FIRE: OLD CHURCH IN LAX KW'ALAAMS (formerly PORT SIMPSON) BRITISH COLUMBIA, JANUARY 30, 2021

[CBC]  A fire destroyed a 147-year-old church in British Columbia.

Fire destroys 147-year-old church in Lax Kw'alaams First Nation in a remote Indigenous community outside of Prince Rupert, B.C., January 30, 2021.

Map credit:  David Snadden

Map credit: Port Simpson Tide Forecast website

This is the church which burned down last week. Located in northern British Columbia in what used to be called ‘Port Simpson’ this was where my mother lived for a short period in her youth.  Her father was the minister of this church in the 1920s. [Photo: Lyle Angus/Facebook]

[CBC news item January 30, 2021]  Methodist Church fire

"The church is a historic landmark that's significant to many people in the community."

This photo shows the church with the curved window and I assume that is the manse in the background on the right. Comparing it to the above coloured photo, I am guessing that this is the same building located on the right behind the telephone pole.

Here is my grandfather holding the horse: “The Rev. Victor Sansum and his children, Margaret, Joan and John, beside the Methodist Church on Kispiox reserve, 1925.” [Source: ‘Now You Are My Brother - Missionaries in British Columbia by Margaret Whitehead, Prov of B.C., 1981.]  (This is my mother's photograph given to the museum some years ago.)

WEEK 51 CORONAVIRUS: PRIMARY ONE, TWO AND THREE RETURN TO SCHOOL

With the infection rate falling and number of people needing hospitalisation there are now plans to start easing restrictions.  It will start with certain years of the primary schools going back, then the older secondary school students who have to do labs and project work.

That means Harriet aged 7 in Primary 3 and Ellie aged 6 in Primary 2  go back today. 

After school preparing focaccia. Ellie is the baker; Harriet is being a pest. 

The lovely rosemary Ellie is chopping is from the garden.

Indy aged 10 in California is to be off as, indeed, are Ish (14) and Alastair (13).

We continue to have Quiz Nights every Sunday using Google Meeting facility.  I do my presentation in the Google Slide Show which is amazingly good, i.e. idiot-proof.

While I try to compose it of questions for the children I also try to include news topics which are important.  This week it was the landing of 'Perseverance' on Mars. Having seen the landing of Neil Armstrong on the moon in 1969 I can clearly recall the place and circumstances where we watched it live on TV.  It was in Evanston, Chicago when we lived there.  We did not  own a TV (out of choice).. "Ya don't even have ONE Tv?!!?".... so joined a neighbour in the apartment block.

Apparently the parachute fabric was made by a company in Devon, UK.

* * * * * * * * * * * 

We look forward to restrictions starting the ease.  In the meantime when asked "When?" the answer from all interviewed continues to be: "We will be driven by the data, not the dates."

WEEK 50 CORONAVIRUS - STILL IN FULL LOCKDOWN; KEEPING OCCUPIED

The message from the Scottish government (and UK also) continues to be "Stay at Home, Saves Lives, Protect the NHS".

Tomorrow new rules are to be applied to international travellers entering the country: they must quarantine for 10 days in approved hotels near airports at their own expense (£1750.00)

The early years of Primary school are going to go back soon as are the final years of secondary school (those facing exams).  That means Alastair and Ishbel who are in middle years will be out of school until April, i.e. at home and mainly in their bedrooms.

Harriet and Ellie got back for some part-time schooling for a couple of days at the end of this past week.  They have been to visit as they are part of our 'social bubble'.

I get a lot of mileage out of jigsaws, good ones, i.e. made of wood with whimsical pieces.  

In the past I have composed images for the jigsaw using Photoshop and sent them to be made a given size.   We are a bit short on recent family photos so Harriet and I are designing one which I will send off once we are happy our artwork!

Harriet this week, aged 7.5 years.

Harriet this week, aged 7.5 years snowman on deck.

* *   VENDÉE GLOBE RACE MORE YACHTS CROSSING THE FINISH LINE   * * 

The sailors are now finishing the race in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France's west coast.  Having spent years peering at beautiful images of yachts and sailing activities I have enjoyed some wonderful photographs taken by the host of photographers who meet them coming up the channel.  Their kit is impressive; shots using drones, close-ups with zoom lens.

It's been a great diversion these last 3 months. There's still some more to come (they have crossed the equator).  So at least I will have some more arm-chair sailing to keep from wearying!

