1090 Meets 5040 2009

More photos of Rest Day and Prince George on Author - Wilkinson - Photos (see right margin)

Today has been a really busy but such an enjoyable day...
First thing this morning Eleanor and I (who is hosted around the corner from me) went into the wilderness - we are up near Price George which is miles north on Vancouver. we went into Bear Creak and after driving for some time we saw at the side of the road a black bear and her 2 babies - it was amazing, the bear looked really healthy with an amazingly shiny coat and they were just at the road side eating. The babies seemed to be sent into the woods pretty sharply by the mother but she seemed quite happy for us to be there watching her - from he safety of the vehicle of course. amazing creatures and the hosts said that the bear was probably only 3-4 years old due to her size which is quite a young age to have babies.
when I got back, my host John taught me how to ride a motorbike!! it was awesome and after a little while I got the hang of it and rode around the garden for 20 mins or so, I am by no means an expert but was very proud of myself - I am normally really quite wimpy when it comes to stuff like that.
Eleanor and I then carried on the nature spree and went fora bike ride. Luckily my hosts John and Leslie love the outdoors and have all sorts of equipment. we saw the surrounding neighbourhood and returned back to be coerced into singing karaoke on the play station.. of course we were reluctant to do anything initially saying 'couldn't possibly' etc but of course by the end we were singing at full volume! now we are off to a BBQ with all the hosts and GSE and other Rotarians.

I had a ride along on Friday night in Surrey which is one of Vancouver's less affluent areas and an area which has a significant number of issues, not dissimilar to parts of the UK's larger cities. I was shown around by Constable Scott Nickel who did a fantastic job of explaining the systems they have there. most notably they have on board computers which allows the individual officers access to all the main information systems there and then which UK officers have to request via phone or radio, it allows for much quicker access to information and, I believe, improved officer safety. the other major difference is of course the carrying of firearms. Without exception all of them were shocked that we did not routinely carry guns and it prompted some interesting discussions about the issues police face both here and at home. we attended a number of incidents in my time with them, a serious RTC, a break and enter (burglary) in progress where guns were drawn - I made sure to keep behind the armed officers at that point - fights and several other jobs,. As at home, the police work closely with the other emergency services and it was interesting to be able to speak with them too. generally a fascinating and most unusual insight into day to day Canadian policing. It also goes to show that the essence of policing is identical, where ever you travel, its more the local policies and the individuals which differ.

Emily

After many failed attempts and several technical difficulties, I am now finally able to access our blog - hooray!!
We are now half way through this GSE experience and we are all having a brilliant time. I see and learn something new each day and have been bowled over by the kindness, hospitality, warmth and friendship extended by everyone I have met. Every single thing has been fantastic but my highlights would have to be the vocational days, seeing some of the local Rotary projects, meeting and making friends with all my hosts, participating in the sweat lodge and improving my Rotary club presentations.
So far I have had vocational time at St. Paul's Hospital and Holy Family Hospital in Vancouver, Powel River Hospital, St. Mary's Community Hospital in Sechalt, Rosewood Manor Extended Care facility in Richmond and Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver. We also had a team tour round Rotary Hospice House in Richmond. The hospitals are well equiped and patients recive excellent services. It has been interesting to see the comparisions between hospitals in the big cities and smaller more isolated areas; unlike the UK community hospitals have emergency rooms, operating theatres and intensive care beds. So the majority of services can be provided locally. Hospitals also all have rehabilitation wards so patients who require rehab stay in the hospital to rehab prior to discharge. In the UK the majority of rehab is provided in Community hospitals - my role is to assess patients for these beds. I have been really interested to learn about the screening assessment completed by the rehab wards and the discharge planning processes in use in the hospitals I have visited. I have also enjoyed discussing my role with the staff I have met and have been asked to email back some of the tools used in the UK, so hopefully my visit will be beneficial to both sides.

