In Which We Eat Out A Lot and Vince's Hi-Fi Arrives!

Starring roles:

Shannon - Receptionist at CKVU TV

Gail - work colleague at CKVU TV

Don - CEO of CKVU TV, my boss

Brian Boitana - American figure skater

The Woolstones - family we stayed with on arrival - Carolynn - daughter

Sheila and Patrick - the Irish couple we are renting from

James - my baby brother

Wendy, daughter of Mum & Dad's neighbour who now lives in California, and Mark, her little brother.

Dearest wonderfulist and lots of other things nice, Mum and Dad!

How's that for a beginning? I mean it though! I want to know why I'm now Dearest Joanne in your letters as I used to be Darling Joanne? Haha

Friday 11th May 1990

A very dull and rainy day today.

Work was quiet so went and sat at the switchboard with Shannon to try and learn it.  It doesn't look too difficult, but I just watched today.  Anyway, I was looking at the television screens and I saw Brian Boitana was being interviewed in our building!  I didn't even know he was coming in.  Well I didn't get to meet him, but it was quite exciting to know he was there.  CKVU are sponsoring an ice-skating event that Brian and his partner were doing.  I didn't get free tickets for that though, sadly!

Got the Seabus home.  I just fancy a change of scenery sometimes.

Watched Dallas this evening.  I like Cally so much and she is really funny in this episode. And JR is behind stupid as he's committed himself to a looney bin to get in touch with Jessica!

Saturday 12th May 1990

Had to go to college for the day to do the first part of a word processing course.  Fancy having to do it on a Saturday!  At least it wasn't sunny and hot or I would have been very upset!  It was a good course though and I learned a lot.  We had a nice pasta lunch as they have a French Chef who cooks fresh food there!

Vince is on call this weekend so is going everywhere with a portable phone.  Poser!  He was walking through a shopping mall when the phone rang and he had to answer it.  Haha - I wish I'd seen him.  He said he was embarrassed.

Went out for a drink in the evening with Carolynn and two other girls.  Vince is always surrounded by girls lately!  We went to The Bayside Room in English Bay.  It's where Carolynn took us when we were here on holiday.  It's nice there with a beautiful view across the Bay AND they have a piano player.  And guess what, they have phones at every table for the use of the customers.  But of course, Vince had his with him.  Luckily it didn't ring!  It was a fresh night, a bit chilly, but the sea air is so invigorating.  Lovely.

Saturday 13th May 1990

Happy Canadian Mother's Day!  Forgot to wish you this on the phone earlier, but was concerned with you not being well.  Poor Mummy - I wanted to comfort you, but it sounds as though Dad was taking good care of you.  At least Dad got to do more talking today.  I really don't know what I'd do without your phone calls and your letters.

I made food for the Woolstones today as we were going to barbecue.  I did chicken kebabs (or kebobs as they call them) and rice and salad ad burgers.  They were dead impressed.  You should have heard them and it was really simple.  It wasn't a very nice day for a BBQ so they cooked outside, but we ate inside.  It was nice even though I do say so myself.  Vince did cook it well, mind you!

My favourite film "Singing In The Rain" was on tonight.  Well neat!!  Made me think of you, especially the bit at the end with the arms - remember?  They have information bits between the movies on Sunday night and apparently Gene Kelly wasn't happy with the choice of Debbie Reynolds as co-star, because she wasn't a professional singer and dancer.  So he taught her, how amazing is that?!

Monday 14th May 1990

Had second part of the word processing course today.  Was good again, but only had sandwiches for lunch today.

Sheila and Patrick have just come home.  They've been away for the weekend. Apparently, they disappeared for Mother's Day because Sheila wasn't likely to get anything from her two sons.  It's quite sad - they couldn't have children of their own, so adopted twin boys.  I think they're about 19 now, but don't have anything to do with Patrick and Sheila anymore and they don't know why!  Perhaps they'll come to see sense one day.  I hope so.  Also found out today that Patrick's Dad is very ill and only has a few weeks to live, so he's got to fly back to Ireland next Friday.  He is hoping he makes it in time.  That's sad isn't it?

Rang James, as you know, to wish him an early Happy Birthday.  It was so lovely to talk to him - he was telling me all about school.  I think he has to be 18 to apply for a Blue Coat at Pontins and does he realise it's a Summer only job?  Can't wait to get his letter.

Tuesday 15th May 1990

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!

Worked all day today, as Gail was away.  I had to get up at 6am - yawn!  It was quite nice when I was up though - normal working hours are 8.30-5pm.  I was quite nervous about it, but in the end enjoyed myself.  I felt quite important!

Don, my boss, went out for someone's birthday lunch.  I went into his office in the afternoon and was asleep!  I wasn't sure whether to wake him or not, so I said "Excuse me, Don?" - well he nearly jumped out of his skin.  I said "heavy lunch was it?" and he said "Yep, that's it exactly!".  It was funny.  He's supposed to be retiring soon - I'm not surprised!

