Memory.....

Monday, 30th July.

We've trimmed the little bushes / trees in front of the kitchen window.  The deer are easier to see now!





And we've decided to cut out some of the underbrush - little Christmas trees really - in the copses in front of the house, to let some light in.

In the process, we came across this as-yet-unidentified orchid-like flower......



And then I went fishing - four in the boat, two (of them) in the bag!






Tuesday, 31st July.


Ali has toothache :-(  She had great help from the travel insurance people, and managed to arrange an appointment for 18.15.

We spent much of the day continuing with the underbrush project.... (subtle increase in light filtering from left to right......)

And then we took Ali in to town.  Peter's (amazingly laboriously remembered) differential diagnosis proved to be true and she is on a decent dose of antibiotics and some exotic Canadian pain-killers!

Ah well.

Off to Toronto via other bits of Ontario tomorrow.  May not be very much in touch for a week.

Re-directed rage

Friday, 27th July

The weather hasn't yet returned to a stable state; it's not cold but one moment's bright sunshine can still turn to torrential rain.

So I put in a bit more work on the second Somme print....

It's a sort of "Then and now" partner to the initial one.

I suppose some of the turmoil comes from the battle I'm having with the texts for the service on Sunday at Arundel.

But more of that later!

Saturday, 28th July.

Karen and Denis are coming this afternoon; we had to go in to the village to shop but also because it was the annual Garage Sale in aid of Church funds!  But it rained until about twelve which meant that folks were removing tarps from their stands as we arrived.

Nothing much that we needed this year!

The deer are getting too habituated to us:

Early evening - back to the lake; what could be better?

Sunday, 29th July.

Woke early to a wonderful email from a friend in the UK who had previously received a devastating diagnosis.  I've felt really bad that we haven't been in better touch with her.  But she wrote to say that she's doing remarkably well!

Then we skyped with the Collingham crew - courtesy of Pippa and Alexandra who were visiting.  That was good!

And then it was time for church.  The readings had been hard - David and Bathsheba running with the feeding of the five thousand; but I just couldn't get past the David story.

So I preached a pretty intense, feminist / egalitarian / anti despotic message.  I was exhausted afterwards, but we had the lovely pic-nic to go on to and I was really touched by the number of people who sought me out to say "thank you".

Rod and Wanda's country house is just perfect for the parish pic-nic!





And they have a trout stream cutting through the property!














We were home late; I fell asleep in the chair. When we got to start supper I had to rush in to the village to change the chicken which was "off". 

But we got there in the end.

Rain, rain, go away!

Tuesday, 24th July.

The rain which had been about over the weekend now began in earnest.  At some break I headed up in to the wood behind the house; there are rather more trees down, snapped off, not rotten.  There must have been some terrific winds blowing through.  I shall want to try to clear up a bit, it's all looking a bit apocalyptic.

But the rain continued - indoors chores are called for.

This pan has been without a handle for more than ten years - well now it's a bit safer to use!

And I made a batch of marmalade!  The morning ritual of three pieces of Marmite toast and one of marmalade is restored!










Wednesday, 25th July

And then a concerted attack on the route planning for the trip - if it happens.  We're going to have to leaflet houses on the way, to see whether we can overnight on someone's lake-side lawn.

Another print in the Somme series - but I want to do something else with this so - no reveal as yet.

But at last the rain has stopped! 


This morning (26th) we have at last seen the sun, and the animals which have deserted us during the deluge have returned, heralded by a cacophony of blue-jays.  Things so improved that I went on a "wildlife trip " ( ;-)  - four in the boat, none in the pan).  But I told you it had rained!  Here's "Big Green" when I arrived at the dock....

The grey line half way up the insides, and the shadow beneath the seat shows the four inches plus of water in the boat!  That took a bit of shifting..........

Exit, stage left, pursued by a turtle!

Saturday, 21st July.

Excitement (for us at least!).  The K2O (Kingston to Ottawa canoe race was on!   At remarkably infrequent intervals the canoes went past on the other side of the bay.  This is a canoe de maitre I think...


