I couldn't really do anything else could I? So I'll endeavour to make it interesting and
informative ...
I am very glad to know the master list will be back ... as I
find that the most satisfactory way to meet new participants ...
 |
| Cowichan Bay view from the quayside |
Now for some recent pics from around here ... and some news
... I'm going to be joining a square-dancing group: 1) I don't dance ... and 2)
this will be the first time the 'new' hip (circa 2014) will be put to good
use! Trial by squaring up to the caller - the grand-daughter!
 |
| Another view from where I had a delicious 'Made from Scratch' ice-cream ... so far mango, then the next one was raspberry ... they are delicious! |
I've joined a gym and swimming pool ... these are the views?! I have to say that I'm delighted that the
seagulls don't squawk and rush anyone for a stolen lunch, ice-cream or fight
amongst themselves ... as they do back home in England ...
 |
| Transplanted crocuses ... now on the field edge, rather than in the garden |
Then I'm going to a book-club - never done one of those
before ... but have been invited to go along - a well-travelled lady invited
me, and with her husband ... they'll help me learn about birds and no doubt lots of
other things ... which I'm looking forward to ...
 |
| Pacific Silver Fir |
I'm beefing up my knowledge of Canada and British Columbia -
this A-Z will be general ... next year will be more local - which will show
life on the beef farm, food, trips, the locality and generally around ...
I have a couple more posts to go up before Easter Sunday ...
April Fool's Day or the "we're off it's the start of the 2018 A-Z"
...
So see you all on the A-Z circuit ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
77 comments:
Looking forward to your A-Z, but I look forward to ALL of your posts. Education and positivity are always welcome.
I have never joined a book club either. And should go back to the pool.
Well mannered gulls? Almost unheard of.
Awesome, Hilary! I need to brush up on Canada myself, as a discontented American!!! Cheers and here's to a great A to Z 2018!
Awesome that you'll be trying your feet at square dancing, and you are looking forward to the book club! I've never joined one either, I'll be interested to hear your take on it.
Clapping here. This shall be a fun exploration with your trademark sharp eye, witty observations, and all around good time. I look forward to April. And you are certainly a busy British gal in Canada. Good for you! Enjoy
@ EC - thanks so much .. appreciate the thumbs up for my postings - now to match up! I can't do without my educative postings - it's my brain pampering. The book-club, pool will be fun I think .. while the gulls are definitely not our British sort!
@ Denise - thanks ... I can believe Canada will be of interest to a few ...
@ Rosey - the square dancing will be interesting! While I'm sure I'll enjoy the book club - and will learn from it ... I'll post on it ...
@ Joanne - oh that's great ... I'll do my best to keep all amused about Canada ... and I do have a lot going on ...
Cheers to you all - and see you 'on the circuit' as I'm calling the A-Z ... Hilary
Wow girl - you are really going to town there and learning so many new things! I have a friend who square dances - she loves it. And can't wait to learn more about Canada.
Good luck with the challenge! You picked a great theme.
Good theme. Perfect for you right now.
(I'm not sure if I'm going to participate this year.)
It sounds like you are making the most of your adventure in Canada. That certainly is a lovely view of the waterway and the ice cream sounds good also.
I look forward to reading your A to Z challenge posts.
I am very much looking forward to hearing about aspects of a British girl in Canada, Hilary. It will be fun to learn. Square dancing - how fun, especially with the grand-daughter calling. I also have never done a book club so it will be interesting to hear your thoughts on it. My theme reveal is going live Monday morning.
The first reveal i have seen. Looking forward to positive letters from Canada. have fun,
Looking forward to your A-Z as always! Glad you're among non-aggressive seagulls :)
Best always,
Nila.
Hi Hilary. You really are working out, gym, swimming and dancing! How wonderful. The colours in the photos are stunning. If I were you I would be tempted to make British Columbia my new home permanently and not return to UK. Have fun. Kim xx
Look forward to finding out more, Iain
https://iainkellywriting.com/2018/03/19/the-a-to-z-challenge-2018-theme-reveal/
I love Canada, but know I don't know enough about it (I've only actually visited one, but it was fantastic), so I look forward to your posts. :)
Sophie
Sophie's Theme Reveal
Wow Hilary, you certainly are embracing your new life in Canada! I really am looking forward to learning more about the land of my fathers (Mothers actually!)
