By Ursula Maxwell-Lewis

Remember those model railway sets Santa used to deliver every Christmas? Well, those little boys grew up, retired, and went back to playing with trains in St. Jacobs, Ontario.

St. Jacobs & Aberfoyle Model Railway co-founder Frank Dubery’s grandson, Mike Craig, proudly oversees 2,400 feet of O gage track winding its way through a thriving (handcrafted) model community. A freight train snakes through a tunnel, a passenger train arrives from behind perfectly proportioned commercial buildings, the show hall dims, and 400 miniature lights twinkle in buildings. Tiny passengers glide serenely by in lighted carriages.

From the control office above the sprawling country scene, Mike carefully negotiates the intricacies of this family work of working art.

When visiting St. Jacobs, make sure you put this railway on your itinerary. Find detailed information online at http://www.stjacobsmodelrailway.com

On a larger rail scale, Britain’s National Railway Museum celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Like the model railway in Ontario, the British museum reminded me that few modern-day children have experienced the thrill of riding the rails.

Digging into the National Rail Museum site I find that it’s the largest UK rail museum, houses ‘300 years of history and 1,000,000 objects that changed the world’. Next July a First World War 100 year commemorative anniversary exhibit will open at the NRM. Ambulance trains will be among the many highlights. I’m guessing those alone will be worth visiting.

Something I am familiar with is the locomotive legend, the Flying Scotsman. Having undergone a £4m restoration project, the famous steam engine is scheduled to make its inaugural run from London Kings Cross to York next February. You can follow the final pictorial details at www.nrm.org.uk/flyingscotsman

As a child travelling between Scotland and England I was one of the league of ‘train spotters’ glued to British Rail carriage windows clutching booklets containing pictures of the most famous trains and lists of numbers of all the trains in the systems.

Steaming into ancient Victorian stone stations we’d note train numbers in a notebook, before entertaining ourselves by crossing them off in official Train Spotter books purchased from WH Smith’s for about a shilling and sixpence (25 cents these days?). The Flying Scotsman featured prominently in the books. Being lucky enough to spot it generated general jubilation. What an easy way to keep kids entertained and making friends on a long dusty journey. Of course, nowadays trains could be tracked electronically thereby eliminating the need to converse with anyone, or even glance out of the window.

London’s King’s Cross opened in 1852. It’s been upgraded, of course, but whenever I’m there I feel as though I’m on the verge of a great adventure…or a missed train.

Saltcoats Central, the Scottish North Ayrshire station we often departed from when I was a child, was opened in 1840 and actually was moved twice – once in 1858 and again1882. It’s a grey, stolid sort of station. Beauty isn’t one of its attributes, but my memories surrounding it linger on.

I’ve traversed Canada from Montreal to Vancouver on VIA Rail (the CPR route) for the princely sum of $99 one-way, rattled around assorted destinations throughout Europe, and chugged through South Africa from Johannesburg to Durban or Cape Town more than once.

Last summer my two-year-old Albertan granddaughter excitedly waved to trains rolling through White Rock. She’d be much more excited to actually climb onboard. For now, though, the Bear Creek Park Train, or the Fraser Valley Heritage Rail Interurban will have to suffice.

As I write this a distant train whistle blasts through the night. I think of train dining cars complete with silver service, white-jacketed stewards, kippers and scrambled eggs, businessmen hidden behind The Times, or Telegraph, and English countryside zipping by. Doubtless that costs a bonny penny these days, but I think dining on rolling stock takes the cake. The same goes for coffee and croissants at high speed on France’s TGV, or snacks on Swiss Rail twisting hither and yon around Alps and through mountain tunnels. No wonder Agatha Christie planted her famous sleuth, Poirot, onboard the Orient Express. I wonder if the Amtrak Cascades service to Seattle would offer the same allure. Perhaps we’ll meet onboard and find out.

– Ursula Maxwell-Lewis is a retired editor and photographer

Duct Cleaning

Q: We are in the process of adding two new rooms to the back of our home this summer. This will be completed by fall and now I am wondering if I should get the furnace ducts cleaned in our home when we have finished the renovation. A friend has indicated that cleaning the ducts may cause more harm than good and that the furnace filter will take care of any excess dust. What is your advice regarding this?