Things gradually, relaxedly came together in the Event, when folks spoke of their memories of Stevie.  We obviously knew her only when her memory was slipping - she'd been a fine mind and a loving mum - to two families.

 There was a Huuuge barbecue to follow which, I suspect,may well have become rather raucous but we had to leave at about 15.00 to start the five hour trip back.  Where Jeremy and Rachel were most welcomely waiting for us. A large pie was had by all (well, two pies actually; Cheese, Onion and Potato, followed by a (bought) apple!)   Scrum.

Sunday, 22nd July.

A great, chatty breakfast and then we were on the road again to Arundel for church (led by Harold - who has been very unwell) and church meeting.  A follow up on the LRM questionnaire we filled in when we were here in the winter!  Very well lead by two visiting friends, including Mike from Morin Heights!  A really enthusiastic reception.


Back home where Rachel had been busy cooking.  We were rather bushed by this stage so sat for a while whilst they went for a long walk.  Then Rachel ghyllie'd me around the lake whilst I fished.  Five in the boat - none in the fridge.

Supper was delicious - thanks, Jeremy, for these pictures of the wondeful  tagine!



Too late to bed but a better night - cooler.












Monday, 23rd July.

Another fruit salad for breakfast; it's such a Canadian but such a very nice thing to do.  Then we made a noble effort to get some exercise and went to walk the village circuit - which was great!

There seem to be more Monach butterflies around this year; perhaps it's just because we are that much earlier.  We came across this guy muncing away on it's food-plant, milk-weed.

Our lunch at Giselle's was as tasty as ever and then J & R headed off for home.  We do hope that they manage to get up again this summer.

Back at the cottage I went nature watching - ostensibly to see the loons.  On the way I caught a very nice Bass (as you do .....)  But then I became aware of something under the water; something quite large - maybe 40 cm long without counting its tail; something moving albeit very slowly.

It and I circled each other for quite some time - before it actually approached me!  I'd heard tales of the bite of these things in the past so I have to admit that I was just a little spooked when it determinedly rose out of the depths towards me!

It's head is about 4" (10cm) across!

Eventually, I decided that the rain (it had been raining for a while - you tend not to notice these things at times like this!) needed my attention so I packed the camera and headed for home - to be met by the loons - all four of them because the chicks have hatched!


Mum and Dad are wary of me but not intolerant.  We'll see whether I can get any clearer photos over the weeks ahead.

Home to delicious eat-up.  What more could we ask for?

"Family" gathering.

Thursday, 19th July.

A leisurely clear up morning and then a looong drive to Ann Dubra's new house on the Rideau - of happy memories.  We used the ferry from Thursoe, New to us.  Not sure that it's an improvement.

But then stop start traffic south of Ottawa.

We are here for Stevie's wake.  She died, unknowing really, over the winter.


Ann's house really is right beside the Rideau canal, just up from Upper Brewers lock where we put in some four years ago.

 I can't say that I remember too much about that -  I was too new to the game and scared stiff of falling in at the time!

A lovely, fabulous supper and a decent night's sleep in our beloved tent - with its mended pole!

Friday, 20th July.

In to various points for shopping and the buying of flowers to remember Stevie with.  We went to Seeley's bay - where we so sought a loo four years ago - to buy floating fishing-lures and to renew my Ontario fishing licence. 

This nest of parent and chick ospreys baked in the sun...

The family is gathering - two of Anne's sons and family; Stevie's daughter Jo.  We were charged with getting supper on the table whilst folks were fetched from Ottawa airport.

The fishing here is terrific - for small fish.  Just at nightfall I took a small pike; foul hooked so I had to kill it I'm afraid.  It'll get eaten....

Bits and Nats

Monday, 16th July

Lovely, lengthy breakfast together and then everyone went to do their own "thing".  Denis to the new (rental) house build in St Jovite, Karen to the lake, Ali to Politics and Banking, Me to the municipal tip to buy a door for the hoped-for porch!  They had a good range of reclaimed ones and I bought a decent example for $10!

Then home for the big fish supper!

VERY tasty - and lots of it!


