May 23 to 31, in Drummond, Quebec

On Friday I helped Gilles installed his lights on the trees (My help consist of fetching tools and cleaning up). I also discovered a ripped on the roof material of the office slide and also that it wasn't closing properly...Another G..........N problem to fix. I don't know how it happened other than we did close the slide this past week so that I could dig for the lines and then we opened it again. There is no tree branches touching the slide!??

Saturday, we went to Montreal(Vaudrueil-Dorion actually, east of Montreal) as it is Johnny's birthday. We met his girlfriend for the first time, had a few drinks and got acquainted then we went to the restaurant where we met their friends, Claudine and Alain, at the restaurant. It was an old barn turned into a resto-pub, as they call them here. A bit expensive but we had fun. We then went to Claudine's place and partied till one a.m. Definitely not used to that. Almost fell asleep a couple times. Alain had a set of drums in the basement and he played a few tunes along with very loud Rock & Roll. Johnny also tried them out and then Val had a turn at it. She was pretty good too!

We got up Sunday morning around 9 a.m. and had breakfast then we left around noon. Arrived back in Drummond'Ville and relaxed. Gilles has all the lights installed in the trees around the yard. It will be interesting to see how it looks. He left for his job around 7 p.m.

Monday, the 26th, we went to town and got some groceries, had lunch then came home. Rest of the day was reading and preparing for dinner. It was cloudy most of the day

Tuesday was a write-off! It rained all day and it was cold. Actually, we had a thunder storm come through overnight. It was quite loud too. Val did her exercise with Lise in the house.(Lise also has an exercise tape)

We got up Wednesday to a beautiful sunshine. It was cold in the morning (approx.4*C) but soon warmed up to a cozy 18*C (almost 70*F). I buried a line that we had laid out on Sunday, so that we can have internet hook-up in the trailer!

Thursday started grey and cold but the sun did come out for a while in the afternoon. Val went shopping with Lise and I took Tucker out for a long walk. Afterwards, I cooked shepherd pie for dinner.

Friday was a sunny and warm day, finally! Gilles is home so I helped him hook-up the rest of the lights in the trees and I hooked up the connections to the internet wires. WE NOW HAVE INTERNET FULL-TIME!!! WOW!!! (smile)
Fran at Fleetwood called regarding the replacement of our microwave and after dinner, we had a nice campfire and watched the fruit of our labour by turning all the colourful lights in the trees. We even went for a walk so we could see what it would look like from the street. Pretty cool!

Saturday the 31st, began wet and miserable again. We went into town then to Gaetan and Diane where we met Therese and Michel. It's Therese's 60th Birthday so the whole gang went out for dinner at a Thai restaurant where the food was really good then came back to Gaetan's place for a party. My sister Christiane and my brothers Andre, Pierre and Gilles also came along. Along with their partners, there were 16 of us. We had lots of laughs needless to say and got home and to bed around 1:30 a.m.
Definitely not used to these late nights and parties.

May 15 to 22, 2008, in Drummond'ville

On Thursday, I took Val to the clinic as she had a really bad itch on her arm and upper shoulder.  It was similar to what I had a year ago.  She got an ointment and it seemed to help.  I spent the week-end helping my brother building a small fountain in the front yard (SEE PICTURES) and we had campfires in the evening. 

On Saturday I went golfing with my brother Gaetan and a couple of his friends.  Didn't do all that well but it was fun and we had a good time.  While I was gone, Gilles moved the rig's converter so now I don't have to listen to that horrible humming in the evening while sitting in the living room.  What a relief!!!!  My baby brother, Johnny, also came out for the week-end.  He spent the nights in our rig and said that the couch was comfortable which surprised us as the mattress is pretty thin and doesn't look very comfortable.

Gilles laid out electrical wires between trees for his spotlights ( he's a fanatic about lights) and it will be my job this coming week to bury them. 

We had a pot roast on Monday which was delicious and Johnny left for his home and Gilles left for his job.

