What's happening at Belle Vue Bed and Breakfast

Saw Orcas from the house today, June 22, 2009

Many of our neighbors have claimed to see orcas from their homes but today is the first time that I can say I have too!  The fishing directly off of Bates Beach is quite good this season, so probably that is what attracted the orcas.  I saw three traveling along leisurely up island and was able to keep them in sight for several minutes. 

For all you fishermen and women the fishing news has been really good lately.  The Echo, one of two local newspapers, has twice in the last two weeks run photos of folks with good sized springs weighed in at Bates Beach, just down the block from our place.  The spring salmon have weighed anywhere from 24+ lbs. down to a bit over 12 lbs.  The lucky anglers have been using various hoochies at depths around 190 feet.

I'm real excited at finally seeing the orcas from the house.  Many guests have asked me if we had and I've always had to say that some of my friends who live on higher up cliff homes have, but not us.  I've seen dolphins or porpoise from here before, but never the orcas.

Haideh missed this happening as she had taken Tip to Nanaimo for the Flat Coat Retriever of Canada Society annual specialty.  Tip was shown by two Jr. handlers, both of whom got first place.  Haideh just called to say Tip has passed his field test for a working dog certificate!  They have worked long and hard in all kinds of weather to prepare for this and it has paid off!  Congratulations Haideh and Tip.

Thats all for now.  Thanks for reading this,

Walter

Finally learned how to blog again!

Hey, where is everybody, the weather is awesome and business is way too slow.  We have had nary a sprinkle in over three weeks.  Seriously, this is a perfect time to be on the island.  Everything is blooming, temperatures are in the low 20's (thats low to mid 70's to you who think in fahrenheit).  We have used the downtime to do some much needed maintenance--- painting the deck and stairs, tons of garden work and the very difficult sipping Mojitios on the terrace.  Such is life.

Besides the amazing views and wildlife, there is a lot going on-- Mount Washington's summer activities, the Vancouver Island Music Business Conference, super local music (Music Fest is coming soon too--- check out www.islandmusicfest.com which will feature Arlo Guthrey), and for the fast lane people there is always Saratoga Speedway with everything from Bomber cars to drag racing.

I had my ablation procedure on June I in Vancouver at St. Paul's Hospital.  What an incredible procedure!  Dr. John Yeung is my cardiologist.  He and his team made a small cut to access an artery in my groin.  They somehow are able to send wires and whatever else they need up into the heart, find where the body's internal electric system is not working properly and "zap" the bad parts, creating new pathways that do work.  Dr. Yeung says the flutter problem is cured, and probably the atrial fib will not recur,  but won't know for a couple of months more.  I feel great and should gradually find myself with more energy, feel even better and be done with heart meds. 

Haideh took Tip to a big dog show and agility trial in Mill Bay a few weeks ago where he won best of breed two days in a row and was third in group once.  That is a super good showing and we are very pleased.  Haideh's diabolical plan is to breed Tip next year when he is 5 years old, which Catherine Preece, the breeder, feels is the optimum age for breeding healthy pups.

Haideh is up to her eyebrows in preparations for the upcoming Flat Coated Retriever Society of Canada Specialty, being held in Nanaimo June 19-21.  She took on the hospitality job and has discovered it to be an enormous one.  Right now our part of the house is overloaded with welcome gift bags stuffed with all sorts of treats (both for the dogs and their pet humans).

Canada Select made its semi annual inspection this last week and we passed with glowing comments about the house, location and amenities.  Our star rating (currently 4 1/2) is being reviewed and we'll let you know if it changes.

One final thing, we joined a community choir called "Letz Sing" several months ago and will be performing at church in Cumberland tomorrow evening.  Keep your fingers crossed that we stay on key and remember the words!!  This is a for fun choir, not normally a performance choir, but we are helping raise funds for a cheritable project in Mozambique and are glad to sing. 

That's all for now,  Walter