British sailor Alex Thomson Racing today smashed the world record for the greatest distance sailed solo in 24 hours notching up 536.81 miles on HUGO BOSS. This new record awaits ratification by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.

 

Thompson is still in second place aboutj 50 miles behind leader  Armel LE CLÉAC’H who has just over 800 miles to sail to the finish line. Two more days, depending on winds. They are pounding past the coast of Spain and will soon be in the Bay of Biscay.

An exciting finish.

Just saying…

 

 

 

 

My good friend Mike & I have two things in common.  He likes to cook and I like to cook. He likes to eat and I like to eat!  On his recommendation, this morning I made a reservation at BREAD AND HONEY in Parksville and dispatched myself to said emporium of goodness.

It’s a utilitarian space in a little strip mall that happens to turn out some wonderfully delicious food. The Brunch menu is loaded with goodness including Huevos Benedictinos, a slightly spicy Mexican take on Eggs Benny. Muffins with Avocado, Salsa, Chorizo and two perfectly poached eggs topped with amazingly good Hollandaise Sauce.  Plus a nest of finely shredded hash brown potatoes that were perfect.  Oh my!  The best ever.

Tamara, my server, was friendly,  efficient, and charming. She told me the current owners have been in business about two years. Chef/owner Michael Sproul began his culinary career as a 15 year old apprentice at the Longwood Brew Pub in Nanaimo. His successful career included a stint as the Executive Chef at the Beach Club Resort. He was also named a Vancouver Island Chef of the year.

My friend Mike claims that the grilled Ahi Sandwich is the best he has ever had.  That is quite a salute from someone who has eaten his way around much of the world. Server Tamara enthused about the Ruben, made with Brisket, and the Seafood Chowder.  I promised her I would be back to try it.

Bread & Honey has a modest beer and wine list and also serves cocktails.  Mimosas and Bloody Caesars are on the brunch menu.  In addition there is a take out menu.

Eggs Benny to go?  Why not.  One could devour a plateful sitting on a log on Parksville Beach a few steps away.

BREAD & HONEY is a real find.  You must try this joint.  Seriously!

Open for breakfast and lunch only, Wednesday thru Sunday.  Gets really busy so phone for a reservation. 163 Harrison Street in Parksville.  Check out the website and take a look at the menu.

http://www.breadandhoneyfoodco.com/food

I love this place.❤️

Just saying…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My friend Mike tells me I must go for lunch and try the grilled AHI sandwich. The best EVER. he claims. Tamara told me to try the Rueben and the Seafood Chowder and I will.

Bread & Honey is liscenced with a modest selection of beer wine and cocktails.

They also have a take out menu that features soups, salads breakfast sandwiches, and even two varieties of eggs Benny! Who does take out Eggs Benny? I suppose One could and enjoy it sitting on a log on the beach just steps away. Why not!

Bread & Honey is a real gem that you need to try. Open for breakfast and lunch only, Wednesday through Sunday from 8-3. Reservations recommended.
163 Harrison, Parksville.

Just saying…

Sent from my iPhone

t’s a utilitarian space in a little strip mall that happens to turn out some wonderfully delicious food. The Brunch menu is loaded with

Tamara, my server, was friendly efficient and charming. She told me the current owners have been in business about two years. Chef/owner Michael Sprour has previously cooked at Tyna Mara and the Beach Club and has won the Island Chef of the year award.

My friend Mike tells me I must go for lunch and try the grilled AHI sandwich. The best EVER. he claims. Tamara told me to try the Rueben and the Seafood Chowder and I will.

Bread & Honey is liscenced with a modest selection of beer wine and cocktails.

They also have a take out menu that features soups, salads breakfast sandwiches, and even two varieties of eggs Benny! Who does take out Eggs Benny? I suppose One could and enjoy it sitting on a log on the beach just steps away. Why not!

Bread & Honey is a real gem that you need to try. Open for breakfast and lunch only, Wednesday through Sunday from 8-3. Reservations recommended.
163 Harrison, Parksville.

Just saying…

Sent from my iPhone

 

 

 

plusA Side of really good, finely shredded hash browns too.

Tamara, my server, was friendly efficient and charming. She told me the current owners have been in business about two years. Chef/owner Michael Sprour has previously cooked at Tyna Mara and the Beach Club and has won the Island Chef of the year award.