Went to The Sizzler in the evening because we couldn't be bothered to cook.  Tut tut!  Oh well, who cares, I don't - it was very nice! Haha.

Heather called to say she got your letter.  Can't believe you both decided to write to each other at the same time.  She does seem to be a little bit psychic about things.  Anyway, she said your words were lovely and that you have a way with them.  I agree.

Wednesday 16th May 1990

Back to normal at work.  It was extremely quiet again today and I was actually very bored.  Gail didn't have much to do either.  It's not so bad when the boss is away, but when he's around, you have to try and look busy and it's not easy!  Felt quite miserable when I got home.

Carolynn came round and we all went for a walk in Lynn Valley Canyon.  We walked a different way and came across this deep clear pool among the rocks.  It was beautiful, deep, clear and aqua green.  It would have been lovely to swim in (if the weather was warmer).  But it was fascinating to gaze at.

Carolynn brought your note to Heather with her to show me.  You really did write that with feeling.  It was lovely.   I want to say that Heather and George have been really good and they have looked after us well, but no matter how nice they are, they'll NEVER be you two.  But I guess I don't need to tell you that, I just wanted to say it.  I'm silly I know!

We had another letter from Double E Removals, which has really annoyed us both.  They are almost accusing me of lying about the missing package.  Well, they are going to get a piece of our minds tomorrow.  I'm going to send them a fax from work. We've also found out that the company this end were supposed to issue us with insurance forms and on calling them this evening, for the third time since delivery, they've found the forms in our files!  Amazing!! So we will see what happens now.

Still, some good news too, we've received our credit cards today.  Our own bank wouldn't give them to us until we had 9 months financial history here, but another bank gave them to us just like that.  They are visas, so I'm off on a shopping spree now!  (I wish). 

Got your letter today, which apart from being wonderful, softened the blow from the horrible Double E letter.  I can understand why you decided to move your bees, it certainly sounds as if the garden was getting a bit hair-raising.  I think I would have been quite nervous.  You just need to hurry up and get a bigger garden!  All my teddies and dolls did arrive safely.  The teddies in the wardrobe were sitting almost exactly as I put them.  It seems very strange that everything we had in England is now here in Vancouver.  It's hard to take in that we actually live her sometimes.

Thursday 17th May 1990

Went out to lunch with a girl from work, Carol.  She is really nice.  Her ex-husband is English, so I make complete sense to her!  Her current boyfriend has a Hi-Fi system like Vince and also prefers records over CD, so our other halves also have a lot in common.  They hardly sell any records over here, they are dying out, it's mostly CD's you find.

Went shopping to Save On after work.  I didn't know what cereal to buy.  I've been having Rice Krispies, but although they are exactly the same as the ones I've always had, they just don't taste the same!  I'm very upset!

Friday 18th May 1990

CKVU-TV are putting on a two-day show - The Children's Miracle Network Telethon.  It's something like Children In Need, except that this is just for children's hospitals.  Anyway, they've been putting up the scenery in the big studio and it looks really good.  It's amazing to see how they can transform a studio.  Apparently they have a set for another program and it's the inside of a brain.  Yuk!

Wendy called this evening, it was nice to speak to her.  She's going to England soon for Mark's wedding - I didn't even know he was getting married!  Apparently, you're going to the evening do - did you know that?!  If you do, please take some photos.  How time flies, I can still remember Mark and Dean playing together as little boys.

Sent out for pizza this evening - oh gawd what a hard life this is!

Saturday 19th May 1990

Aerobics morning.  Vince did circuit training, then went swimming, had a sauna and used the whirlpool. He starts and finishes half-hour earlier than me.  We had a lady instructor today, she was a toughie, but it was a fun workout.  Actually, I think Vince should join in for the last half hour don't you?

Went to breakfast at a place called Glady's.  Vince had this great big fat ham steak with eggs.  It was more like dinner.  Greedy piggy poo!  I had a lovely omelette.  It had cheddar cheese and cream cheese, mushrooms and green pepper. Cor!

Went to a British car exhibition at Vandusen Gardens.  I think you would have enjoyed it a lot, Dad.  They had some real old classics there, including some Morgans - I would still like one of those!  They had TR6's, TR4's, TR3's, M.G.'s, Aston Martins and loads more.  We didn't take the camera though, so no photos.  These gardens are really lovely, although we didn't have a good look round because we were worn out.

Went to see a film "Pretty Woman" in the evening with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.  It was okay, but nothing special, but Julia Roberts is so beautiful.

Sunday 20th May 1990

Wonderful to speak to all three of you this morning! I got really upset afterwards today though.  I've been feeling sad on and off all this weekend, and missing you badly (which I always do, but it's worse today).  I think the dull weather doesn't help either!

