Still wondering what I’m doing to entertain three energetic teen-age grandsons?

Well Friday we took some time away from the big bike trek and just Brendan and I did a mini-tour — up to the water plant and the dam nearest our place on Penticton Creek — then down to Forestbrook and back. We covered about 5.46 kms but only burned off 280 calories. We next had a number of chores to do and then all headed to the Penticton Marina. While it is still behind a large barrier of sandbags the water has noticeably receded. We fitted everyone for life jackets, unpacked the car, walked over to the awaiting Pontoon Boat, loaded it and set out on our voyage on the lake. These pontoon boats now are basically floating living rooms — everyone has a cool seat or sofa to relax on and there’s a decent table to stack the goodies on…

Since it was mid-day the picnic lunch was the first order of the journey. Great food and drinks all round contributed to a contented crew and captain. Next up was cruising up the lake to show just how part the cyclists had managed to get as well as a viewing of the new house being built by the owner of the Mission Hill winery. Due to the higher than normal water we had been advised to stay out from shore so we did not get a real close-up view of the house, but what we saw was impressive enough. I’m sure it will end up costing 8 figures.

Just beyond the setting for this house is a small bay that was one of the ones used for commando training during the wars. It gives some shelter from the wind, although there wasn’t much to worry about and the temperature was in the low 30’s. We shut down the motor and the kids had a great time swimming, jumping off the front of the boat and generally wearing themselves out. This was followed by some tubing and then adult and youth swimming (the captain wisely stayed on board to keep the boat under control at all times). When all were sufficiently tired and yet refreshed, we headed for the marina in a roundabout way — looking at some lakeside real estate developments and then getting a birds-eye view of an actual landslide of part of a cliff down across a road into the lake — it was very impressive.

By the time we all returned to the “craftsman cottage by the creek” we were tired. Although we did make time for supper, it was not a late evening. There was one bit of good news though — the BBQ had finally been hooked up to the natural gas system. Finally we could have a burger meal outside!! (That had to wait until the next day, though — and the next report!!)

g.w.