Hi there Everyone

I finally got Chris to help me set up a blog site which I hope to try and keep updated with stuff happening out here on "the Rock".

Chris and Liz are out here for a visit and so I am getting a chance to hike around and roam on the station without worrying about creatures sneaking up on me.

Last friday we made the trek all the way to Topaltos to clear the entrance to the trail to Beale as people have said it was hard to find - no doubt. The hike was very wet but not too muddy as the ground had been so dry the last rainfall soaked into the ground. We stayed a bit on Topaltos and then went onto Cedar Bay for about half an hour. The hike back was a little faster without me stopping constantly with my clippers to cut back the salal bushes. We came out on a rising tide so got our feet wet crossing the lagoon - we were all too tired to bend over and take off our boots.

Yesterday, we hiked out to the north west direction to the Cape Beale Headland. Hey guys why has Norbie never taken us there before. You end up sitting on a cliff looking out to the mouth of Trevor Channel - to your right is the false gap and "The Gap". The view is just as breathtaking as the one from the front. It really needs some work on the trail as the loggers brought down huge trees over the old water trail which is also the start of the Headland trail. Looks like a job for our July 1 friends - Hey Rog!!!! Boy we will be busy next year.

Today we wandered down to "Shell Beach" - the tides have been high lows so we haven't had much beach time. We wandered around down there and collected glass - I am surprised there is any left with the summer visitors we have had going there and cleaning up the glass.

At lunch today I was looking out the window and there in front of my ever watchful eyes was a grey whale surfacing. I can't remember a time when a grey was here so late in the season. It appeared to be heading north - go figure when all its kind is heading south - actually did so at least a month ago. Who knows what that is about.

Two weeks ago we saw a pod of KWs (orcas) There was about nine in the pod. Quite a treat as it has been two years since I have seen any out here.

Anyhow all this in less than a week - gee maybe this won't be so hard.

Hopefully some of you will sign on and get an idea what we are up to out here. I won't bore you with the beautiful sunny days, and amazing sunsets or days of sideways rain where I sit on the couch and read all day!!! Have I made you toilers in the Big Smoke jealous yet. Don't forget when you guys are have nice sunny days out here we may be having "marshmellow" days where we can't see past the radio building - but we can live with that - cause when it clears the view is breathtaking.

So all you "Visiting Keepers" keep your eyes on this site and hopefully you will be entertained.

Until later ........