To answer your question about where we'll put you at Christmas, well as you say there's always Vince's van or a tent.  But we do hope to buy a place this year, which will solve everything.  But if we do happen to be here still, there's a spare bedroom and a sofa bed, so there's plenty of room and it will be fine with Sheila.  But in any case, we both would like our own place by then anyway.  Do you think you will definitely be coming or does it depend on Dad's work etc.? I know you want to come and of course we want you to (soooooo much).  Anyway, you don't have to tell us yet, we were just wondering ...

Went to a Flea Market in a bit warehouse, but it was a load of old junk - just like a giant boot fair really.  Garage sales are a big thing over here, people just sell off all their old stuff from their garages and gardens.  We haven't been to any yet, but Sheila and Patrick go to quite a few.  I suppose you can get some quite nice things.

Popped into Lonsdale Quay briefly.  The rain came down really hard and heavy at one point, it made the water seem very brown and menacing.

Went to the Woolstones' for dinner - again!!  They had quite a crowd today.  Heather taught us a new card game called Frustration.  It was fun, but yes, very frustrating haha.  Vince said I'm not a very good wife 'cause cause I beat him.  I'm the winner, he's not!!  He's just jealous.  There was a storm tonight and the thunder boomed so loudly - I've never heard anything like it - Carolynn screamed!!  I wonder if the thunder sounds so much louder because we are near the mountains?  It sounded like it was right above our heads.  I loved it though - you know how I love the sound of thunder.  Everyone keeps telling us that usually the weather is lovely this time of year, so we are waiting patiently.

Monday 21st May 1990

Queen Victoria's birthday today, so everyone gets the day off.  Spent the day in Stanley Park, which is beautiful.  Took some nuts and bread to feed the squirrels and the ducks.  Oh it was so wonderful, the squirrels were hungry and were running up our legs and bodies to take the nuts from our hands.  We took some photos so will send you some.  Saw some lovely rabbits too, one of them was very brave and kept coming up to us, so I called him Flopsy.  We didn't have anything to give him, so I offered him some bread and he ate that!  We'll take some carrots next time.  The park was quite busy today and they had a few side shows: clowns making balloon animals and a Punch & Judy show, which I thought they only had in England.  It just goes to show.

Had a cup of tea in the garden with Sheila and Patrick when we got home.  Sheila told us to be careful of the squirrels as they carry rabies!  Hmmmm!   They told us there is supposed to be a whale in the Burrard Inlet, that's where the Seabus crosses.  I wish I could have seen it.  Apparently, it came in after the fish at a fish factory.  He's not trapped though, he can get out again.  There is a trip you can do from Vancouver Island where you go out in a boat to see the whales in their natural habitat.  That must be well neat!

Tuesday 22nd May 1990

Back to work today.  Don gave me some praise - he said it was really nice to have me there and that I was doing good work.  He said he hoped I was happy.  I thought that was really nice of him and it made me feel good.  He is retiring at the end of August and a man named Peter Viner is taking his place.  He's supposed to really nice too.

Went shopping after work for Vince's Anniversary present.  I won't tell you what it is, as he's going to read this letter!  I used my new credit card - I like that way of paying for things!  I was in Robson Square, by the Art Gallery, and I saw CKVU filming, I wasn't sure whether our reporter Douglas Miller knew who I was, so I just waved, but he spoke to me anyway.  It was sweltering hot this afternoon in Downtown Vancouver, but I looked over at the North Shore and it was black and cloudy.  Anyway, I got on the Seabus and it started to rain!  It looked so pretty though, because the sea was dark and the sun was shining through the rain and it looked just like crystal drops falling on the water.  There's something more lovely to see every day.

Vince has set his Hi-Fi up now, so is happily listening to his records.  I think he was having withdrawal symptoms!

Wednesday 23rd May 1990

Went to Heather's Mum's after work with Carolynn and she cooked us dinner.  It was really nice.  Her Aunty Dorothy popped in too - she's another trendy one!

Carolynn came in to see Vince's Hi-Fi and she ooooh'd and wowed over his record collection.  They were whispering about what we're going to do for our Anniversary.  Vince was going to take me on the Royal Hudson stream train up to Whistler and then come back on the boat, which would have been wonderful, but the train is under repairs until June.  

Thursday 24th May 1990

Haven't done much today.  Work is extremely quiet the whole building over.  Had a barbecue at lunchtime which was nice, although a bit chilly in the back alley.

Carolynn rang and did more conspiring with Vince.  I had to go where I couldn't hear them.  Blimey!

Well this letter is getting a bit overdue, so I should end it here.

Jo's sign off 24.5.1990

In Which The Bees Are Frisky And Are Moved To A New Home

 Starring Roles:

Dave (Bee Dave) - Who runs the Bee Club

Pat - Mum's friend and work colleague

Angie - Mum's work colleague

Nanny - Mum's Mum

Judy - Nan's dog

Old Face Ache - Mum's boss at the Dentist where she works

Mick - Pat's husband

Dean - My brother, who now lives in Canada with his wife, Catherine

Dearest Joanne and Vince,

Hope you are both well.  Everyone here is keeping well and enjoying a bit of Summer at last.  Just been and posted your letter and now starting again, it's all go!  The lady up the post office always says to me, not another one, and I say "Yup"!  So here we go again.