Les Sables-d'Olonne entrance channel

 Didac Costa's arrival in One Plant One Ocean

 [Photo: Jean-Louis Carli]

Alan Roura - Switzerland   [Photo: Olivier Blanchet/Alea] on La Fabrique

Alan Roura 

 Arnaud Boissières on Cali

Benjamin Dutreux on OMIA Water Family

Stéphane Le Diraison on Time for Oceans   [Photo: Olivier Blanchet/Alea]

Kojiro Shiraishi, Japan on DMG MORI  [Photo: Olivier Blanchet/Alea]

Kojiro  [Photo: Yvan Zeddai/Alea]

Kojiro [Photo: Jean-Louis Carli/Alea]

Pip Hare, UK, arriving after midnight    [Photo: Olivier Blanchet/Alea]

  [Photo: Yvan Zeddai/Alea]

Pip Hare makes the front page of The Times.  

WEEK 49 CORONAVIRUS - VACCINATION

Last week both of us received our Astra Zeneca vaccine.  Iain had no particular after-effects; I felt a bit 'flu-ey'for 24 hours (shiver, aching joints like I was coming down with something) but, of course, one would, wouldn't one?

I reckon  the word 'side effect' is mis-used.  If given an antigen for a virus (or bacteria) the shivery symptom and the rest are a sign of the body frighting off an infection.

To my way of thinking a side effect would be an unlooked for consequence, say a rash or an allergic reaction.

I read somewhere that there have been a few cases of people having an allergic reaction.  What it went on to say is that the people who manifested this had a history of having an allergic reaction under other conditions.  Well .... OK... but, as usual, you only seem to get half the story!

The UK being small land mass with population of 66 million which is largely urban, is an ideal place for high transmission (and I think sea and air ports are a big factor too).  On the other hand this island country has a 'captive' population for undertaking various types of studies.

When I was having the 'jab' (or 'jag' as they call it here) the doctor said that a programme has been set up now to follow the vaccinated population; to be done through General Practices and other related organisations.

ALASTAIR IS NOW A TEENAGER

Alastair is now 13 years old.  During Lockdown he has been stuck in the house a lot. It is home-schooling for him these days of Full Lockdown. Is much being done? He is, and always has been, a great reader. Luckily, it helps to pass the time.

Ishbel and I have this running joke about how our attempts to make a Christmas Yule Log, or non-Christmas Swiss Roll never really is a great success.  Her logs turn out well (from her school recipe); mine end up more like piles of lumber.  Using Nutella (chocolate-hazelnut spread) helps though!

As we are in Full Lockdown ('Stay at Home Save the NHS') the children have not been to visit (or if they do, it is to the back garden or park area) and if we go to their house it is limited to the doorstep. So far, so good as everyone keeps well.

 

VENDÉE GLOBE RACE FINISH AND ST MALO SKIPPER LOUIS BURTON

I have been following the yacht race which started 3 months ago out of the west coast of France: the Vendée Globe Circumnavigation.

The yachts are starting to arrive back to Les Sables-d'Olonne. This photo shows approach to the  channel where they will cross La Ligne d'Arrivée (Finish Line) after 80+ days at sea.

Clarissa Clarement heading for the white buildings in the distance

[photo is by Olivier Blanchet/Alea]

There are fine stories of heroism, endurance, skill, good seamanship and sportsmanship.

Over and above this, several things struck me:

[1] there is definitely a strong sense of Liberty (the freedom of being on the world's oceans and the freedom to undertake a huge advernture); Equality (both men and women skippers); Fraternity (ranging from a rescue at sea of one skipper whose boat broke and sank, through to the fact that they have all got this experience in common e.g. they are all now Cap-Hornier (Cape Horners) sailors.

[2] some of them are from the Brittany coast.  Knowing my Canadian history I recall that many of their predecessors from this part of Brittany headed out for the fishing off the coast of North America. One man is particular in the mid 1500s was sent by the King of France to search for a sea route to Asia and gather riches to bring back to France.

 

This is Jacque Cartier* who came from St Malo. 

I noticed that one of the Vendée Globe competitors, Louis Burton, who has recently arrived back is also from St Malo having sailed a "smart, strategic race".

This photo of Louis Burton is a screenshot I took from the press conference** video held when he finally stepped ashore.  I reversed the image and was amazed at the resemblance to the above painting!  I suppose no one really knows what Cartier looked like but I couldn't help noticing that their countenances have a remarkable similarity!

 

Louis Burton - compare this photo with the one of Jacques Cartier above! 

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* As every schoolchild in Canada (and Brittany?) knows Cartier was 'The Discoverer of Canada' i.e. he took the Iroquois word 'kanata' meaning 'village' to label this land he explored and mapped; and it was this exploration that enabled the French to lay claim to it. Date: 1535.

** The name of his boat is Bureau Vallée 2 which refers to his sponsor Bureau Vallée (French office suppliers). 

[Photo: Vincent Olivaud]