the weather

Well, arctic air has moved south. It was snowing lightly as I went to bed Thursday evening and its snowing now but a bit heavier. The temperature of +2 Celcius is to drop to -2 over night. The weather warning issued today calls for some accumulation of snow. I'll let you know Saturday just how much that has translated to. The colder weather (for here) is to continue through the weekend but things are projected to warm up a bit by next weekend.

The ski slopes at Whistler north of Vancouver have opened up for the winter season. A week ago or so there was about 40 cm of the white stuff and more to come. This should be welcomed news the the skiers and snowboarders out there.

Looking at the local mountains, they are dusted with snow and the mountains further inland have a greater amount of it. Here in Greater Vancouver we are largely free of the stuff though this morning there was a slight accumulation in south Burnaby as I observed from the passing SkyTrain.

If you are in the midst of winter-like weather, enjoy it if you can making sure to dress warmly and for the conditions. Have a great weekend! - V

More snow

Its been a slow day here but I've been busy reading emails, then trying to get this place organized by taking out the garbage and recycle material. The recycle bins are getting full after the holidays and the weather (lots of snow), getting more recycle material out may be an issue. I wanted to get some laundry done but the machines are in use (I need two) and there are 4 washers and 4 dryers for a six floor building, not enough for such a building, but I'll manage!

We're expecting 5 to 10 cm of snow and some areas may see as much as 25 cm of the white stuff, especially the higher elevations. This is on top of what has already fallen, some of which has melted because of rain and warmer temperatures we received during the week. People here are not at all used to the snow, not in the valley (i.e. lower mainland) anyway. Places that have the snow during the winter also have the equipment to move it to clear the main roads first and then the side streets and lanes plus sidewalks etc. That's what I'm used to coming from the east (southwestern Ontario). Here they're lucky to get the main roads ploughed and perhaps some hills. The side streets are left and people there are left to their own devices. That snow is left for nature to melt, whenever that is! So, here's to more snow!!!

You might want to know I was chatting with Brad again this afternoon. We've been chatting on the phone this week as well. He's got a hot, sexy voice, very soothing to listen to. Good to hear he is alive and well. Getting him here is a high priority for me. By air will be the only way at this point but with him, everything for both of us will click together just right. Brad just has to be here to see it all, to experience life fully and to appreciate the benefits of what a true friendship can offer.

Meantime, I'm back to sorting and such with breaks to do other necessary errands. I hope you've all been having a great weekend so far. More later.

Gasoline

The cost of buying gasoline in Canada has gone down since the summer when the price was hovering around 150 cents per litre. Just over a week ago I saw prices between 115.9 and 120.9 cents per litre locally (New Westminster, BC) and today I found the price had dropped even further to less than 110 cents per litre. The old Imperial gallon used in Canada before the metric system of measurement was introduced had a gallon equalling 4.54609 litres. If you do the math, the current prices are still around $4.50 per gallon (old Canadian units of measurements equivalent to the Imperial system of measurment). The price sounds insane if you look at it in imperial units, doesn't it? Since Brad is driving across the country, the summer prices of gas must have been murder on the pocket book. Now with the prices lower, its a bit easier.

Now if we could buy cars that were real easy on gas or were electric, that would be great. The current prices of new electric vehicles are a bit pricy yet but this should improve once they are mass produced. I'm looking and following the developments. Well, its time for me to head off to bed. Have a good night all! - Volker

Monday

Today was another of those slow days after a night of limited sleep. I guess I should say broken sleep really. For various reasons I couldn't get back to sleep after I was first awakened just before 1 in the morning but I survived the day.

The weather was rainy and overcast, a typical autumn day here along the west coast in British Columbia's lower mainland. It was rain, sometimes heavy, in the morning with some clearing in the afternoon. The weather over the next few days looks more promissing but still very autumn like.

When I got home, sorted my things away and then made supper, I spent some time behind the computer (that's where I still am) reading emails and catching up on some of the blog reading. I also got an email from Robert, the blogger from Delayed and Distracted, who is currently studying in Strasbourg, France. He's made some new friends, improved his French language skills (and who can't avoid that if you're living in the language) and is excited about being in the city and its culture! And who can't be excited about it, I've been in the city three times myself over the years. Wish him luck in his studies and perhaps we'll see some interesting posts from Robert in future when time permits. Oh, you also see, we have our lives outside blogging, otherwise we wouldn't have something interesting to tell you and you'd miss out on all that!