My A-Z Challenge 2018 Reveal!-
It looks like being another good A to Z challenge. Your poss are always "quality", Hilary.
Awesome! I'm looking forward to all your posts!
Sounds like an awesome theme - looking forward to your posts. My husband and I have been to BC several times and have friends there, some in Victoria and some in Abbotsford - it's a wonderful place.
Tasha
Tasha's Theme Reveal
We'll get to learn so much about Canada now.
The seagulls in Oregon weren't aggressive, but walk on the beach with a bag of bread and boy, they were right there waiting.
This sounds like it will be a fun theme! I look forward to hearing more of your adventures.
I always look forward to your posts. It's good to know that you're doing next year, what I'm doing this year. Revisiting a theme. Phew! :) Have fun at square dancing! That's awesome! Our seagulls are the worst. They are so aggressive.
Elsie
It looks so peaceful there!
Good luck with the square-dancing and book club...they sound like fun!
I'm looking forward to the posts!
A fantastic theme! I still miss living in British Columbia. Good luck with the A to Z this year. :) Have a lovely week.
I'll be joining you, Hilary. Looking forward to it!
@ Sandie, @ Mary, @ Liz, @ Arleen, @ Emily, @ Bob, @ Nila, @ Kim, A Iain, @ Sophie, @ Keith, @ Sue, @ Kelly, @ Natasha, @ Diane @ Lynda, @ Elsie, @ Elizabeth, @ Dan, @ Christine and @ Jacqui -
Thanks everyone ... it once again will be a frantic, fun-packed April ... in the meantime ... I'm a-going to be in the gym - cheers and see you at your blogs soon - Hilary
I'm quite looking forward to your A-to-Zing Hilary, and I'm happy to hear you've found some fun new things to invest your time and energy in.
You are finding lots to do!I like trying the dance, it is social also. I was in a group for a few years called the B-Squares.Everyone would network where to go to dance. did lessons once a week
Very cool idea. I love the photo of the crocus. They are so pretty.
Always look forward to your posts which are filled with lots of interesting information. Kudos on the book club and the new gym. Sounds like we're hearing some fun stuff soon. A through Z is a cool theme too! Hugs...RO
It looks like you're trying out a lot of new things! I love it. Great A to Z. I'll pop in, but I'm not doing it this year.
Lovely photos. So scenic! I look forward to reading about your explorations and adventures!
Trudy @ Reel Focus
I hope that you show us some photographic proof of all the activities
- not that I am a doubting Thomas of course :-)
Such nice photos, never been part of a book club myself, I wouldn't have the time and it can take me ages to read a book
You have a glorious view. The pictures are breathtaking.
I think you'll enjoy square dancing. I did it for awhile when I was young. It was a lot of fun. Keep us 'posted'. Heh.
Cheers,
That's a unique theme for sure. I'll be following you! ;-P
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - Theme Reveal - Weimar Germany
Hi Hilary!
I knew you'd come up with something irresistible, I can't wait!
@ Deborah - I hope to make it fun and not too dry ... and have yet to get to the gym! @ Steve - yes .. there is a fair amount to do - if I could dance and have a sense of rhythm I'd be happier - but I'll give things a whorl or whirl ..! @ Holly - it's a no-brainer idea ... but I too love crocuses ... @ RO - thanks so much for the thumbs up - not sure what stories will abound from the gym or the bookclub ... @ Lee - sorry you're not joining us - but understand ... @ Trudy - see you around and the area is very beautiful ... @ Mel - if you're asking to see what I think you might- I expect .. the answer will be very unlikely! But I'll sort something out! @ Jo-Anne - the book club is going to be very interesting ... I'm sure I'll enjoy it - a change ... @ Sandra - the scenery is just wonderful; how the square dancing will go I've no idea - I'll need the month to recover!! @ Sarah - it was the easiest thing for me to go with ... @ Diedre - well I hope it's not too predictable ...
Thanks to you all - I'm looking forward to seeing you all and to meeting some new challengers - see you all soon - cheers Hilary
Sounds like you picked a great A-Z theme and one I will learn from for sure (I am always learning new things here).
What lovely views! I think it is exciting that you will be square dancing and attending a book club. I haven't square danced in probably 3 years- but I have belonged to book clubs and they are all a little different- but fun to read books that you might not pick up otherwise. Great conversations too. Enjoy!
~Jess
This theme-choosing thing is hard work!