A: Any renovation in your home will most definitely cause dust and other air born particles to circulate throughout the house and enter into the heating ducts. Yes, I would absolutely get the ducts cleaned after your renovation is complete and I would also suggest having the furnace serviced at the same time. The process of cleaning ducts will not cause any harm to the furnace ducting or to the operation of the furnace.

Furnace Maintenance

Q: I have been advised that it is a good idea to have our furnace checked ahead of the heating season. I am not sure I want to spend the money now not knowing whether the furnace requires any pre heating season maintenance.

A: My advice is to do it now. Once the cooler weather sets in or in case of a cold snap heating contractors are inundated with calls from homeowners eager to get their heating systems checked. I always like to remind homeowners to beat the winter rush by arranging a visit from a heating contractor before cold weather sets in and you turn on your furnace only to find that it is not working. Then you may experience a long wait to have it repaired or possibly replaced.

There are many components to a heating system that should not be neglected and require a regular inspection which will check the heat exchanger, ignition system, fan, motor, bearings, belts, pumps, controls, exhaust, burners, pilot light, thermostat, venting system and filters. Potential problem areas can be identified and necessary tune-ups made. Attending to these items will ensure that your furnace not only runs safely but will also maximize the life of the system.

So please do not wait until you have to sit shivering in blankets waiting for a furnace repairman. Get it looked at now.

QUEBEC CITY: I’m being laced into layered petticoats, a voluminous forest green 17th century brocade skirt, and a fitted jacket with elegant duchess sleeves. Luce, a talented costume designer, wrestles with yards of laces behind me. “Lean over. We’re aiming for voluptuous,” she instructs. Finally, we settle for “that’ll do”. A rose choker, matching reticule (bag), red leather shoes, and a jaunty grey feather (almost nailed to my scalp) complete my ensemble.

I’m to attend the 19th annual Fêtes de la Nouvelle-France (New France Festival) Lords and Ladies Ball at the Salle des Promotions at the Séminaire de Québec.

It’s early evening, an acceptably genteel time for nobility to appear in public. Our transportation, six horse-drawn carriages, is at the Chateau Laurier entrance.

Elegant and stately, our sun-drenched cavalcade winds leisurely between Lower Quebec City’s famous historic stone buildings.

Twenty-first century sidewalk traffic is clearly caught off-guard as we pass through Old Quebec City’s stone fortifications. People smile, wave, snap pictures. Children’s expressions are a delight. Doing our best to remain in character we smile, bow, nod and wave.

I rather envy bystanders admiring the full impact of our colourful and impromptu parade.

Upon arrival at the Ball, I’m surprised and delighted to find that 80 American ‘Outlandish Gatherings’ clan members – fans of author Diana Gabaldon’s ‘Outlander’ series- are also among the guests. Gabaldon has been a keynote speaker and workshop presenter at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference for over 15 years. I’m impressed with their fabulous clothes, enthusiasm, and knowledge of Outlander trivia. They’re impressed to know I’ve met their favourite author.

“Why Quebec City for your gathering?“ I ask.

“It was closer than France, plus we like the low Canadian dollar,” they tell me.

Claire and Jaimie, key Outlander characters, are crossing the channel in book nine, hence the added appeal.

During the evening King Louis commands us to dance, eat, drink, and make merry. Being loyal subjects we cheerfully oblige.

As midnight approaches a bus – mundane transportation compared to our elegant Calèches du Vieux-Québec arrival – returns us to our hotel.

Back at the Chateau Laurier a fellow time-traveller and I realise ladies’ maids weren’t supplied with our rented gowns. Unlacing our intricate 16th century clothing takes time and patience. Room service takes on a new meaning. Oh, where IS Anna from Downton Abbey when I need her?

The next day, Stephan Parent, New France Festival Celebration General Manager, tells me that plans are afoot to reenact the original trans-Atlantic voyage for the August 2016 event. Passengers will be direct descendants of original settlers. How, and when, they will be selected has not yet been announced. By the sound of it, it will definitely be an event you won’t want to miss – or perhaps apply for if your ancestors were among those settlers.

On the Saturday I don my finery (with assistance). Despite record temperatures, I confidently sally forth. Clearly the costume rental business is booming. Bowing and curtseying to my fellow ‘villagers’, I wend my way along streets flanked by grey stone buildings worthy of their UNESCO status.

