Canada has had a national government run health care system since the mid-1960's.
I remember when it was first brought in my late father saying he was happy that we would have health care coverage BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF A MAJOR ILLNESS YOU WOULD NOT LOSE YOUR HOME, LIVE SAVINGS OR FACE BANKRUPTCY.
Since that time the program has been enhanced and yes we pay taxes for the system and in the province of BC monthly premiums based on income - anyone under about $24,000.00 pays no premiums but still receives the same level of care. Those under $30,000 - myself included pay reduced premiums.
Is it the best system - no - it was never meant to be womb to tomb health care although many people seem to think that is what it is. It never was intended to cover everything.
Yes it is expensive - it eats up about 40% of the provincial government revenue yet we have a budget surplus - the federal government provides a good chunk of the costs through a transfer of tax points - except for the last few years when the recession hit - the Canadian government was running surpluses and should return to them next year - this despite my distaste for the current federal government.
I bring this up as i alluded to a post around Xmas that my best friend had been hospitalized since the end of October and he is still in St Paul's although he is just waiting to be moved to a transition place to work on his rehab and get him up and walking.
What has it cost him directly to date. NOTHING!!! His only cost has been his TV rental.
While these figures are general - here is a rough cost breakdown of his stay
6 weeks in ICU = 42 days at about $4000.00 a day = $168.000
14 weeks in a general 4 bed ward = 98 days at $1500.00 a day =$147.000
and that doesn't include the cost of the pacemaker which I believe is around $6000.00
So over $300,000 spent and he isn't bankrupt and the government isn't going broke.
But then we here in Canada would rather spend our money on health care than military spending.
It is all about priorities - health care or military spending - thankfully successive Canadian governments of different political stripes from left leaning liberals to reform minded conservatives have made the right choice.
Cheers!
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Passive planning
I think the best way to describe the planning for such an undertaking and this far in advance is passive - the collection of brochures from the various tour operators, watching for Internet or TV articles on some of the countries and talking to people who have been to Europe.
So far those people don't think I am crazy - which is a relief to me as some people think that I am a naturally born crazies.
They do seem astounded that I won't fly - more on that later - and would take the time to train across America and then cruise ship across the Atlantic.
I have already received either by mail or from a travel Expo show here in Vancouver a number of tour brochures - for the most part they offer the same itineraries - just different formats - from less expensive - using hostels and paying for some meals yourself to much more expensive - 4 *** hotels and fancier meals etc.
While cost will certainly be a major factor - I don't mind hostels etc - the placing of overnight stops will be a factor - case in point - in looking at Irish tours almost all have an overnight in Killarney - which is fine - it is only 30km from Tralee which I want to visit as it is the town that my father passed away on - well in the last brochure I received this week the operator of a budget travel company stops overnight in Tralee and not Killarney - suspect it is cheaper to stay in the former rather than the latter - if this tour is still available in 2017 it would likely be my choice.
As the brochures have arrived I am using color tab stickies to the tours that interest me for easier reference.
_________________________________________________________________
Now about the subject of not wanting to fly - as I indicated in my previous post on this subject my last experience on a plane was enough to turn me off and while planes and plane safety is much better now than 40 years ago there is still all the hassle of what you can and cannot take with you, etc, etc, etc.
My dilemma is this - I want to keep this trip to 60 days max - from the time I leave Vancouver until I return but here it where the challenge rises - it is 4 - 5 by Amtrak to the east coast and vis versa - so 10 days of 60 already taken.
It is a minimum of 7 days across the Atlantic x 2 = 14 days - so i am already at 24 days leaving only 36 to see the continent and of those two or three are likely to be used as travel to tour start points. So really only about 30 days to see the three focal points of my trip.
This method of travel also increases greatly the costs of doing the trip - however at this point I am not too concerned about the financial aspects of the trip
I might be able to find a repositioning cruise for the trip over that will include some of the Baltics - while not perfect it might have to do if time becomes a factor.
I might also bite the bullet and fly one way - one thought is to fly Vancouver to Shannon which would be reliving the trip 40 years ago as that is where I set foot in Ireland - then head to London by train and ferry and continue with the trip from there - or finish up in Ireland and fly either Dublin or Shannon to Vancouver. It would have to be a non-stop - the takeoffs and landing are what scare me the most - and if on the return it wasn't Vancouver but another Canadian or American city that would be fine - just Via or Amtrak it from there.
Lots of time to stress myself about those possibilities.
More later.
So far those people don't think I am crazy - which is a relief to me as some people think that I am a naturally born crazies.
They do seem astounded that I won't fly - more on that later - and would take the time to train across America and then cruise ship across the Atlantic.
I have already received either by mail or from a travel Expo show here in Vancouver a number of tour brochures - for the most part they offer the same itineraries - just different formats - from less expensive - using hostels and paying for some meals yourself to much more expensive - 4 *** hotels and fancier meals etc.
While cost will certainly be a major factor - I don't mind hostels etc - the placing of overnight stops will be a factor - case in point - in looking at Irish tours almost all have an overnight in Killarney - which is fine - it is only 30km from Tralee which I want to visit as it is the town that my father passed away on - well in the last brochure I received this week the operator of a budget travel company stops overnight in Tralee and not Killarney - suspect it is cheaper to stay in the former rather than the latter - if this tour is still available in 2017 it would likely be my choice.
As the brochures have arrived I am using color tab stickies to the tours that interest me for easier reference.
_________________________________________________________________
Now about the subject of not wanting to fly - as I indicated in my previous post on this subject my last experience on a plane was enough to turn me off and while planes and plane safety is much better now than 40 years ago there is still all the hassle of what you can and cannot take with you, etc, etc, etc.
My dilemma is this - I want to keep this trip to 60 days max - from the time I leave Vancouver until I return but here it where the challenge rises - it is 4 - 5 by Amtrak to the east coast and vis versa - so 10 days of 60 already taken.
