Hi there all

Well I am back at the scene of the crime and if you have been following this you will have seen the pictures. Chris loaded a few for me as I can't do it from here.

Getting back home was the best - how I miss the serenity of this place - battered and wounded as She is.

I first started to notice how things had changed here at Beale when we flew past Pachena and I noticed that you could now see Beale's tower in the distance - due to the fact that the loggers have topped and removed ever so many trees here on the station - I would reckon close to 100 trees have been removed or "modified". The next thing I noticed is how the whole Cape has changed due to down trees. Ivan can no longer look out his window and see out through the little gap in the forest to the ocean. There are two huge trees down there - the guys figure they may be able to remove the limbs at least - maybe. There are also a lot of trees down or leaning as you walk from the chopper pad towards Ivan's place by the old water trail. The two trees that came down into the garden - by the shed have really made a difference in the area behind our fire pit and although the loggers only topped those trees there are gaps where the two big trees are gone.

The walk down to the beach is devastating to me - it no longer has a Stanley Park feel to it - but then again Stanley Park doesn't anymore either. There are several trees that came down just below the Cardiac corner bench tearing up quite a long section of the stairs - although alot of the trees did not snap they fell over taking up huge root balls and soil with them - this is the damage on the stairs. Just past the little bridge we enter a clear cut zone - I can not explain to you how this tears at me - its shocking. There is so much debris and downed trees laying on the ground it reminds me of the old Black Hole near Tofino. I understand why they had to cut so much out due to our fuel tanks and engine room down below but it doesn't make it any easier. I feel like I should have a little memorial service down there as some of the wonderful old trees had become like dear friends to me.

When the loggers cut open that area - some of the trees were leaning on our highline, they did leave (as loggers always do) a stand of trees along the beach so you don't notice it from the beach but...... I figure I could learn to walk to the beach with my eyes closed.

Of course for some of you - you will know by now that we lost our "Bonsai" tree out front - Norbie's favourite tree. The rock outcropping does not look the same without it. Just last summer I marveled at how this tree could stay standing with just it's roots clinging to the rocks.

I am anxious for those of you that are coming this year to see the place and know how it will grieve you as well. After I walked down through the forest I walked along the beach and found a moon snail. I am sure God knew I needed a hug after my walk through the forest. But to quote a phrase - it is what it is and who knows what more we will see when we start walking to our favourite spots along the trails etc.

So regardless of what is around me here at Beale I savour being home again. I will be here until the 29th of January when I head up to Nootka for 10 days. A journey I am looking forward too as many years ago we camped up there and it is a beautiful place too. I will be learning aviation weathers which I am stoked about and I will also be returning up there for a month in April. Sorry those of you who sit behind a desk everyday - even with all that has happened around us this is still my idea of the best job ever.

We'll keep the light on
K

Here are several photos of the storm damage that occured thus far this winter, as promised.

... and the sad, sad sight of the "bonsai tree's" absence.

New Year

Well here I am writing from Richmond - still here. I arrived for the Christmas season on December 7th, 2006 and I am here until the 14th of January. Quite a long unexpected delay in my trip time. Due to the passing of my ex father in law I made the decision to stay instead of going home with Norbie yesterday and returning next week.

The night before I left Beale for Christmas I lit a light in memory of the 100th Anniversary of Minnie Patterson's walk to Bamfield to save the people on the Coloma - I put the pillar candle outside on the livingroom porch at 5:30 pm - it was still lit when Norbie moved it at 9:30pm to the front wall under the bird feeder - and still glowing at 4:30 am! Sometime between then and when we got up at 6:30 am it went out - but I was amazed that it burnt so long - it was a calm night very unlike the one that had been 100 years before!

Christmas flew by - as it always does. We had our Christmas day with Chris and Liz at her parents home. They surprised us by playing Santa Claus and we got lovely stockings and extra pressies from them. Norbie took his load home with him - but left some of his chocolates - last night I had a craving for hedgehogs but I discovered that he had sealed the box! I will need to mail a few boxes of our goodies home - although I have decided to leave some of my clothes here for future use and pack home goodies instead.

Before Norbie went home we discussed our many visits with all our friends and decided we had quite the busy time. Including a pleasant New Years Eve with the Tulls and friends. So many visits and way too much food - we did manage not to drink too much - since Norbie doesn't like driving in the city and I was the DD and he wouldn't drink in sympathy for me.

Our one Christmas present that will stick with us is a DVD that I received from Chris and Liz - I think this year it made the top of the list as the gift that made me cry (a challenge my family goes all out for every year). They gave us the DVD Nine Months - yes yes - we will be Grandparents this summer. Although we knew Chris and Liz were trying we had no idea that it would happen so soon. This is when being away from my family will prove to be a trial I am sure. So we are wishing for a healthy preganancy and looking forward to the up coming summer.

Jac called once from Cuba - which of course is never enough for a mother and I am now waiting to hear from her again. Our conversation was the shortest ever - one minute - long enough to ensure me that they were both well and having a great time. Jac will be flying here instead of going home in order to attend her Grandpa's memorial which is to be held on the 12th in order for her to attend AFTER her vacation. Grandma felt that Grandpa would have wanted Jac to have her holiday adventure.

Grandma is doing the best she can - she is trying her darndest to prove that she can stay on her own although she does admit that she is lonely on her own.

Before Christmas everywhere here on the lower coast was hit by wind storms and unfortunately for those who have been to Cape Beale they will notice how hard she was hit. I myself have not seen it yet but from pictures I have seen and stories from Norbie that was quite a number of trees which have come down. One in particular damaged a large portion of the cement walkway just past Cardiac Corner. A number of other trees came down on the high line as well and loggers were brought in to cut away the large trees. Norbie said the place now looks like a logging camp with large pieces of tree trunks and branches everywhere. I think this will keep us busy for a long time cleaning up.

Well there it is - I will write more when I return home and take a look at the place - some days it feels like I will never get home..... Unfortunately because of the fact that our internet is through a satelitte dish including pics is something that can't be done from there or I would be able to supply pictures of the damage.

Until next time - Our light is always on.