I was staying with Norman and Pam for 3 nights so had hung up some clothes and was feeling at home - Norman and Pam doing all they could to reinforce thate feeling and giving me their time as well as their wonderful hospitality. I also want to acknowldge the time given to us by other Rotarians who are not hosting us in their homes. The Assistant Governors have been especially generous with their time and here, Sue the Exec AG, has overseen our time in North Shore and provided lifts, prompts and hospitality - everyone here is being so generous.
On Thursday morning we had vocational visits. Emily and I went, with Norman, to the E Comm centre where Bernie Sparrow, the IT Director, gave us a guided tour and explained how the 911 calls are handles and dispatches made. He showed us the ultra-modern IT they work with and how they handle the contingency planning.
We met up with the others over lunch and then Norman and John took us for a tour of North Shore. We went up Cypress Mountain to the ski slopes, gazed at the splendid views and visited a salmon hatchery and a damn and suspension bridge in Lynn Valley; a pleasant leisurely tour with lots of photo opportunities.
That evening we met up at Sue's for a pot luck dinner which was lovely and included some of John' home made wine and lots of friendly chatter.
Friday 8th.
Eleanor went to Credit Union with Sue to look at how the private sector are archiving and Alison, Emily and Sally hit Wallmart for some therapy. Norman took me for a brisk walk round lighthouse park to get the heart working. We went for lunch with the three North Shore Rotary Clubs and Maureen (President and bonny lass from Scotland), oversaw us being presented with ‘Brit/Canuck’ Polo shirts together with Olympic scalves/tie. This was a lovely and was followed by banner exchanges after our presentation which was warmly received.
In the afternoon Eleanor, Alison and I were treated to a sail on Neil McDonald’s yacht. A super 40foot sail boat, we helped Neil make ready and then out in to Vancouver Harbour and, with Eleanor at the helm, made for the ocean. As we went under the first narrows bridge Alison took the helm and we put the sails up and cut the engine. My patience wore out and I took over at the helm and we managed a tack. This might sound very simple but (despite my boating experience on the Thames) this was the first time any of us had sailed and so Neil was explaining everything as it happened. We came back in and Neil took us for a tour of the harbour. We had a super afternoon in the sea air.
We then went to dinner with ‘The Don’ (Don Kavanagh who was team leader with the Canadian GSE team) and met Slojana, Rich and Nick which was really good. Don’s house is something else and he had cooked us some very tasty tenderloin which was washed down by fine wine. Bob and Judy Blacker joined us for the evening and we had a great time. (I was showing my age somewhat and being a little drowsy after the time on the boat). We look forward to meeting up with the 5040 team again in Victoria in a couple of weeks.
Emily had a night on patrol in Surrey – no doubt a blog will tell the tail in due course.
Saturday 9th.
I said my goodbyes to Norman and Pamela who had been wonderful hosts and set off for the airport. Garry met us at ‘Tim Hudsons’ and briefed us on stage 2 and off we flew to Prince George to be met by a welcome team of 8 Rotarians. We were whisked off to the Railway Museum for lunch and a leisurely tour and met our various hosts who took us to their homes. I’m with Gary and Betty in their 16 acre small holding about 6 miles out of town. Three horses (Betty is suggesting that I have a go on one!) and two dogs share the place with humming birds and various wild life. The house is built of logs and is really cosy.
Sunday 10th
We have a rest day today and are staying independently with our hosts. I’ve been to church this morning (the church is more a community centre with nurseries, youth centre, adult learning centre, dining room and church hall. It has all the modern technology and sound and light systems. There are two services on a Sunday morning at 9.45 and 11am each having about 400 in the congregation. Today we had a visiting band and it was lively. On the way to church I saw my first brown bear – about 100 yards away and looking big and menacing.
Laundry and blog this afternoon, before we meet up at 5pm for dinner with our hosts and organisers. It’s been a lovely sunny day although there is talk of rain and snow to come by Tuesday.
Greg