Tuesday, 17th July,

Rang Collingham to wish my father Happy Birthday.  Pip and co were there, bless them!  A light, fruit start to the day and then in to Giselle's (very busy) for a substantial breakfast before K and D had to head off.  We just never tire of each others' company.  They have a hard day ahead tomorrow I'm afraid.



























I spent the afternoon on my first ever white-line woodblock print.

I had a lot of fun doing this; many lessons learnt, a reasonable result.




"Eat up" supper - none the worse for that :-)


And the "Nat" of the title?


Natalie rang / face-timed on her new phone - a reward for fine end of year grades; well done!

Ranging far and wide!

Saturday, 14th July.

So, what do you do on a Canadian Summer Saturday when the temperature is forecast for the 30's?  Why, go for a drive of course.  Only this drive was to Ottawa - 3 hours away - and for the sake of a British Car show!

And, of course, the featured marques this year were TVR - and Morgan!

Bloomin' Mogs get everywhere!  Lorne's is right at the end of the row.


 I loved this"guy" under the car!  (The windscreen sign proudly proclaims "original patina")!

 And the Viva is the same as the one I learned to drive on!

We came back via Montebello for high tea with Lorne and Audrey, after we had been to Lee Valley tools which was remarkably close to the Car Show - mistake!  All too easy to spend money at Lee Valley...

We got home - driving in shifts - about 8.00pm.  Tired!





Sunday, 15th July.

To Church in Arundel - service with Jose and Nick, a retired priest with responsibility for Hemingford!

Shopping in St Jovite as is becoming usual and convenient and then home to welcome Karen and Denis for a little R & R after a difficult week for them in which Denis' sister died and family tensions came to the fore.  Medicinal Planters' Punch was both needed and administered!

Crumbs!

Where did the time go?

Tuesday 10th to Friday 13th!  (never done that before - or have I?)........

The space-time continuum between our lives in Bristol and our lives here is stretched very thin.  Almost daily there are (not-unwelcome) queries and questions about Party-political or Church or Family matters.  Whilst business still seems to feel the need to fly physically to meetings, we just get on with it.  An email which would normally go to Clevedon or Portbury still goes to Clevedon or Portbury, and almost as fast!  I think business just likes feeling important.......

Still, I'm trying to make a board for a white-line print.  My efforts to sand smooth a piece of maple - which might be impossible to carve anyway - have ended in disaster so I dropped in at Glen's (the woodsman), bought some wonderful heritage tomatoes of so many varieties and also bought a piece of white pine - which will at least carve and is rather easier to sand!

Thursday morning was just so glorious that we even took to a bit of sun-bathing!  In the evening we went to Lorne and Audrey's for a wonderful home-caught fish supper yesterday.  I think that at least one of the four fish was Arctic Char - Omble Chevalier - Salvelinus alpinus.  At any rate, I think that the fish I caught later in their very deep lake (300 + feet) was one such. We had a delicious supper and a great catch up!

Today I'm trying to plan to build a porch for the winter.  I wish I'd paid more attention in TD.  Sort of going well but do I lay the deck first and then get going; how do I calculate the wall thickness if I haven't decided how I'm going to clad it; how strong does the roof have to be.....

Argh!

So I went fishing - as you do.  Four Bass in the boat, two in the freezer.....

Taking it gently

Monday, 9th July.

Little chores - Ali is still bogged down with party political emails!

We've planted up a manhole-ring (otherwise excess to requirements) in front of the house - looks rather attractive.  Hopefully the trailing plant will take up the challenge and cover the rest of the site!


It was windy most of the day but the breeze dropped after supper (very good Bass, thank you!) so I went off fishing .  One GOOD Bass from under the trees as you head down to the dam.  One lesser fish - returned - elsewhere. 
Crazy thing - I was casting to the dock by the Quebec flag, and falling short.  So I beefed it up a bit and cast over the dock by mistake.  I started to reel in - a take!  I struck and the fish was on - beyond the dock!  Much splashing - this was a good fish - and then solid resistance.

Keeping the rod high and the line taught I single-handedly paddled around the end of the dock to find the lure hooked in the woodwork and the fish nowhere to be seen.

Hah!

Seen from a distance - the Loon is still sitting tight......