 

Vaillancourt RV called on Tuesday.  Fleetwood wants pictures of the axles!?  I can't believe the amount of bureaucracy one has to jump through to get warranty work done with this company (Fleetwood).  It's now been over two weeks since we first reported this problem.  Sure glad I am here and not paying a fortune on camping fees.  I think I would have been a lot more forceful in getting the repairs done.

Tuesday, I buried the electrical lines and filled one tank of propane at Canadian Tire store....$24. for a 30 pound tank.  Not bad considering.

We had two days of sunshine the whole week and the rest was cold and rainy.  I'll be glad when the warm weather gets here!!!

 

May 9 to 15, 2008

MAY  9,  Friday, chores in Drummond'Ville

 

A sunny day but very cool.  Gilles had his new arch entrance delivered so we spent time to set it up properly.  My brother Peter arrived from Montreal and helped us bury the sewer pipe to the rig.  The girls (Val and Lise) stained the arch then we had a campfire after dinner. 

 

 

MAY  10,  Saturday

 

Went shopping for some new pants as I am down to only one pair of jeans and they are ready to walk on their own.  Afterwards, we went to my brother Gaetan and his wife Diane and had a very nice visit and a wonderful dinner.  Pot roast cooked like my mom used to.

 

 

MAY  11,  Sunday, MOTHER'S DAY

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!  Another sunny but cool day.  Lise'son and his wife Linda came over and so did my sister Therese and her husband Michel.  We had a wonderful visit and then BBQ'ed some hot dogs and buns and the girls made salad and French fries.  It was delicious.  After dinner, my other sister, Christiane, came over for a short visit.

 

 

MAY  12,  Monday,

 

Went to town and got some parts I need for some repairs.  Installed a new antenna hook-up for the FM radio.  It's now hooked to the TV antenna.  Also fix the seal on the toilet as the water wouldn't stay in.  Changed the in-line filter for the drinking water by the sink and then relaxed.

Val is doing her exercise now in the morning and has Lise joining her.  She was also busy doing laundry.  It was sunny and colder today.  The wind is also blowing a bit

 

 

MAY  13,  Tuesday,

 

Vaillancourt RV shop called  They wanted the serial number of the axles.  Still no date firmed up to get the suspension fix.

I fixed the toilet paper holder on the door;

installed the pictures on the walls and moved our lizard to another area

installed and caulked two new air vents for the sewer tank and the kitchen grey tank on the roof

watered the new lawn ( a daily chore)

 

Val made Pazoly (thanks to Kim recipe) and we had Lise and my nephew Anthony over for dinner.  A success it was!

It was sunny again and much warmer.

 

 

MAY  14,  Wednesday, more chores

 

Much warmer today.  Actually reached 26*C (76*F)  More chores today:

Installed gutter extensions on the four corner of the rig

washed the left side of the rig

checked and downloaded our e-mail and did some banking

Made a couple of calls dealing with business back at home

May 4 to 8, 2008 In Drummond'ville

MAY   4,  Sunday

 

Raining again or should I say still.  After a late start, we left around 2 p.m. for Andre's place in Chambly, near Montreal, for dinner.  Andre lives in a very nice condo and we got to meet his new girlfriend, Claudette.  This is the third Claudette he goes out with...beginning to feel he has a fetish for that name!!! (SMILE)  Michel and Therese also came over. 

We had a very nice dinner and a good time as usual.  We left around 10 p.m. and got home at 11 p.m..  Tucker had to stay home so he was happy to see us

 

 

MAY   5,  Monday

 

A sunny day and warmer than it's been.  I helped Gilles around the yard today doing some spring clean-up.  Afterwards, we went into town and exchange the coffee pot that we had bought in Ontario as it just didn't keep the coffee hot enough.  Val also bought a couple of lingerie items and then we came home.  Lise cooked spaghetti for dinner and invited us.  Gilles left for his job in Lac St-Jean, approx 3 hours from here.  He also took his son along.  Called the kids but only got the answering machine again

 

 

MAY   6,  Tuesday

 

Cloudy this morning but there are a few patches of blue.  I went to the garage and had the batteries and alternator checked.  All is OK and they figure that it was a dirty connection again.  I guess I'll have to check that more closely. 