My friend Mike tells me I must go for lunch and try the grilled AHI sandwich. The best EVER. he claims. Tamara told me to try the Rueben and the Seafood Chowder and I will.

Bread & Honey is liscenced with a modest selection of beer wine and cocktails.

They also have a take out menu that features soups, salads breakfast sandwiches, and even two varieties of eggs Benny! Who does take out Eggs Benny? I suppose One could and enjoy it sitting on a log on the beach just steps away. Why not!

Bread & Honey is a real gem that you need to try. Open for breakfast and lunch only, Wednesday through Sunday from 8-3. Reservations recommended.
163 Harrison, Parksville.

Just saying…

Sent from my iPhone

The other night I met my brother in law for dinner at Lefty’s in Parksville.  We have dined several times at their Qualicum Beach location but never in Parksville.  If you have not been, it is right beside Thrifty’s.

The restaurant was a nice surprise, much nicer than I expected. The dinner menu runs from salads ( a good variety) to Burgers to Seafood, Ribs and Steak. I chose the spicey Thai Prawns which were served with rice. Delicious. Murray had a fabulous looking burger. We washed it down with O’Douls Amber which was served icy cold.

On a Wednesday in January, Lefty’s was not very busy so the service was prompt and charming.

If you don’t feel like cooking and want a really good lunch or dinner that is delicious and not too pricey, you ought to try Lefty’s Fresh Food Restaurant. I’m planning on trying their patio this summer. It looks like a good wine sipping spot.

Lefty’s has been in business since 1996.  Flourishing for over 20 years is an indication of a well run operation with consistently good food.

Just saying…

With just 1700 miles to the finish line in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, Englishman Alex Thomson on HUGO BOSS has a real chance to catch up to race leader Armel LE CLÉAC’H.  Only 113 miles seperate the two.  Thompson led much of the race as they headed south down the Atlantic two months ago  he only fell into second after damaging one of the hull foils on his boat after hitting an unidentified floating object. The damage affected his speed on one tack so he has been handicapped all the way across the Southern Ocean and the climb back up the Atlantic

This morning he is running about a knot faster than Armel.  Thomson says he needs to be within 50 miles of the to have a chance of catching him.  It could be an exciting finish to this amazing race. Can the BANQUE POPULAIRE III maintain the lead?  In just a few days we will know.

In  third place is skipper Jeremie Beyou on MAITRE COQ, but he is 561 miles behind the leader and there is not enough time left for him to catch Thomson.  The rest of the fleet is spread out over 8000 miles and I’m sure most of those adventurers will be happy just to finish.

An epic journey.

Just saying…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although I spent most of my career in hospitals as a supplier of orthopaedic implants, we have had almost no personal experience as patients in our health care system. Recently we have had some experience and despite the illness involved, we have been very impressed with the system.

Two visits to the Oceanside Health Care Centre in Parksville were very positive experiences. The facility is excellent, well equipped and well run. The nursing staff were efficient, knowledgeable, caring, and thoughtful. The two staff doctors with whom we dealt were also very good. We are fortunate to have this great facility in Oceanside.

We also had occasion to partake of the BC Paramedic Service. My favourite girl fell ill just before New Years and I called 911. The two paramedics arrived promptly and were very impressive. Gentle, thoughtful, and competent. This is a wonderful service. (As an aside, not everyone gives their partner an ambulance ride for their wedding anniversary).

If you have had occasion to visit the Emergency Room at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, you will know that it is an amazing, very large, state of the art department. Certainly the best I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen many in my career. The staff are terrific, too. Nanaimo has become the major trauma centre on the island outside of Victoria and they certainly have the facility to handle it.

With my sweetheart now on a ward I can comment on nearly two weeks of the health care system. The Registered Nurses are fantastic. On the 3rd floor at Nanaimo Regional, they are all young, mostly in their 20’s or early 30’s. They too, are efficient, knowledgeable, compassionate, and charming. They all work 12 hour shifts and seem to really enjoy their jobs.

The Health Care Aids are delightful. Not a glamorous job, for sure, but they do the tough task of moving patients, helping them with hygiene and daily needs. These ladies have even helped feed our patient. All of the aides we have encountered do their job with  dedication, enthusiasm and a smile. They are the unsung heroes.

