Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Raisin River Canoe Race
As it happens every year, rain or shine, the canoe race is on. Plenty of water, rapids and fun await the 200-plus canoes and kayaks expected to participate in the 37th running of the Raisin River Canoe Race. From St. Andrews to the finish line in Williamstown, it will take approximately 3 hours. And this year, the weather was just perfect with just a little touch of coolness in the air. 
Here they come! Starting point being from St. Andrews to the finishing line in Williamstown. We decided to take a ride and see where the canoeists were.
And then I spotted the Acadian flag on one of them. Wooohoooo!!!!!
People were parked on each side of the river to watch the progress of this competition
and also in the village. Parking was impossible to find.
Every participant has to arrive at the finish line even if they tip in the river.
Then they each receive a medal for their effort and participation.
And here is a taste of what was happening.
Spectators were watching from above and I was near the river to capture anyone who would capsize.
There were different kinds of kayaks. Blue ones,
purple....
yellow....
and the grey military one.
There were also the classic canoes, the fiber glass one of different body shape if you take a look at some of the pictures.
Just think of the muscle power for the duration of close to 3 hours. Phew!!!! And then to have to drag the canoe uphill afterwards!!!!
Some had silly hats just for the fun of it.
I was just on time to spot again the Acadian flag.
These two Acadians live in Ottawa. One is a Boudreau from Bathurst. The other a Jans.
It was also fun to accidentally come across friends, so I had to take a picture of the daughter.
Now, let's have some action! What we could hear from the public was the ohhhhs and the ahhhhhs and the applauds of encouragement as you will see why.
Oh oh......... jammed up!
It never fails....
Check this scenario...
And they are still in the water hahaha...
And you can reach the finishing line backwards too if you cannot turn around hahaha.... Number 124 is Mary, the daughter of a friend of mine. This was the nice touch of the end of the race, a canoe coming in backwards....
Here they come! Starting point being from St. Andrews to the finishing line in Williamstown. We decided to take a ride and see where the canoeists were.
And then I spotted the Acadian flag on one of them. Wooohoooo!!!!!
People were parked on each side of the river to watch the progress of this competition
and also in the village. Parking was impossible to find.
Every participant has to arrive at the finish line even if they tip in the river.
Then they each receive a medal for their effort and participation.And here is a taste of what was happening.
Spectators were watching from above and I was near the river to capture anyone who would capsize.
There were different kinds of kayaks. Blue ones,
purple....
yellow....
and the grey military one.There were also the classic canoes, the fiber glass one of different body shape if you take a look at some of the pictures.
Just think of the muscle power for the duration of close to 3 hours. Phew!!!! And then to have to drag the canoe uphill afterwards!!!!
Some had silly hats just for the fun of it.
I was just on time to spot again the Acadian flag.
These two Acadians live in Ottawa. One is a Boudreau from Bathurst. The other a Jans.
It was also fun to accidentally come across friends, so I had to take a picture of the daughter.Now, let's have some action! What we could hear from the public was the ohhhhs and the ahhhhhs and the applauds of encouragement as you will see why.
Oh oh......... jammed up!It never fails....
Check this scenario...
And they are still in the water hahaha...
And you can reach the finishing line backwards too if you cannot turn around hahaha.... Number 124 is Mary, the daughter of a friend of mine. This was the nice touch of the end of the race, a canoe coming in backwards....
Saturday, March 21, 2009
So Much Work For So Little
Last week, Dave and I had the idea to help a friend of ours who started again to make maple syrup. It will be our first time helping in the bush if they need us.
The first batch was well under way since one o'clock. It was then three by the time we arrived.
We were told that it will take at least another two hours before the syrup will be done. The first batch takes longer.
At the entrance, we could smell the aroma of the maple syrup in the air. Full speed boiling that's what it takes and a lot of work along the way as you will see.
A lot of wood is needed for that little stove.
The wood beside the building will need to be chopped with an ax.
And more for the coming days and maybe more dead trees elsewhere to collect and bring to the barn as it is also cleaning the yard at the same time.
Have to check the temperature and test the different chambers where the syrup is going through these vats until the last chamber where it's done. We can chat but work still has to be done.
This kind of wood was burning pretty quickly. I would say that every 20-25 minutes, we had to put more wood into the stove.
And it was really hot if you stayed there to warm up. You had to move aside pretty quickly.
Then it was time to check the sap.
There was another field with more pails that we will go and collect later.
I noticed smaller trees had one bucket, bigger ones three and this size had two.
Some buckets had less maple water and this one is ready to be collected later.
It was time to go into the bush to collect the sap.
Pour the maple water into that bucket from tree to tree.
Dave emptied that container into the big tub as we move along the 50 or 80 other buckets we did. Then we returned back to the sugar shack.
Even if it was so much work for so little syrup, it's the fun of it all really. It was quite an experience which we will repeat again.
