Issue 20 A WONDERFUL FIRST LONG WEEKEND

Diary published weekly since 2001

Happy Holiday weekend everyone. Canada is enjoying our first long weekend, but we are not alone in our celebrations – our holiday coincides with Memorial Day in the USA. It is also the launch of the camping season for many of us who have the privilege to live in the northern areas of our two countries. Sometimes as retired snowbirds we forget that this is the weekend that helps to erase the winter blues. When the day broke this morning, the sun was shining forecasting a perfect start to the weekend. But as is typical on many days the clouds moved in about noon and the temperatures have dropped. However our park along with most others is full - laughter and happy voices can be heard everywhere. Laughing
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WEEKS EVENTS.

What a great day we had yesterday. It began with lunch at Swiss Chalet with Dave, a long time dear friend from London and with Cris, the new love of his life, who lives in Quebec. This was a first visit to this wonderful city for Cris and we finally got to meet her. Welcome aboard Cris, hope you come back soon. John and I are so happy the two of you have joined up and we wish you all the best. Lunch was good too. Laughing

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Following lunch I had a MAMMOGRAM APPOINTMENT. From start to finish this was the most positive breast exam I’ve ever experienced. As most of you know we changed to a London doctor last summer - previously I was examined at a very caring but extremely busy, non-fancy imagining centre in Mississauga. Staff at my doctor’s office gave me a list of imaging centres in London – leaving it up to me as to whom to call. From my first contact on the phone, my experience was top notch. I was impressed that the nurse I talked to was able to pull up my records on the Ontario Breast Screening website. She knew who I was and where/when my last x-rays were taken – and my records will arrive this week. In Ontario this testing is so valued that one website covers province wide. My appointment was a week later. Laughing


The entire experience improved more when we walked in the door. This clinic was the first one to open 17 years ago. The waiting room was classy, posh and impressive – much like a 5-star hotel. (Because the parking meters were broken, we also enjoyed free parking – the nurse call the parking lot to be sure we would not get a ticket). When my name was called, I was guided by one of several nurses to a change cubicle & waiting room. In that smaller lounge, everyone wearing a different style of pink gown comfortably waited for her breast exam. I must say I have never had such a thorough breast exam in my life as I had from that nurse – not from my doctor - nor from me. Laughing


After another brief rest, next stop was the imaging room for a very professional (even gentle) set of x-rays. What added to the day is we women shared wonderful warm conversations while waiting our ‘turn’ – seemed like a social club. From the entrance to the reception to the waiting room to the décor, to the entire group of caring staff, it was absolutely my best experience ever of this dreaded exam – this place made it enjoyable. In two weeks a follow-up letter will explain results. There are 120 of these screening centres around Ontario – just for info for those in the London area, my clinic was at 339 Talbot St 1 519 432 0255. I know Cdn medical is not perfect, but a breast exam is available to anyone in Ontario simply for the asking – without seeing a doctor first. Laughing

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Most of the week I have been editing my RV TRAVEL TO CANADA E-BOOK so John willingly took care of the errands. Hope this e-book will be ‘live’ and posted on my site and to others too later this week. Laughing

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At this point GOLDEN POND RV PARK is doing a great job of cutting and trimming our grass. In most Cdn parks, seasonals cut their own site, however frequently the park has a few lawn mowers available for use – this park doesn’t offer this service. John also prefers to cut the grass his way, on his time. Sooooo we are on the search for a small cheap used electric lawn mower. Anyone in the area know of one please let us know.

Our site finally looks very comfortable since we added grommets to the ground cover we bought in Florida and set up the patio to look like we live here. Laughing

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Saturday is LANDS END FLEA MARKET DAY in London and we needed a few things besides a lawn mower, so if this Diary arrives late today that is the reason. Plus it was fun to spend a few hours in one of my favourite places. I love perusing the new and old ‘junk or treasures’ that these places attract. We didn’t buy much ‘stuff’ but we did restock the fresh fruits and veggies – even if we didn’t need all of what we bought. Everything looks so inviting that it is difficult to pass by. Of course we couldn’t leave without tonight’s dinner of ever so tasty cabbage rolls. Laughing

