All posts by JohnH

Spring 2024

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Well it’s time for me to head out. The cabin is spruced up and ready for the summer season. Very grateful to Wind and Waves and our guests. I hope you have a lovely visit and I certainly hope it’s not our last season (due to regulation changes being discussed). Those of us who depend (including artists and farmers) on our summer season to make ends meet, appreciate that Hornby (since it’s early days) has been a popular summer destination. But not everyone on the island feels the same way. Fingers crossed!

Some nice figs coming in. Help yourself. There’s a long extension pole next to the water dispenser.

This was very curious. This Robin’s egg showed up on the stump one day. There were no tree branches above, no way for it to have gotten there by falling. I thought maybe a crow saving his lunch for a later date? Leaving it where he could easily spot it? It was gone a few days later.

This view from the Shingle Spit to Ford’s Cove trail. Takes us about an hour each way from the cabin, with great Fish n Chips at the restaurant.

Captain Denis about to take us out for their morning excursion on the Sun Corona. You might know Denis as the partner of blues singer Angel Forrest. They also have a night time excursion that includes  some live music. Check it out https://www.suncorona.ca.

Big Changes Coming To Hornby!

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My sister and nephew’s family recently moved to Vancouver. That means more family time at the cabin moving forward. Myself, I’ll be heading up to the cabin in a few weeks to get it spruced up for the season. But the big news is that there are major changes afoot for how short term rentals are handled on Hornby. It’s still early days… It shouldn’t effect the 2024 season, but between major changes made in B.C. laws recently, and ongoing ‘negotiations’ about how short term rentals are regulated on Hornby we can expect some significant changes by the time Spring 2025 rolls around. I’ve been following along (you can imagine there is a LOT of energy around this), but I’m sad to say that the feelings, and, dare I say ‘rights’ (as fellow citizens of B.C. and Canada) of our guests, some of whom have been coming here for years… Some of whom (not our place but others on the island) for whom the summer trek to Hornby is a long-time family tradition, seem to not have entered into the conversation!
Probably the best place to surface the latest information is the HISTRA, the Hornby Island Short Term Rentals Association, which was formed in response to represent those of us who are seasonal renters.

I will keep you posted. And have a cabin update in May.

Spring 2023

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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!

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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

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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.