President Lydia has been calling members and checking in to see how they are doing while we are on this odd COVID-19 hiatus from Rotary meetings. For those who she has not yet been able to reach, expect a friendly phone call and she will, with your permission, share your news in the next bulletin.
Here is a bit of the news from the members Lydia was able to reach so far:
Lydia’s electronic message to Ron Fulton:
How are you doing? And in fact, where are you? In Vancouver, or Victoria, or even farther afield? I know you had some travel plans but wonder if they came about what with a world that changes almost hourly ... Anyway, please get in touch, I would love to talk with you, voice-to-voice, and find out what is happening with you and Judith.
Here is a bit of the news from the members Lydia was able to reach so far:
Lydia’s electronic message to Ron Fulton:
How are you doing? And in fact, where are you? In Vancouver, or Victoria, or even farther afield? I know you had some travel plans but wonder if they came about what with a world that changes almost hourly ... Anyway, please get in touch, I would love to talk with you, voice-to-voice, and find out what is happening with you and Judith.
Ron’s answer
Hello Lydia! On our cruise ship with no Covid and hoping to fly home to Vancouver tomorrow night! I will connect with you later this week. Hope you are well and safe.
Jean (and Peter)
They are hale and hearty and taking lots of long walks. They plan on opening their cabin at Anderson Lake on April 14th and are looking forward to that although it may be just a little bit chilly still. I apologised to her for not getting her induction done already – but who knew all this was going to happen?!
Madhu
Has just a little bit of cabin fever but is as cheerful as ever. Her husband, Dr. Ramesh, is working hard -- sometimes from home -- and that makes coffee breaks and lunches more interesting. She is amazed at how many people are walking the Riverside trails in Burnaby. It’s crowded! She reminisced with me about the wonderful black forest cakes she used to get when she was living and working in Germany. There’s nothing like memories of good chocolate to make you nostalgic ...
Leigh
Has had operations on both his eyes, which went well, though there was a little adjustment needed on the first one. He was driving when we spoke (hands free of course) so it was obviously a great success and he was full of good spirits. Filomena is fine, his family is well, and his granddaughter is a wonderful blessing.
Hans
Has been working hard in his capacity on the team running a senior’s home and apartment building for his chapter of the Masons. They have not been able to keep up the cancer patient drivers’ program because there is no safe way to keep social distance. At home, he and Carol are working in the garden and keeping up with family – who are all well. Carol is working on a big puzzle and they are enjoying their time together. He sounds as enthusiastic about life as ever.
Lawrie
Is exceptionally cheerful and is enjoyed all the sunny weather in March. He has basked on his daughters’ sundecks and checked out her glorious views. He is sleeping well, eating well and has lots of family company. He assures us that everyone is using a bit of physical distancing as prescribed. He says those of his family who works at UBC are very busy. They have used this time to accelerate the technology change that allows better communication with their colleagues on other continents bringing it on line, hopefully, a year ahead of schedule.
Joy
Was out and about -- with her ex-husband in the back seat -- when I called. She refers to him as “the former” for short. She is graciously taking him out and looking after him while he is unwell. Her voice was full of laughter when we spoke and she explained that they still have a good relationship. That is the true spirit of Rotary: “to do for others.” And a plus - she did not forget to ask for your February volunteer hours! Send them if you have not done so already.
Bill sent a full and interesting report when I asked him how things are
I'm on my boat in New Zealand. My daughter Jennifer and her husband Paul are here with me. They flew in a few days before the 14 day Isolation period started. They had intended to go sailing with me for a week then fly down to the South Island to see Milford Sound etc. We had to cancel that. Our Marina is now closed to outside vessels. And we can't go into another marina either.
We did get in two days of sailing and hope to again.
I have a car here and we are allowed walks and to drive but we can’t take a taxi or a bus. Almost every day we have walked another local beach or headland that honestly we may not have seen otherwise. It is a scenic coast.
They fly home on March 28. It’s the last flight out by Air Canada. The flight is full so they can’t be late! There are 9 people on stand-by.
I was planning to go to Auckland but most of the sights like major museums are closed. The Hop on hop off tour bus I suspect is not operating by now and Air B and Bs are difficult to book.
I had hoped to sail to Brisbane from here in early May via New Caledonia to make my flight out from Brisbane on June 21st. But that is not to be. Both ports are now closed. If you turn up you will be turned around and told to sail home or back to your last marina. They are threatening fines of $1,000 if they catch you landing illegally.
But I was assured today from an Air Canada employee that they will be flying again by June 21st. Hope so.
My crew are not here. Ken is stuck on a boat in French Polynesia he is contemplating sailing up to Hawaii and then on to Vancouver to get home. A big trip. I’m glad it’s not me!