It is a minimum of 7 days across the Atlantic x 2 = 14 days - so i am already at 24 days leaving only 36 to see the continent and of those two or three are likely to be used as travel to tour start points. So really only about 30 days to see the three focal points of my trip.
This method of travel also increases greatly the costs of doing the trip - however at this point I am not too concerned about the financial aspects of the trip
I might be able to find a repositioning cruise for the trip over that will include some of the Baltics - while not perfect it might have to do if time becomes a factor.
I might also bite the bullet and fly one way - one thought is to fly Vancouver to Shannon which would be reliving the trip 40 years ago as that is where I set foot in Ireland - then head to London by train and ferry and continue with the trip from there - or finish up in Ireland and fly either Dublin or Shannon to Vancouver. It would have to be a non-stop - the takeoffs and landing are what scare me the most - and if on the return it wasn't Vancouver but another Canadian or American city that would be fine - just Via or Amtrak it from there.
Lots of time to stress myself about those possibilities.
More later.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Dennis and Europe 2017 - Part 1 The Background
Some background info on my desire to go to Europe in 2017 after a 40 year absence.
My only previous time visiting Europe lasted little more than 72 hours - while on vacation in Europe by father fell ill and passed away in Tralee, Ireland - the date was June 28, 1977 - it is one of those dates you don't forget. He was on 62. It was stomach cancer - no indication before he left that he was sick but he was such a workaholic running the home construction company. We brought the body home for internment here in Vancouver.
I was able to arrange a quick flight over to Shannon and then a combo of bus and train arrived in Tralee - he had past a few hours before I arrived.
After making arrangements with the Canadian counsel - the following day we trained to Cork and then flew Aer Lingus to London - then an overnight in London - it is now July 1, 1977 - Canada Day - I got a big break on the return air as I was able to us my late father's home bound ticket - it was their actual departure date after seeing a fair amount of the continent. The Air Canada flight was suppose to be direct London to Vancouver but they added a stop in Calgary - while flying over the Rockies the plane hit a major turbulence - dropped perhaps 5000 feet or seems like it did - scared the shit out of me - no sleep for almost three days, drinking beer to steady my nerves - I vowed then that as long as my mother was alive I wouldn't take another plane ride.
Well she lived to almost 93 and passed away March 1, 2003.
By then I had taken my first cruise to Alaska with some friends who also won't fly and enjoyed it so much it has become an annual ritual for me.
___________________________________________________________
Once I retired at the end of 2006 I started to do more travelling - mostly cruising and using Amtrak where necessary to get to the embarkation ports.
Europe has always been on my bucket list but the logistics of doing it without flying are a challenge.
Once you turn 65 they call ideas - brain farts and errors or omissions - brain cramps or a senior's moments.
Well I had a brain fart recently - it goes like this.
In 2017 I will turn 70 and it will also be the 40 anniversary of my dad's passing so why not combine the two events in one celebration.
So thus the idea of going to Europe in 2017 was born.
___________________________________________________________
It will be a massive undertaking.
1. Getting to Europe - how to get there and where to start the trip.
2. What countries to visit - Ireland for sure as I would like to re-visit Tralee and the hospital where dad died. My maternal roots are Irish - grandparents come from County Salgo and County Galway.
My paternal roots are from what is now Slovakia - a small town in the High Tatras near the Polish border.
3.What time of year - one idea is to try and be in Tralee on the actual date June 28th.
4. Finances - it won't be a cheap trip but have had some talk with my financial advisor on how to pay for it.
5. How long to be gone - while traveling solo has many advantages as I learned on my long 49 day cruise a year ago it can become depressing especially for some one who suffers from anxiety attacks.
6. Independent vs group travel.
7. Rail vs bus.
8. Other parts of Europe that I want to see are the Scandinavian countries and the Norwegians Fjords.
I have started to look at what some of the tour companies in Europe have to offer and had the good fortune this past weekend to attend a Travel Expo show here in Vancouver where just about all the major players had booths and literature to help my planning. Also had the opportunity to talk to some of them and have some planning options to persue.
I see it having three compenents.
1. British Isles and Ireland
2. Scandinavia and Norwegian Fjords
3. Central and Eastern Europe with a stop in Slovakia.
For the most part the tours don't change much from year to year - the dates are similar with only pricing being the most likely to change.
I can expect the first of the 2017 brochures to be available late 2015.
Over the course of the next little while I will start to outline and answer some of the questions raised above.
Also as I get closer to making firm decisions I will create a dedicated blog to use.
Cheers!
D
My only previous time visiting Europe lasted little more than 72 hours - while on vacation in Europe by father fell ill and passed away in Tralee, Ireland - the date was June 28, 1977 - it is one of those dates you don't forget. He was on 62. It was stomach cancer - no indication before he left that he was sick but he was such a workaholic running the home construction company. We brought the body home for internment here in Vancouver.
I was able to arrange a quick flight over to Shannon and then a combo of bus and train arrived in Tralee - he had past a few hours before I arrived.
After making arrangements with the Canadian counsel - the following day we trained to Cork and then flew Aer Lingus to London - then an overnight in London - it is now July 1, 1977 - Canada Day - I got a big break on the return air as I was able to us my late father's home bound ticket - it was their actual departure date after seeing a fair amount of the continent. The Air Canada flight was suppose to be direct London to Vancouver but they added a stop in Calgary - while flying over the Rockies the plane hit a major turbulence - dropped perhaps 5000 feet or seems like it did - scared the shit out of me - no sleep for almost three days, drinking beer to steady my nerves - I vowed then that as long as my mother was alive I wouldn't take another plane ride.
Well she lived to almost 93 and passed away March 1, 2003.
By then I had taken my first cruise to Alaska with some friends who also won't fly and enjoyed it so much it has become an annual ritual for me.
___________________________________________________________
Once I retired at the end of 2006 I started to do more travelling - mostly cruising and using Amtrak where necessary to get to the embarkation ports.
Europe has always been on my bucket list but the logistics of doing it without flying are a challenge.
Once you turn 65 they call ideas - brain farts and errors or omissions - brain cramps or a senior's moments.