Established in 1608 at the St. Lawrence River estuary, Quebec City is divided into equally historic Upper and Lower towns. Armed with a Quebec City and Area Passport for free museum admissions, an orange Le Bus Rouge bracelet for occasional transportation, plus a couple of funiculaire passes (an easy rock-face glide up to the Chateau Frontenac in Old Town) I’m focussed on the Old Port. Flashing my $12 collectable sailing galleon medallion, I choose a complimentary raspberry crème glacée and admire the wide assortment of food, lace-making, craft demos, children’s art activities and duelling demonstrations.

At the end of the pier I discover Quebec Family History Society genealogists. The society web address is www.qfhs.ca if your family roots are French.

Visitors from Poland, the Middle East, Ireland, the US, and Germany stop me to ask about my costume as I make my way through the city. We laugh and we share photo ops. I’m going miss being a celebrity. Perhaps I should keep the costume…

If you go: 2016 New France Festival information can be found on the web at www.quebecregion.com.

Ursula Maxwell-Lewis is a British Columbia writer and photographer. She can be contacted at utravel@shaw.ca

Article & photos by Lenora A.Hayman.

The annual Harmony Arts Festival July31-Aug.9, 2015 at Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver, celebrated 25 years of summer fun with visual arts and crafts, musical performances and culinary experiences.

In the Art Market, Xwa lack tun (Rick Harry) from Squamish had carved a beautiful door in yellow and red cedar and abalone, paying homage to the eagle, salmon, mountain and canoe, survivors of the great flood. Also at Ambleside Park is his steel sculpture, Spirit of the Mountain, conveying the positive relationship between the Squamish First Nation and new arrivals to West Vancouver. Xwa lack tun has received the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal and the FANS Distinguished Artist Award.

Aaron Nelson-Moody Tawx’sin Yexwulla “Splashing Eagle”, known as “Splash” from Capilano Village was carving a head in marble. He also carved the entrance door for the Canada House Pavilion in Torino, Italy.

I loved Deanna Smith’s Socksmith sock monkeys, dogs, pandas, cats, and bunnies created out of new, flamboyant socks. Adults were buying them for themselves and not just for the grandchildren.

Rommy Verlaan, the Lakota flute maker, www.heartsongflutes.ca demonstrated the different lilting sounds produced from both hard and soft wood Heart Song Native Love Flutes.

Architect Majid Sheikh Akbari incorporated themes of spirituality and environment in his beautiful sculptures created from reclaimed wood.

Bill Jamieson and Michael Anthony of Anthony Jamieson Designs, showed a doorway and shower wall with fish designs, cast in architectural glass.

Peg Steley from Jewels with Attitude was promoting a fabulous travel dress, weighing only 4.2 oz. which doesn’t absorb odour, can be hand-washed and air dried in 2 hours, needs no ironing and packed into a 7” x 7” pouch!

There were concerts in John Lawson Park and Garden Concerts in Millennium Park, ranging from The Fab Forever Beatles Tribute, Dal Richards’ Orchestra, The Paperboys and Bobby Bruce’s Nearly Neil.

While eating a Haida Wild Halibut meal battered with 33 Acres beer from the pop-up Dirty Apron Restaurant in the Park Royal Beachside Patio, I sat down in Marie Khouri’s Art Installation “You and I”, a glamorous, white, contemporary, outdoor seating arrangement, made from expanded polystyrene, resin and fibreglass.

I always look forward to the Wednesday evening Best of the West, 12 wineries, 12 restaurant food grazing on Ambleside Pier. Guests voted the PARC Retirement Living 1st place for their favorite gourmet taste of vegan wild mushroom tart with smoked chipotle and Kraus farm blackberry reduction. I liked the pairing of the 2012 Stag’s Hollow red tempranillo with the flavours of blackberry, cherry fruit and pomegranate.

In 2nd place, the sweet honeyed stone fruit and citrus of the 2012 Stoneboat Vineyards Verglas partnered well with the Thomas Haas Chocolates and Patisserie oven roasted Okanagan apricot brulée, toasted almond ice cream and lemon thyme shortbread.

