All posts by JohnH

Spring 2023

I’ve been up sine early May getting the place spruced up and enjoying this magical island.
How the deck looks after a long winter of rain.

Oyster mushrooms again this year. Yum!

Some days later.

Herons at Phipps Point.

Phipps Sunset.

Aww! Daily visits (as long as there are no dogs up in the neighborhood).

Joe King has a new fence around the ballpark. Community!

Fairy portal, but I’m sworn to secrecy.

Flowers starting to come in now. So much sun this spring!

New sign.

The Buck stops here.

A lot of cleaning.

Springtime cabin.

Fall 2022

What a joy to come up here after a successful summer season. Gratitude to our guests and Ray and Angela at Wind & Waves who help us keep the wheels greased and the bills paid!


Upper Bench trail ride.

Driveway railing from an old power pole.

Recording some songs!

2022 Hornby Fall Fair. Dr. Walford is retiring from his (mobile) dental practice.


Excited for spring 2023! I <3 Hornby!

Spring 2022

Hello There!
Can’t say it’s been very spring-like just yet! But I’m on the island getting the place ship-shape for summer.

Welcome Home!

This little fellow hit the window yesterday, but after a few minutes warming up in my hand, was good to go. They are in shock, but sometimes not actually broken. You can watch them snap out of it as everything comes back online. And then woosh… they’re off!

A tasty surprise! Oyster mushrooms!

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Hornby!

Fall 2021 – It’s A Wrap!

Thank You! I’ve been up at the cabin do some repairs. Quite the deluge, not to mention a couple of wind storms. But Hornby in the fall has its beautiful days as well… Note the new deck posts and beams. That was fun. And following that, some clever tree work by local arbourists, Whiskey Jack Tree Service. Thanks Thane and Samuel, well done!
As some of our repeat guests already know, Frances is stepping down from Wind & Waves. She (and Garth) have handed the reins over to Ray and Angela. I’ve met with Ray and he’s every bit as Hornby as you could hope for in a manager. I hope you’ll feel confident booking through them (same website, will update numbers as the become available). And feel free to contact me John@HornbyVacationRentals.com if you have any concerns.
See you in the spring!

Pip’s Place 2021

I’m remiss in getting a post up to let folks know all is well and on schedule for the 2021 season. I’ve been up since mid May getting the cabin spruced up.  My brother and his girlfriend are also up, over at Big Trib today soaking up some beautiful weather.
Things started a little slower than usual when B.C. asked that folks avoid travel until after the Victoria Day holiday, but I can report that things have been picking up at the Co-op since last weekend.
Enjoy your stay, and please feel free to write me with comments and suggestions.
Best,
John

Phipps Point, Summer Solstice 2021
Sharp-shinned hawk
Keep an eye out for this Sharp-shinned hawk.
Backyard fawn with Foxgloves
Off the left-hand path at Helliwell.
Paddle board sunset, Phipps Point, 6/16/21

Hornby 2020!

Hi folks! Interesting times!
We are carefully monitoring the situation but anticipating a modified summer season here on Hornby.
If you are planning to be a guest at Pip’s you should know that you are required to provide all your own bedding this season including pillows, sheets, comforters etc. You will like to know that the cleaning procedures for between guests will be very robust and thorough (it’s a three page pdf that has been developed for the summer rental community).

I have also been instructed to remove all our beloved tchotchkes that adorn the window sills etc. To make cleaning easier. So the cabin will appear much more sparse. (I know, some folks would prefer that anyway ;-).

I’m busy as a bee getting the cabin up to snuff.
Best,
John

Bamboo In The Windows To Keep Birds Away

For years I could count on at least a few birds hitting a window every spring. We already had the deflector stickers on the windows but they didn’t seem to work. I tried hanging a few other things in the window before discovering that I could bend some bamboo (from the back yard) into the window frame to hopefully create some awareness for the birds. It seems to have worked! On numerous occasions I’ve seen birds go into emergency stop mode as they neared the window. I’ve also seen them slow down but not in time enough to avoid a hit, but then be undamaged enough to fly off. If you’ve ever heard that tell-tale ‘thump’ against your window only to find a dying bird lying on the deck, then you’ll know what a relief it was to find something that helps.


Sometimes you can recover a stunned bird by gently holding it in your hands (for the warmth) until they come to.

Flower Boxes 2019

I have a few tomato plants, some lettuce, basil, kale, broccoli and chives growing in the flower boxes this year. As leaves become abundant I’ll often clip a few off for my salads. Dear Pip’s Place guests, please feel free to do the same and please water!

And a reminder of why we keep the deck to the gate closed (and why we don’t allow pets at Pip’s). This buck lounging in the front yard keeps the rose bushes trimmed.