Monday 30th April 1990

A busy morning at work with Angie away, because Pat and I are running three surgeries between us.

Went to Dartford to pay some money into Nanny's bank - £140.00 which she had laying all over the house, so we thought it would be better to let us pay it in the bank for her.  She will probably accuse us of stealing it now!

Picked James up from school and said to him the bees are a bit frisky today, so go straight indoors.  As he went through the gate, one stung him on the neck.  Well as you can imagine, he went absolutely berserk and went running up the road.  I got the sting out for him and squeezed it till it bled because it can be very dangerous on the neck.  Anyway, after he came back from running up the road, they would not let us in the gate.  We had to put our coats over our heads and make a run for the back door.  They are getting a bit naughty lately.  I even had to put my full bee suit on to put some washing out.  We may consider letting the apiary have them, as there are so many now.  There could be up to 50,000 bees this year and that's a lot of bees buzzing around the garden.  It's just difficult with our small garden to sit outside with this many bees and Dad reacts to badly when he gets stung.

Tuesday 1st May 1990

It doesn't seem possible that May is here already and I can't believe that you and Vince have been married for nearly a whole year.  

It's been another hot day today and I told you yesterday that the bees have been naughty lately.  Well when I came home from work today, to my horror, the back garden was covered in dead and dying bees.  Dad and I looked it up in the bee books and we think they have a disease called Acarine, which is a small mite which develops and lives in the breathing tubes, making their efficiency reduced and they are then unable to fly.  If it is Acarine, sadly we may have to destroy them.  We are waiting for Dave to come out and confirm.  I feel so guilty about grumbling at them yesterday - I wish they could have told me they were not well.  Poor things.

Wednesday 2nd May 1990

Another beautiful hot sunny day.  Went to the pub, sat inside because it was too hot in the garden.  Talked a lot about bees.  I was a bit scared about coming home as I didn't want to see anymore dead bees.  There were just a few, and a few flying, so could mean that there are very little left in the hive. Dave still has not rang me, he is so unreliable.  The book says your Bee Manager will always be on hand when you want him!!  But oh not Dave!

Poor James has to bad hay fever.  I think going out on his paper-round first thing in the morning doesn't help. 

Thursday 3rd May 1990

Yet another hot day.  Apparently, it is hotter here than in Spain, we have temperatures in the 80's and Spain is only in the 60's.  This country is so stupid, they're already talking about water shortage.

The bees seem to be back to normal today and look as if nothing has happened.  Pat checked some of my bees under her microscope and they have not got Acarine, so we were very pleased, so we think it must have been spray poisoning which would only affect the bees who had flown to the area that had been sprayed (crop sprays). 

Dave rang tonight to see what the problem was and I said you're too late, we have sorted it ourselves.  Well really!  Fancy leaving a message on his answer phone on Monday and he rings me on Thursday.  Stupid Man!

Friday 4th May 1990

Another hot day - 82F.  It's too good to be true.  James had no college today, so he sunbathed with his shirt off, on the school field and came home RED!  Now he is walking about like a stiff board.

We have found a nice new home for our bees, we are taking them to Stanhill Farm on Sunday morning and putting them among the apple trees and the raspberry bushes, which all have lovely blossom.  They will love it.  They will still be mine and I will go out to them once a week to check them, plus we still get all the honey.  I rang Robert, who now runs the farm.  I grew up with him on the farm and asked him if I could put my hive somewhere and he said of course you can.  So we are looking forward to going out there once a week and being able to go through the hive without worrying about the neighbours.  It's also sorted the problem of what to do with them when we move.  Now Pat can just take them over.  

It's such a pity Grandad is no longer here and working on the farm as he could check on them each day for me, but I am sure he will know they are there and watch over them from Heaven.

Your letter came this morning - gosh such a big one!  Oh I do get so excited.  I want to open it so much and then on the other hand, I don't.  I have to wait till I have a cup of tea and coffee and can sit and read it in peace.  Thank you for the photos, they are lovely.  We think the car is super and can't wait to have a ride in it, it looks brand new.  James said 'cor, lucky devils'.  It's a pity the number plate is VNN, it should have been VIN!  The photo of Vince with Carolynn is lovely.  He looks so handsome, I should keep an eye on him Jo!  You both look so well and happy and your hair suits you.  I love the one of you sitting by the fire, it's very posh!  And the one of Smokey Cat, his eyes are looking straight at me as if he's saying 'look, it's me!'.  The views are just wonderful, and the one of Sheila is exactly how I have imagined her to look.  Thanks very much for the information, it's very interesting.  Your boss looks nice, at least he's better looking than old Face Ache! It's very good news about your work, you going full-time soon and Vince will soon be working out on his own.