Finally, we have interfaced with three Hospitalists. These are doctors who only work in the hospital. General Practitioners or Family physicians by training, they work on salary and look after in-patients. As a result, it is unnecessary for your own doctor to visit patients in the hospital. It’s a relatively new specialty. In Nanaimo, the Hospitalist service began about 13 years ago and it seems to work really well.

Complain about the Health Care System in BC?  Not us. Our experience has been first class.

Kudos to all the doctors, nurses, aides, and paramedics.
Just saying…

67 days after leaving France, the lead boat BANQUE POPULAIRE III, skippered by  Armel LE CLÉAC’H, is still in first place with less than 2000 nautical miles to the finish line. On board HUGO BOSS is Alex Thomson just 200 miles behind. With the right winds Thomson still has time to catch  LE CLÉAC’H.  800 miles behind the the leader is Jerimie Beyou.

18 off the 29 staters are still in the race but there are still 8 boats that have not yet rounded Cape Horn. The poor chap in last place is 9000 miles behind the leader.

The lead boats should finish the race within the next week. 24,ooo nautical miles, circumnavigating Antarctica on a 60 foot sailboat all by yourself. That is a special kind of crazy.

Just saying…

 

Going out for Breakfast or Brunch is always a treat. Recently, I met some pals for a late  breakfast at LEFTY’S in Qualicum Beach.  First time here for Breakfast and it was very good. Two eggs, bangers, pan fried potatoes and sourdough toast.  All the ingredients were perfectly cooked to my taste.  Two of my tablemates had omelettes which looked pretty inviting too.  ‘LEFTY’ the owner came buy to refill our coffee and we had a delightful chat with her.  She opened the Qualicum Beach location about 18 years ago.  There is also a Parksville branch.  Thinking of Breakfast?  Think LEFTY’S at the light!

Probably our favourite brunch is one that involves Eggs Benedict.  The best Benny around these parts is at the SHADY REST,  on the water in Qualicum Beach. Try the traditional Benny with Black Forest Ham, or the Seafood Benny with Scallops, Prawns and Dungeness Crab.  Or you might choose the Florentine with Spinach or the West Coast with Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese.  If you like Hollandaise Sauce you will love the homemade deliciousness here. All the Benny’s include a side of the best roasted potatoes ever. Oh you can order omelettes,  french toast and some other typical breakfast fare, but for me it’s all about Eggs Benedict.

In the summer you can enjoy brunch on the patio overlooking the water. It’s hard to beat!  The Shady only serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday and they open at 11.

Just saying….

 

 

It’s day 57 in the Vendée Globe Round the World Sailing Race and six boats have now rounded Cape Horn. The leader Armel LE CLÉAC’H, on BANQUE POPULAIRE III, has just 4500 miles to the finish. Alex Thomson on HUGO BOSS, is 147 miles behind. Third placed skipper Jeremie Beyou has made significant progress and is now only 790 miles astern of the leader.

Away at the back of the fleet, Sebastian Destremau on TECHNO FAST, is 7500 miles behind and is sailing just south of Tasmania. Yesterday, the Irishman, Enda O’Coineen , retired from the campaign after losing his mast. So now there are 18 skippers still racing as 11 have retired.  The retirements are all due to equipment failure or damage.

The Vendée Globe is proving to be an extreme test for the skippers, the vessels, and the sophisticated electronic navigation and communication equipment.

Just saying…

On day 50, the top two boats in the Vendée Globe Race have rounded Cape Horn and are making 16 knots past the Falkland Islands.  Armel LE CLÉAC’H, the leader, has 6200 nautical miles to the finish. Alex Thompson is just 379 miles behind and has a very good chance of catching LeCleach now they are in the Atlantic. Jeremie Beyou, in third spot rounded Cape Horn today.

19 boats are still racing but 10 skippers have dropped out for a variety of damage. Two were dismasted,  one smashed the hull open after hitting a container, another lost a rudder.  In 19th place is Frenchman, Sebastian Destremau, but he is 7600 miles behind the leader. The leader is shown below.

We wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas❗We hope you all have a wonderful Holiday Season with family and friends. And may you have A HAPPY & PROSPEROUS 2017.

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