Trip to Brockville

 No, not a trip like the good old days, during the pre-COVID days, we just went to the auction house and headed back home. 

😷COVID-19 <= Our numbers in the hospital are continuing to rise. (Ontario hospitals seeing rise in numbers of staff testing positive for COVID) We're not testing in Ontario, except for extreme cases or hospitalizations. Wastewater tests are rising. The news I read, from reputable sources, told me that the new variant, BA.2/BA.2.2, can present as norovirus, with gastrointestinal symptoms. 

There are school staffing shortages, but we don't know how many teachers have COVID since they don't qualify for a more accurate PCR test. Our premier is running for re-election, and doesn't want us to know the numbers. They have very limited parameters for getting a PCR test. 

Wednesday, March 23rd 

When we left, it was cloudy, and some bad weather was supposed to be on its way. We debated on going Wednesday or Thursday, and it looked like it would get worse overnight. Snow or rain. 

We began in the clouds, and drove into blue skies. You can tell we live in farm country!

There is lots of water on the fields. Yesterday morning, when I took the garbage out, is was -12˚ C. Thursday it is supposed to be 16˚ C. Such wild swings in temperatures.

Somebody had to have their car towed!

This was fun. As we drove I saw a large vernal pond, with tons of birds.

With melted snow, comes the mud!

Some of the snow is still on the ground.

I really like the stonework on this house:

For Joseph Brian: a sweet wrap around porch or two...

For me, an interesting garden.

It is still pretty wet. We had snow all day Sunday, after 20 mm rain the day before, but the snow mostly melted.

How is this for a mailbox?! 

My poor driver: he had to manage on roads that felt like fudge.

Horses for JB.

Somebody had a fire. So sad for the family.

I love stone fences.

And, another fire. 

This is for JB!

As we approached Toledo, I spotted a red-tailed hawk. It landed in this tree. We watched carefully on our way back. It was gone. I thought this was a nest but it might just be a witch's nest.

It was a safe pick up, outside at the curb, behind tables, with staff wearing masks, as well as most of the customers.  This was my goal: replacing my mom's garden ornament, Emily. She had an incident with Butch raccoon, as I made the mistake of putting bird seed in her basket.

My prize! Isn't she sweet? Emily 2.

The Auction Pickup in Spencerville Part 1

 Back to sort of normal. There was an auction. It was a big one, with 1581 lots. It was a dealer who passed away in 2017, as well as some other lots. I expect his wife is now downsizing. (Fred Desabrais better know as Fred's Shed of Antiques and other consigners.)

It was a long few hours during the actual online auction. It opened at 7 p.m., and kept on going and going! It's all automatic, you bid, and it adds 2 minutes. I went to bed after a couple of hours, trusting the system. Here is one thing I bought, a Bocce Ball game. They are good at games. The rest of my loot is a secret until Josephine's birthday in December, and/or Christmas!

I watched a couple of items. I tried to bid on this clock, but I hadn't registered for the auction. I had forgotten! My mantle clock stops everytime we walk by, shaking the floor.

A porthole window?!

The swivel chair, upper right, first image (below), began at $500, and ended at $850. I know nothing about this stuff, but it was fascinating to watch. I hope they know what they are doing!

It was a lovely drive from home from Spencerville, where the auction house was holding their pickup this time. 

Trip to Spencerville

The odd tree is showing some colour.

This ivy was striking, on the old stone house.

North Augusta

There were lots of sunflowers!

Sweet gardens and fencing.

A chat by the side of the road. Hooray for small towns.

Throoptown

Spencerville

The main drag.

Note the two ATVs (above)! We saw them on our way searching for the culvert. By the time we finished my challenge (to find a culvert, more on that later), they were headed home from the bar.