You seem to be getting out and about looking at houses.  Hope you find one before we come to visit at Christmas, otherwise we will have to bring a tent, haha.  It seems so strange to me now that all your furniture, dolls and teddies are now in Canada.  How I wish I was one of your teddies, so I could sit on your dressing table. 

Saturday 5th May 1990

Phew! Woke up so hot this morning - even having to leave the windows open at night cause it's so hot.

Your parcel for James came this morning, so I have hidden it away till his birthday.  He's like you and gets so excited.

Went to Dartford with Dad.  We bought a new table and four chairs for the garden, very posh they are too.  The weather will probably change now, it's always the way!  

It was so funny at Bee Club today, we now have a rota for tea making and this week it was Dad and Mick's turn.  They had to make tea for 35 people and because of the weather, everybody turned up, but they did very well and they looked very good in their pinnys.  Dad wore the one you bought him with the bra and suspenders/stocking tops on it and he had shorts on, which looked even funnier.  They got a few laughs from the older ladies who have been doing the teas for years.

When it got dark this evening, and all the bees were home, Dad and I went out and shut them in, ready for their move in the morning.  

We watched the Eurovision Song Contest tonight and we did not win, we came 6th.  Italy won and we thought it was rubbish, never mind eh?!

Sunday 6th May 1990

The Early Bird Catches The Worm!  That was us this morning, up at the crack of dawn to take the bees to the farm.  Gosh, the hive was so heavy.  We stayed with them for a while to see how they got on.  It was so lovely and quiet and the sun was hot.  They seemed okay, so we came home.  Within half an hour of being home, the garden was full of bees again, two or three hundred at least.  It was so sad.  They were flying around where the hive was and they didn't know what to do, neither did we.  In the the end we put the old nucleus box out for them.  That was the box I brought them home in originally.  Good job I still had it.  Anyway, we put it where the hive stood and they started going inside, so when it is dark again, we will shut them in and in the morning move them again.  We can't take them back to the farm because they will come back home again, so we're going to take them about 10 miles away and let them go.  Poor things will have to find new homes.

Went to one of your favourite places today, Greenwich Market, to get your Anniversary present.  I think you will both like it, I hope so anyway!  It was so hot walking around the market.  James came over all funny, so he had to sit on the steps in the shops while everyone clambered over him.  He sure is a funny boy!

Vince, do you remember how I used to hate you and Derek watching Black Adder, because I thought it was stupid?  Well I have just watched Mr. Bean with Rowan Atkinson and I laughed so much.  I have to admit, he is very funny.  I know now why you and Derek liked watching it.  I even watch Black Adder now!!  How about that!

As usual, it was wonderful to hear your voice when you rang.  Keeps me going for another week.  

Monday 7th May 1990

A lovely day again today, a bit cooler, but nice.  Up very early again to take the bees away.  We took them right out near Sevenoaks and found a dense wood that was full of bluebells, then we let them go.  We ran like hell back to the car before they followed us.  I don't think they will come back to the garden from there, I hope not anyway!!

Called in to see Nanny on the way home and she was all dressed up.  I thought she was going out for the day with Don or someone, so I said, 'you look nice, where you going?' And she said 'back to your house'.  I had to explain that it wasn't today and she started to get all upset!  I felt so cruel!  So I said 'well you better come now you're all ready I suppose'.  I don't know where she got the idea from that she was spending the day with us.  Oh well, bang goes my sunbathing today and I was really going to enjoy myself with no bees buzzing round the garden to worry about.

Tommy Tortoise poo'd on the path and who trod in it and traipsed it indoors?  You have guessed right, it was Nanny and she tried to blame poor Judy Dog, but Dad could see it on her shoes!  My May Day Bank Holiday is not going so well haha.  And if I told Nanny once, I told her a hundred times, where the bees are now.

Dad went to work at 5pm, so I cooked Nanny some dinner and took her home about 8pm.

I'm going to have a nice early night with my book "Blue Above The Chimneys".  It's so good.  Cyn is waiting to read it after me. 

Tuesday 8th May 1990

Back to work today.  Boring.  Angie was back after her holiday, she is lovely and suntanned - I think she tans very easily and she must do as she had to sunbathe in between the rain showers!  Old Face Ache didn't even ask her if she had a nice holiday, which I think is very rude of him.  I don't think he likes his staff to have better holidays than him.  I think he thinks we all came originally from the workhouse (silly old bugger).

I was looking forward to coming home in the afternoons this week and sunbathing, now the bees are gone, but it has turned a lot cooler.  I even had the fire on tonight.

I've not been feeling very good today, I ache all over and Dad is fussing over me as if I am on my last legs, but he does mean well, bless him.  I don't know what I would do without him.  Anyway, I am going to have a hot Lemsip and another early night.

Wednesday 9th May 1990

Pay day again and pub day.  Just me and Pat today.  We were talking about recycling and being kind to the environment.  Pat is so good and makes me feel guilty.  I must admit I start off doing things, and then I just forget!

