Monday 21 September 2015

Salmon swimming upstream Part 2

This was the best I got of the salmon in Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens...

Salmon swimming upstream

When your photo stream wipes out your media space mid Salmon jump... Frustrating!!

Lunchtime wander

Enjoying my last couple of days in Canada, we took a walk at lunchtime in the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens and, amongst the amazing flower displays, caught glimpses of salmon jumping up stream. A real treat!
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Sunday 20 September 2015

Trains on the tracks


Just a wee bit longer than ours...!

Chasing the Monarch

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After a scrummy family breakfast at The Sunset Grill (I kicked my day off with coffee and Eggs Florentine) and we watched a very very very long train go past, we headed to Lakeview Park on the shore of Lake Ontario to hang out. I couldn't help chasing the giant Monarch butterfly in the sunshine, but failed to get that really really great shot. He was teasing me! And despite being a Sunday, a big ship from the Netherlands was unloading its cargo in the harbour.

Wednesday 16 September 2015

Road trip to Courtice

What's more fun than taking a road trip with a car full of friends! Another glorious day in Ontario, Canada; lots of laughs, fish and chips at an old favourite, The Courtyard Pub in Courtice, a Red Hat sale, farmshop stop, more laughs and silliness and finally cake, scones and coffee at The Toasted Walnut in Bowmanville. A perfect kinda day!

Tuesday 15 September 2015

Jackson Park

Jackson Park in Peterborough is one of my most favourite places to visit. So, on this glorious 27 degree sunny September day, we took an afternoon stroll. I even saw a Chipmunk for the first time ever! Pity I was peeing behind a tree at the time and kind of concentrating on that...
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Beam me up Scotty!
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Monday 14 September 2015

Hanging out in Hastings

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I wouldn't mind this for a writing retreat!
We were having breakfast at a friend's in Hastings this morning. Another beautiful day to enjoy this gorgeous house and location on Rice Lake. My holiday is turning into a dream vacation.
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Sunday 13 September 2015

Roald Dahl day

Celebrating one of the greatest Children's authors of all time, on what would have been his 99th birthday.

As a child, I devoured every book of Roald Dahl's that I could get my hands on, and these stories, coupled with Quentin Blake's illustrations, were magical.

Ten Tremendous Roald Dahl Facts

"I have a passion for teaching kids to become readers, to become comfortable with a book, not daunted. Books shouldn't be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives a terrific advantage.”
― Roald Dahl, who was born on this day in 1916

How to draw Mr & Mrs Twit, by Quentin Blake

Becoming Jane


What to do on a rainy Sunday... I know, Netflix! Myself and my Aunty watched Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway. This is the story of Jane Austen and, of course, I live in Jane Austen country - Hampshire, UK - and am a massive fan of her work. Last year I visited Chawton where her house still stands. 

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Our Queen

Teresa Harrison-Best has written a very fitting, light-hearted tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on this very special day, when she becomes the longest-reigning monarch in British history – passing her Great-Great-Grandmother Queen Victoria … Long live our noble Queen!

Our Queen

Tell the Guinness Book of Records
that our Queen has done us proud.
She’s the longest serving monarch
and the cheering will be loud!

She’s usurped dear old Victoria,
that other long-lived queen.
Some monarchs have reached fifty years
that’s few and far between.

In sixty three most golden years
she has witnessed key events,
including twelve Prime Ministers
and as many Presidents.

The Berlin Wall was not in place
when she came on the throne.
No texting or the Internet,
just the humble telephone.

The moon was such a distant place,
no ‘giant leaps’ afoot.
With no annoying Paparazzi
and getting overlooked.

Beatlemania had not arrived,
or the sixty six world cup.
Britain wasn’t swinging yet
but things were looking up!

L s d were coins not drugs
and guinea’s were in use.
Imperial was measurement
when cooking our own goose!

Phenomenal changes she has seen
across the world at large,
God Save The Queen say all of us
long may she stay in charge.


Written by Teresa Harrison-Best

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.
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