My first "Wiener Roast"

I had no idea what my Aunty was talking about when she said we were going to a Wiener Roast tonight. According to Google, a Wiener Roast is "a cookout where roasted frankfurters are the main course". Ok, I did kind of guess it was something along those lines. On my side of the pond, we would say "barbecuing hotdogs".

It was great fun with good food, excellent company and a fantastic location. We witnessed a beautiful sunset over Upper Chemong Lake and we even saw a loon with its chick earlier in the evening.

Peterborough Liftlock on Labour Day

So... we were in Jacks's at Peterborough Marina having breakfast and, seeing the cruise boat dock, decided "on the hop" to try and get tickets for an afternoon cruise. Success! Good things come to those who wait, you know. I only waited 10 years...!

We departed on the popular 2 hour cruise across Little Lake, past the Centennial Fountain and into the City of Peterborough portion of the 111 year old lock system. All the way being entertained by the Captain's lively commentary of the history of Peterborough and the Trent Severn Waterway.

 The first traditional flood lock (pictured above) raised us 12 feet. It took about 30 minutes.

Up ahead the Peterborough Liftlock - and this time I'm actually on a boat about to enter the lock!
This is the World's highest hydraulic liftlock, towering 65 feet and the famous engineering marvel has been in operation since 1904. Once secured inside the lock, it took only a few minutes for us to reach the top.

35 years ago my Granddad made this very same trip on his second honeymoon. Looking back through old photographs, it's like nothing has changed (pictured below).

Don't Quit

This is a poem I found in my Aunty's house. The message is so relevant and I like the style. A lot of my poems are similar in set up. Author Unknown.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit -
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, -
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

Hastings

Fish n' chips in Hastings - but not Hastings, UK!

Go travel!

Frankford

We were in Frankford today babysitting and this was the view from the park where we took the children. Pretty gorgeous!

Lakefield & Peterborough

When in Canada... go to a funeral - but not for my Aunty who's passed. This was for the brother-in-law of a friend. Beautiful setting in Lakefield.

After the funeral and a Timmy's, it was time to be out in the sunshine in Peterborough...

Splash pads and parks and Little Lake and beaches and rainbows in the fountains. Then onto the Liftlock and the museum and a viewpoint and the harbour...

Paddleboarders in the harbour