Friday, June 6, 2008

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Footprints


Recycling is very big here.

They have a program in Victoria called the "Free Tree." Any household item that can be reused that you no longer want or need, you simply take it to the curb outside in the front of your house and set it by a tree. Then others pick up the toy or shoes or whatever to reuse. Kind of like an ongoing Big Trash Day.

They also only allow ONE trash can per "Suite." Most of the houses up here have been converted into suites. So, one floor would be a suite. So, three families live in one house. It doesn't matter how many people live in a suite; you only get one trash can per week. Anything extra has to be hauled yourself and you have to pay for the disposal.

The city also provides you with a compost bin. You separate the compostable waste to be used in your garden. So, things like vegetable trimmings etc. are separated from trash.

Recycling bins are picked up every two weeks. In Victoria, they accept a wider variety of recyclables than they do in Kansas. Cans (both kinds), all paper, and plastics are sorted from regular trash.

You can also take some of your recyclables to the grocery or liquor stores, where you receive cash to recycle.

It certainly makes it easier when the city encourages recycling.

I made it to a yarn shop this morning and got some booty. 2 skeins of Malabrigo in Loro barranquero, Fleece Artist Sea Wool Sock yarn, Fleece Artist Thrummed Mitten kit, and two braids of Fleece Artist roving.

Tonight, we pick up Caitlin's dad. We are all having a nice salmon dinner.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Victoria




Sunday was a very long day of traveling. My first flight I was seated next to a 17 month old screaming toddler. The second flight, I was seated next to Mr. Hog The Arm Rest. The best flight was on Air Canada from Edmonton to Vancouver in a newer jet. Too bad the flight attendant was a knitting Nazi that insisted that my knitting had to be stowed prior to take off and landing.

I had to go through customs in Edmonton. This means completing a questionnaire on the plane asking you if you are packing heat or transporting infested monkeys. Then, you have to get off the plane and get your bag, standing in line to answer questions from an officer, and get in another long line to go past another officer. I felt like they were going to throw me in jail or something.

I took my very first ferry ride from Vancouver to Victoria. It was beautiful. I was not prepared for how much cooler it would be. I packed a wrap to wear, but I could only stand being outside for about 10 minutes before I had to go inside to warm myself.

On Monday, Caitlin and I took the dog on her morning walk. I guess most mornings she takes the dog to the beach. The beach is different here. The beach has stones and driftwood. Later on, we walked around downtown Victoria. Caitlin had to work in the afternoon, so Danny and I went to the Bug Zoo to see her give a tour. Then, Danny took me on a drive to see the houses and the University of Victoria. All of the houses in Victoria have little postage stamp gardens in the front yards.

I got a ton of knitting done. It's amazing how much knitting you can get done when you have no distractions.