The sun has had his hat on!

We think Spring might finally have arrived in the Pacific North West. We spent Easter weekend at Canon Beach – where they filmed The Goonies. The weather was really good on the first evening we arrived and we managed to walk along the cliff tops at Ecola State Park on the Saturday. There is no national holiday on Good Friday or Easter Monday though so we had to go to work knowing that everyone in England had bonus time off! 

This weekend the weather has been absolutely lovely. We spent Saturday afternoon at the Vancouver Historic Reserve – where the old fort and the Officers' houses remain, then walked along the riverfront to a bar called Beaches for a well deserved beer in the sunshine. 

Sunday, we drove to Portland, met up with Sara and spent the afternoon having a Picnic in Waterfront Park. We had a very

 surreal moment; whilst we were playing Frisbee, three people strolled passed playing guitars and singing Cheryl Crow. I felt like I was on the set of Dawson’s Creek!!

We had good news with our UK house sale last week too – it all completed on 14^th. It was such a relief as it had been going on for ages.

The best thing however was the arrival of a package from the UK. It was full of pictures, letters and food from our friends (we do have supermarkets here but they sell some odd stuff like spray on egg!). Thanks so much for it guys – it was like Christmas.

Love Liz (and Ed)

Up Eagle Creek without a paddle

We went up Eagle Creek yesterday, for those of you that have 

be paying attention we have already been there but we went with Sue this time. A couple of months make a massive difference and the river was a lot higher and faster than in February, mainly due to the snow melt coming down from the mountain.The weather was lot warmer as well and the legs saw their first bit of sun. 

Last time the river was lower so you could walk out and see Punch Bowl falls from the river bed, this time to do it you had to wade in the river, i convinced Liz this would be a good idea but quickly realised it wasn't as the freezing water turned our feet blue but we persevered and got a good shot of the water fall before quickly running back. Our exploits seemed to be infectious though and soon the world and his wife were taking their shoes and socks off.

Today we went to a tulip festival about 40 minutes south of Portland in Oregon, the tulips weren't fully out though as up until this weekend the weather has been quite cold but you could see that it will be amazing in a couple of weeks. We did find a pair of shoes to fit my feet though whilst we were there.

Ed & (Liz)

Is it already nearly April?

We’re still here!

So, it has been a while– mainly due to the fact that I am now working full-time. It’s like being back in the real world again. I’m just temping as a receptionist at a local medical company. It’s good that it is so close to where we are living and it has also meant that I have started to meet some more people.

We have also managed to lease a car each – this was something we were getting worried about as everywhere wanted 3 years credit history and we only have about 2 months. We managed to get something sorted though through the VW guest worker program.

The weather has been a little spring like – some mild afternoons and evenings – but still lots of rain. The daffodils and crocuses (should that be Croci?) are out now which is making everywhere look really pretty. 

Mum arrived on Tuesday last week so we have been showing her around the sites; Historic Highway on Saturday and more importantly The Outlet Mall on Sunday! 

We’ve managed to find some great places to eat and we finally found somewhere that does a decent Gin & Tonic. We’re still on the hunt for the best fish and chips and Ed is quite happy to keep experimenting!

Love Liz (and Ed)

Eagle Creek

Last weekend we went for another hike along one of the many trails that line the river gorge, this time we went up eagle creek. The trail started at the base of the river gorge and ascended very quickly up the side of the creek. The hike was classified as easy but at several points it was just a narrow path with a 150ft drop to the river below, we walked past punch bowl falls and our aim was to reach bridge simply called 'high bridge' which was 3.5 miles along the trail, but we fell short by about 1/2 mile as we got higher up the creek the conditions got worse and despite having our walking boots on we couldn't get much further unless we wanted to slip down the mountain. On the way back though we took a detour and went on a side path that took us to the valley floor and gave us an even better view of punch bowl falls.

Last week Liz's work card arrived so she can now officially work in the USofA, she has started to apply for some jobs as well as getting her teacher certificates verified so that she can teach here. The apartment is a lot nicer now that we have our own furniture and we're not cramped together on the little sofa. Work is going well, I've unfortunately had to adapt my pronunciation of some words like aluminium; otherwise a quick request becomes a 5 minute discussion on the English language!



Ed (& Liz)

Who needs soccer...

...when you have got Basketball. Last night we went to watch The Portland Trailblazers play against Oklahoma City at The Rose Garden downtown. The atmosphere was amazing and we won. It was slightly easier to understand and get in to than the Superbowl and there weren't quite as many commercials. We will definitely be going again.

Liz (and Eds)

Beacon Rock and Hardy and Rodney Falls

Hey guys.

We had a great day yesterday. Weather was really good so we headed east into the gorge and climbed the 848ft Beacon Rock. This Rock is the core of an ancient volcano which was not washed away by the Bretz floods - how the gorge was formed. It's a steep climb but from the top you get 360degree views of the gorge.

We then crossed over to the gorge cliffs and walked up to two waterfalls (Rodney and Hardy) which were about a two mile hike from the car.

And of course, the only way to end a hard day of walking...

...a 22oz cold beer!

Love liz (and Ed)

A bit more ordinary

Hi everyone.

We are still alive - just been doing slightly boring (or perhaps more normal) things. Ed is working hard and I have volunteered to work at the local school for one day a week - just to keep my from going stir crazy.

We've met a young couple (Doug and Sara) who live in downtown Portland and we went out with them last Saturday night to an eco brewery - a self sustainable place where the beer was all brewed on site.

Yesterday we went to a superbowl party at the house of someone that Ed works with. We arrived at 1pm and the game "kicked off?" at 3pm ish. It did then go on for another 4 hours (which was good because by the end of it we had kinda figured out some of the rules).

The weather is very mild at the moment 12degrees C today - so nowhere near as much snow as you have got!

We're off out into Portland again this weekend to meet Doug and Sara at a different micro brewery - there is a pattern emerging here!

Love liz & (Ed) xx