Feast Dining received 3rd place for a delicious bbq lamb rack with smoked cherry succotash and vanilla ham hock vinaigrette and the 2011 Poplar Grove Merlot, deep maroon in colour with a bouquet of plum, dates and black cherry.

The PARC Retirement Living owns 4 independent living residences, Cedar Springs PARC, Nth Vancouver, Summerhill PARC, Nth Vancouver, Mulberry PARC, Burnaby and Westerleigh PARC, West Vancouver. They sponsored the Garden Stage and invited me to join the residents there at the White Tea Party on Thursday afternoon. We all dressed in white and were seated at tables set with white linen tablecloths and fresh flowers. We noshed on cucumber sandwiches, salmon pinwheels, ham croissants, scones filled with cream and raspberry jam and blueberry and strawberry tarts. While enjoying David’s speciality teas and sipping a glass of wine a gentleman”90 years young”, in white jacket and white shorts, was swing dancing, to the music of the Slipped Disc Jazz Band. All ages had fun!

By Rick Millikan

“Welcome to Costa Rica!” our guide Miguel grins. “The name of our port and province is Punta Arenas, which means point of sand. On today’s excursion, we’ll leave this peninsula’s great beaches behind and investigate Punta Arena’s spectacular nature.”

Travelling southward, our bus passes through mixed deciduous forests covering the coastal mountains. Pointing out two small wood mills, Miguel lists his country’s familiar and unfamiliar hardwoods: mahogany, teak, Spanish cedar, cocobolo, cedro macho and sura.

Back toward the coast, forests soon disappear. “Farmers cleared many of Costa Rica’s forests during the 60’s,” Miguel explains. “Trees are more valued now and today, farmers are compensated for leaving trees.”

A few Brahma cattle, goats and horses graze in numerous pastures surrounded by ‘living fences.’ “These thick green barriers result from planting branches as posts. They take root and grow into green hedges fences,” he explains. “These farmers cultivate many interesting crops,” he remarks, passing around samples of local plants. We examine the ear tree’s lobed pods, red cashew fruit, two-foot beans, noni and calabash gourds for making maracas.

Descending back to the lowlands, our bus proceeds along a lengthy sandy shore and into a fenced park-like setting. Hopping off the bus, our group boards a canopied float-boat. Beside the dock, a night crane ignores us as it slowly wades, focused on catching a meal.

Our exploration of this coastal estuary begins by chugging alongside spidery-rooted mangroves lining the channel. “These mangroves protect the land and provide shelter for animals,” the captain says, “Like that alligator on the muddy bank.” Shipmates snap photos. A few grumble about its small size.  Recalling news items reporting large alligators attacking people, we prefer these medium sized reptiles.

He then points out several green iguanas. “A delicacy, locals love to eat these now endangered reptiles. Hunting these ‘chicken of the trees’ is forbidden,” he smiles. “Hungry? Nowadays, farmers are allowed to raise them for food!”

Wildlife abounds along the waterway. Howler monkeys yowl at our approach.  In the thick foliage of lofty trees, we sight them ripping off leaves to eat. Macaws squawk shrilly in a grove of hardwood trees. Flashing red, white, yellow and blue feathers, one pair of Scarlet Macaws cavorts among the high branches.  One straddles a branch upside down. These big colorful birds mate for life, living up to fifty years in the wild. Coastal palm trees offer them rich nut diets.

Returning dockside, we spot large brown termite nests clustered in several trees.  These provide meals for anteaters.  Nearby, a basilisk lizard perches on an irrigation pipe.  Also known as Jesus Christ lizards, they famously walk on water.

As the jungle safari ends, our hosts invite us to enjoy slices of cold melon, pineapple and icy Imperial beer. Under shady palapas, we rehydrate and relax. Costa Ricans are noted for their hospitality.

Heading next to a small train station, we board an old passenger train.  The engine chugs up through the mountainous countryside passing small ranches, melon farms, mango orchards and villages.  This pleasant journey reveals another perspective of Costa Rica.

“Costa Rica’s mountainous terrain once presented a transportation nightmare,” Miguel notes. “Granting land to United Fruit Company to build rail lines for marketing Caribbean bananas, the government couldn’t find support for Pacific coast railroads…so ox carts carried our coffee and other products for decades. Eventually, trains like this and better roads enabled the agriculture seen today.”

