Xmas Update 2010

 

Agathe, WW56. October 2010

Agathe our 56th ww, was visiting from Montreal. But really Agathe is from Paris, France and was studying in Montreal. We were her fist woofing experience.  Agathe said that she had a `very peaceful and  healthy time`, exactly what she needed. Agathe was able to attend the local Kicking Horse Culture Anniversary Celebration a real hodge podge of local performers. She also travelled and had a quick visit of Banff,while I had an appointment there. Then one Friday Agathe took the medi bus to Radium for a visit of Radium Park. Agathe helped do fall cleaning at the lodge, moved soil around the pond, but best of all Agathe put the garden to bed for the winter. She did a great job of pruning out the old raspberry canes.  Agathe left here for Vancouver for a short holiday. In December she sent me a note that she is back in France. Perhaps we will see Agathe in Rockies again. I know she enjoyed the scenery.

WW 55. Simon, Budenhein, Germany

July 5th to July 26th

‘Eh’ Canadian Lodge was Simons 1st WWOOfing experience, and looking back I realize that he couldn’t have picked a better time to be here. In July the snow is off most of the mountains, the weather is generally sunny, the Kicking Horse Culture Outdoor Concert Series is in full swing and most of the back roads are open. Further, this is when we need the most help. The strawberries are just finishing and the raspberries are ready for picking. Simon helped a lot around here, which gave us time to do other things outside of work. Simon helped Loren with the cabin, applying the sealer to some walls and the floor, finished cleaning up around the woodshed, weeded in the garden, picked plenty of strawberries and raspberries and helped with the ditch for the pond infrastructure. He went fishing with us at Susan Lake (where he was fortunate enough to be able to photograph a cow and calf moose swimming across the lake- WOW!), and reeled in his first fish, scrambled to the ridge on Redburn Mountain (something I’ve always wanted to do), hiked into Thompson Falls with my parents and neighbours and attended the Kicking Horse Culture Outdoor concerts. In the quiet times around here which Simon called ‘countryside and peaceful life away from the cities,’ Simon practiced his guitar, and it really did show, as even in the 3 weeks he was here, his guitar playing improved. Simon left for a WWOOFing opportunity on Vancouver Island, and we were sad to see him leave. But glad we had the chance for him to experience his first WWOOFing home here in the Blaeberry.

Anne and Shaun, May 16 to 29th, 2010

Anne Burger returned with Shaun from Australia. Anne and Shaun met while working at Castle Mountain Ski Hill over the winter. This spring they started woofing together and Anne thought it would be nice to meet Shaun and have Shaun experience Eh Canadian Farm Woodlot as well. They were both very helpful around here, but the big development was while they were here, we spread the liner for the pond. They helped with spring cleaning, planing wood for the cabin floors and ceilings and stacking firewood. It was a slow time around town, so not much for socializing, although we did go out to a fiddling event and dinner at a neighbours.

Anne has since wrote that she is back in Germany and “I'm gonna start my school in October and until then I'm gonna work in a company and make some money and maybe I come back to Canada in September for 3 weeks. I'd love to do that but first I need to earn a little bit.”

Shaun is still working at Castle Mountain and has a few more months in Canada.

Dear Denise, dear Loren Xmas 2019

 

I hope you remember me after all these years. It's been 10 years now since I've spent one of my best weeks at your place. I'm that crazy blond German Girl named Anne :-)

First of all I want to thank you! Thank you for still contacting and emailing me. Although I did not answer I always enjoyed reading your messages and knowing that the two of you and your family are doing fine. I'm not so familiar with English texting anymore so please forgive me :-)

 

I started my Canada adventure with you in July 2009 and ended it with you in June 2010. There has been nobody else I've visited twice. That was because I felt so comfortable and kind of "home" with you. You really made my year special and on the one hand I love thinking back of all the good times and on the other hand it makes me so sad, sentimental and it’s almost heart breaking.

I swear there has been not one day so far where I did NOT think of Canada. I keep saying "oh I must go back there and visit you and all the other people" and then somehow nothing happens... and I really don't know why. You might know that. You want to do things and nothing happens.. Either there’s no Time or no money or a new Job.. etc. Just miserable excuses! 

 

Life has been good to me. After my year in Canada I started schooling for physiotherapy in October 2010. I became a physiotherapist and worked in several spots. Mainly training and treating with disabled adults. I did a lot of extra schooling and workshops to improve my knowledge. Since November 2018 I'm also a teacher for physiotherapy at a school near Nuremberg. I love my job. Working in front of a class and all the young students is quite challenging but so much fun.

Last year I decided to study while working. So three times a week – after work – I go to University and learn lots of interesting things. The study is called Health Psychology and Education (7 Semester). I’m half way through now and to be honest it’s really exhausting. To manage the work, the University and of course my private Life as well is really hard. But well, I wanted it that way J and there’s just (or still) 1,5 year to go.

 

Shaun and I broke up (of course we did. There wasn’t really a realistic chance staying together. The distance was just too far) 

But I met a wonderful man called Stefan. He is such a humble and loveable guy. We’ve been together for 8 years now. I moved to his house, well but it’s not really far from where I grew up. So I’m still pretty close to my mum and friends. We have a beautiful funny cat and a small garden and we enjoy our Life. 

 

This summer we did a trip to Iceland. Such a stunning and impressive country. Hard to describe or tell, just amazing. 

 

I’m wondering what happened to that wooden cabin up the hill Loren and I worked at? Are you using it? For yourself or for woofers?

 

Happy holidays and merry Christmas to you! 

Love, Anne

Romy and Stephanie, Zittau, Germany--------------------------Nov 12-28, 2009

Romy and Stephanie arrived mid November, at a time when we don't usually take willing workers. However, Loren and I had been busy working on the woodlot and chores were really falling behind at home. Romy and Stephanie finished up taking in the garden, and cleaned the lodge from top to bottom. With us being away most days, we were not great on giving a lot of direction. Despite this, they managed to keep busy. In the evenings both learned to play the accordion. They played the piano by reading music, so they were naturals on the accordion. While Romy and Stephanie were here, they accompanied me to a belly dance lesson, an evening concert, the Womens'Centre Soirée (where there was a belly dance performance and great snacks), the annual Christmas Craft Fair and out to the woodlot to see what Loren and I had been doing. They also took the Medi Bus to Radium for a day at the hot springs. At the end of November they left first for Banff, and then on to Canmore, where they are living and working. Romy and Stephanie were great help at a time when it was really needed.