Sunday in Kelowna at Mackinlay's Landing and reunion with some of Pearson Family.

The Pearson's time in New Zealand,in the 80's,  is when I have known them, and so it is pretty exciting at last to meet some of them  again today. Our memories, of them in New Zealand are so precious and actually fun filled, and relate back to small children and preschool.

When I wake, the first thing I note is the temperature is warmer.

Then I glimpse the view.

Spectacular views for 180  degrees and my bedroom has direct access to the verandah.the sun is shining and here is how it is today.

Looking South through kitchen ,family room windows and beyond the verandah

Looking North over verandah/patio outdoor living area. Yes the photography is a disaster, but I took these on the iPad as My camera was dropped and is temperamental. It is very scenic and restful, a sanctuary.

But we are off to church and to sight see on the way. It is very grounding for me to spend Sunday morning this way. We mix and mingle with the folks from Vineyard Ministries, and then go up on a sort of plateau to view the lie of the land before visiting Laura in Ellison-Scotty Creek area . Laura is now married to Tom, and called Laura Wilson, and with a little boy Liam, at the fascinating toddler age, which is the age Alex her younger brother was, when I first met them.

We drink delicious iced tea, but she is revealing that it comes in a tin, powdered. hmmmm, that would be a 'must get' back in New Zealand. I love it. The closest we can get here is Nestea  at Countdown. Yet to check it out. 

Laura was the most fetching little three year old girl possible, and I loved her, and watched her grow till she was 6 , then wept when they all returned to Canada 23 years ago.  She has been out to  NZ as an adult, and now at 29 has a cute little boy the spitting image of her former self. He is the age Alex was, but he , to me is 'déjà vu' of Laura

He  looks like Tom too, but I  did not know Tom as a child.

Liam loves watermelon so that's what we brought him . We ate pecan pi,how North American is that?

And then, some serious lawn mowing, with Granny.

Its a great visit and they are developing their garden, and have built a big garage, an amazing feat on Toms part.

 Their house is a real home, a great feel, as it has had a growing family before them. Great choice.

Gary is due back on his BMW motorbike sometime today. 

Victoria who was 6 months old, when last we met is now 23 and a half. She has gone back to uni in Vancouver, to do some post graduate study, but this weekend she is home for a friend's wedding. She also has exams imminently , so she is using every chance to study.

Here she is, just as cute as when we saw her last.

Actually, this is taken later in the day because Gary is here. So daughter and father ,both accountants.

She has to get back to Vancouver, so  we take her to the KELOWNA airport. .  .  .( Which incidentally, is an airport you can fly direct to Mexico from,  for a getaway,  in mid winter. Direct ! Oh they have thought of it all.  There's also a campus for theUniversity of BC  here in Kelowna, which some of the family have one to.

Note the hanging baskets  - they are EVERYWHERE , and these are not the best I saw.

we will catch up with her in Vancouver later.But for now we are going to Raudz, the best example of the best local cuisine. It is amazing, and one of those places you would need to have inside information to know about.

We start with these pretty pretty cocktails  or at least Sandra and I do. Gary has a dry Martini with Olives. Hilariously when the menus are brought, Gary can not read it. No problem,the waitress swiftly fetches a bowl of glasses (spectacles), and he dons a pair. I have to record this phenomenon:

See below, she obliges :

Which glasses will he choose from the plate? And here is the happy result . . .

Very nice, presenting Sandra and Gary Pearson at Raudz,  he wearing borrowed restaurant specs

The chef is an award winner, and it is easy to see why. Don't you agree?i think Gary has lamb ? New Zealand lamb ?  I had steak.

Superb food. And stunning staff, the convivial Canadian style is so amenable to a good time.You will love it Ian , when you come. A fabulous treat.

We explore the town on foot. We walk along the waterfront , and it is alive with people doing the same. There are yachts in a marina . .

Kelowna marina.

One of Sandra's posh panoramic sweeps at waterfront .how does she do that ?

And the we went o look at an iconic structure representing Kelowna which is Indian for bear. It is threaded with minutiae representing people flora fauna. Quite a feat.

 The blue grizzly bear and yes, that is me in the front of it, taken by Sandra. It is elevated so is visible for quite a long way. Lovely flowers. This is hot weather.

This close up enables you to see the detail on the blue grizzly. It is lit up at night. Unusual.

We concluded the daylight hours by touring through Nature's Formulae, which manufactures and packages a wide range of health products. Just the packaging alone, is an eye opener to the lay person. About 40 people work here, making the stuff, and both Gary and Sandra have roles as well. It is very impressive, and we can have a better look because it is Sunday, and no work happening today but I I can easily imagine the busy sight it will be tomorrow. It is another world.

It's two days after Summer solstice here so the fact that its getting dak means its late.we head back home to Mackinlay's  Landing.