Auf Wiedersehen

02 Nov 17
06:45 hrs

     Yes, it was time to say goodbye. Quite a few goodbyes actually.

     Our two German exchange students have now departed after their whirlwind two weeks on Canada's Left Coast. During that time they visited local highlights and what the school didn't show them we did. They were nice. Very polite as you would expect. The only thing that surprised my Better Half and I was the amount of bread they consumed. If left to their own devices a six pack of bagels would last a day. Sure, one of them ate some meat and the other was one of those "veggie only people" but it was the buttered bread that was the shocker. Now Yours Truly really loves a hot crust of bread right out of the oven with a couple of pats of butter smeared across it. Who doesn't? But for  these girls their diet was primarily bread with some veg thrown in.

     I read in the local birdcage liner that one of my first desk controllers/crew chiefs has passed away. Percy "Spider" Crawford was a sergeant in 409 Sqn. He was great to work with and I learned some valuable lessons from him. I may not have applied them but I did learn them. In recent years I would run in to him from time to time. We would catch up and remember days gone by when the airforce flew real planes and lots of them. Thanks for being there "Spider". You will be missed.

     My Lobster and I are saying goodbye to some extra poundage too. So far we have dropped 35+ pounds and are feeling much better for it.

     In another week or so we'll be saying sayonara to our Junior Couch Monkey. I wish I was going with him.

     An intitution is closing here in the Valley. Portuguese Joes has been the iconic go to fish store. Through the 70's and 80's military aircraft passing through would have their order of Joe's smoked salmon waiting for when they landed. Their iconic bumper sticker was seen across the country, "I GOT CRABS AT PORTUGUESE JOE'S". So long Joe.

     Today we're saying goodbye to summer as the Valley and a large portion of the Left Coast was whacked by our first winter storm. We may have lost one limb on the tree at the front of the Wayward Inn but our neighbour has lost three or more on his tree. I don’t know if he has noticed yet but he will.

     Until next time...

     Adios