Well I had a brain fart recently - it goes like this.
In 2017 I will turn 70 and it will also be the 40 anniversary of my dad's passing so why not combine the two events in one celebration.
So thus the idea of going to Europe in 2017 was born.
___________________________________________________________
It will be a massive undertaking.
1. Getting to Europe - how to get there and where to start the trip.
2. What countries to visit - Ireland for sure as I would like to re-visit Tralee and the hospital where dad died. My maternal roots are Irish - grandparents come from County Salgo and County Galway.
My paternal roots are from what is now Slovakia - a small town in the High Tatras near the Polish border.
3.What time of year - one idea is to try and be in Tralee on the actual date June 28th.
4. Finances - it won't be a cheap trip but have had some talk with my financial advisor on how to pay for it.
5. How long to be gone - while traveling solo has many advantages as I learned on my long 49 day cruise a year ago it can become depressing especially for some one who suffers from anxiety attacks.
6. Independent vs group travel.
7. Rail vs bus.
8. Other parts of Europe that I want to see are the Scandinavian countries and the Norwegians Fjords.
I have started to look at what some of the tour companies in Europe have to offer and had the good fortune this past weekend to attend a Travel Expo show here in Vancouver where just about all the major players had booths and literature to help my planning. Also had the opportunity to talk to some of them and have some planning options to persue.
I see it having three compenents.
1. British Isles and Ireland
2. Scandinavia and Norwegian Fjords
3. Central and Eastern Europe with a stop in Slovakia.
For the most part the tours don't change much from year to year - the dates are similar with only pricing being the most likely to change.
I can expect the first of the 2017 brochures to be available late 2015.
Over the course of the next little while I will start to outline and answer some of the questions raised above.
Also as I get closer to making firm decisions I will create a dedicated blog to use.
Cheers!
D
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Well as the christmas season and the start of winter both approach it is time to update this blog.
It's not lack of activity that is the cause of the lack of update but more to me being lazy and stressed - in some ways that is good in that you don't have to follow by rantings.
HAS ANYONE EVERY MENTIONED THAT THE WORD STRESSED SPELLING BACKWARDS IS DESSERTS.
It has also being a rough couple of months - my best friend of more than 50 years - he's like an older brother to me - well he is a year and little older than me - has been stuck in a bed at St Paul's hospital here in downtown Vancouver for almost two months recovering from a severe bout of double bacterial pneumonia - the tubes are gone - just a nasal connection.
His biggest challenge now is to get up out of bed - after seven weeks flat on his back he has no strenght in his legs and can't stand - the physio-therapists or PT's as they are called in the hospital are working on getting him up and about.
At present they sling him up into a wheel chair and have him sit there - this will help the blood flow - since he has started this the swelling in his feet has gone done.
Time to meet a friend for lunch. More later.
It's not lack of activity that is the cause of the lack of update but more to me being lazy and stressed - in some ways that is good in that you don't have to follow by rantings.
HAS ANYONE EVERY MENTIONED THAT THE WORD STRESSED SPELLING BACKWARDS IS DESSERTS.
It has also being a rough couple of months - my best friend of more than 50 years - he's like an older brother to me - well he is a year and little older than me - has been stuck in a bed at St Paul's hospital here in downtown Vancouver for almost two months recovering from a severe bout of double bacterial pneumonia - the tubes are gone - just a nasal connection.
His biggest challenge now is to get up out of bed - after seven weeks flat on his back he has no strenght in his legs and can't stand - the physio-therapists or PT's as they are called in the hospital are working on getting him up and about.
At present they sling him up into a wheel chair and have him sit there - this will help the blood flow - since he has started this the swelling in his feet has gone done.
Time to meet a friend for lunch. More later.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Idle thoughts Sept 10, 2013
Where is the time going - haven't posted much lately but thought it would be a good time to do a brief update.
In less than two weeks I will be on the road again - this time training it to Boston to board the Norwegian Dawn for a 14 day Canada/New England cruise.
Full details on that trip can be found on my other blog.
In addition I have been busy working volunteer events and as President of my Strata Council or Owner's council dealing with a couple of major projects and one related legal matter so I will be rady for the holiday.
I will celebrate my 66th birthday on the ship in the town of Portland, Maine - there are a number of us with special occasions on this cruise so we are meeting as a group to celebrate the various milestones.
After the cruis it will be time to start preparing for the fall and winter seasons - and that means Vancouver Canucks hockey.
Also would be remiss if I didn't congradulate the Vancouver Canadians Baseball team on winning their third straight league championship - these are the rookie or baby Blue Jays and the time changes each year or repeats are harder to obtain.
And as a footnote - the starting and winner pitcher was a local boy from the southern suburb of Ladner, BC.
That's it for now
In less than two weeks I will be on the road again - this time training it to Boston to board the Norwegian Dawn for a 14 day Canada/New England cruise.
Full details on that trip can be found on my other blog.
In addition I have been busy working volunteer events and as President of my Strata Council or Owner's council dealing with a couple of major projects and one related legal matter so I will be rady for the holiday.
I will celebrate my 66th birthday on the ship in the town of Portland, Maine - there are a number of us with special occasions on this cruise so we are meeting as a group to celebrate the various milestones.
After the cruis it will be time to start preparing for the fall and winter seasons - and that means Vancouver Canucks hockey.
Also would be remiss if I didn't congradulate the Vancouver Canadians Baseball team on winning their third straight league championship - these are the rookie or baby Blue Jays and the time changes each year or repeats are harder to obtain.
And as a footnote - the starting and winner pitcher was a local boy from the southern suburb of Ladner, BC.
That's it for now
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
General idle thoughts June 28, 2013
This is always a tough day for me because on this date in 1977 I lost my father to cancer in a hospital in Tralee, Ireland while on vacation with my mother - it involved a flight overseas, to meet my grieving mother and a return with the body to Vancouver - it is also the last time that I have flown - the flight back hit a significant air turbulence over the Rockies that scared the bee-gee-us out of both of us and resulted in me resolving not to fly again as long as my mother was alive - in the ten years since her passing in 2003 at a ripe old age of 92+ I still haven't had any desire to board a plane - this has limited by travels somewhat but did lead me to discover wonderful relaxing cruise ship travel.