Peter is stuck in London. His biggest complaint is the pubs are now closed. In England! That never happened even during the war!! What’s next?
I do read our bulletins and am aware that our club has suspended all meetings. That never happened before either. It was sweet of Yoonhi to offer to help if anyone was stuck. I replied to her to say well done and thank you.
To be honest it all seems A bit farfetched. However, my sunny, optimistic attitude is getting hard to keep up as things get steadily worse. I phone my wife often. Today I heard that our son Avery has moved back home for the time being. That will make our 2 bedroom apartment very crowded when I get back.
Hello Lydia! On our cruise ship with no Covid and hoping to fly home to Vancouver tomorrow night! I will connect with you later this week. Hope you are well and safe.
Jean (and Peter)
They are hale and hearty and taking lots of long walks. They plan on opening their cabin at Anderson Lake on April 14th and are looking forward to that although it may be just a little bit chilly still. I apologised to her for not getting her induction done already – but who knew all this was going to happen?!
Madhu
Has just a little bit of cabin fever but is as cheerful as ever. Her husband, Dr. Ramesh, is working hard -- sometimes from home -- and that makes coffee breaks and lunches more interesting. She is amazed at how many people are walking the Riverside trails in Burnaby. It’s crowded! She reminisced with me about the wonderful black forest cakes she used to get when she was living and working in Germany. There’s nothing like memories of good chocolate to make you nostalgic ...
Leigh
Has had operations on both his eyes, which went well, though there was a little adjustment needed on the first one. He was driving when we spoke (hands free of course) so it was obviously a great success and he was full of good spirits. Filomena is fine, his family is well, and his granddaughter is a wonderful blessing.
Hans
Has been working hard in his capacity on the team running a senior’s home and apartment building for his chapter of the Masons. They have not been able to keep up the cancer patient drivers’ program because there is no safe way to keep social distance. At home, he and Carol are working in the garden and keeping up with family – who are all well. Carol is working on a big puzzle and they are enjoying their time together. He sounds as enthusiastic about life as ever.
Lawrie
Is exceptionally cheerful and is enjoyed all the sunny weather in March. He has basked on his daughters’ sundecks and checked out her glorious views. He is sleeping well, eating well and has lots of family company. He assures us that everyone is using a bit of physical distancing as prescribed. He says those of his family who works at UBC are very busy. They have used this time to accelerate the technology change that allows better communication with their colleagues on other continents bringing it on line, hopefully, a year ahead of schedule.
Joy
Was out and about -- with her ex-husband in the back seat -- when I called. She refers to him as “the former” for short. She is graciously taking him out and looking after him while he is unwell. Her voice was full of laughter when we spoke and she explained that they still have a good relationship. That is the true spirit of Rotary: “to do for others.” And a plus - she did not forget to ask for your February volunteer hours! Send them if you have not done so already.
Bill sent a full and interesting report when I asked him how things are
I'm on my boat in New Zealand. My daughter Jennifer and her husband Paul are here with me. They flew in a few days before the 14 day Isolation period started. They had intended to go sailing with me for a week then fly down to the South Island to see Milford Sound etc. We had to cancel that. Our Marina is now closed to outside vessels. And we can't go into another marina either.
We did get in two days of sailing and hope to again.
I have a car here and we are allowed walks and to drive but we can’t take a taxi or a bus. Almost every day we have walked another local beach or headland that honestly we may not have seen otherwise. It is a scenic coast.
They fly home on March 28. It’s the last flight out by Air Canada. The flight is full so they can’t be late! There are 9 people on stand-by.
I was planning to go to Auckland but most of the sights like major museums are closed. The Hop on hop off tour bus I suspect is not operating by now and Air B and Bs are difficult to book.
I had hoped to sail to Brisbane from here in early May via New Caledonia to make my flight out from Brisbane on June 21st. But that is not to be. Both ports are now closed. If you turn up you will be turned around and told to sail home or back to your last marina. They are threatening fines of $1,000 if they catch you landing illegally.
But I was assured today from an Air Canada employee that they will be flying again by June 21st. Hope so.
My crew are not here. Ken is stuck on a boat in French Polynesia he is contemplating sailing up to Hawaii and then on to Vancouver to get home. A big trip. I’m glad it’s not me!
Peter is stuck in London. His biggest complaint is the pubs are now closed. In England! That never happened even during the war!! What’s next?
I do read our bulletins and am aware that our club has suspended all meetings. That never happened before either. It was sweet of Yoonhi to offer to help if anyone was stuck. I replied to her to say well done and thank you.
To be honest it all seems A bit farfetched. However, my sunny, optimistic attitude is getting hard to keep up as things get steadily worse. I phone my wife often. Today I heard that our son Avery has moved back home for the time being. That will make our 2 bedroom apartment very crowded when I get back.