But I'm looking forward to it!
See you on the circuit! (You'll be the one swimming and square dancing laps around the rest of us. ;-p)
Sounds interesting! Looking forward to it.
I'm looking forward to your posts. I'm always glad to learn things about our wonderful, northern neighbor.
Enjoy your time in our country. Vancouver Island is a wonderful area. I will be out there in a couple of weeks.
Seems like an interesting theme. Visiting from
If I Only Had A Time Machine
I always enjoy your A to Z, you come up with some remarkable information and I always learn so much from you. This year I am sure it is going to be even more informative with the Canadian theme in mind. Take care. Cheers Diane
Lovely photos! :)
The Multicolored Diary: Weird Things in Hungarian Folktales
@ Jess - it was an easy theme and I'll learn from it. The square dancing will definitely be different! While the book club will be really interesting ... and yes I'll get to read books that I might not have read otherwise. Good conversation ... that I need. @ Jz - I think I've been lucky with my overview theme of Aspects of British and a subject beginning with 'C' - it's made my choices easier. Yup that circuit is ahead ... @ Anabel - thanks ... @ Susan - yes now I'm a northern neighbour ... my A-Z will be slightly different. @ David - nice of you to pop in and to meet you ... perhaps sometime actually meet you if you visit the Island for talks etc @ Maryann - good to see you and to meet you ... I'll be over soon @ Diane - well I hope I match up this year - with a somewhat 'dryer' subject ... and @ Tarka - thank you re the photos -
Cheers to you all and it'll be good to read all your thoughts for the A-Z ... take care ... Hilary
Looking forward to all your posts. Several years ago I was invited to submit a book review to a national book club one a month. It's been fun and I've even diversified my reading habits for a new audience...:)
I can’ t promise to follow all your AtoZ posts, Hilary, but I’ll do as many as time allows. Well done you for joining all these activities. It does look lovely there!
Good luck with the A-Z challenge! Maybe I'll sign up.
All of your posts are interesting and informative already, so I know your A to Z posts will be wonderful. :)
wow... sounds like you've taken off and become a busy bee. makes me happy to know you're doing a lot of things you enjoy. keep on keeping on and swing your partner round and round.
looking forward to the a-z posts. i know they'll be really interesting and i'll learn a lot from them.
...hugs
Hilary, lovely to see some snaps from your surroundings and hear about you throwing yourself into activities. Enjoy that square dancing! Sound great and should make for an interesting A-Z. I'll come by as much as I can.
Denise
I am so surprised since when are you in Canada ??
It sounds as if you are settling in nicely there, Hilary. I like being in a book club - I hope you'll always share what your group is reading. Mine is reading Lincoln in the Bardo right now.
Those British gulls are just yobbos! And very aggressive. We are going by ferry to France soon and will meet some of them there.
Looking forward to your A-Z.
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s floccinaucinihilipilificatious Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
@ TB - that's great to read ... and I'm sure your reading habits changed considerably. They've just read : When Breath Becomes Air by Dr. Paul Kalanithi - I've seen some write-ups on it ... so it'll be an interesting introduction to the group. I think I'm in for an erudite afternoon ...! @ Val - no worries, when you're around ... and yes it's good to keep busy and share life with others. @ Sherry - it'd be great if you'd join us ... @ Chrys - thanks so much, I hope these match up ... @ Lenny - yes your comments apparently disappear, but always pop up on the blog. I am doing considerably more ... the square dancing will be 'interesting'!! Yup - you will learn a lot about Canada come April ....@ Denise - life is getting fuller and more energetic ... and I'm becoming more knowledgeable about Canada! @ Gattina - since November ... when I came over to be with an elderly cousin, who is difficult - but it's helping the family out @Lynn - slowly but sure ... but what an interesting book 'Lincoln in the Bardo' seems - and I'm sure I'm going to enjoy the Club ... @ Bazza - aren't the British gulls 'yobbos' - I'm afraid you'll encounter others when you get to France ... so enjoy your trip ...
Cheers everyone - thanks for coming by and your comments - see you soon - all the best - Hilary
I love your A-Z Blog Fests, Hilary. You are already thinking of next year's? Wow! Go easy on that new hip though my son-in-law had his two years ago and I know they are pretty tough! (He broke his hip in a team building sack race...threw himself across the finish line like superman. A lesson learnt!) Seagulls that don't squawk or steal ice creams? Wow! Again. I am impressed. I look forward to learning lots alongside you during this A-Z - go Hilary! :-)
As an ex pat myself, I will be interested to hear what you have to say Hilary. Although I understand BC is quite a bit different to Ontario.
