Ah-h-h Andrew

One of our reasons for travelling via Ottawa was to greet cousin Andrew, and to wish him well on his trip to Europe. He is playing the organ at Westminster Cathedral this week. Catriona enjoys Andrew, and was pleased to have this opportunity to spend a few minutes with him. Of course, we had to take a styled, and posed, snapshot of Andrew and Catriona with a piano in the background, and an unexpected surprise was the cat, Olivia, on the chair to their right.

Saint-Jean-Port-Joli

We spent the night in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, an artisan village on the shore of the St Lawrence River. This village is reknown for its wood carvers, and there is evidence of their talent around the village. We were enchanted by it all.

Day 1 of our July trip

A fine day for a crossing. We looked back toward's Smith's Cove, and were greeted by this marvellous view of Bear Island, shrouded with fog.

It boded well, because often the crossing is calm when the fog

holds down the waves, and it did just that this time. Only 1/2 tab of stugeron, and I was fine.

It also meant that we could drive off the ferry and up the road immediately.

The St John River valley is beautiful. I never tire of looking at it. This time, for a change, we turned west at Edmundston, and drove along the edge of the river until we the last turn north into Quebec. I haven't driven along that route for decades, and I am so glad that we took that route.

It was relaxing, and interesting, and about 15 minutes longer than taking the TransCanada to Riviere du Loup (which is under construction in parts). It is always a pleasure to see some of the beautiful landscapes in our country.

Our overnight destination was Saint Jean-Port Joli, on the banks of the St Lawrence River.

This has been a miserable week - injured myself somehow, and have struggled with a sore back for the week. I was treated to a chiropractic manipulation twice, a massage once, and eventually resorted to strong medicines from the pharmacy (recommended by the nurses at my friendly, accessible emergency department). Wouldn't you know it...this is the week that the emergency department has been closed nearly all week, due to holidays and other situations. I had great plans for today, Saturday. I intended to be at the Bear River Cherry Carnival, and to sell some art supplies (hopefully) at Bear Canvas. No such luck. I felt too ill to do much, but hauled myself out of bed, and somehow drove up the river road, only to find that I was too late to get past the barracades set up for the parade. I had no energy to drag my sacks of art supplies along the road and through the village to Bear Canvas, so I bailed out, and came home to lie on the couch. I saw the beginning and end of a movie, but missed the middle due to closed eyes. Probably lying on the couch was the best thing I could do for myself today.

Nigel has returned to BaffinIsland for work. He will be there during July and part of August. Because Catriona is leaving during August, we took the standard 'farewell picture' on Friday. These are always difficult snapshots, because everyone is self conscious. However, it was all just fine, and here is the result, to the left.

And to the right, is this morning's view of the Annapolis Basin. A calm crossing for the 'Princess of Acadia' today, I suspect.

The day began, as is typical of this summer, with a blanket of fog obscuring our view of the Annapolis Basin. However, by now it has lifted to reveal a calm but cool body of grey-blue water. There is a chilly breeze blowing up the hill, causing the treetops to wave at the ocean, mocking the sailboats participating in the Sunday race from the yacht club. We three at home (Devin, Catriona and I) have been housecleaning this morning. Now it is time to relax for awhile. Two of us shall watch a mindless movie, and one of us shall probably listen to music. This is the stuff of classic summer vacation activity. I think I shall revel in it for this summer...long lazy afternoons. Of course, I must pay the price of an active morning, organising and sorting the myriad of items that have somehow come to clutter our house. I think they procreate in the evenings, because I have no idea what most of it is or where it came from. Another yard sale is looming on the horizon, I suspect. Possibly we shall set a September date for that one.

Monday morning

A foggy morning. The fog is right up to our house, which is unusual. There is a white blanket covering the Annapolis Basin. Perhaps the sun will pull it back later this morning. Yesterday involved a long snooze during the afternoon. Apparently Googgie slept curled up beside me while I slept, oblivious to her. I could barely keep my eyes open yesterday, and felt quite cranky all day. I guess the strain of the past few weeks was wearing on me. Today, it will be a busy time, sorting out several issues - water quality at the rental units, kitten checkups, maybe a visit to extended-family-cousins Nikki and Ian, collect the residue of the yard sale, and sort out the laundry that was washed yesterday. A busy day ahead.

Sunday afternoon

It's an overcast, rainy day, a perfect day to lie around on the couch and watch a movie. That is next on the agenda. Already accomplished today - church, quick check at the yard sale (which was going abysmally, due to the rainy weather, which is not at all condusive to outdoor activities like yard sales), and 7 loads of laundry done at the laundrette in Digby. There was so much to do that getting it all done in 2 or 3 hours was well worth the time and energy required. And what energy is necessary at the laundrette, I ask? All we have to do is sit around and read trashy magazines left by previous clients. What joy! What bliss! And even more of those emotions when we were done, and able to come home.

Saturday evening

A marvellous day, full of activity. My shaggy locks have been shorn to the equivalent of a number 4 cut, and it is marvellous to have a neat head of hair again. We sold plenty of extraneous stuff at the combined households yard sale. Some items were sold for a song, some for a reasonable price, and plenty of clutter has been offloaded. I must say that I am a bit sad that the 1/4 size pool table is gone, but there comes a time to leave behind the stuff of another era, and that is now gone. Catriona was the main user of the pool table, and she is not interested in it now, so it was time for it to go. We certainly do not have the space to set it up in this tiny house. And the objective of all this selling was to get rid of all the items which are taking up too much space in our house. Ah, this tiny house. A tiny house is a good idea, especially for middle-aged persons, but it does lead to some heart-wrenching decisions about the accumulated treasures of our lives, together and apart. The even tinier art shed is still a work in progress. I hope to have some of it arranged for actual use this weekend. The painting inside is done for now. Furniture must be put in place, and then it is all copescetic. And the third activity today was a delightful BBQ at the Snells. Jane and Paul Hammond, new people (Rebecca and Richard), Sharon Taylor, and us made up the party. There was plenty of chat about sports, life in general, and prospects in this part of Nova Scotia...all very positive, which was pleasant to hear. The food was delicious, so that was a bonus. All in all, a good time had by all. Of course, the Teeds/Rollos were the last to leave. How does that happen? Must get our timing more organised. And now, to other activities....