Oh no, please don’t let this be a slideshow of an OldPlaidCamper summer vacation, akin to those endured by some in the 1970s. You remember, where your neighbours invite you round to see their holiday snaps projected onto a wall, and there’s a bowl of peanuts and a glass of warm flat lemonade for refreshments. Yikes/shudder. Slightly sweaty after writing that, a disconcerting flashback to a happy childhood. Stranger things in an earlier decade…
No, nothing like that. A brief post because I should be packing and finding my passport for the lightning trip to northern Britain starting Friday. Instead of getting that organized, we’ve been enjoying the start of our summer, spending time on the beach, on the trails and in the hammock. The hammock is thanks to US Brother PlaidCamper, sent to us after he stayed last summer and endured the disappointment of our little balcony sans hammock. It’s lovely to have, but sure does take up some space. A bit like having your brother visit. I’ll be paying it forward by visiting UK Brother PlaidCamper. I hope he has a hammock.
Bears and bald eagles have been our major wildlife sightings, as well as a wolf – yes, at last, a wolf! The wolf was spotted by Mrs. PC a couple of weeks ago, lurking outside a restaurant just up the road, a place called Howlers. It’s like the wolf knew. Then I saw it a few days later, again just outside Howlers. In the end, we’d convinced ourselves perhaps it was a large wolf-dog hybrid, as there are a fair few locally, and the animal we saw didn’t seem too bothered by the people about. On Wednesday, there was a public message posted, warning residents of a wolf in the vicinity of Howlers, so a wolf it probably is. I wish I’d been able to take a photo. Maybe I’ll head over to Howlers after writing this. They do a good veggie burger, decent fries, and they have Tofino blonde on tap – a good evening even if the wolf stays (wisely) away! Displacement activity from packing? Yup.
The weather has generally been gusty, grey and dry, with occasional bursts of sunshine in between low cloud, some murk and almost fog. Never too cold, and never too hot, always comfortable enough when we’re out and about. And comfortable enough for some hammock time.
The snaps included with this piece were all taken in the past week, and if you’re desperate for something to do this weekend, please feel free to use them in a wall-projected slideshow presentation – viewing enjoyment is enhanced with flat lemonade and a bowl of peanuts…
Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
I had to laugh!! We were the neighbors who invited people over to see our summer vacation slide show in the 1970’s!
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Glad you laughed! Many of us might remember sitting through similar presentations!
Thanks for reading and commenting, much appreciated.
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Enjoyed hearing about your summer days, pc, and as usual enjoyed a few chuckles. Really great that Mrs. PC spotted the wolf, and how lovely that you have had the honor of seeing bald eagles and bears. Adorable cub, and Scout is looking great. You did a good job of procrastinating the packing, a boon for us, and wishing you a great visit to Britain. Have fun!
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Thanks, Jet! I did manage to get packed and onto the plane – I’ve spent a few days with my brother here in the UK, having a great time catching up and talking nonsense.
I hope your week is off to a good start!
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I think that I’m going to put together a slideshow of all the ales and lagers that you’ve posted on the blog over the past couple of years. Then I’ll watch it with a bowl of peanuts and a cold bevy of coice.
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Thanks Bob! You’ll need a decent beverage for that particular slideshow…
I hope your week is off to a good start.
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The word is “choice.”
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So wonderful to see Scout again and the fantastic summer snaps (especially the little bear)! Loved the stranger things reference (including the perfect beer label) and I remember those carousel slide shows!! I hope the wolf is still lingering on your return for a photo and that you guys have a wonderful trip!
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Thank you! I’m missing Mrs. PC and Scout, but having a good time over in the UK so far. My brother is up and about, post-operatively, and able to totter a few steps here and there as he recovers. Strangely, the sun has been shining here in NW Britain, and we’ve been sat out in his backyard, talking nonsense (him!) and having a beer or two (me!)
Enjoy your week ahead!
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Enjoy your trip and perhaps the wolf will visit howlers again or better yet along a beach while your enjoying a pint for a growlers.
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Thanks, Mike! Having a fun trip, and also looking forward to getting home and maybe catching another sight of the wolf.
Enjoy your week!
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Have a fun and safe trip. I’m still waiting to see a wolf, but even wolf hybrids are beautiful creatures. As for the hammock. I’ve not owned one but they do look comfortable so if UK Brother PlaidCamper doesn’t have one, you might just need to send one. 🙂
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It was a great weekend, the first time out to Elk Island NP when It didn’t rain about 2 p.m. Got to see a bird that I was hoping for, but didn’t realize it until I got home-an American bittern fly-by.
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Glad you’ve had a good weekend, Jane! All the best for the coming week, hopefully with some more great bird sightings.
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Haha. This brought a smile to my face. Hub’s parents used to love holding slide show nights. Your posts are always so visual though, no slide shows necessary here. Wolves, bears, eagles …wow. Enjoy that hammock!
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Sounds like you’re enjoying a fine UK hammock & brew, with fine weather & a convalescing bro. Excellent, Adam! And with the prospect of a wolf at Howlers on your return, it doesn’t get much better than that!
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Looks like I missed a few comments on my trip away – apologies for the very tardy response…
Yup, a good trip and now keeping an eye out for that wolf (or any wolf!) back on the island.
Thanks, Walt.
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