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FOLLOW-UP TO TREE LEAVES BLOCKING OUR EXPRESS VU

When I complained last week we lost our Exp vu, friends Wilma and Roy from Alberta told us they had a similar situation and an extra LNB from 3iCommunications, my Satellite Dish Supplier, could be added to the INTERNET SATTLEITE DISH. Of course we can always move the Dish out of the way of trees. Since we really do not want to change sites, we have also ordered an LNB. It should be here early this week– I’ll keep you posted as to how it is working. Both Exp Vu and Star Choice LNB’s can be added Laughing


Again I relay that Todd (sales manager and chief tech) and Armand (owner) bend over backwards to accommodate the tech wishes of their customers – no time limit is in force for tech support issues. Fantastic service for a low price from $69.00 per month – Dish is only $1495.00. Of course an automatic high-end roof mount Internet Dish is also available – for a bit higher cost. Now that I log onto Satellite G16, setup is a dream. 3i Communications have changed their name to ‘TECH MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AND WIRELESS’ – full story at www.rvliving.net/EarlyObserationsDirecWay.htm Laughing

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FINAL THOGHTS FOR THIS WEEK.

As I look out the window, I see a dozen families beside us camped together in their pop-ups and trailers – it reassures us the sociable camping lifestyle is alive and well. In the tenting section there are numerous more groups having fun just by being together. Hope this will be a great beginning to the summer for you too. The name of the game is to simply “Have Fun!!!” Travel safe P&J Cool Cool Cool


RV PROMOS/NEWS

Good Sam reported that KEYSTONE RV is recalling 150 model-year 2007 MONTANA fifth-wheel trailers. The tail-light sockets may not maintain contact with the bulb so … www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?ID=1244863&Newswire=1&StartRow=1
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I’m still adding regular entries to the RVING CANADA BLOG for www.rvtravel.com Its fun to find neat interesting things to see in this great country we call home. Stop by.
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RVEDUCATION 101has added even more depth to their comprehensive website of books, ebooks, and informative articles. In Mark’s new Blog he shares many short tips http://rvingwithmarkpolk.blogspot.com (with links to the full article on his RV University site). In the news this week there have been a half dozen RV Fires throughout USA /Canada – Mark’s latest Blog explains all about Fire prevention. Check it out.
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Last week I mentioned we are new members of COAST TO COAST (C2C) AND RESORTS PARK INTERNATIONAL (RPI) PLUS (the ‘Plus’ includes a complimentary membership to RPI’s 50% Discount Camping Club called ‘Enjoy America’). These are two of the most popular membership park systems offering deep overnight discounts – there are others! RVers buy into a membership park for a purchase price from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars – plus annual dues. Your packages could range from a ‘3-lifetime’ with usage to pass onto the kids, or a ‘one’ lifetime for your use only. To use the C2C and RPI you also pay a small annual fee to each club. BUT members only pay $8.00 per night ($10.00 Cdn) – stay up to a week, twice per year at each resort.

John and I bought into Shiloh RV Park, Monroe LA a year ago. Park price was low with first year dues at $69.00 – $99.00 in future years. However we can walk away from this plan at any time for a small fee. Send me an email for more details.


TIPS THIS WEEK are from RV PACKING TIPS E-BOOK www.rvliving.net/PackingTipsEbookSalepage.htm


Les Doll, Webhost of www.rverscorner.com recently shared this tip in his periodic informative newsletter!

EXTRA SHELF SPACE (from Trailer Life). We have a wardrobe and drawer on each side of our bed – but no nightstand space. Cut a piece of ½” pine shelving several inches wider than the top of the open drawer – lay it across. When the shelf is not required as a nightstand, simply stow it against the wall or at the bottom of the closet. It also works in the kitchen; living room or wherever more counter space is needed. Paint as needed.
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IDEAS AS TO WHERE TO HANG WET CLOTHES? (Also from RV Packing Tips)

1. Add a REMOVABLE CLOTHES BAR to your shower. This extends closet space plus clothes are easily removed when it is shower time. We did this for 8-years.
2. To air-dry clothes inside the RV, place a TENSION-SPRING-BAR across a doorway.
3. We have a washer/dryer on board, daytime we hang in the bedroom and at bedtime we move hangers of T’s and shirts to the FRAMES OF FRONT CUPBOARDS.
4. OR place a triangle FOLDING CLOTHES DRYER in the shower to dry wet bathing suits. Move it to the patio on a sunny day to dry towels, etc. We attached a similar unit to the rear of our coach with bungees when we are stationary.
5. Manufacture a CLOTHES RACKS FOR BACK LADDERS using 1" PVC pipe.