Friday, January 5, 2018

2018 The Year We Moved North



Time to have a beer by the fire pit on Christmas Day 2018.
Christmas arrived quickly enough and we added new Muskoka ornaments to our tree.
We were pleased to have the fire and mantle piece completed for Christmas.

The deer have been regular visitors to the garden during the summer and early winter. They stopped coming when the snow got too deep.

The first snow fall was 28th Oct. and it didn't stop until April. Neighbours said it was the hardest winter they could remember. Photo of Lakewood Park Road.

We don't forget Oscar who stayed back in Oakville with Chloe and Sebastien.

 Robert and Renee paddling 'uphill' on Oxtongue Lake, heading back to the Algonquin Outfitters store.
It was nice to share our 2018 Thanks Giving with Phil, Renee and Robert.

 The colors were spectacular again this fall, especially along Aspdin Road between Huntsville and Rosseau.

We were excited to take Phil to Arowhon Pines Lodge in the fall. This time we sat in the splendid restaurant deep in the forest.

  Phil came to visit in early October, seen here with Lynda at Lions Lookout, high above Huntsville town.

Just relaxing by the lake.
After a couple of hours paddling we stopped in at Arowhon Pines Lodge for a summer bar-b-que.
Finally we found time for some recreation in Algonquin Park, now only 45 minutes away. It was good to be back on the water. This time on Little Joe Lake.

We were very pleased with the dining room and the new floor looks great. Just need some wall decor now.
Lynda and I followed up with the painting and the main floor soon started to take shape.

 Darren helped us with the carpentry work inside, leveling floors, hanging doors and replacing trim and baseboard.

It was hot work washing and sanding the decks before staining.

With Roberts help we renovated the steps and bannister rail leading up to the front door and we re-stained the front and rear decks.

Lynda made her third trip to see Sarah in the Dominican in June.

We stayed with Laura in Mississauga from April to July, before moving up to Huntsville.

We finally sold our home in Oakville and bought a property in Huntsville Ontario. Here visiting 206 for the first time as owners.

March 18th and it feels like spring so we drove down to the lake in Oakville.
Mike skied twice at MSLM this year and once in Ellicottville NY. Wherever we ski it always feels like holiday!
Today 11-Mar, I cleared out some old recipe cards, but couldn't part with these from mum and Aunty Pat so I posted them here as a memory.
Lynda 'Little' sitting on top of Mont Tremblant.
27-Feb Mike taking a break skiing at Mont Tremblant.
Not so cold in Algonquin this year and not so much snow but a 'bunch' of ice, said in true Canadian style! Photo taken above Jack Lake.
We stayed up in Haliburton for the weekend and enjoyed a few days in Algonquin Park. Photo taken at Peck Lake.
 January 26th, Wyatt and Lynda getting to know each other.
Musher Lynda driving the Winterdance dogsled team north of Haliburton, Ontario
Sun Halo formed by ice crystal over Brampton, Ontario 5-Jan. Outside temperature was -25 degreesC.
1-Jan-2018 Lynda, Mike, Patrick and Daisy walking in Patuxent River Park, Maryland.
2018 is the first time Lynda and I have seen ice on the Patuxent River. Photo taken from Shores of Calvert boat ramp.

Monday, March 13, 2017

10th Anniversary in Canada (2017)


On court at the ACC after the Toronto Raptors (108) v Sacramento Kings (93) game in December. Photo courtesy of Ron Turenne.

Newfield Bridge is a wooden covered bridge over Cayuga Creek. It is one of 29 covered bridges in New York State built in 1851-1853 at a total cost of $800.

In October we traveled to the Finger Lakes region of New York and visted the deep gorge at Watkins Glen.

Sarah and Taita enjoying El Limon Waterfall.
Lynda enjoying beautiful weather and calm seas in Dominican Republic during September 2017, between Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.
Taita and friend tying down the roof before category 5 Hurricane Irma arrives on the north shore of the Dominican Republic on the 7th September.

Sarah prepared for the first of two hurricanes to hit the Dominican Republic in September. The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season was an extremely destructive season, featuring 17 named storms, ranking alongside 1936 as the fifth-most active season since records began in 1851.

Beautiful Provoking Lake, Algonquin Park.

Early morning drive past Lake of Two Rivers, Algonquin Park in August.
Taking a break alongside Jack Lake, Algonquin Park in July.

A Sunday afternoon with Robert & Renee at the start of Summer, early June 2017
May 2017, dinner with family and friends at Dockside Restaurant, Tracey's Landing.
An afternoon out on the Petuxant River, Maryland.


Oakville residents who became citizens of Canada in 2016/17 were invited to meet with local MP Pam Damoff

Captain Alfie at the helm, thoroughly enjoying time on Phil's boat.

On the beach at Cruden Bay, Scotland.

Lynda went to England in March for her dad's 86th birthday. She caught up with school friend's Liz and Tina.
A wonderful sunset over Buffalo for the drive home from a fabulous day skiing.
A rare photo of me on our blog! Skiing at Ellicottville.
Annual winter trip to Algonquin Park (3-Feb). Not as cold as previous years, but still plenty of snow.