Pre-Show in The 'Shwa!

A trip to eastern Ontario to visit family seemed like the perfect excuse to catch one of our favourite bands along the way - The Motorleague was opening for Big Sugar at the Music Hall in Oshawa!

We arrived early enough to visit local craft brewery 5 Paddles Brewing in Whitby to grab some samples, and then grab a bite to eat at a great BBQ place (Buster Rhino's) across the street from the venue in downtown Oshawa.

We both opted for the fabulous beef brisket sandwich, though we both agreed that my Georgia Mustard version (with a side of apple slaw) was better than Jane's sandwich sauced with Bourbon BBQ. And of course, they had some great Ontario microbrews on tap.....including the Old Flame Red from Port Perry. The streetside patio sealed the deal.

Even better when you only have to stumble across the (albeit busy) street to the show....

Old Flame Red in the heart of downtown Oshawa

Buster Rhino's Southern BBQ

The Music Hall

Beef Brisket Bonanza!

A selection of samples from 5 Paddles Brewing

Kane & Potvin

We headed north on a Friday night to catch some live music in the beachside town of Bayfield, on the shores of Lake Huron. A great intimate venue (The Ashwood) offered food, drink and rooms, for those needing them.

The "band" was Kane and Potvin, a Canadian music duo consisting of former frontmen Kevin Kane of the Grapes of Wrath, and Bryan Potvin of the Northern Pikes. They played several hits from each band, as well as some rather solid new material they have written together.

Our tickets also got us relatively front row seats, two tables back from the stage. We even got to hob-nob with them afterwards....though in such a small venue, it was hard NOT to meet them just trying to get to the washroom!

Luckily, we also had a place to stay in nearby Grand Bend, where we visited with John and Julie and sampled the cottage life whilst quaffing the odd beer and doing a little work on some renovations.

Track, and Fields

My eldest niece is quite the track athlete, in addition to her many other talents. As luck would have it, this year's OFSAA provincial track and field championships were being held at our end of the province, in Windsor.

She ran the anchor leg of the 4x100m relay, though they did not advance past their heat. The team was off to a good start and in a position to challenge, but by the time she got the baton they were at the back of the field. Still, she pulled them up to 6th, and got to experience the atmosphere. Most importantly to her - she came, she ran (her personal best 100m time), she got the official hoodie sweatshirt!

Great excuse for a visit with 4/5 of the family, as my middle niece had to stay back in eastern Ontario for her own extra-curricular activity. Perfect weather for some wine around a bonfire!

Alumni Field at the University of Windsor

Lane 8 on the far left....but too much ground to make up!

No quit in this young lady

Temporary Gazebo

We bought a screened tent to use as a temporary gazebo.....then of course waited until late in the day as a storm approached to decide to set it up!

Luckily many years of road trips, camping and setting up tents in short order have left us a pretty well oiled machine....once we figure out NOT to follow the terrible instructions that come with the kit.

Now it's a shaded outdoor room with hydro (via extension cord) and wi-fi!

Corners up, chairs in!

A shady addition to the deck

All zipped up and ready for action

Just in time as grey skies threaten.....

Momma is a non-plussed pussycat....

....but Gronk consents to the tent!

I Am Gronk, and I Approve This Tent

Sun Showers

Rainbow over Wheatley....

....and a Pot o' Gold Juke at the other end!

Wrapping up with a gorgeous sunset

Retrofest 2016!

A beautiful and SUNNY weekend in late May got the summer off to a great start. We decided to walk around Retrofest in downtown Chatham, mainly to drool over classic cars but also take in the food and festival of it all.

Rain showers would occasionally cool things off, but otherwise we shade-hopped from tree to tree, ducking out to check out a shiny car or three before retreating from the punishing solar onslaught.

Great show, huge turnout of people and a veritable bevy of vintage vehicles, including my clearly favourite era of late 60's models.

Ford Torino

Ford Mustang

Chev Impala

Ford Galaxie 500

Ford Fairlane

A jam-packed downtown Chatham!

Capitol Theatre.....where we recently saw The Trews!

Still not sure what this is....but I like it!

A Pair o' Plymouth Barracudae

Ford Fairlane 500

May Daze

A glorious Spring weekend meant some much-needed outdoor time around the yard and garden. I managed to get the entire lawn cut for the first time this year, though I had to finish the last little bit in a light drizzle.

Also got the garden tilled, a bunch of weeding done, some general maintenance, and replaced the old and rusting mailbox....which of course also meant replacing the rotten wood under the old mailbox.

The tulips and daffodils remain in full bloom.....as do the dandelions!

 My mailbox repairs raise some red flags

 Before....

 ....and After!

 Mow-Town

 Hanging Strawberries

 Keeping the Bees Happy