Yukon bush life

If we ever leave the bush it will be because of conversations like this- “Who was it in Gladiator? Australian.” Long pause. "Can’t think of anyone Australian. Except Rolf Harris.” “Neither can I.” “Mel Gibson!” “Younger.” Longer pause. “One syllable name, though.” “Definitely.” Hours later… “Russell!” “That’s it. Simon Russell-Beale? No. Wait. Simon Beale… Russell Beale… Russell Crowe!” It’s like living in the world’s most remote old people’s home. Things we once knew are slipping away and our minds are gently filling with snow. I get The Economist online every Friday to stem the flow but it doesn’t help with trivia. Dawson City in the distance, open lead on the Yukon to the right Thank God we can get to town now and have other input. We don’t have our shorter river trail in yet so are doing the long route, downriver and back over the mountains, a 160 mile round trip. Cassiar Dome just before dawn, no filter ...

Our property was empty for over 10 years and we’ve always gone back to England for the summer, until now. We are a major annoyance to the local wildlife. Things keep wandering up to the house to munch on the lovely horsetail and blue bells that have come up all over the yard, or scratch their backs on our porch support posts, only to find two silly Brits and a dopey husky hanging around. Some of our flowers- Yukon bluebells Vetch Flowering saxifrage What's this? Don't know. Does anyone else? A lynx swam all the way across river only to discover the place occupied and a most interesting satellite dish installed, which required a good sniff. I have no pics as we were washing naked in the river at the time and Neil forbade me to bring the camera. A young cow moose had a stand-off with Homer around the washing line, until I called him away. He was happy to hide behind my knees whilst we watched her ponder what to do and eventually walk out th...