I don't feel so bad today, at least I don't ache like I did yesterday.  I'm just forever blowing my nose now.

Took Sam Cat back to the vets tonight and they gave him the all clear, so the pills they gave him have given him his appetite back and he's always at his food dish and is getting fat.  Some woman in the vets carpark parked right behind me and I had to wait for her to come out.  Stupid woman made me miss the start of Neighbours!

James is working over at Bexley Clubhouse tonight, collecting up glasses.  I think he'll end up as a Jack of all trades.  I also think he's smoking as he smells of it when he comes in.  He says it's where he has been with his friends, but I am not so sure!  You know what my nose is like for smelling things!!  I just hope I am wrong this time.

Thursday 10th May 1990

Raining hard today and very cold.  You know my old saying "The Rain Makes Me Feel So Cold"!! haha.

Angie came in today with the photos of her holiday.  They are quite good and her Dad's house over there is beautiful.

Went up to see Nanny for her birthday.  We bought her some slippers as her other ones are a bit tatty.  She was pleased anyway.  Don and Denise sent some flowers and she was over the moon with her little parcel from you.  How lovely that fridge magnet frame is.  I spotted it on her fridge when I walked in and she thinks it's lovely getting something from Canada through the post.

Oh I must tell you before I forget, Mick came in to work this morning, poked his head round the door and said 'don't you laugh Mave!  I have just had a Vince haircut' (spiked).  Actually, it suited him.

Nanny has just rang us, very excited and said 'Joanne has just phoned me to wish me Happy Birthday'.  She sounded very tearful, but very pleased.  Somehow I had an idea you would, you are so very sweet and thoughtful.  

Went up to see Dean tonight and as it was Nanny's birthday, I took her as well.  It was so nice to see Dean and he looked very smart tonight and he said he promised to write to you with an Anniversary card.  

Well I suppose I had better end this letter and get it off to you. 

Sign off from Mum 10.5.1990

Just when I thought I was done, a surprise extra page! 

In Which Our Furniture Arrives from England

Starring roles:

George & Heather, Carolynn - the family we stayed with when we first arrived in Canada

Sheila and Patrick - the Irish couple we are renting from.

Gail - work colleague at CKVU

To the bestest Mum & Dad ever!

Hello.  How are you doing?  I'm still missing you lots and lots!

Saturday 28th April 1990

Went to aerobics.  Quite enjoyed it this morning cause I managed to do most of it without stopping.  

There was a fresh scattering of snow on the mountains this morning, so it must have been cold up there last night.  The clouds were almost sitting on the ground at the top of Lynn Valley (the area we live in).  It's weird but pretty.

Furniture was delivered this afternoon.  God, I'd forgotten how much stuff we had.  We've got one package missing, which apparently didn't come off the boat.  It's a package containing our linen basket, some linen and ornaments, but we don't know what ornaments yet.  

Left it all and went out to get some brunch at The Elbow Room.  Two people sitting next to us started chatting away to us - that happens all the time here, it's really nice.  

Vince had his hair cut short, but he doesn't look like a convict thank goodness.  It looks really nice.

Came home to unpack some stuff.  Lots of our glasses are broken and the lid of our coffee pot.  Also the glass on a couple of pictures.  The glasses were really badly packed, so I think once the insurance money is in our hands I'm going to complain bitterly! We are now surrounded by packing paper and bubble wrap!!

Sunday 29th April 1990

You called! Lovely as always to hear you both - and lovely to speak to James too.  Sad about the destruction in Knowle Park and those beautiful Oak trees coming down.  

We took a drive out to Lougheed Mall to get a present for James.  Hope he likes them - they should do him for the heatwave you're having in England at the moment.  Also, got something for Nan for her birthday.  Hope she gets it in time - it's a magnet picture frame, so she can stick it on her fridge and I've put a picture of me and her in it.

Popped round to see the Woolstones, but nobody was in!  Found out from Sheila and Patrick later that they had popped round to see us and we weren't in! Haha.

Had a fish and chip lunch at Lonsdale Quay and sat outside as it turned out nice in the end.  

Did some more unpacking, we're really fed up with it now!  Wish we could leave it unpacked, but we've had to do it to check it, then pack it back up again.  So glad to have the rest of my clothes though and my wedding dress, which arrived in good condition.  It was wonderful, too, to look through our wedding album.  I was brave and didn't cry, but I think watching the video will be a different matter.

Monday 30th April 1990

Back to work.  Mondays at the moment are fine, I don't mind them at all. 

Didn't do anything different today, had a major clear up in the evening.  Everything has now been opened and checked.  We've also discovered that our pillows are missing and also some expensive cables for Vince's hi-fi.  

Tuesday 1st May 1990

May already, can you believe it? I'll be seeing you before I know it!  But I still miss you bad in the meantime!

We were really busy at wok today.  CKVU is coming up to it's licence renewal time, so we have to get together detailed notes on what is happening on the channel, what new ideas they have, what they are doing about screening violence and all sorts of things like that, so Gail and I did a lot of typing today.  I enjoyed it though.

