Way back in February we decided to find an AirBnB holiday house, on the coast if possible, so that we grandparents could spend more than an afternoon with the little boys, and their parents, and Uncle Mike and Robin. That weekend the rentals were being snapped up fast.. Vancouver Island and Gulf Island ideas weren’t possible. Finally there was a Powell River panabode to sleep nine available and we booked it. All the time that Covid was limiting our lives we imagined cancelling said booking, but after a couple of ‘bubble’ family gatherings we decided not to.

The cabin and its isolated location on a very quiet Thunder Bay, just past Saltery Bay, turned out to be perfect for us. The drive and two ferries were an adventure. Knowing that cafes and pubs would be problematic we took oodles of food in coolers and together prepared almost all our meals there. I won’t bore you with all the details of our relaxing child-oriented holiday but will just explain that the cabin had kayaks for adults and children, a huge yard, a ten minute walk via ‘beach access’ to the beach, masses of games (amazing to see how quickly 5 and 7 learnt the rules of Chess) and really nobody else nearby at all.

The boys loved the rocky beach for finding crabs, oysters and clams and looked for ‘sea glass’ We also found ‘sea Pottery’ as I dubbed it. I think I was more excited than the 3 lads at finding 3 pieces that looked as if they were originally the same pot. We looked for a long time but found no more. I’ve posted pics on Instagram and facebook, hoping someone will recognize at least which country they came from. Please comment if you have an idea of their provenance. Otherwise the beach was marvellously free of plastic and any other people debris.

On one day I persuaded the gang that it would be fun to drive north through Powell River and up to the end of the road at Lund. Not very well hidden agenda. I wanted to revisit the Tidal Arts Centre at Finn Bay, just past Lund, where I spent four happy days last year attending a salt-firing workshop with Jackie Frioud. We took two cars and the bikes of Steve and Mike and after a wander around Lund and a visit to Nancy’s famous bakery, Steve and Mike headed out on the 51.5 km ride all the way back to the cabin. It was an easy ride, they said, but it sure is hilly!

The rest of us drove the 3km around to Finn Bay and Jen and the boys picnicked and played on the beach, while Al and I were invited in to the main floor gallery of Tidal Arts Centre by the current artists-in-residence Jamie Smith and Rebecca Chaperon. The Arts Centre is a beautifully re-purposed and restored Ranger Station.

https://www.tidalartcentre.com

‘Finding a Place’, the show of work by the previous two artists-in-residence was up. Annie Robinson’s work involves natural dyeing, and we saw her materials and many pieces on the walls. My apologies for not having taken some photos of them. Joshua de Groot’s paintings grabbed us. I think I’ve developed an even greater appreciation for the quiet, cool forests that surround us here in the temperate rainforest, than before the pandemic hit us. Joshua has captured the bold contrasts of  colour and shapes of fallen trees, ferns, rushing water and dark tree trunks. Take a look.

Rebecca and Jamie allowed me to take Alan, and later Jen, upstairs to see where I stayed and we clay folks shared meals last year. There’s that fabulous Gordon Smith painting again and elegant pots by Jackie Frioud.

Apart from sleeping, cooking and dining spaces there is a fabulous print-making studio upstairs and down below is the gallery, more studio space, Arts Centre owner Nancy Jeakins’ office and a generous clay studio space with five wheels. The Centre has an elevator for easy access. Kilns are in the separate large garage.

Two of the grandsons were most interested to see what an art gallery looks like and I think were impressed by the big bold de Groot paintings. The next show, ‘MAIDEN Voyage’ has already opened and will be featuring the work of Rebecca and Jamie. See the TAC website link above.

Jen headed back to our cabin with grand-boys while I showed Al ‘Diver’s Rock’ park just nearby and then we popped over to Okeover Arm, just for nostalgia, and I pointed out the entrances to the Sunshine Coast Trail at the height of the short road connecting two arms of the Pacific. On the way back ‘home’ it seemed necessary to enjoy a pint at Townsite Brewing in Powell River. Good beer and sensible Covid precautions. There are tables outside and just one or two for inside sitting.

On our final day the fine weather held and it was decided that the kayaks should be taken down to our beach. Bucket list thing for me.. I’ve never kayaked so I was fitted with a life preserver and helped into a very stable, not-really-kayak, and shown how to paddle. Jen and Caleb joined me in their separate kayaks and we delighted in a gentle voyage along the shore, looking at rocks, driftwood, dense forest, loons, one or two vessels in the far distance and totally calm, if cold, water. Couldn’t have been better! Mike and Lucas each paddled out later and Jen took Bennett along on hers for a long ride.

Now you know why I haven’t blogged for a while. Getting away to a new spot in our Beautiful BC was the best idea and we’ll have super memories of family time.

My kiln fired last night, glaze-firing pots that I bisqued before our holiday, so I ‘m looking forward to seeing more plates to perhaps inspire new ideas. On Thursday I look forward to attending the opening of a show of Tam Irving’s latest work at Visual Space Gallery on Dunbar street in Vancouver. It will be almost the first chance to actually connect with clay friends in half a year.. and yes, we’ll wear masks and make sure we aren’t in a crowd. That’ll probably be my next blog.