I can swim; canoe?

On this, my daughter's birthday, I must reflect on the present. How grateful we are to have been able to visit Bondi Village Resort.

There is nothing better than having fun with grandchildren. Beachtime was fun, with youngsters getting used to water, the lake and playing safely. More importantly, it was caregivers being vigilant!

Josephine was eager to get out in the canoe.
She waited in the boat while Papa fetched more equipment.

She didn't look back.

The young boys were shooting their water canons. I dug out hubby's water gun. Jofee had a grand time. All in good fun.

Even Isabelle had a grand time. I don't look like I had a good time, but I was concentrating on balancing my paddle and holding the camera up!

Sir John in Muskoka

Brian Tapley's 1947 plane - more photos of his plane.

Whilst on holiday I missed the Almonte Puppet Parade.

No matter. We have two puppets who travel with us.

Sir John, and his buddy, Muffin Muncher (after the book and storytelling I used to do in my classroom), were much loved by my granddaughters on our Muskoka vacation.

Shopping with Josephine!

Sir John has been to the Stewart Park Music Festival, visited with Matt at the Muskoka Lakes Winery Bala Cranberry bog, met the Sir John A. Madonald impersonator (for whom he was named!) at our friend's house in Kingston, been to Tweed and visited with Ottawa granddaughters. Sir John and Muffin were created in Carnarvon, by a puppet maker.

Muffin Muncher and Sir John, ready for take-off!

spotted a blue heron ($2500!) at Oxtongue Gallery

Present for the bug magnet, my hubby!

Off shopping

Everybody strapped in for shopping

Time to go home. 

Jofee straps them in!

Jofee was ready to go home, too!

Chicken love

Chickens are capable of empathy - not to mention jealousy, selfishness, love and lust

A study has found that chickens are capable of empathy. What about their other emotions, asks Carla Carlisle.

My friend, Nancy Tapley, at Bondi Village Resort, is the chicken whisperer! More chickens here at Sunflower Farm.










Isabelle is my granddaughter, and she is 15 months old!


To join in the fun, visit Misty Dawn at CAMERA CRITTERS  

Muskoka vacation

There was nothing better for me. Living there was the wonderful. Cottaging there for 50 years was a privilege.

This is my last canoe ride on my beloved Long Lake, Muskoka, August 1st, 2010.



Here are all of my Muskoka vacation, August 2011, videos!




And the sights and sounds of Muskoka during my four and a half years as full-time resident.

Bondi Village Resort Clamnation

Nancy, brother Brian, and Brian's wife, Carol, run Bondi Village Resort. They are Jack and Jills of all trades. There is much to do in keeping a resort running smoothly. With years of efficiency built in, they find time for Tuesday BBQ and corn roast, Wednesday was the Music Men of Muskoka songfest while folks lined up to register their clams for the clam race.

First one picks a name. Then you line up so that a number can be painted on with nail polish.

Brian draws a line in the sand, and prepares the equipment.
The next day, at 8:30 a.m., he measures the distance travelled. Participants get spiffy certificates!

Bondi Village Resort Beachtime!

We had so much fun there last week.
Josephine and Isabelle loved the water.

Taking flight

More on my holiday later. Today we watched Brian Tapley and his plane. Built in 1947, it is mechanical, made with fabric. For a rebuild, they strip the fabric, repair or replace parts, and basically rebuild the plane.

He took employee Jenn up for a plane ride.

tractor hauls the plane in and out of the lake

sun and rain are hard on the plane

Brian, and employee Mike, work on it

Jenn suits up.

off they go

Nothing better than Muskoka in summer

I have cottaged in Muskoka since 1960. Awfully happy to be back, staying at Bondi Village.

Drive safely out there.

drive safely

Sir John along for the ride

my helper, packing

intense!

THE BEACH!

dancing in the water

deer fly