Heather & George came over this evening.  They were impressed with our furniture (what they could see of it anyway) and they thought the wedding photos were lovely.  Heather thinks Dad is so good looking.  She said 'you know, men as a rule don't really keep their looks, but your Dad is really pleasant to look at'.  Don't let it go to your head Dad!  I want you to fit on the plane at Christmas!

Wednesday 2nd May 1990

Went shopping after work and then had had dinner at guess where?  Yep, you got it, White Spot!

Had a letter from Gerard & Audrey which was nice!

Thursday 3rd May 1990

It was not busy at work at all today, so Gail let me write a personal letter.  I wrote to Jayne (who I used to work with).

We went for a walk in Stanley Park before dinner as it was a lovely evening.  Walked around near the miniature railway where there is a lovely trail.  Found some kangaroos which we didn't even know were there.  Stood watching them for quite a while and they also had a few babies in there.  As we were walking, all these squirrels kept running up to us looking for food.  One of them nearly ran up Vince's leg - it was so cute!  We went on the swings and the see-saw - it was wonderful and I felt like a little girl again!  I swung as high as I could and hung my head back like I used to as a kid.  It reminded me of our old swing in the garden, although I didn't hang upside down on the top bar!! I'm sure the see-saw must be made for adults - they're quite big!  We'll all go on them at Christmas!  We saw a few pretty bunnies too just running wild (they look like pet rabbits and they're very nervous).

Friday 4th May 1990

It was a gloriously hot day today.  Work was very quiet again, so Gail let me take a longer lunch hour.  I sat out the back of the building.  The view is not very pleasant, but it's a real suntrap.  Left work at 2pm and sat in the garden for a while with Sheila.  When Vince got home, we once again went to Stanley Park and this time we bought some nuts to feed the squirrels.  They are black squirrels by the way and apparently originated from Germany. 

Walked around the Rose Gardens which smelled divine in the early evening.  There's probably so much of Stanley Park that we haven't seen yet.  Stood talking to a Canadian from Saskatchewan, which I believe is the next State along from B.C.  He asked us for some nuts so that he could feed the squirrels.  It's so amazing that we can so easily go out to these beautiful places whenever we feel like it.  I wish we could visit you so easily!  When you drive across the Lion's Gate Bridge in the evenings, there's usually a lovely view of the sun setting on the water on one side and of course the City view on the other, then you take the Stanley Park turn-off and drive round to the Zoo carpark, which is just such a beautiful drive.  I cannot wait for you to see it.  I hope we have some nice clear days at Christmas, I don't want the mountains disappearing into the cloud!

Got a drive-through McDonalds on the way home and watched Dallas.  Missed April and Bobby's wedding last week, which I'm a bit upset about.  You'll have to tell me what she looked like when that episode comes round to you.  Sometimes I wish they'd get rid of J.R.  Can't he do anything normal?!

Saturday 5th May 1990 

Aerobics this morning.  Vince came with me and did the circuit training in a different room.  He does 40 seconds on each machine twice over.  

Had breakfast at the Dutch Pannecoek House then as it's very hot again today, decided to go up Grouse Mountain.  Up there, it was cloudy and a bit chilly, but the views were lovely.  Had lunch outside, got a bit chilly.  There's still a lot of snow up there, we were surprised as the ski-run is bare now.  It was such an experience though, there we are in shorts, t-shirts and sunglasses, walking in the snow! We took some photos so will send them to you next letter.  When we came back down, it was still sunny and hot.  

Vince and Jo in the snow on Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver

Drove to Cleveland Dam and laid in the sun for a while.  You probably remember that from our holiday photos.  Went down to the fish hatchery after that, but there weren't many salmon about yet.  We did watch some people canoeing on the river - they were trying to get through the barrier that had been set up, but the water was so rough, nobody got through.  As we were walking through the forest path, we saw this couple with a Siamese Cat following them, no lead or anything - Amazing!  They said that they take her for a 4 km walk every day and if they try to go out without her, she starts creating a fuss!  They trained her from a kitten, isn't that sweet?  Maybe I'll get Smokey Cat a pushchair and strap him in haha.

Cleveland Dam, North Vancouver - an incredible sight

Came home with burned faces!  Cooked some fresh haddock for dinner with chopped tomato, spring onion, bacon and nutmeg - it was quite nice.  They call spring onions green onions here - weird!  I asked the man in the supermarket if he had any green onions and he pointed to the spring onions, giving me a rather strange look!  Well, it's these Canadians that are strange - they talk a funny language!  I said to Carolynn the other day that I was a bit peckish and hadn't a clue what I was talking about!!  HAHA.

Sunday 6th May 1990

I get so excited when I wake up on Sundays 'cause I know I'll be speaking to you.

It's a shame you've had to move your bees, but I guess it was getting a bit hair-raising in your garden!  Fancy them returning to the garden too, they must have missed their Mum and Dad! 