Well, I'm off to bed soon and hope to get more sleep than was the case last night. Here's hoping the sandman hits pay dirt and has me in a deep sleep for a change (you've all heard of the Danish fairytale about the sandman spreading his dream sand haven't you?)! Have a good night!!! - Volker

P.S. - The above photo is a scene of the city of Strasbourg (ponts couverts vus de la terrasse panoramique). I've taken photos from that very terrace, a venue showing the various canals of the Ill River flowing through the old city, such a lovely shot! - The photo is from the Wikipedia Commons.

Off to Burnaby Mountain

After showering, having breakfast, reading emails and getting dressed, I went downstairs to see the property manager. I picked up the parking tag and remote control from her office, so all is ready for Brad's arrival. We can get him unloaded and then park the car out of the weather (it does get rainy during the colder months of the year). His set of keys for the apartment are ready too. I hope the wait is't too long because I'm getting rather excited!

The weather is sunny with some cloud but its shaping up to be a very nice holiday weekend here in the lower mainland. So, since it's so nice, I'm off to Burnaby Mountain for the afternoon to take photos of the area from that vantage point. The cherry trees behind the Horizon Restaurant should be in colour now as well (makes for some nice shots). And speaking of colour, more and more of it can be seen in the area, especially in the last couple of weeks with the cooler weather. More news later. Have a good one! - Volker

On the move

Things have progressed to the point where Brad can proceed with his journey westward, or rather continue after the setback with the car. I wish it were possible to predict when a car breaks down but this is not possible for most of us, unless we happen to be extremely lucky and have the thing decide to break down where the costs are reasonable and affordable. But we're all familiar with Murphy's Law where anything can and will happen when its most inconvenient or something to that effect. Anyway, now that Brad has raised enough cash to have his car repaired and also continue his journey, he plans to leave where he's at very soon. We've been chatting periodically during the week plus exchanging emails to keep in touch. Also on the agenda was planning the route westward. I suggested a route and also some places of note to look out for on his way. Its a route I've travelled many times with well maintained roads plus easy access to food, lodging and atms. The weather is nice this time of year and its also worth seeing the colour changing on the trees as autumn approaches. I wish him a great trip and await his safe arrival here in the lower mainland. I have a few things planned once he gets here which should perk him right up. We're both very excited. I guess that goes without saying. I also have a space for his car reserved, a task that was done today! Watch for more developments soon! - Volker

Driverless SkyTrain

To got to the various places around the Greater Vancouver area I use the "driverless" SkyTrain to get about quickly and then bus or electric trolley buses from there. The above photo is of Brentwood SkyTrain station on the Millenium Line in north Burnaby and the one below is of a train leaving the same station heading west toward VCC Clark station. These trains are driverless and our current computer technology makes this all possible. Otherwise the concept of overhead trains has been around for over a hundred years such as in Germany as an example.

Then above is a train entering Braid SkyTrain station on the Millenium Line. A trip from north Surrey to downtown Vancouver (Burrard station) takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes depending upon the time of day and how busy it is. I just thought you might like to see what the trains and the stations look like. - Volker

Strange

The weather for the last few weeks has been rather odd, or "strange." We've had weeks of gloomy, overcast skies with occasional rain. The sun has been play with us by appearing briefly and then disappearing. It teased us again Thursday afternoon and then played the disappearing act. I did have a look at the weather network's website and found that the jet stream is further south than it would be normally for this time of year! The jet stream is south of us here in the Greater Vancouer area. I did notice that the weather is warmer further north and east of us (hmmmm???). Even back east, where I had lived most of my life, people have been trying to get out of the "heat" into an air-conditioned environment. Is this global cooling for us and warming for others? Very strange but interesting at the same time, if you know what I mean. Any thoughts? Meantime, I am hearing about sunny weather on the weekend. I'll believe that when I see it for real! - Volker