D
D
Friday, June 14, 2013
A mini vacation June 11 - 13, 2013
Took a little mini-vacation - just need to get out of the city for a couple of days and with a number of volunteer assignments over the next several weeks and then my Rockies hiking trip this was the best dates available for me - had a rough idea of where I wanted to go and where I might stay but first it was a visit to the Peridontist for a follow up on the recent surgery. After getting the okay from the peridontist on my dental surgery I loaded up the truck and headed out - ended up camping the first night at the Kettle River provincial campsite - have camped there before and it is a good spot - the river was running high so some of the shoreline wasn't accessible but I had a good choice of sites - It was also my first time camping at 1/2 price for seniors until June 14, 2013 - biked along parts of the adjacent Trans-Canada Trail before starting up a small campfire - I had some wood with me and found some more in some of the adjacent vacant campsites.
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/kettle_rv/
Awoke to a very cold morning and shortly after the gate opened at 7 AM I headed out - originally planned to head up Highway 33 to Kelowna and a hotel stay for the night but the weather looked better to the east - so I headed for Castlegar and then along Highway 6 to Naskup and then the Needles ferry before ending up in Vernon at the Econo Lodge - it was showing as $85.00 a night on Hotels.com but got it for $70.00 which appears to be there Internet rate - had a large Irish Shepard's Pie for dinner at Kelly O'Bryans across the street from the hotel and then turned in for a good night sleep.
http://www.choicehotels.ca/en/econo_lodge-hotel-cn994
http://www.kellyobryans.com/
The weather had turned stormy - showers overnight and there is a severe thundershower warning for the area - head out but don't make any of my planned stops because of the weather and arrive back in Vancouver at suppertime. Will post some photos and video a little later. Cheers
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/kettle_rv/
Awoke to a very cold morning and shortly after the gate opened at 7 AM I headed out - originally planned to head up Highway 33 to Kelowna and a hotel stay for the night but the weather looked better to the east - so I headed for Castlegar and then along Highway 6 to Naskup and then the Needles ferry before ending up in Vernon at the Econo Lodge - it was showing as $85.00 a night on Hotels.com but got it for $70.00 which appears to be there Internet rate - had a large Irish Shepard's Pie for dinner at Kelly O'Bryans across the street from the hotel and then turned in for a good night sleep.
http://www.choicehotels.ca/en/econo_lodge-hotel-cn994
http://www.kellyobryans.com/
The weather had turned stormy - showers overnight and there is a severe thundershower warning for the area - head out but don't make any of my planned stops because of the weather and arrive back in Vancouver at suppertime. Will post some photos and video a little later. Cheers
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
More post election thoughts - May 15, 2013
Lots of comments about the election and how the polls were so WRONG BUT WERE THEY REALLY WRONG.
Were they really right but not read right.
Going into election day the margin was somewhere around 6% between the parties - the Liberals around 37% and the NDP around 43% - the Greens around 9% and the Conservatives around 8 %.
It has been reported in the press that both parties had the NDP with about 4% lead on election eve.
Polls are considered to have a +/- factor off around 3 - 5 % so let's take it at 4%.
This could put the Liberals as low as 33% and as high as 41%
The NDP at 39% or 47%.
So how did the Liberals win.
Some say the Greens split the center left vote but there poll numbers and actual vote % are almost dead on so there wasn't any apparent shift in support at the last minute.
In fact the NDP got 39% and the Liberals got 44% so where did the Liberals get there additional 3% - well the Conservatives only got around 4% which would be the low end of the +/- for them.
There is about a 4% difference in the Cons poll vs actual number so instead of splitting the centre right vote - it collapsed to the Liberals and help put there numbers into the actual percentage.
This is my no means scientific just my random thoughts on how it might have happened.
Cheers
Were they really right but not read right.
Going into election day the margin was somewhere around 6% between the parties - the Liberals around 37% and the NDP around 43% - the Greens around 9% and the Conservatives around 8 %.
It has been reported in the press that both parties had the NDP with about 4% lead on election eve.
Polls are considered to have a +/- factor off around 3 - 5 % so let's take it at 4%.
This could put the Liberals as low as 33% and as high as 41%
The NDP at 39% or 47%.
So how did the Liberals win.
Some say the Greens split the center left vote but there poll numbers and actual vote % are almost dead on so there wasn't any apparent shift in support at the last minute.
In fact the NDP got 39% and the Liberals got 44% so where did the Liberals get there additional 3% - well the Conservatives only got around 4% which would be the low end of the +/- for them.
There is about a 4% difference in the Cons poll vs actual number so instead of splitting the centre right vote - it collapsed to the Liberals and help put there numbers into the actual percentage.
This is my no means scientific just my random thoughts on how it might have happened.
Cheers
BC Election May 14, 2013 - the upset of the century and the re-election of the comeback kid
I am reposting my thoughts on the BC election upset here from my Facebook entries.
Part one.
Spending today resting up after having a very long day yesterday - first working the election - got that finished around 9:30 PM - with one exception I had 25 great team players - I don't assign them - HQ's does that so you don't know for sure if two people working together for the first time will gel as a unit - each poll had a voting clerk who records the vote and a voting officer who ensures that the ballots gets into the box and are accurately counted at the end of the evening. We had a very large turnout for what we call the Absentee ballot - in BC you can vote on election day at any poll in the province for the candidate that lives in our riding - this is why it is called absentee - having a downtown location we were swamped with people using this option - we had over 450 absentee votes - these will not be counted until the final count is done in 13 days.