Bloedel Conservatory, Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver - beautiful 

We went to collect Carolynn and went to Queen Elizabeth Park.  They have a large conservatory there with tropical birds, plants and parrots.  It's a bit like Kew Gardens.  After that, had some lunch at a place called The Bread Garden then took a walk down to Kitsilano Beach.  The wind was quite strong and the water was all brown and choppy.  Brrrrr.  So we didn't walk along there for long even though the sun was out!  

Had dinner back at the Woolstones, but left early to go home and watch the film The Untouchables.

Monday 7th May 1990

Worked a bit later today as I had something long to type, but I didn't mind.  

Ran to the mailbox to check for your letter, but it was empty!  When that happens, it seems forever to wait until the next day.  I was disappointed - very!  

Apart from that, a very uneventful day.

Tuesday 8th May 1990

Before I go onto Tuesday's news, I forgot to say yesterday, that Vince re-arranged the lounge last night to make room for his Hi-Fi.  I got dragged along in the armchair while I was watching "Peggy Sue Got Married".

Got your letter today - hooray!  Made myself comfy on the settee and settled down to read it.  I just love that!  It was a wonderful letter as always.  Whenever you mention going shopping in Dartford, it really makes me long to go with you.  When I think about it, it seems so close and so clear in my mind and I feel as if I could just join you so easily.  Often when I walk around the shopping malls in Vancouver, I think how nice it would be to walk round with you.  There are so many amazing clothes shops.  Dad - it would drive you mad with us in and out of the shops, but it's an experience!  We have a film coming out soon called Bird on A Wire with Goldie Hawn and Mel Gibson which was filmed here in Vancouver.

I've had another idea, if you come and live here, you can give up cooking Sunday roasts and go out to lunch all the time instead.  It doesn't cost much more than buying a joint of beef.  

Carolynn came round this evening.  She looked at the wedding photos and thought they were beautiful.  She brought round her photos from her Montreal trip which were quite nice, not as nice-looking as Vancouver, but does seem to have older buildings.

Wednesday 9th May 1990

My boss was back from his trip to Ireland and England today.  He told me about his trip to Greenwich and it made me very envious!  He brought me back some pot pourri from Kent to remind me of England.  I thought that was very nice of him.  He bought Gail a piece of real Irish linen.  I'm not sure if I told you that Gail is from Prince Edward Island (Anne of Green Gables land).  It's right on the East Coast of Canada and is closer to England than it is to Vancouver.

The President of Global, who is Mr. Big, came in to work today.  He is a really nice man, not self-important at all, just really down-to-earth.

Walked up to see the Woolstone's Nana after work, as she lives quite near my office.  Had a really nice chat with her, she is so with it! 

It was really hot today, so Vince cooked hamburgers this evening and we had them in the garden.  Halfway through my second burger, Patrick said "go and put a jacket on Jo, it's cold".  I know he's only being nice, but it makes me so mad!  I feel like saying "look, believe me, I know when I'm cold or not!".  Honestly!  And Sheila was sitting there in shorts - I should have said "go and put some trousers on, you'll freeze!!".

Heather called this evening, she has written a letter to you and Dad.  She thought it would be nice for you to hear how we are doing from someone else.  You'll have to let me know what she said.

Thursday 10th May 1990

Phoned Nan this morning to wish her Happy Birthday.  She was really pleased and sounded very sensible today.  I hope she doesn't forget I called, but I dare say she will!  She said she liked the picture frame and that she's already put it on her fridge.  Apparently, you had just left - it was about 4pm your time.  She told me all the bluebells in the woods are out and it looks very pretty.

At work, they are going to train me to use the switchboard in reception, as they very occasionally need someone to take over when one of the girls are off sick, so I said yes because it will mean extra money, but it will hardly ever happen.

Had a letter from Cyn today and Vince got his HiFi magazine from her, so he's happy!  Didn't feel like cooking tonight, so sent out for Chinese.  It was quite yummy.

Sheila and Patrick have been giving their garden a good water for the past few nights and there have been puddles of water on the ground.  Well, Smokey won't walk on the wet bits.  He pussyfoots around and then jumps right over them.  It's so funny, he looks quite panicky for a while.  Yet he's happy to go out in the rain - weirdo!

Well I think it's about time I finish this letter off, so I'll end it here.  I'm enclosing a postcard of Lynn Valley Canyon and a leaflet on Grouse Mountain, I thought you might like to see what they look like, although there's obviously a lot more to them than that.

As I write this, "Upstairs, Downstairs" has just come on the tele, it's on every Thursday, but they're not in order - stupid!  And tonight's episode is in black and white would you believe?!

Till the next letter... Love you and miss you with all my heart.  Big hugs and kisses for both of you from us and a big kiss and Meow from Smokey.  Kiss for Sam, Tommy, Caz and the bees.

Lots of love and lots more, Joanne & Vince xxx

Sign off from Jo - 10.5.1990