Sombre start to the new year.

Surfside RV Resort, Parksville BC (2 stars)

We hunkered down in the Schooner for the first half of the day as it rained quite steadily. Halfway through the afternoon it let up significantly so we packed up and headed over to mom's for New Years dinner. We had a good time with her, but received a call from our daughter-in-law Chris to tell us that her mother had passed away. Even though her mother, who lived in Winnipeg, had had significant medical issues over the last few years, it still came as a shock. It's good she has Aaron to lean on and we will want to grieve together at family dinner on Sunday if we can, even though it will be virtual via Zoom.

Lez adds: It is with a very heavy heart we end our first day of the new year with the passing of Chris's mom Bonnie. What also hurts is that we are not able to be with them at this very tough time. We hope they will be up to a family dinner, so that we can share this time together and give some comfort from afar.