After finishing up at the polling station I had to deliver the ballot boxes and supplies back to our headquarters - naturally having an iinquiring mind I turned on the car radio and at first I thought my fading hearing was playing games with me - was I hearing right - the Premier was losing her seat - no surprise there as it was deemed a close race and likely to go either way - but the Liberals woulod be forming a government - that was the first shock - okay I said to myself - they have squeezed out a victory with the most seats and might need the help of one of lesser parties - then I heard it and the second shock - 51 Seats for the Liberals - that was more than the won with in the last election and they were claiming seats they hadn't won in years - now remember I am still driving to HQ's - keep you eyes on the road - finally at HQ's - they hadn't heard the results and like me were dumbfounded with the result.
Steady Dennis - you are not home yet - still need to drop the truck at the apartment - eyes on the road for three more blocks then you can head for the big victory party three blocks away.
Truck safely parked - quick dash to the apartment to drop off some personal items and then out the door and on to the Sheraton Wall Center - first stop is at the HQ's of my newly elected member of the legislature Sam Sullivan - former Vancouver mayor - he had already left and headed to the main ball room which was packed with jubilant Liberals and lots of media - couldn't find anyone who I knew there that saw the upset and of this magnitude and before long Christie was coming into the hall and we started a 4 MORE YEARS chant - after hearing her speak I left and headed for coffee and bite and met up with my long time and non-political friends who told me that he knew she would win because IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID.
It's appears that he may be right - in looking at the results - while we lost couple of seats in socialist Vancouver and one in Burnaby and a couple on Vancouver Island we won seats back in the suburbs and in the interior where there are less concerned about oil tankers on the coast and chicken coops in the back yards of $1 million west side home owners and more concerned about putting food on the table for their families.
I finally got to bed about 3AM this morning.
Finale - not sure if any earthquake rumblings were recorded last night but with the number of people jumping on one bandwagon and off another I could have happened.
So what's next for Christie - she will need a seat - this will be addressed once the final count is released on May 27 - they will run her in a very safe seat where the fallout of asking a newly re-elected MLA to step aside won't cause another embarassment - I think the most logical is West Vancouver - Capilano - Ralph Sultan was elected by a huge margin - he is also 80 years old - others mentioned are Linda Read in Richmond East and Gordon Hogg in White Rock - regardless of which one of those three - all will get a handsome pension although Ralph's given his age might be the least costly of the three.
The Liberals lost two Cabinet Ministers but elected a lot of new comers - many of the old guard didn't run - some because of the fear of sitting in opposition and others for a variety of reasons.
While a little thin on Vancouver Island - only two seats - mid Island although one Saanich North was lost by about 50 votes and could change at final count she will have representation from all areas of the Province. She also is now the boss and any former Campbellites who cross her won't be in Cabinet.
One riding that was of interest to me was Kootenay East - that's where my paternal roots are - it is also a heavily unionized area with all the coal miners in the Elk Valley - it is also I believe the only riding in the Province that had only two candidates - a sitting and little eccentric member in Bill Bennett and a NDP opponent - most though this would a close vote given the union's usual support for the NDP - VERY WRONG - a 5000 + vote victory for the Liberals.
That's my feelings and take on the election.
Cheers
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Monday, October 22, 2012
PLEASE HEED THE ADVICE OF THE METRO VANCOUVER PEOPLE AND DON`T PUT YOUR LIFE OR THE LIFE OF THE SEARCH AND RESCUE PEOPLE AT RISK BY LETTING YOUR EGO OVERTAKE COMMON SENSE.
AT THIS TIME IT IS NOT THE FULL SEASONAL CLOSURE AS THE SNOW MAY NOT STAY FOR LONG.
WILL POST ANY CHANGES AS THEY ARE RECEIVED.
CHEERS!
D.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Doing the Balcony dance
I usually keep a pretty good eye on price changes after final payment in the hope that I might get either an on board credit or a room update.
It is no different with the LA repo cruise - I started noticing some price softening about 2 weeks ago and was planning on mentioning it to my TA when I saw her at a friend's birthday party but when that was canceled at the last minute because of a health issue I forgot to check until this weekend when I noticed that some of my fellow cruisers were posting on Cruise Critic that they had gotten some upgrades.
Onto the Internet and sure enough there had been a major price reduction on just about all categories and with a little investigative diligence I noticed that a balcony was now cheaper than what I paid for an inside and that the single supplement had been reduced to 50% - but there is no guarantee that the cruise line will do anything. So I emailed the info to my TA over the weekend and phoned her first thing Monday morning - she would see what see could do.
Within two hours I had my answer - an upgrade to a balcony and not just any balcony but one of the better located ones on Deck 10 - I was in a very good frame of mind. Even with the upgrade NCL is still about $100.00 to the good from me but I am not complaining.
I have also noticed that there is a $15.00 on board credit in my account - that will just about cover the cost of bottle of vodka.
Only nine days til sail away.
Cheers!
D
It is no different with the LA repo cruise - I started noticing some price softening about 2 weeks ago and was planning on mentioning it to my TA when I saw her at a friend's birthday party but when that was canceled at the last minute because of a health issue I forgot to check until this weekend when I noticed that some of my fellow cruisers were posting on Cruise Critic that they had gotten some upgrades.
Onto the Internet and sure enough there had been a major price reduction on just about all categories and with a little investigative diligence I noticed that a balcony was now cheaper than what I paid for an inside and that the single supplement had been reduced to 50% - but there is no guarantee that the cruise line will do anything. So I emailed the info to my TA over the weekend and phoned her first thing Monday morning - she would see what see could do.
Within two hours I had my answer - an upgrade to a balcony and not just any balcony but one of the better located ones on Deck 10 - I was in a very good frame of mind. Even with the upgrade NCL is still about $100.00 to the good from me but I am not complaining.
I have also noticed that there is a $15.00 on board credit in my account - that will just about cover the cost of bottle of vodka.
Only nine days til sail away.
Cheers!
D
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
LA repo cruise plans
Well it is less than a month until I board the Norwegian Jewel for the 5 days down the Pacific Coast to LA.
