September 4, 2024 – Victoria, BC
The Daily Musings have ceased since we returned to Victoria back in March. My logic was that we weren’t doing anything overly interesting or different. I have been asked however what it is that we do now that we aren’t travelling. So, since you asked, I will tell.
Of course we needed some time to decompress after travelling for six months – and remember, we had moved into our house in Victoria shortly before we left the country last September. Once we returned, there were many hours spent trying to locate various items we expected to have – not knowing for sure whether we had even kept them through the downsizing. Over these past few months those moments have lessened, but they still have not disappeared. Just this morning I was trying to locate a stress ball…didn’t find one. Our lifejackets are AWOL; shot glasses, MIA.
Besides the everyday existing, we have scraped and painted the exterior trim, replaced siding, had the kitchen and bathroom cupboards repainted, and built garden beds. The house is 75 years old – some projects need doing, but are kind of terrifying. I’ve watched enough home renovation shows to know that there are always issues when big projects are started in these older homes. For now, painting is about as much work as we want to take on. We will tackle the interior painting at some point in the not-too-distant future. This is not our long-term home, but for now it is a great landing pad for our inter-travel time.
Around all this work, we have spent a lot of time exploring and experiencing our new city. We have hiked, biked and walked a lot. Attended festivals, concerts, parades and markets. Supported local theatre and galleries. Explored parks and historic buildings. Tried rowing, explored the intertidal zone, taken a few dance classes (many more needed!), I even won an e-bike at “Go by Bike Week”.
On July 31, I managed to break two bones in my right hand. Five weeks in a splint ended today. Thankfully, two of those weeks were on a cruise ship with someone else doing the cooking and cleaning. I did find that more passengers talk to and remember you when you are wearing a huge splint – and most wanted to know whether I had injured myself on the boat. I guess they were worried that it could happen to them.
I have been amazed at how many mundane tasks require the use of two hands. Many I managed to find work arounds for (like putting toothpaste onto the brush), some I just decided not to do (like type posts for this website) but some proved impossible to ignore or adapt. Cam has had to tie my shoes and zip up my jackets for the past month.
Despite all this activity, we have found time to plan another lengthy trip. Not six months, but almost three. We will be home for Christmas. Stay tuned for Musings starting mid-September – Meg