Rideau Canal Skateway & Canadian Aviation and Space Museum

It has been a frigid, snowy month in Ottawa, but then it IS January and we DO live in Canada! 

View from our condo

2018: A Very Memorable Year

Our memories of the past year includes friends (both new and old), family, travel and housesitting in the UK, Spain and France. 2018 also brought about a change of scenery as both ourselves and our daughter and son-in-law purchased new homes this year. While we're not ready to sell our Elliot Lake property just yet, John and I are grateful for the opportunity to explore the nation's capital this winter at our leisure while we hibernate in our 1-bedroom condo. 

Elliot Lake to Topsfield, MA and Back

The temperatures have dropped considerably since mid October and we've endured rain, sleet and snow - often all within the same day! While driving from Elliot Lake to Ottawa at the end of October we experienced our first snowfall of the season. Thankfully, by the time we reached Mattawa most of it had melted, but there was still a layer on the top of the picnic table.

Mattawa, Ontario

October Splendour

From a visual standpoint, autumn in northern Ontario is spectacular and while we were concerned 2018 may not fare as well colour wise as previous years (due to this summer's drought) our worries proved to be unfounded.

Ferry, Friends & Fall

September has come and (almost) gone which is a shame because it's my favourite month of the year here in northern Ontario. The temperature is moderate, there are virtually no bugs and the vibrant fall colours are a spectacle that continue to amaze. Add friends and cottages, a second Chi-Cheemaun ferry ride as well as a second successful cataract eye surgery to the mix and what's not to love?

Lake Huron from Fred & Maxine's deck

Chi-Cheemaun, Cataracts & Coons

My primary goal this summer was to keep the calendar clear to accommodate my cataract surgery and once the dates were set, the next item on the agenda was to ensure we arrived at the hospital in southern Ontario on schedule. (My right eye surgery was set for August 3.) The forest fires, especially the Parry Sound 33 fire, were worrisome, so we opted to take the Chi-Cheemaun ferry from South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island to Tobermory.

Storms, Fires, Friends & Family

The old adage that time flies is proving correct this summer. In the six weeks that have passed since my last post we've been busy, busy, busy and it's been hot, hot, hot.