There are two port visits - Astoria, Oregon where I will venture with my friends Cliff and Adele as we rent a car for the day and head down the coast to visit Seaside, Cannon Beach and the Haystack rocks - they also want to see Ft. Clatsop and Ft Stevens so it will be a full day - it has been a few years since I have been down that way so it will be nice to revisit it especially after being unable to last year do to very stormy seas that prevented any ships from docking in Astoria.
Our second port is San Francisco - that is where Cliff and Adele reside - well close by - we will be visiting Alcatraz - my first visit in about 30 years + then to an In and Out burger place for lunch before winding up the day riding the cable cars.
While on board and because I have platinum status on NCL - I will have a bottle of wine to consume - and free dinner in one of the restaurants - a captain reception and a tour of the ship + a few of us have birthdays or anniversaries to celebrate.
In Los Angeles or more correctly San Pedro I will have a few hours to kill before boarding a bus to Bakersfield and connecting there on the train that will meet up with the north bound Coast Starlighter in Sacramento around midnight.
I arrive back home a year older as I will celebrate my 65th birthday on the train and that evening will celebrate that occasion with some friends at the Keg.
Cheers
There are two port visits - Astoria, Oregon where I will venture with my friends Cliff and Adele as we rent a car for the day and head down the coast to visit Seaside, Cannon Beach and the Haystack rocks - they also want to see Ft. Clatsop and Ft Stevens so it will be a full day - it has been a few years since I have been down that way so it will be nice to revisit it especially after being unable to last year do to very stormy seas that prevented any ships from docking in Astoria.
Our second port is San Francisco - that is where Cliff and Adele reside - well close by - we will be visiting Alcatraz - my first visit in about 30 years + then to an In and Out burger place for lunch before winding up the day riding the cable cars.
While on board and because I have platinum status on NCL - I will have a bottle of wine to consume - and free dinner in one of the restaurants - a captain reception and a tour of the ship + a few of us have birthdays or anniversaries to celebrate.
In Los Angeles or more correctly San Pedro I will have a few hours to kill before boarding a bus to Bakersfield and connecting there on the train that will meet up with the north bound Coast Starlighter in Sacramento around midnight.
I arrive back home a year older as I will celebrate my 65th birthday on the train and that evening will celebrate that occasion with some friends at the Keg.
Cheers
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Am I crazy
Am I crazy - well you be the judge - just booked another cruise - albeit only a five dayer from Vancouver to LA leaving Vancouver on Sept 22,2012 - I had looked at this cruise aboard the Norwegian Jewel earlier but ruled it out because I won't get back to Vancouver until early morning Sept 29, 2012 - the day after my 65th birthday and a planned celebration - fortunately for me my chief organizer isn't the most organized guy and while we discussed dates and venues nothing has been booked - also need to remember that my God son's parents leave on a 35 day Tahiti cruise on the 30th so that further limits the dates available.
So fast forward to this week and I get an email from my cruising friend - cruise more often - Adele and Cliff from the SF Bay area advising me that they are coming to Vancouver pre-cruise - well it turns out there cruise is the aforementioned NCL Jewel 5 dayer and they would like to get together for a dinner the night before.
So I said to myself - why not sail with them - a quick check on pricing and Amtrak for the trip home as I don't fly and letting my chief organizer know of my desire to cruise and I took the plunge and will now be cruising. It will be my birthday treat to myself.
I now have 75 days at sea book between now and Oct 2013!
Cheers
D
So fast forward to this week and I get an email from my cruising friend - cruise more often - Adele and Cliff from the SF Bay area advising me that they are coming to Vancouver pre-cruise - well it turns out there cruise is the aforementioned NCL Jewel 5 dayer and they would like to get together for a dinner the night before.
So I said to myself - why not sail with them - a quick check on pricing and Amtrak for the trip home as I don't fly and letting my chief organizer know of my desire to cruise and I took the plunge and will now be cruising. It will be my birthday treat to myself.
I now have 75 days at sea book between now and Oct 2013!
Cheers
D
Friday, June 1, 2012
Grouse Grind photo essay 2005 trip
I have some more recent images from the Grind but they are on the other computer so here is a link to a photo essay from my 2005 trip up the Grouse Grind.
https://picasaweb.google.com/yvrcruiser/GrouseWebAlbum#
Cheers
Dennis
https://picasaweb.google.com/yvrcruiser/GrouseWebAlbum#
Cheers
Dennis
One of the highlights of any visit up Grouse is to stop by a see the two Grizzly Bears - Coola and Grinder - both orphaned they came to Grouse as babies and have now grown to full size bears and they have learned how to entertain the crowds that visit Grouse in the summer months - here then in pictures is a photo essay of them performing for the crowds.
https://picasaweb.google.com/yvrcruiser/TheBearsOfGrouse#
Hope you enjoy
Cheers
Dennis
https://picasaweb.google.com/yvrcruiser/TheBearsOfGrouse#
Hope you enjoy
Cheers
Dennis
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Grouse Grind comes to my blog
As my last post indicated I am moving my Grouse Grind page from my web site to this blog - so here it is - will add a photo link a little later.
Enjoy
By far the most popular trail within the Greater Vancouver area - this hike has become a cult following to many and seems to be the one trail that visitor's to Vancouver consider a must do. Many people are known to do it more than once in a day - especially if they didn't like their time the first time up.
The trail itself is only about 2.9 Km in length but gains 2800' in that distance and is unrelenting - the grade can be as sharp as 45 degrees and there are no flat stretches to speak of on the trail and in the summer there is little or no water available - the fortunate part is that most people just do the upward portion and use the Skyride for the trip down especially since Grouse Mt. now sells a year round recreation pass for $99.95 (2012 price) or for a single download price of $10.00 - tickets available for purchase at the Alpine Chalet. The Annual pass is good for one year from date of purchase and gives you a number of deals. Check out Grouse Mountain's link found elsewhere on this page for full details.
Edited May 30, 2012 - Metro Vancouver which has jurisdiction over most of the trail does not allow for downward passage on the trail - they have very large signs posted at the top to this effect. If you don't want to pay the downride fee you could hike down the nearby BCMC trail.