We went for groceries in the afternoon.  I checked the internet, downloaded e-mail, checked my bank.

 

 

MAY   7,  Wednesday

 

Another sunny day.  I cut some branches above the rig and dug a trench for the wiring and hose coming to the rig.  I did more e-mail and banking then we went to town to fill one of the propane tank.  I was in bed by 10 p.m. tonight.  Val called Fleetwood about the microwave which is acting up again

 

 

MAY   8,  Thursday

 

It rained overnight and most of the day was windy and cloudy but a few sunny period.  I washed the truck and the roof, front and back of the trailer.  I will do the sides later.  We had Lise over for dinner tonight, Val cooked a stirfry, my favourite.  Gilles and Anthony should be home by 8 tonight.

May 1 to 3, 2008 Montreal to Drummond'ville & home.

MAY   1,  Wednesday, move to St-Bruno

 

We got up at 7 a.m. reluctantly.  It is cold in the Unit.  It went down to -3*C (27*F) overnight...BRRRRRRR!!  Got the furnace going, made coffee on the stove and at 8 a.m., I went to Wal-Mart to get our breakfast @ McDonald.  Pierre showed up at 10 a.m. and we left for St-Mathieu de Beloeil on TC (trans Canada) 20.  Pierre brought his own GPS to help not realizing I had one too.  That's cool.  We arrived at our destination about 20 minutes later and paid a exorbitant $38. for one night.  As we drove in the driveway, we saw a dealership next door that sold Quantums so we set up, left Val to take her shower and went to the dealer.  I now have an appointment for June 16 to get all the stuff done, hopefully.  They were quite pleasant but the only drawback is they want $100. to open an account as we did not buy our rig there.  OUTRAGEOUS!  Welcome to Quebec, people!!!!  I will call Fleetwood as I don't plan on paying that.

We went back to the rig, picked up Val and Tucker and went to Therese's house, after having brunch and dropping Pierre back at Wal-Mart.

We had an excellent visit and Michel came home early, a bonus.  Even had time to get Tucker a haircut and grooming at a place near-by where they had a cancellation.

It was cool all day and never went any higher than 10*C (50*F).  Therese made a very nice dinner and afterwards, my baby brother, Johnny, showed up.  Came home around 11 p.m.

Tomorrow, we move to Drummond'Ville.  By the way, fuel is around $1.40 a litre here.

 

 

MAY   2, Friday

 

Cloudy in the morning but it opened up quickly and it was sunny for the rest of the day.  Also warmed up nicely to 12*C (54*F).  So after packing, we went to ST-CYR RV and had our rig checked.  We have an appointment for June 16 to get the repair done.  Fran at Fleetwood finally returned my call and she is looking into the $100 charge.  She agrees that this is totally uncalled for.  They took pictures of everything and then we left.

 

We stopped for fuel on TC 20, again very expensive: 50 litres @ $1.38.  Our next stop was Drummond'ville at St-Hubert BBQ restaurant where we had brunch and Diane, my brother Gaetan's wife, joined us.  He couldn't as he works in St-Hyacinthe, approx 25 miles from here.  We had a nice reunion then we headed to my brother Gilles, where we backed into the yard between two trees.  Set up with full hook-up.  Home for the next 6 months.

I helped him cleaned the yard and put his portable winter garage away.

 

 

MAY   3,  Saturday

 

Raining this morning and the forecast is for rain on and off all day.  Looking at this blog, I think I will now change to a weekly re-cap rather than daily news as things will probably get monotonous and repetitive.  Will see.  Helped Gilles take a load of branches and leaves to the dump.  Afterwards, we re-arranged the electrical set up and the sewer so that it is more permanent and not intrusive.

Val cooked a lasagna for everyone for dinner then we watched Montreal vs Philadelphia (hockey)  It rained pretty well the whole day and it is quite cool too.