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The Probus sports car season for 2021 has not been as active due to members traveling or having visitors (myself included). Plus, the heat wave did reduce the opportunities for sport car tours. However, we did manage to have one last tour before the season ended. On October 31, 2021 we headed south to Qualicum Bay where we had a nice lunch at the Sandbar Café. In all there were 10 participants involving 5 sports cars. The weather was somewhat cool but the sun was warm. It was a great ride and it was nice to have lunch with fellow drivers who we have not seen in a while. I believe the 2022 season will see us back to a regular schedule of Probus sports car activities. New participants are always welcome to join the “Topless Tourers”. The group plans drives together when the weather is cooperating. Generally a destination is chosen which ends up at a good lunch location. We maintain an email list and notify others on it when in the mood for a drive. A meeting place, destination and duration are provided. Please contact me directly using the Sports Car Group "Contact" form on this website's Activity Groups page if you would like to join the Probus Sports Car Activity Group. Please note that you must show proof of vaccination if you wish to participate in any future tours. Submitted by group leader Jim Brown. We have been out and about in the local area the last few weeks. Enjoying the Fall colours and sometimes getting a little damp in the process. Our 13 October hike to Croteau Lake turned out to be a snow hike. A couple of light snowfalls the previous days had stuck to the trees and stayed on the ground - our winter paradise had returned! Enjoy the selection of photos below. This past Sunday, the Probus Peddlers enjoyed a sunny-day ride in the midst of our unsettled October weather. A short stop on Lazo Road provided wide-open views of the Salish Sea. And for those who wished to, the outing ended at Quality Foods for coffee and a sit-down visit. Group leader: Willy Van Kemenade   The PROBUS KAYAKERS had a very nice paddle on Spider Lake on October 3rd. After postponing the trip once for rain, the weather gods favoured us with a lovely fall day. We had a leisurely paddle exploring all eight arms of the Lake before stopping on one of the natural beaches for a picnic. Group leader: Craig Bassett Lynn Gray (Thistledown Herbs) put on an excellent workshop about Medicinal Herbalism on September 27, 2021. Participants enjoyed a tour around Lynn’s gardens and learned about simple and strong teas and infusions and the many uses for the magical healing plant Calendula. Lynn also spoke about Tulsi Basil which is one of her favourite homegrown herbs for teas. Everyone appreciated Lynn’s enthusiasm for the world of herbs and all the value they can bring to us. Lynn will be hosting more workshops this fall – watch for notices in the club newsletter. Lovely warm sunshine and calm winds made for perfect weather during the Probus Strathcona Fall Picnic at Kin Beach on September 23rd. About 40 members arrived with lawn chairs and picnic lunches, and a very enjoyable time was had by all as we caught up on our news and had many a good laugh. It was magnificent to see everyone’s smiling faces again! Toward 3:00 pm a humpback whale cruised by offshore, herons flew overhead, and we were treated to the sight of several bright parachutes as skydivers from the Base landed at nearby Air Force Beach. We look forward to many more happy gatherings in the not-too-distant future. Last Sunday, the ride I called "Farnham Rd from Lewis Park or the Curling Rink" took us from Lewis Park to the curling club on Headquarters Road which was a secondary starting point. From there we crossed the Dove Creek bridge and followed Dove Creek Road to Farnham Road which we followed to Fitzgerald Road. From here most people took the One Spot Trail to Spirit River Park. Then it was mostly downhill back to the curling rink or onward to Mud Shark's coffee shop in Courtenay via Condensory Road. The distance from Lewis Park was 34 km and from the Curling Rink 26 km. The weather cooperated for an enjoyable ride. Group leader: Willy Van Kemenade    After waiting for the green light from our Restart Committee I proposed a little expedition to Comox Lake for the kayaking group. I was pleased that 10 people responded in the affirmative.
I was soon to learn the meaning of the old expression about "the best laid plans......". Sadly, by the time the day arrived a combination of several minor injuries to participants and the recent heat wave, our numbers shrunk to 5. I decided it would be easier to launch here at Astra Bay so cars arrived with kayaks attached. However, the weather gremlins had one more trick up their sleeves. What had started off as a nice calm day on the water had turned into a challenging 20 knot wind. Being the champions of adaptability, a collective decision was made to pivot to a lemonade party at the water's edge. An enjoyable time was had by all and further kayaking adventures will be planned when my injured ribs have healed. Group leader: Craig Bassett Photo left to right: Ross Moxley, Rosemary Cook, Craig Bassett, Charles Longenecker, Deirdre Longenecker This sunny warm Sunday was the perfect day for this year's first outing for our Cycling Group, the "Probus Peddlers". Led by Willy Van Kemenade, the group met at Quality Foods on Lerwick Road and followed a very enjoyable loop to Kin Beach and back. How fortunate we are to be able to cycle from an urban environment, past farmland to ocean beaches, and back along quiet streets and forest pathways. As the many big smiles show, the ride of about 22 kilometers was a very pleasant start to the summer cycling season. We enjoyed 3 hikes this month before the new Covid-19 Health Orders put a stop to our activities. We hiked in the Wildwood Nature Forest, the Bevan Puntledge River trails, and a selection of bike trails in the Cumberland Forest. Saw some cute Deer Mice on a tree in Wildwood, new graffiti art on the #7 mine ruins, and our first hair snow of the year in Cumberland. |