Costa Rica proves full of life, offering diverse wildlife and a cornucopia of products.  Next time, we hope to explore one of Costa Rica’s national parks.  These parks encompass 25% of Costa Rican land preserving its rich natural environment.

Q. We live in a one level rancher and we would like to take care of a problem that occurs every year. Every winter the ceiling is separating from the wall and sets itself back into place in the summer. Is there something I can do to correct the problem before we install our new crown molding?

A. The seasonal opening and closing of the joint between the ceiling and the wall

is caused by roof truss movement or truss uplift. This is caused by inadequate roof cavity ventilation and air leakage. During the heating season, warm moist air is carried into the ceiling cavity causing expansion of the ceiling joists or bottom cord of truss system. To correct you must draft proof your ceiling cavity. For more information, contact Natural Resources Canada at 1-800-622-6232 and order their pamphlet dealing with Air Leakage Control. This pamphlet contains easy to follow instructions to correct your problem.

When you install your new moldings nail them to the ceiling, not the wall, as is typically done so they are free to move up and down with the ceiling. If the moldings are wide enough, it will cover the crack at the ceiling along the ceiling.

Q. We live in a doublewide manufactured home that has two whirly bird vents on the roof that were installed by the previous owner. The whirlybirds do not require much of a wind to start going but there cannot be much more than a foot or two between the roof and ceiling since it is a low pitch metal roof.  The fans make a lot of noise and in colder weather; we notice quite a substantial draft down the hallway. The bedrooms at the rear of the home are also quite chilly, also perhaps part of a draft problem we have.

With such a small space between the outer roof and the ceiling, would you think that the fans are of much benefit in summer or winter should we remove them?

A. My suggestion would be to cover the whirlybird units with a heavy-duty plastic bag for the fall and winter months. I seldom recommend whirlybird vents on a modular home because by and large, the ceiling is not draft proofed and can become drafty. A basic rule of thumb on a modular homes built to factory specs is that if extra venting is required, it would have been put there at the time it was built. Try covering the vents instead of removing them at this time since it will be less costly.

By Ursula Maxwell-Lewis

Quebec City: Are you fed up with the material world? Then Le Monastère des Augustines may be just the place for you. No television. Electronics parked at the front desk. A re-balancing of mind and body. And, on the doorstep – historic Old Quebec City. Intrigued? I certainly was. But, let’s begin at the beginning.

On August 1 1639 three French Augustinian nuns landed in Quebec City. Tasked by the Duchess of Alguillon to care for aboriginal people and the few settlers in the area, the sisters established the Hotel Dieu hospital. It was the first hospital north of Mexico.

As time passed,12 monastery-hospitals were established. Ultimately, this was the basis for what is now Quebec’s healthcare system.

The religious community, once cloistered behind massive stone walls, has now dwindled to 10. Time took it’s toll on both the religious order, and the historic old building. Ever-practical, the sisters faced the future with courage and good business sense.

How were they to save their historic home, yet continue to fulfill their community commitment to mental and physical wellness, plus the advancement of health sciences? A Trust was the answer.

On August 1 this year, exactly 375 years after the arrival of the first Augustinian sisters, a $40 million dollar redesign allowed Le Monastère des Augustines to reopen as a wellness hotel (and museum) while still continuing as a sanctuary and trust for the order.

Sun streamed into the simple, but comfortable, whitewashed rooms I visited. Prices range from $54 to $71 per night.

Reflexology, sleep therapy, yoga, and most programmes associated holistic spa healing and therapy are available, as well as organic foods and attention to good nutrition All a far cry from the 17th century medical instruments, and examples of life in a closed Roman Catholic order, displayed in the ground floor museum.

My guide tells me that all profits are re-invested into providing care for those in need, as well as their caregivers. The sisters have remained true to the origins of the order, yet moved with the times without compromising their principles.

The chapel is impressive. It’s ornate, as to be expected, but the alter behind a class drop-down door. In the part of the sanctuary open to me, I’m told the choir nuns sat in the lower pews, while the nursing sisters sat silently on the balcony. I try to picture the church congregation, as it would once have been.