I have previously described this trail climb as being like a non-stop stair climb up the CN Tower in Toronto - despite the steepness it is estimated that upwards of 100,000 people do the trail and when you consider that for three or four months in the winter the upper portions are covered by 3 or more feet of snow and you should get the picture as just how busy this trail can be in the summer from dawn to dusk.
THE FALL RACE:
The Grouse Grind trail is the scene of an annual foot race each fall in September - the current record is about 28 minutes and most regulars do it between 45 - 60 minutes. The average time is between 75 and 90 minutes. The urban trekker did it recently in a time of one hour and forty minutes. My first attempt in several years so I was happy with the time
GETTING TO THE TRAIL HEAD:
You can get to the Grouse Mountain parking lot by following Capilano Road all the way to its upper terminus. From downtown Vancouver - take Georgia Street and drive the Stanley Park causeway and over the Lions Gate Bridge - take the North Vancouver exit and then get in the left lanes for the turn onto Capilano Rd. The drive up is quite scenic past the Cleveland Dam - source of Vancouver's drinking water and then to the parking lots. Grouse is now charging to park in their main paved parking lot but the gravel one is still free - however it is likely to be full on most weekends - so if you are planning on doing the hike and arriving by car either get there early or be prepared to pay to park.
By bus - take Seabus across the harbor to the Lonsdale Quay - then the Grouse Mt. bus from the terminus.
By bike - if you really want a work out - take either Seabus or the Lions Gate Bridge and work your way up Capilano Rd to the Cleveland dam and then do the final climb to the parking lot - there are bike racks near the service center - remember it's all downhill for the trip back to Vancouver and there are no restrictions or extra fares required to take your bike on the Seabus
A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION:
Before you start the hike make sure you have some water - decent footwear - sunscreen - perhaps a light sweater/jacket as it can be several degrees cooler at the top - and bring a camera as the views are spectacular up top and there are other short hikes etc once you reach the top - there are also a variety of other routes down the mountain if you don't want to pay the $10.00 download fee.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CLIMB UP THE GRIND:
You shouldn't have any trouble finding the start of the trail - it is well signposted and just look which way all the hikers are heading.
The start of the trail is actually the Baden Powell trailhead which runs the length of the North Shore Mountains from Deep Cove in the east to Horseshoe Bay in the west. The start of the trail has seen some changes this year 2011 - once through the gate you will make an immediate left and head up a new section of the trail - this will make it easier during the wintertime closures to enforce the no entry rule while still allowing people to hike the Baden Powell trail through to Skyline Drive - after the half way mark you start to edge closer to the chairlift cut and you will have a few opportunities to get some views and even wave to the folks using the Sky Ride to access the mountain. After what will seem like an eternity you will finally see the chalet roof and come out of the forest and onto an open bluff - this is the terminus of the ride - rest up - take a walk around the commercial area and enjoy the wood carvings and Blue Grouse lake and if doing the hike in the summer head up to the summit of Grouse and a world famous panoramic view before you leave the mountain. You might also want to check on the progress of the two grizzly bears who make their home on the mountain - just follow the green signs towards the old peak chair.
FIRST TIMER DOING IT?:
Note to first timer Grinders - worry less about your time - in fact put your watch in your pack and start walking - just take it slow and easy and you will be amazed how soon an hour or so has past and you will be nearing your destination.
A FEW CLOSING WORDS:
If you have a season pass you can even keep track of your times for both the Grouse Grind and the other summits on the Grouse Plateau - just scan the bar code on your pass at the trail head and again at the summits. You can also print out your times at Guest Services.
For further information on Grouse Mountain check out their web site at: www.grousemtn.com
Enjoy
By far the most popular trail within the Greater Vancouver area - this hike has become a cult following to many and seems to be the one trail that visitor's to Vancouver consider a must do. Many people are known to do it more than once in a day - especially if they didn't like their time the first time up.
The trail itself is only about 2.9 Km in length but gains 2800' in that distance and is unrelenting - the grade can be as sharp as 45 degrees and there are no flat stretches to speak of on the trail and in the summer there is little or no water available - the fortunate part is that most people just do the upward portion and use the Skyride for the trip down especially since Grouse Mt. now sells a year round recreation pass for $99.95 (2012 price) or for a single download price of $10.00 - tickets available for purchase at the Alpine Chalet. The Annual pass is good for one year from date of purchase and gives you a number of deals. Check out Grouse Mountain's link found elsewhere on this page for full details.
Edited May 30, 2012 - Metro Vancouver which has jurisdiction over most of the trail does not allow for downward passage on the trail - they have very large signs posted at the top to this effect. If you don't want to pay the downride fee you could hike down the nearby BCMC trail.
I have previously described this trail climb as being like a non-stop stair climb up the CN Tower in Toronto - despite the steepness it is estimated that upwards of 100,000 people do the trail and when you consider that for three or four months in the winter the upper portions are covered by 3 or more feet of snow and you should get the picture as just how busy this trail can be in the summer from dawn to dusk.
THE FALL RACE:
The Grouse Grind trail is the scene of an annual foot race each fall in September - the current record is about 28 minutes and most regulars do it between 45 - 60 minutes. The average time is between 75 and 90 minutes. The urban trekker did it recently in a time of one hour and forty minutes. My first attempt in several years so I was happy with the time
GETTING TO THE TRAIL HEAD:
You can get to the Grouse Mountain parking lot by following Capilano Road all the way to its upper terminus. From downtown Vancouver - take Georgia Street and drive the Stanley Park causeway and over the Lions Gate Bridge - take the North Vancouver exit and then get in the left lanes for the turn onto Capilano Rd. The drive up is quite scenic past the Cleveland Dam - source of Vancouver's drinking water and then to the parking lots. Grouse is now charging to park in their main paved parking lot but the gravel one is still free - however it is likely to be full on most weekends - so if you are planning on doing the hike and arriving by car either get there early or be prepared to pay to park.
By bus - take Seabus across the harbor to the Lonsdale Quay - then the Grouse Mt. bus from the terminus.