Hello dear friend Hilary!
Just great that you are going to be joining a square-dancing group and joined a gym and swimming pool too!
Wishing a good luck with the A-Z challenge! I would love to visit Canada!
Thanks for your always lovely comments on my blog!
Lots of Hugs and Love!
Your posts are always wonderful, informative and inspirational. I’m looking forward to learning all about Canada. I’ve never been in a book club. No one ever invited me. I also can’t square dance. Careful on that hip, Hillary . One thing I know for certain, of all the people I know, men and women , you my dear friend, I have to say win the prize for living life to its fullest. You’re willing to try anything within reason and you will be able to say, when your time comes, that you lived and loved life without regret. We should all be so fortunate and adventurous. I truly admire you.
Melissa Sugar @
Sugar Crime Scene
Gorgeous photos. :-)
Greetings from London.
@ Debbie - it's easier to think in advance ... and fortunately I came over to Canada and not a country beginning with another letter! Thankfully my hip was planned ... I gather I had a birth defect - who knew: not me! So all well in the hip mode: but your son-in-law that was a serious mistake ... quite a tumble, by the sound of it. I am quite surprised at the non-squawking sea-gulls ... long may it last! Thanks re the thumbs up to the learning front ... @ Jo - I'm only doing general Canada, or locality - i.e. on the farm ... I won't go detailed ... @ Sonia -good to see ... and yes my endeavours into exercise ... I am enjoying Canada. Good to see you over at your blog ... @ Melissa - thanks, that's very kind. I've never been invited in to a book club before - so the first meeting today was interesting (to say the least). I do what I can to keep occupied and busy ... so I am grateful for your words. The hip was a planned thing ... and all was very easy and went well. It'd be a great way to go ... @ ACIL - many thanks ...
Cheers to you all - gosh not long to go now before the circuit starts = all the best til then - Hilary
Lovely to see you here Hilary - gorgeous photos! Sounds like you're living the life of Riley with all those activities!
Beautiful.
Wonderful! You are getting involved in your new community! Another learning experience.
The crocuses are beautiful.
love your theme!! it’s perfect! looking forward to learning more about you and your experience in canada =)
Great choice of theme!
Re squre dancing ... several of my relatives met their spouses at square dances. I'm not saying this is common, just wanted to warn you of the danger! (Or opportunity of course, depending on your POV.)
@ Susan - thanks and I'll be enjoying the A-Z .. and yes there's lots going on - makes life more fun ... @ Regine - thank you. @ Monty - exactly another range of people to be involved with and as you say 'learning experience' ... @ Sandra ... it's surprising to see them far from the house - but happily surviving ... @ Tara - it'll be an interesting theme to write up ... @ Patsy - it'll be fun for me ... ah! thanks for the warning ... or as you say look out for the opportunity ...
Cheers to you all ... there's been snow, but thankfully not here! All the best - Hilary
Hilary:
Dropping in from Japan to say hello and wish you continuing positivity in 2018. Thank you so much for visiting - it was wonderful to hear from you. All the best to you from the foot of Mount Fuji, Catrien.
I'm really looking forward to seeing more of what you've been up to across the oceans so glad you chose this as your theme.
Good luck and enjoy.
I'm looking forward to your April posts - you always have something fun to share.
Enjoy your book club - I've been in one for 20 years.
@ Catrien - good to see you after these years ... and to know you're still near Mount Fuji ...
@ Pam - thanks ... it will be fairly simple (I think!) ...
@ Claire - that's great to know ... and I hope they'll be fun. The book club members are pretty amazing ... so I'll be stretched with knowledge - but that's good ...
Thanks so much for visiting and see you shortly! Cheers Hilary
Oh I'm excited to read these posts!! And I'm glad it sounds like you are getting settled in your new home. I can't imagine moving halfway across the world and admire your spirit!
The pictures are gorgeous. And I love that you are square-dancing. How fun.
@ Julie - things are happening here - and life carries on. Part of the moving was easy ... other bits not so much - but still it's great to be seeing this part of Canada. Everyone was ill for the square dancing ... so this coming month ... Happy Easter - cheers Hilary
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