Wandering down immaculate wide halls, I’m aware of the contemplative quiet of Le Monastère. I imagine the swish of black and white habits in the halls, no-nonsense black leather shoes on stone floors (now a warm wood). Perhaps the occasional bell summoning the sisters to prayers, or meals. To my surprise, I miss the smell of candle wax I always associate with convents.

Respecting the assorted faiths of visitors who will frequent the old building, religious signs are few, but the spartan immaculately kept spaces speak for themselves. Visitors are instinctively aware that this is still the home of the St. Ausgustines sisters, and is to be respected. I would like to have spent more time studying the museum artifacts and pictures – including the original charter signed by Louis XIII.

What would it be like to spend a week in such a sanctuary? Would I suffer withdrawal from my Twitter-Facebook-Instagram lifestyle? Would I feel refreshed? Renewed? Get a grip on life? I wonder.

If you go, let me know. Holistic cloistered basics might be precisely what the doctor ordered, and we are blessed with a Canadian dollar which encourages us to see more of Canada.

For more information go to www.augustines.ca or www.quebecregion.com

Ursula Maxwell-Lewis is a British Columbia writer and photographer. Contact her at utravel@shaw.ca

Article & photos by Lenora A.Hayman.

The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is not only a well-kept secret but it is free for us all to enjoy. If driving, there also is no charge for parking!

At the Lonsdale Quay Market take bus #228 or #229 to the Lynn Valley Centre. Change to bus #227 and ask the driver to drop you off at the Lynn Canyon Park’s main entrance. It is a 15min walk to the Lynn Canyon Café (604-984-9311) near the suspension bridge.

The café serves a variety of good food, from eggs benedict, beef dip, prawn and scallop sizzler, roast beef and turkey dinners and tuxedo truffle cheese cake! In the summer, the café is open until 5:00pm on weekdays and 7:00pm on the weekends. In the winter check for the days they are closed.

The Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, originally built in 1912, is 40 metres (130ft) long and just wide enough for 2 folk to pass each other. From the bridge 50 metres (167ft) above the canyon, there are fabulous views of the waterfalls and clear pools in the river below.

It was a hot day and the trees provided a welcome shade over the wooden board walk where families strolled before going over the rocky riverbed to several swimming holes. Take care jumping off the rocks into the pools.

At the end of the boardwalk is a flight of about 50 wooden stairs going up the hill to Rice Lake at the edge of the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park. This man-made lake was once the reservoir providing drinking water for North Vancouver. Today it is a wildlife refuge. Although I didn’t have time to walk around the lake, I saw herons, ducks and an eagle soaring above. A couple were sitting quietly on the float dock, fly fishing  for rainbow trout, stocked by the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery. Of course you need a BC freshwater fishing license.

Getting back to nature made a nice getaway from the noise of the city.

Q: I have a concrete patio in my back yard and have noticed that a pretty large crack has appeared over the last few years in the winter. I am hoping this is something I can attempt to repair myself. The crack is about two feet in length and ½” deep and ¼” wide. Can you recommend a product and method I can use to repair this?

A: First wash the area with a heavy duty cleaning formula and rinse well. The crack can be filled with a Foam Backer Rod available in 1/8, 1/4 – 3″ diameters. Cut to fit and set down into crack 1/8″ from the concrete surface.

Apply Weldbond or concrete adhesive over the foam backing rod.  Allow to cure for 1-2 hours. Then apply Polyurethane caulking (gray or concrete color) into the crack crevice.

Sprinkle dry sand over caulking and brush excess off using a paint brush. Allow to cure for 12 hours before using area.

Sealing Patio Stones

Q: This summer we are having our back yard redone. We are having a company install patio stones in a fairly large area. We would like to seal the new patio stones ourselves when it is completed.  What product and process do you recommend we use?

A: Before sealing, you must acid wash (muriatic acid) the surface to etch the cement to enhance penetration of the sealer. Add 1/3 acid to 2/3 water, not the other way around and  always wear safety glasses & gloves for this process.  Use an emulsified based concrete sealer for the initial application; 2 – 3 years down the road, an acrylic coating may be used.

Note: To apply sealers, it is best to use a low-pressure garden sprayer apparatus, or puddle on the surface and spread with a 10mm roller.  Do not do this  process on a bright, hot sunny day.

For more home-improvement information, contact Shell Busey’s HouseSmart Home Services. Go to www.AskShell.com.