey whales who are gentle giants. The humpbacks who we see off the island are much more rambucious but are a delight to watch. The orca. What can I say? May they get fur balls caught in their throats.
What an absolutely glorious summer it is. Yes, many say that it was the coldest July on record but that can be rather
This fabulous eagle was taken by Nelly and Jean
nice too. Last week a visitor from the Southern States mentioned that when she arrived in the Vancouver airport she headed along a ramp where she was to pick up a car. She turned to her friend and mentioned how wonderful it was that even this ramp was air conditioned. Her friend turned to her, looked up at the awning and across to the open air and informed her companion that they were in fact outside!
This week the weather has been nice and warm for this neck of the woods and even though it cools down in the evening, folk still laugh at me when I describe how to use the mattress heaters we have on all our beds. I suppose folk like to be cool this time of the year.
Jean and Nelly found this camera shy sea lion
Guests have often found that when they forget to take their camera along they see all sorts of things. Karen, Alex, and Andrew from London walked to supper last week and saw a cougar strolling along the water front. Pete and Gill came back from supper and reported seeing a deer with fawns, a raccoon, and some sea lions. Last night humpback whales were jumping on the horizon in front of the house. Their bodies were nearly all exposed. It was a mother and calf and they lept out of the water for over 1/2 an hour. I don’t know why they do that but it was fabulous viewing from each of our decks.
With more months left of the busy season, I look forward to all the guests I will get to meet.
It’s not hard to imagine that some days in the rain forest are indeed rainy. Below are some activities you might want to try should you be blessed with such a day on your visit.
There is no bad weather, just inadequate clothing!
Forest bathing in the rain
- Judy has full rain gear for you from galoshes to sou’westers. Explore the rainforest or the beaches without fear of getting wet.
- Surfing is fun in the rain and sun. You will wear a wet suit to be warm and you will be wet anyway. All the surf shops offer surf lessons.
- Come home and jump into the hot tub. The Sou’westers are in the common room and will keep your hair dry while you enjoy the ocean view in the rain.
Visit the park The Wickininish Interpretive Centre on Wickininish Beach has some exhibits that will keep you dry while you have a look at the new paintings and exhibits. Who knows, when you come out of the center it might have stopped raining so you can enjoy hiking the trails and beach walking without your rain gear. Beware of sucker holes!
A young visitor enjoys some hands on exhibits in the aquarium
Visit the sea creatures at the little aquarium Located on the bottom of Main Street, by the Whiskey dock, the aquarium is a great rainy day activity. Ask lots of questions. The staff is full of information and enthusiasm.
Visit the art galleries and artisans
- Don Cameron has rock art in his studio. Follow the sign “Rock Artist” before you get to the junction
- Rubios (by the Whiskey dock) has lovely jewelry. It is inexpensive and he gives you chocolates if you buy something. What a character!
- Mark Penny Gallery is beside Rubios and has some wonderful local artists
Marla Thirsk, a local artist, has some very unique paintings and sculptures. MarlaThirsk.com
- Cedar Gallery in the same area has first nations art
- Du Quah Gallery is on the right side of Peninsula (across from Number 1 Market) and has First Nations Art
- Reflecting Spirit Gallery is in our little mini mall beside the Post Office. Signy has a wide selection of arts and crafts.
- Didimus gallery is located on the same side of Penninsula as Murrays grocery. As an architect, his paintings are as unique.
Shop till the rains stop – there are plenty of shops in town to explore:
- The Crows Nest at the bottom of Main – is a “want not” store full of all sorts of souvenirs and what nots
- Image West, 1932 Peninsula across from the Princess boats, have t-shirts as well as art and crafts by many island artists
- Wild Heather Booksellers, 1576 Imperial Lane by Ukee dogs, has new and used books.
- Pinas has unique t-shirts made by Angie. It is located on Peninsula beside the Blue Room restaurant
- Tula’s fashions has some fabulous clothing on Peninsula across from Murray’s Grocery
Tofino has more galleries, shops, and artisans to explore. Stop at the Live to Surf mall on your way into Tofino for handmade chocolate and ice cream from Tofino Chocolate and go see the glass blower’s garden.
