So, we arrived at the Dunn compound to find it busy!

Aunt Audrey, David and Sue, Sarah, Emma and Megan, Catherine, Ian, Jamie and Peter...the Dunn family! And what wonderful people they were. The kids ranged from age 5 to age 11 - all of them were very excited about Christmas. In fact, when we arrived they had all been allowed to open one present early. I quickly found my place playing polly pocket with Megan (6)...in fact I was barely allowed to eat my dinner....Stu of course was soon lost to the play station with David and Ian!

That evening was spent getting to know the family. Everyone was very friendly and it was lovely. A special thanks would have go to Emma who gave up her VERY comfortable double bed so that Stu and I had somewhere to stay. We would have been happy in a tent if it was warmer...but unfortunately it was rather chilly outside!

The next day we borrowed Aunt Audrey's car and headed to the village - Fory Langley. We went to the old fort and had a wander around the town.
When we got home, we managed to get a tour of the land. Living on the compound is Audrey in her own little flat, Sarah, Emma and Megan in their bit and finally David and Sue in a separate house - but right on the ground too...of course the highlight was the dogs - Joe, a older quiet but very loveable dog...and then Arlo a younger crazy black lab. I would have taken both with me!! Included with the farm was a donkey, a shetland pony, a load of chickens and 6 pigs! My favourite was Arlo...but Stu will definitely be getting chickens eventually when we get home - the fresh eggs from them were just delicious!

Because of other family commitments, Christmas dinner was on the 24th. This was just wonderful...turkey, ham, all the vegetables, salad and plenty of everything. It was just so yummy! I don't think I have been hungry since!!

After dinner, excitement hit the highest level as the kids were getting to oepn presents...stu and i set up camp to watch this..and were very surprised and touched to receive our own presents - we each got a hat, stu got a book, i got useful bags for travelling, and we got some scratch cards (I won 35 dollars on mine - woop woop!) The kids all got loads of brilliant things. Stu was particularly happy when Ian got an Xbox with modern warfare 2 - he even got a wee go on it :)

After things quietened down, we started a game of Poker...this went ok...but unfortunately neither of us won. it came down to a head to head between Sarah and Sue!

Christmas day was a late start with Stockings followed by a very tasty breakfast cooked by David and Sue...everyone was going their separate ways and there was a car left over...this meant that we were able to go up the Whistler and see what was going on there. Unfortunately all the olympic stuff is closed off, but the snow was amazing and it was good fun to see it all!

We chilled out and enjoyed left over Turkey sandwiches that night...but in the morning we were heading to Vancouver. David gave us a lift to the skytrain. It was an easy trip into Granville station. The hostel was clean and nice - we have our own room which is a rather nice christmas treat.

We had no idea what to expect from the Compound - but it was actually just wonderful - everyone made us feel so welcome and it was great fun. We have been told that we should come back in the summer time to enjoy it then...i think everyone should just watch out because I am sure if we are able to do it at all, we will be back :)

The day was spent going around Stanley park, it was a shame that it was so foggy but it was good fun all the same...in the evening we went to a pub and watched some hockey...Vancouver against Edmington - Vancouver beat them woop woop!! Not the best game ever!!

Only a day and a half left in Vancouver, and then we are heading for a final night in Seattle...and then driving down the coast to San Francisco! BUSY Times - but we will do better at keeping in touch!