Tuesday, 10th July.

It seems to take a long time to do very little.

Lawns cut; deck scrubbed for re-proofing tomorrow.....

We have a semi-resident Turkey; it has a happy relationship with chickadees.  The latter raid the feeder, casting down the millet that they don't want.  The turkey just settles down beneath the feeder and scoffs the millet!



And when that becomes too much of a chore; it takes a dust bath!

We've had the window man here today.  We have a number of opaque panes that it would nice to replace......

Kamikaze Bass

Saturday, 7th July.

I bought some herbs in pots ('urbs"!!) and the heat is causing them to limp if I don't water them twice a day.

But we liberated the big green plastic canoe from the barn and took it down to the lake.  And I went fishing.  Brilliant.  Specifically targeting Bass, casting to where they should be (and they were).  Four in the boat, three kept. 

The first one was just where I thought it would be, in the fallen birch off the western point of the flag island, south of us on the other side of the lake.  That fell second cast, so I wasn't exactly ready for it!  And whilst I was netting the fish in and dispatching it, the canoe drifted right on the the bank; to the affront of a loon sitting on a nest.  It reared up but more in puzzlement than terror, facing down this invader.  I took Ali back later - to a much further distance - so she could see it, too.

Supper - very late - was a lovely prawn salad - and a chilled bottle of Muscadet.  "Perfic" as they say.



The fish are cleaned and frozen for another day (teaspoon for comparison)..

I slept a little better - in shifts.  Up at 03.00 and then asleep again 04.00 to 06.00.  Oh well, the world looks lovely in the dawn.......

Sunday, 8th July.

To Arundel to a great welcome, it really is "Coming Home".  Nick Pang's last day; he's taking up a parish in BC.  We're going to miss him.

I've always wanted to take a picture of these falls so, after stopping at the nursery for flowers, I did!

We did little chores in St Jovite; some screws, a hair-brush.  It was 16.00 when we got home.

More fishing; two more fish.  That's my limit (5) until we eat some!

Old Father Time

Friday, 5th July.

My body clock really is not adjusting to the change of time zone.  I can always be relied upon to fall asleep in the chair of an evening in England, but this is silly.  Three hours at a time?

Thursday was again very hot; we kept to the house much of the day.  I had to go into the village for various commissions - my fishing permit, the Council tax, water from the spring, newly-required registration for the canoe - but by 3.00 p.m. the temperature had moderated a little, cabin fever had firmly established itself and so we went for a stroll to the lake, and a swim.  Lovely!

But I nodded off after supper, which messed up my sleeping; fitful and too short again, windows open and a single sheet.  There was a huge thunderstorm and much rain.

Friday.  Cooler (17 degrees), thank goodness.  Some routine chores at last!  Ali has weeded the front of the house, we took down the timber inside the screen room and it's lovely to sit there watching the occasional turkey wander through and this year's crop of dappled fauns playing like lambs on the meadow.  I went to thrash the water from the pontoon - it was far too windy to take a canoe down - and met up with Julie and daughter and with the father and son from the next house down.  All are here for the weekend.

Home cooked ham with potato salad for supper, but then sleep.  Oh dear.

It ain't half hot, Mum!

Readers of a certain age will remember this title from a long-running BBC comedy show based around the exploits of a British army ENSA company, serving in India.  Well, it now serves as a very suitable beginning for our first Summer blog of 2018.
Because we arrived here at the cottage around lunchtime with the car external temperature gauge reading 32.5oC.

An effortless journey via Amsterdam airport with lunch at Cafe Coco once more and then very kindly picked up by Dan and Lorraine at the airport in Montreal.  Karen and Denis were off on a mission somewhere but we found that remarkably, our car sat nav had an entry for their new place; Canadian pixies, eh?    So, out of courtesy we called by, to be welcomed for supper, bed and a lovely breakfast.  Home from home.  We stopped off for shopping, prices have gone up, and then headed here.  All seems well but it is too hot to do anything industrious so we've just stopped.

When the temperature falls a little, we shall empty the screen room scaffolding.

Pasta for supper I think; really have to trim the diet.