Wednesday July 11, 2001

After a couple of weeks of being put on alert, the North Shore Health Board issued a Boil Water Advisory for our water system today.  They have expressed concern at the amount of fecal coliform in the water.  There have been rumblings lately, as the province has raised the standards for standing water supplied water systems.  We fall into that category as our water comes from Killarney Lake, the largest lake on the island.  Seems that a combination of deer, human and farm activity have conspired to pollute the water.  And to make matters worse our local water board members found out that they weren’t covered for liability in case someone dies from drinking the water, so they are all in the process of resigning. 

 At least we don’t have to worry, owning a reverse osmosis water filter.  That does the trick.  We could drink effluent from a pulp mill and not get sick.

The salmon berries are on their way out and we have turned our attention to the ripening thimbleberries.  They are lovely…deep red and soft and sweet but with a complex flavour.   We have also discovered a black raspberry bush which our neighbour Kim found  by the side of the road near our place.  I think the plan now is to try to cultivate these berries on our front “lawn.”  We’ll try with taking canes and see how it works out.

 We have a Steller’s Jay that hangs out at Kay’s house that does a pretty good eagle impersonation.  Yesterday it was SO good that an eagle came looking to see who was calling.  The eagle flew overhead for a while and lazily drifted off over the meadow behind us. 

 The weather continues to be hot and sunny.  I’m sure it doesn’t rain here on Bowen does it?

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