Our 2018 Picture Story

This collection of photos and stories will, hopefully, compliment the 2018 ‘newsletter’ and provide a better understanding of what the heck I am talking about… haven’t read the newsletter?, here’s a quick link 2018 … and check out some of the other links, etc. too… as I’ve said before, sharing our news is almost as much fun as we’ve had living it!

Barb (with tinted goggles) is still keeping her head above water these days, except when there’s a syncro move requiring the opposite: she loves it!

Going through the moves with her friend Martha, one of the “Rosettes”

Above is Katherine’s daughter Zoe at 3 months.

Below, at 6 months of age.

Our first major trip of the year started in Florida. We flew to Fort Lauderdale, picked up our rental car and drove to the other side of the city limits… I had upgraded our hotel to a full-blown spa. We were too late for our free meal but enjoyed our two days there regardless.

On day 3, after time wasted on a time share sales pitch, we headed to the shipyards. The loading took an extra 3 hours due to computer network issues, and we had missed our lunch; we had upgraded to an ocean-view room and we were glad to finally be able to get away from the noise and crowd. The boat would take us to the Grand Bahamas Island for a 5-day stay.

A little sea ‘*breathing*‘ could set her up for life!

We toured around on borrowed bikes nearly every day; walked on the beach and took in some of the optional activities such as archery and sea kayaking… here are a few images of those memories…

heading back to shore, the waves don’t look it, but were challenging enough!

Helpful (and friendly) resort staff offering advise with my aim; target at 50 feet, I was 1/10 (so I guess I could have used more help with that or payed closer attention)

Apparently these coconuts have experienced different growing conditions, hence the variety of shapes and sizes

Where are all of the young people, it may seem I’m asking… well, the bar is open I guess!

Barb was far better at this than she said she would be. I was wondering if she had been practicing on the side!

We had our peace and quiet ‘challenged’ once the “March Break” activities got underway. The room we had was, happily, the one farthest away from the bandstand …and the beach and sunsets were just steps away. We avoided a distant rain storm or two… but they were rather nice to witness.

It may look like a sunset… but this is the morning wake up view.

All dressed up with reservations for a nice Quiet dinner

We spent a few more days in Florida on the return trip, and would be flying out from a different city. Met up with friends at a condo on the east coast before driving inland, where, by coincidence, James and family were visiting with Jocelyne’s parents.

An odd but happy stop over on our way to Orlando airport, meant another chance for a swim!

Among the many joys of our year, are those special one-on-ones with the grandies… here’s a few Nana moments!

Nana and William visit the “Artistic Welding” guy’s gallery near Port Hope

A visit to Orillia and a bit of Eloise bonding.

Can you tell if this person is happy or not?

We have visited James and Jocelyne a number of times, often the visit includes a walk in their community…

Problem with this nature area; people are often leaving stuff behind, as in this small item that Emile and Olivier came across!

Glow sticks glowed on Canada Day at the neighbourhood park in Marchmont, near Orillia

James and Jocelyne at the waterfall crossing near their home.

With my mom in nursing care, my dad visits every other day…(recently he was offered a room in the adjacent building so he can avoid the drive and visit more often) …We like to celebrate birthdays and special event throughout the year. A few examples…

Visit with my dad for his birthday. We met in Marmora at mom’s nursing home.

On another occasion, Katherine visits with gifts as well ; a first time the meet with baby, Zoe.

Clara (with William to her right) is celebration her birthday with us

@Zoe’s baptism: Clara and Erin assume the Godparent roles

We were at camp for Barb’s BD, so we had a meal with some long-time friends …for a cake, an oreo with a candle stuck in it!

The city introduced new bylaws, regarding animals… we are a bit confused about the rational behind the restrictions, such as cats need to be on leashes, that sort of thing! However, it meant that there was a new ban on Urban Chickens. We could have kept them a bit longer, but decided to pass them on to a farmer friend to live out their days (they had ceased laying anyway, and were like pets to us)… we thank Russett for provided our chickens with, what I could call, ‘early retirement’, just like me!

We visit the farm where our chickens now reside.

So, the travel home, especially the last day with the car, plane, then the car again, left Barb in major discomfort: it still bothers her, and her yoga mat and bouncy ball now travel with us, where-ever we go… even on the odd cottage drop in.

At the guest bunkie; Barb is sort of “on a roll” with swim preparation

At a cottge near Orillia – James and family were “dog sitting” with full access to the place.

We did a few other things over the summer and into fall worth mentioning… a picture is worth a thousand words!

30-year-old carpet in the music room is removed (floor is prep-ed with some effort)!

Barb was enlisted with a Flute Choir for most of the summer and fall with a total of 4 performances

the flute choir was based in Courtice and had between 15 & 20 members

A reunion-type of gathering of the entire family in Foxboro, allowing mom to be home for the first time in several summers

Of course I went back to my old school, to make sure they hadn’t painted over my ‘milestone’ brick… (all grads paint a brick when they leave the school)

Oh yeah… we had another trip planned in early summer, this time to Costa Rica. We had the invitation from friends with a property there,… all we had to do was fly down together and do some touring and relaxing… Barb had just finished up her teaching sessions and the time seemed right… a few photos follow…

A common sight …these guys loved hanging out on the metal roof… periodically, one would noisily scratch and slide off

This guy was a little camara shy, but stayed within 5 feet or so long enough to get this photo.

Close encounters on the crockodile tour.

the tour guide reached into the water and pulled out this baby croc.

just before sundown at a resort on the west coast

Sunset viewed from the area’s most popular vantage point.

In tourist mode at a national park public swimming spot.

After Costa Rica, we decided to stay close to home for a while and enjoy the salt water pool… you may recall we needed a liner replacement last fall. By August we were missing our camper-type holiday, so we pulled the trailer up to our favorite spot, the OTF campground.

We lucked out for a site on the water’s edge; good morning world!

We love the closeness of nature and the motor-free lake the most. This Heron take off photo would be nicer with a real photographer’s camera and skill. which I do not have.

While we were in the Parry Sound / Dunchurch area, a cottage visit and meal together had been prearranged with one of the women from Barb’s syncro team… she and her husband have a nice place on Whitestone Lake. She also tends bees and was very excited about showing us her hives.