Lois has come to spend about 10 days with us.  Unfortunately the weather has not been the best.  Instead of the warm even hot days we have mixed overcast with temps in the 19 – 21 C.  Nice for drives and walks but not for the beach.  This is August when you should expect warm weather but apparently the east of North America stole all the heat for this summer from us.

I like to sit outside in the evening for the meals but we need to have the infra red heater on to keep Pat and Lois comfortable.  Works well and we have had nice suppers on the patio, but again THIS IS AUGUST. 

Those of my readers in Ohio that have suffered through ungodly heat this summer are probably weaping for my story about cool evenings where we can sleep with the windows open. 

I took Lois for a drive up the coast today in Little Red as Pat was  tied up in CWL .  Still a bit of paradise regardless of the cooler temperature.

Andra and the kids were here for the week.  Sean came over on Monday but had to fly back in the evening for business. 

We spent Monday afternoon at Miracle beach but in hindsight we could have done better for Sean.  Sitting on a beach is nice but there is a place that can be a more interesting afternoon.

It was a  great weather week with highs of 30  (mid 80s for our American fans) in brilliant sunshine.  On thursday we took Andra and the kids to one of our favourite spots on the Puntledge river.  This is the river that runs from the Comox lake down into town and eventually into the Courtenay Bay.  Most of the water from the river is diverted for Hydro Electric but there is still a good sized river running because of all the melt from the Glacier and mountains.

There is a stretch on the river where it flows over area of granite for at least 1 km.  The river is 100 meters wide  but on much of the flat area the water is only 2 – 4 inchs deep.  There are rapids and strange pot holes in the granite that range from 1 foot wide to big hot tubs about 1 meter deep.

This is a very popular spot for locals.  The water is heated by the rocks so not glacier cold, but still refreshing.  Warmer than the ocean beaches so the kids love it.    With the trees around there are shade areas and sun areas.  Places where you can dive into deep pools and spots where you can lay back like in a hot tub. 

Andra had not seen this area when we went on Thursday so did not realize that you could both wade and swim so she asked that we spend the afternoon on Friday with the kids in their bathing suits.  Pat and I took our folding chairs and sat in the water with our feet cool and watched the family.  A unique spot.   

This is a must for our visitors in the summer

It is Friday night and we featured fish for dinner.  This has become a tradition for us (granted because I am married to a Dogan)  But the requirement does make us become adventurous in seafood planning. 

We were at the market yesterday and bought fresh corn.  The local store had refried beans on special (3 cans for $5) and the idea came to mind.  MEXICAN MEAL.  So we bought an avocado and planned a Mexican meal.  Even prepared Mojitos prior to the meal (yes I know that the drink  is Cuban not Mexican but we did drink Mojitos in Mexico in June so it met our rules) We have a Mint plant in the garden so it was natural.

Last night I Bbqd the corn and later cut the kernels from the cob.  Pat made a corn salad from a recipe that James sent us with grilled red peppers and beans with Mexican seasoning.

I marinated cod fillets in lemon juice, cumin and chillies then grilled on the bbq. Served them on a bed of refried beans, a layer of chopped lettuce, a layer of guacamole, some shredded cheese and topped with a bit of salsa on the top.    The Corn kernel salad was on the side. 

Some white wine and sitting in the back yard with beautiful weather, and a great meal.  A long way from the concept of fish sticks on a Friday night.

These are the meals where I would love to phone Mother and tell her the details.  Granted she was not a big fish fan, but she could appreciate the effort.  I miss that. 

Not an average Friday fish night.