Summer Vacation 2008

After an early June rife with court cases for Mike....all pertaining to work-related inspections from two YEARS ago....by late June it was hightime for some much-needed R&R. First stop was a rented cottage on Tamarack Lake near Gooderham, quickly becoming an annual gathering of about fifteen friends and family for a long weekend of swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and general merriment.

From there, we carried on to the cabin outside of Renfrew in the Ottawa Valley....given our current location in the extreme southwest, the cottage in Gooderham was already about 3/4 of the way to the cabin, so we couldn't resist a little more travel for a few days of absolute rustic relaxation. The cabin is the original log cabin settler's home of Mike's great-great-grandparents on his paternal grandmother's side, taken apart and painstakingly reassembled on the back 63 acres of Canadian Shield at the original 200-acre farmstead. No hydro, no water....just an outhouse and a whole lotta peace and quiet.....

The Cabin in the Pines
The View from the Road
Madawaska River from the Burnstown Bridge
Mike on the Madawaska near Calabogie

In the Garden....

So it's a little dated now....but here are a few shots of the garden, and new maple tree planted in the yard, courtesy of Martin! The garden is doing very well despite the relative lack of attention lately....so far (as of July 10) we have enjoyed some fresh radishes, green beans, yellow beans, peas, blueberries, strawberries, as well as wild cherries, strawberries, raspberries and mulberrries. There are even some small cucumbers and zucchini in the "side garden"....

Red Maple
Roma Tomatoes -as of now, they're ripe!
Some peppers
Corn and Potatoes

First Annual "Rawk the Coop"!!!

We decided to mark our new ranch with an annual event, deciding upon the May long weekend as the best (and least contested) time to have a bunch of people over for a big bash. After sending out postcards with crowing roosters on them, a group of intrepid adventurers descended upon Wheatley for three days of May-hem....

A combination of about twenty locals and friends from away turned out to mark the inaugural occasion, which included camping, bonfires, a live music jam, horseshoes, a fish fry, a BBQ, a rented porta-potty, and the obligatory kite flying in the high winds of Chatham-Kent. We even enjoyed a very sudden and threatening thunderstorm.

Thanks to all in attendance for a great time - in no particular order: Carrie and Dan, Jessie and Sarah, Bridget and Mel, Louise, Dora; Denise, Luke and Martin; Cindy and Laurie, Kester; Tanya, Grayson and Keith; and Julie and John.

If any special awards of recognition need to be handed out....full points to Keith for driving his brother's truck (a standard!) all the way to Wheatley just to deliver the long-awaited riding lawnmower. Kudos to Dora for toughing it out all night in the (summer) tent, even when Louise gave in and went into the house. Finally, a half-point to Julie for retrieving a young boy's kite from the midst of a wheat field.

Same time next year for the 2nd Annual "Rawk the Coop"!

The Tent Village on the East Lawn
The Parking Lot - note the rented Port-a-Pottie!
Hungry Folk Await the first BBQ offerings
Some evening magic

Working on the Farm

With the "Rawk the Coop" festivities in late May (entry to follow), we also finally took possession of the long-awaited riding lawnmower obtained from Tanya's father. Kudos to Keith for making the long drive down with his brother's pickup to deliver the machine. With an acre and a half of grass and weeds to maintain, it was not a moment too soon....

Shortly after the party....not saying it's a coincidence or anything....but the septic tank backed up. After finally finding the tank (a task unto itself), we dug it up to find literally a concrete coffin, 7' X 3', some 3-4' underground. No inspection holes, just a big coffin with a 700 lb. concrete lid. Imagine the humiliation of the septic guy who came to pump it out....couldn't get the lid off....went to get help....and upon his return found that Jane had removed the lid with only the help of a crowbar!

A windfarm is being erected a few miles east, along the Lake Erie shoreline....we can see them from the house, but off in the distance. They're not unattractive....and given the near constant wind we enjoy, certainly a welcome alternative to fossil fuels. Trans-Canada is also proposing a 75-turbine farm more directly in the Wheatley area....

Mike Enjoys the New Mower...and a Beer!
Even Jane Gets in on the Mower Action!
The Septic Coffin
Port Alma Windmills

Rural Man Repairs Barn Roof

In anticipation of the first annual "Rawk the Coop"festivities, one of your intrepid hosts climbed atop the "Man-Garage" to nail down some sheets of tin pried loose by the constant Wheatley winds....risking life and limb to ensure a safe and successful event.

Despite emerging septic issues (the tank has since been pumped out, everyone), the inaugural May long weekend party went extremely well....in spite of questionable weather, it appeared that a good time was had by all. The weekend was punctuated with live music (courtesy The Shitflower), bonfires, BBQ, a fish fry, a kite fly, horseshoes....and OK, a little rain and some near death camping experiences. You know who you are.

Weekend pics to follow - for now, enjoy these highly entertaining action shots!

Got my Hammer in my Hand
It's all good until you lean out over to hold the nail...
Quick Jane, dial 9-1.......the wind is picking up....

Visit to Prince Edward County

Bond Road looking East from Grandma's Farm
Grandma's Barn
Antique Farm Equipment in the Barnyard
Uncle Kevin working in the Shop!

So we managed to make a visit to see Lauri, Allan and the three nieces north of Kingston, along with Mike's Grandmother. On the way back, we swung by The Farm in Prince Edward County, west of Milford. Nothing says home like a visit to The Farm......

Spring has Sprung!

OK, so spring actually "sprang" about a month ago down here....just getting caught up with some pics taken over the last while. The birds are busy, the trees have leaves starting, the commercial fishing boats are on the lake, and the roadside greenhouse vegetable stands are out in full force. Fresh salads every night!

Getting the vegetable garden ready for planting shortly...we also grabbed some strawberry, raspberry and grape plants to try around the property. We just have to figure out a way to beat the birds to the fruit. The cherry trees out front are budding nicely as well - soon we wage war with our feathered friends!

Likely the first "mow" of the year this weekend - the lawn is quite green and growing rapidly. We have a pair of pheasants living in our hedge (which explains the bustle in the hedgerow), and rabbits randomly wandering the yard. We even had a small herd of eight white-tailed deer saunter across the property a few weeks back.

Loving the weather....and no more oil bills!

Fishing tugs in Wheatley harbour
Lake Erie shoreline in Point Pelee National Park
Male pheasant wandering our yard
Redwing Blackbird in the marsh