By bike - if you really want a work out - take either Seabus or the Lions Gate Bridge and work your way up Capilano Rd to the Cleveland dam and then do the final climb to the parking lot - there are bike racks near the service center - remember it's all downhill for the trip back to Vancouver and there are no restrictions or extra fares required to take your bike on the Seabus
A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION:
Before you start the hike make sure you have some water - decent footwear - sunscreen - perhaps a light sweater/jacket as it can be several degrees cooler at the top - and bring a camera as the views are spectacular up top and there are other short hikes etc once you reach the top - there are also a variety of other routes down the mountain if you don't want to pay the $10.00 download fee.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CLIMB UP THE GRIND:
You shouldn't have any trouble finding the start of the trail - it is well signposted and just look which way all the hikers are heading.
The start of the trail is actually the Baden Powell trailhead which runs the length of the North Shore Mountains from Deep Cove in the east to Horseshoe Bay in the west. The start of the trail has seen some changes this year 2011 - once through the gate you will make an immediate left and head up a new section of the trail - this will make it easier during the wintertime closures to enforce the no entry rule while still allowing people to hike the Baden Powell trail through to Skyline Drive - after the half way mark you start to edge closer to the chairlift cut and you will have a few opportunities to get some views and even wave to the folks using the Sky Ride to access the mountain. After what will seem like an eternity you will finally see the chalet roof and come out of the forest and onto an open bluff - this is the terminus of the ride - rest up - take a walk around the commercial area and enjoy the wood carvings and Blue Grouse lake and if doing the hike in the summer head up to the summit of Grouse and a world famous panoramic view before you leave the mountain. You might also want to check on the progress of the two grizzly bears who make their home on the mountain - just follow the green signs towards the old peak chair.
FIRST TIMER DOING IT?:
Note to first timer Grinders - worry less about your time - in fact put your watch in your pack and start walking - just take it slow and easy and you will be amazed how soon an hour or so has past and you will be nearing your destination.
A FEW CLOSING WORDS:
If you have a season pass you can even keep track of your times for both the Grouse Grind and the other summits on the Grouse Plateau - just scan the bar code on your pass at the trail head and again at the summits. You can also print out your times at Guest Services.
For further information on Grouse Mountain check out their web site at: www.grousemtn.com
Time for a change May 30, 2012
For the past ten years or so I have maintained a web site called the Urban Trekker which at the time was the way to communicate on the Internet - since that time blogs, Facebook, twitter etc have become the norm.
Well since I only really have one page of that site that gets any attention it seems fruitless to keep maintaining it so I have made the decision to kill the site - it is up for renewal later in the year and since someone has a similar named site only using some Capitalization it was becoming harder to access + I seem to have with my newer computers lost my log in info.
The one page that was getting hits was my detailed description of the Grouse Grind - it will move to a stand alone page on this blog.
I am also considering changing the thrust of this blog to be more reflective of my hiking and biking activities and using my Facebook account for the daily report.
Cheers
D
Well since I only really have one page of that site that gets any attention it seems fruitless to keep maintaining it so I have made the decision to kill the site - it is up for renewal later in the year and since someone has a similar named site only using some Capitalization it was becoming harder to access + I seem to have with my newer computers lost my log in info.
The one page that was getting hits was my detailed description of the Grouse Grind - it will move to a stand alone page on this blog.
I am also considering changing the thrust of this blog to be more reflective of my hiking and biking activities and using my Facebook account for the daily report.
Cheers
D
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Things are moving along
I am starting to get some things off the bucket list for the big trip - the hotel in Fort Lauderdale is booked and now that Amtrak dates have opened up I will be booking the rail to the Port of embarkation.
Recieved some travel info on FLL so now I have a better idea of where everything - the hotel is only about 1/2 mile to the port entrance but depending on just which berth we sail from I will either be able to walk to the ship or take a short cab ride.
The hotel is close to restaurants and grocery stores etc. It doesn't appear to be that far to the downtown core and the 17th St entertainment district - I have one full day in FLL - they have a low cost public shuttle bus that I will likely use to get around - there is also a water taxi service linking some of the sites as well but it appears to be $12.00 for a day pass vs $2.00 for the shuttle.
As for the trip itself - I have been finding and bookmarking many sites on the ports that I will be visiting and when on the big computer have been printing off some info.
Did book my first excursions - one of the cruisers has a short 3.5 hour private tour booked in Fortuleza - our first Brazilian stop so I have opted for it at this time.
________________________________________________________________________
On the home front my next volunteer assignment is the Celtic Fest held in conjunction with St Patrick day - my orientation training will be Saturday - I will have a number of different jobs to do - being an office runner - helping with the setup of the Celtic village and finally on the Sunday the big parade - the nice thing about this assignment - it all happens within blocks of my condo so little or no travel is needed.
Cheers
D
Recieved some travel info on FLL so now I have a better idea of where everything - the hotel is only about 1/2 mile to the port entrance but depending on just which berth we sail from I will either be able to walk to the ship or take a short cab ride.
The hotel is close to restaurants and grocery stores etc. It doesn't appear to be that far to the downtown core and the 17th St entertainment district - I have one full day in FLL - they have a low cost public shuttle bus that I will likely use to get around - there is also a water taxi service linking some of the sites as well but it appears to be $12.00 for a day pass vs $2.00 for the shuttle.
As for the trip itself - I have been finding and bookmarking many sites on the ports that I will be visiting and when on the big computer have been printing off some info.
Did book my first excursions - one of the cruisers has a short 3.5 hour private tour booked in Fortuleza - our first Brazilian stop so I have opted for it at this time.
________________________________________________________________________
On the home front my next volunteer assignment is the Celtic Fest held in conjunction with St Patrick day - my orientation training will be Saturday - I will have a number of different jobs to do - being an office runner - helping with the setup of the Celtic village and finally on the Sunday the big parade - the nice thing about this assignment - it all happens within blocks of my condo so little or no travel is needed.
Cheers
D
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