Sunset dinner cruise, gardens and coffee time entertainment.

 Rick called one day saying that he was taking me out to dinner. When I asked what should I wear (meaning fancy or casual), he said "A life jacket".

We sailed for a while first

enjoying a good breeze

and playing with a couple of other boats that were out too.

Then we moored up to "Happy Face", the central race buoy,

and Rick served dinner. We ate Chinese food and drank wine,

while watching the sun set.

It was lovely. Then we had the challenge of taking the boat into the marina and docking, in the dark. Rick said that I motored in so slowly he should have bought a book to read!

Last year the Milkweed was eaten by bugs and there was nothing left for the Monarchs.

This year it is looking great and there is lots of it. Bring on the butterflies.

The whole bank is looking much better than last year

The Crown Vetch has re-established and is fighting it out with the Rye and the Clover that I seeded. There are also some Teasels, Thistles and Golden Rod that have migrated in.

Ditch Lilies

Not sure about this, I don't think I planted it.

The Nursery Bed is doing well - mostly varieties of Daisies and some Cone Flower. There were Hollyhocks but the Rabbits ate them. The plan is to transplant these on to the bank in the fall.

Who me?

The front beds are looking good too

Some of the Cone Flowers are doing well enough that I will split them and plant some on the bank too.

Hosta and Lavender.

On still days I have my morning coffee on the Edge. As the wind fills in I can feel it gently on my skin and watch the patterns forming on the lake.

On mornings like this there is a man who rows along the shoreline and fishes and a couple who canoe along beside the shore.

The Chipmunks and Rabbits are pretty brave.

Bees and birds

in the flowers. I don't know what he is, sitting on the Yucca, perhaps the Paris birders can tell me. (Now identified as a Yellow Warbler)

Eastern Kingbird in the neighbours Catalpa Tree.

On windy mornings coffee is taken on the front porch with entertainment provided by the birds

and squirrels.

The Beginners Rug Hooking Class that I taught at the Woodhouse Art Gallery is finished. 4 students and one was able to complete the project

and another very close.

The community of Dog's Nest finally got its sign. Fund raising has been going on for years as well as negotiations with the Ministry of Transportation. This one should be too heavy for anyone to steal (the problem with all the other signs, and why the Ministry refused to put up any more)

My next painting was one of a lighthouse that Nic and I saw on our way to Cape Breton. I think it was in PEI. I sent a picture to Christine who gave some constructive criticism

which I took and am now much happier with it.

Canada Day 2023

 Last year was the first that I had watched the Canada Day festivities in Port Dover. Rick and I saw the boat parade and the dog show. This year, Nicola was here for the day and we just went to the boat parade.

We parked at the marina and walked through the commercial harbour, where boats were preparing, to sit on  the east pier.

A red and white fishing tug conversion, dressed in red and white.

There are no rules for this event, no registration, no one in charge. This year, different from last year, there were boats moored along the west pier (blocking the view for spectators) and boats milling about in the harbour (making it a bit tricky for some of the larger boats to perform the customary  360 turns)

Those 360's create some large waves but someone held on to the Springer Spaniel.

I really do love the converted (or purpose built) steel tugs.

Revving up the engine, spewing smoke out of the funnel, to turn the circle, and blowing the horn.

Everyone gets in on the fun....sailboats and motor boats (big and small)

Commercial

fishing boats (did the circle and the horn blowing too) and recreational pontoon boats.

All full of red and white clad passengers

waving flags, dancing and cheering.

Last year all the boats stayed out on the lake until the parade was finished but this year it was a bit choppy out there and they started to come back in

as some were still going out. Got a bit chaotic.

I thought this was a pretty red and yellow flower when I took a picture of it. When I got it on to the computer I found that the red, were bugs.

Nic and I were "peopled out" by the crowds and spent the rest of the day reading" on the edge."

A couple of weeks ago I painted the Louisbourg Lighthouse for Brit. As it has now reached her and is framed and hanging in her "lighthouse bathroom" (as opposed to her "mermaid bathroom") I can post the photo. When Nic saw it she suggested we get limited edition prints, so Brit has the original and Nic and I both have prints.

While upstairs painting I took this photo, through the window, of the neighbours yard, though mine looked similar.....it was snowing Catalpa blossoms.

Canada Day weekend also saw filming on the Port Dover beach

It was a commercial for Melanoma awareness.

Cigi going to daycare on a rainy day. Photo by Chris

There are currently a number of young animals on the property..baby bunnies and chipmunks. The rabbits are very timid but the chipmunks have no fear. This one sat right in front of me while I had my coffee on the Edge. Photo with my camera.