Travels to Ontario

In June Paul and I travelled to Ontario for a couple of weeks. We spent a night in the Brockville area with my family then a couple of nights in Ottawa visiting with friends over breakfasts and dinners, which was nice and we did a little shopping. Our mission to find patio bar stools for our new deck was successful!

But the main reason for our time in Ottawa was to attend the wedding of our friends, Sandra and Javier, an exceptional young couple, whom we are very happy to know.

Sandra and Javier, as well as their families, made us feel very welcome. Their wedding day was simple, but special, filled with many thoughtful moments. Paul and I were very happy to be able to share in it. We wish them much happiness.

Although a very busy three days in Ottawa, we enjoyed getting to see our friends and catching up on all their news. We did miss seeing a couple of our friends who, since last year, have moved on in their lives, but we will see them again.

It was then nice to spend a few lazy days at my sister's summer place in Mallorytown, better known as "the farm". Well, it is located in the country and there are a couple of fruit trees planted there!

This little bird decided to build a nest at the edge of the driveway of all places and lay eggs there. The terracotta pot was a reminder to us to not get too close to the nest, which was virtually impossible as we were noisily chased away by its owner! This little bird was very good with the "broken wing" trick.

During our visit we also drove to Kingston one day to meet with a couple more friends whom we had not seen for a couple of years. It was nice to chat over coffee with one, and wine with others.

Another day we enjoyed a drive along the country back roads and stopped at Westport, a pretty little town near the water, with interesting shops and inns.


I took a stroll along the docks with my sister while my brother-in-law


being a sailor, had to checked out the local boats, while my hubby

looked down on us from the bridge.


What better way to relax after all that strolling and shopping, than with a cool one, or two....beer that is. Well maybe guys also! We found the Cove Country Inn, with a patio overlooking the water.

A very enjoyable day for everyone and I found this interesting sign for my garden.

Paul and I are now back home in New Brunswick enjoying our relaxing lifestyle again. Until our next adventure.

Canada Day (1 July) in New Brunswick

Canada Day, formerly Dominion Day, is Canada's national day, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the 1 July 1867 enactment of the British North America Act, which united two British colonies and a province of the British Empire into a single country, still within the Empire, called Canada.

For the past 18 years I have celebrated Canada Day in our nation's capital, Ottawa, which to me is an experience everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. It is difficult to put it into words, so take a look at some of the photos of the celebrations in Ottawa this year at this link. The crowd can number from 50,000 to 100,000 people near Parliament Hill, that day.

This was our first official Canada Day in New Brunswick. While celebrations were more subdued that we were used to, Paul and I enjoyed the afternoon at the Youghall Beach festivities in Bathurst. The sun was shining and we were dressed proudly in our red and white.

Many of the area people were happy to sit under the Canada sun umbrellas provided, to listen to a favorite local band, Wild Pitch.

One of the band members, Brian Kenny (left), is the New Brunswick Provincial Minister of Tourism and Parks. Wild Pitch entertained us with music from "the old days"!

Paul is always happy and appreciative of good live music.

Some people were returning to the marina after enjoying a leisurely sail in the Bathurst Harbour, near Youghall Beach. Something for everyone.

Paul and I later enjoyed a little "refreshment" on our deck at home, where we were flying our New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Canadian flags.

We are very proud to be Canadian