A Budding Photographer

 Chris, Jason and Cigi came for a visit on Good Friday. We had lunch and Cigi and I did some gardening, she is old enough now to actually be a useful helper. We planted some Pussy Willow cuttings that we hope will grow roots to plant at her house next spring and some carrots and chard. Next we had to go to the beach, I mean whats the point of coming to Dover if you don't go to the beach.

It was warm but very windy.

 

A couple of Mallards bobbing in the waves.

Just after I took this shot, out at the end of the pier, we both got hit by a huge wave. She was not impressed, there were tears, but then we laughed about it and we dried in no time.

Back to the base of the pier and along beside the condos on the wharf.

She wanted to see every photo I took

and then she wanted to take some herself.

The following are Cigi's photos.

She doesn't take any time to set up a shot, literally "point and shoot"! She wanted to get the flag,

 

the plants,

the fence,

the life ring and

the river. I was a little nervous that she might drop the camera but she was careful. She got a kids camera for Christmas but Jason said that it didn't take good pictures and she never looks at them after taking them. This may or may not turn into a hobby, no telling at 5 years old.

Sitting on the Edge followed by a walk down to the water. Then she helped me make roasted vegetables for supper and Daniele visited and helped us eat them.

Just a few photos from a walk Rick and I took the same weekend.

It was a trail we had tried during Covid but had left due to dirt bikes on it.

It has been developed further and there are different areas designated

for horseback riding and motorized vehicles.

Not much green in the woods yet.

We got a little confused a couple of times as there are no maps at the trail intersections

but used the GPS to figure out where we were and the compass to get a general idea of which way we should go. 

We walked for about an hour and a half and did the loop inside the green outline. Lots more here to explore.

So here's my "Peeping Tom" story. I was lying in the bath and a large bird peered in at me from the fence outside the window. I got out, dried off and grabbed my camera.

Two wild Turkeys.

 

Never seen them on my property before.

Final shot

I'm finding it difficult to eat enough salad to keep up with the lettuce I planted a month ago.

 

The usual spring birds

Well sailing season hasn't started yet, its really to early to do much in the garden and not much hope of visitors while my basement is still ripped up from the water damage earlier. Therefor going for walks is about it for entertainment.

Silver Lake is the easiest place to go for a stroll and see a few birds. Buffleheads.

 

Red Winged Blackbird. George's favorite fore
caster of spring.

I think these are Blue Winged Teal

Not much green in the park yet.

Even colder on a walk at Long Point.

Sandhill Cranes (photo by Rick)

Lots

of them to see

from the Causeway.

Along with Swans.

Port Rowan water treatment pond had tons of duck life. Common Merganser.

Possibly a Ring Necked Duck though they don't exactly match the pictures in the bird book.

There may have been some Canvas Backs

and some Redheads.

Nice walks aside from the difficulties with duck identification.

Valencia, Spain - return home

 I have actually been home for 2 weeks but am trying to get caught up on my pictures. The last day at the apartment was spent packing, tidying and

trying to finish up the food. As it was I left some for my landlord who would be the next person in residence. My taxi picked me up just as the cleaners arrived.

 I spent a rather miserable night in a hotel by the airport (the air conditioning wasn't working and I was coming down with a cough)

The flight left Valencia at 6am, so I was at the airport by 4am. However I did get a last look down at Canet den Berenguer and Port de Sagunto as the sun was coming up.

 

I then had a 5 hour lay over at Charles de Gaulle where I was able to get a decent breakfast (There would be something terribly wrong if you couldn't get a good cup of coffee and a croissant at a french airport). The pigeon was in the terminal and living on croissant crumbs.

Air France was on time and efficient

and serves cheese at the end of the meal, along with champagne and wine (and I was flying economy)

I always try and get a window seat and every now and then glimpsed this Lufthansa flight accompanying us across the Atlantic.

Sea ice

off the coast of Labrador.

While I was away there had been a flood in my basement. We are assuming that the sump pump failed although it was still working fine. So I had dealt with the insurance while I was away and came home to a basement with all the flooring, baseboards and part of the drywall ripped up in 2 rooms and the hallway. Needless to say I will be replacing the sump pump, I can't risk it being erratic, it is essential.

My cat sitter had taken over care of the geraniums and they were looking fabulous.

 

I immediately got the gardening itch and planted kale and carrots outside and lettuce inside.

Pussy willows from the bank.

To catch up with others in the family

Fiona did some hiking in the Lake District

 

and hit the Chocolate Festival in York.

Mark and Emma moved into their new house

and Mike and the family are in Belize; swimming with sharks and eating cerviche.