Learning how

The front verandah was a hive of activity last week.   My Dad (who is an experienced fisherman) was prepping for a major, week long annual fishing expedition on the west coast of the island and in the process, taught the kids how to tie and prep gear for the trip.  Our two youngest kids spent a good amount of hours with their Grandpa doing all sorts of very fiddly work (sharpening hooks, removing barbs, checking lines for kinks and nicks (replacing lines affected), adjusting leader lengths and prepping lures, etc.  Those kids learned a lot of practical skills last week and soon will put them to the test on the water. 

One of the very big positives about this move is that we all have more time with family.  Our children have never lived in the same city as any of their Grandparents (let alone on the same property) so having active and interested elders in their lives is a HUGE benefit we are all very thankful for.   I expect there will be some challenges along the way but for now it's working out really well.  

My parents currently live on the property in a self contained coach/RV that's fully hooked up to all services.  They're used to living in their RV (when they travel south for the winter) so it's not a hardship but is a temporary arrangement (here) until their wee home is built.  Construction starts in a few weeks and by late October/early November my folks will be pulling up stops to escape our rainy winters (like usual) and head for sunnier skies down south.   Once they come home in the Spring, their little house will hopefully be ready (or nearly ready) to move into.   

Back to the fishing trip - Mom and Dad have been gone for 3 days and as of last night, the message received was that the salmon run had yet to be found.  All the local guides say it has been the worst fishing in decades so we're not sure that my parents will come home with any fish at all.   With 3 more days, time is running out but they aren't giving up just yet.  I'll keep you posted.