The first batch was well under way since one o'clock. It was then three by the time we arrived.We were told that it will take at least another two hours before the syrup will be done. The first batch takes longer.
At the entrance, we could smell the aroma of the maple syrup in the air. Full speed boiling that's what it takes and a lot of work along the way as you will see.
A lot of wood is needed for that little stove.
The wood beside the building will need to be chopped with an ax.
And more for the coming days and maybe more dead trees elsewhere to collect and bring to the barn as it is also cleaning the yard at the same time.
Have to check the temperature and test the different chambers where the syrup is going through these vats until the last chamber where it's done. We can chat but work still has to be done.
This kind of wood was burning pretty quickly. I would say that every 20-25 minutes, we had to put more wood into the stove.And it was really hot if you stayed there to warm up. You had to move aside pretty quickly.
Then it was time to check the sap.
There was another field with more pails that we will go and collect later.
I noticed smaller trees had one bucket, bigger ones three and this size had two.
Some buckets had less maple water and this one is ready to be collected later.
It was time to go into the bush to collect the sap.
Pour the maple water into that bucket from tree to tree.
Dave emptied that container into the big tub as we move along the 50 or 80 other buckets we did. Then we returned back to the sugar shack.Even if it was so much work for so little syrup, it's the fun of it all really. It was quite an experience which we will repeat again.
Monday, March 09, 2009
A Lovely Weekend
What a memorable weekend we had! All because we had a bonus of a visit from Winston. Was I ever glad!
Nara and her boyfriend Mike, came down for the weekend with Eric and Jane from the big city of Montreal. Everyone was home Saturday night for supper along with Eric and Jane and Ans.
All are chatting in the kitchen while having a bit of wine along with goat cheese dip and cheese.
Dave made homemade beans Saturday night for the brunch the next day. What was exciting too was having another visitor for brunch. Melissa is a long time friend and it was nice to catch up with her.
Before everyone arrived from brunch we had both Osker and Napkin at their usual spot when we prepare meals. And just for the record, Napkin is now 17 years old.
It was such a beautiful day that we decided to take Nara and Mike into Montreal ourselves instead of going back with our friends. Winston decided to come along with us and to see Nara's apartment. As I was talking to Winston while we were waiting for Dave, Nara and Mike at a book store, here is what we saw.
A mommy dog at the front, and you could tell that she was feeding them still, and at the back are her pups, four or five of them in a wagon with the blue blanket. haha Too cute!!!! The temptation was there to get a pup let me tell you!
It's nice also to be able to stop somewhere especially in Montreal and have something to eat and drink. We decided to make a stop for coffee and cake.
Nara had a cappuccino, Winston a mocha and Mike a latté.
Dave had a chai tea with a cinnamon stick into it and I had a café au lait. All were delicious. It was then close to 6:00 by the time we were near Chinatown. We decided to have supper there before heading home.
This is the kind of weekend I wouldn't mind repeating again and again.
Nara and her boyfriend Mike, came down for the weekend with Eric and Jane from the big city of Montreal. Everyone was home Saturday night for supper along with Eric and Jane and Ans.
All are chatting in the kitchen while having a bit of wine along with goat cheese dip and cheese.
Dave made homemade beans Saturday night for the brunch the next day. What was exciting too was having another visitor for brunch. Melissa is a long time friend and it was nice to catch up with her.
Before everyone arrived from brunch we had both Osker and Napkin at their usual spot when we prepare meals. And just for the record, Napkin is now 17 years old.
It was such a beautiful day that we decided to take Nara and Mike into Montreal ourselves instead of going back with our friends. Winston decided to come along with us and to see Nara's apartment. As I was talking to Winston while we were waiting for Dave, Nara and Mike at a book store, here is what we saw.
A mommy dog at the front, and you could tell that she was feeding them still, and at the back are her pups, four or five of them in a wagon with the blue blanket. haha Too cute!!!! The temptation was there to get a pup let me tell you!It's nice also to be able to stop somewhere especially in Montreal and have something to eat and drink. We decided to make a stop for coffee and cake.
Nara had a cappuccino, Winston a mocha and Mike a latté.
Dave had a chai tea with a cinnamon stick into it and I had a café au lait. All were delicious. It was then close to 6:00 by the time we were near Chinatown. We decided to have supper there before heading home.This is the kind of weekend I wouldn't mind repeating again and again.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Too Short a Trip To The Maritimes
I was told "One week is not long enough!" "You're not sooner here that you have to leave again!" Yep, my family was right. Too short a trip and not enough time to visit my relatives and friends but tons of pictures were taken though to cover every step of my journey.
The beginning of this trip started already late in Ontario by 40 min. I thought in Montreal it wouldn't be the same but w.r.o.n.g again. Not enough time to sit and have supper while waiting to take the other train. All in all, was late by almost 2 hrs. Even missed having breakfast with my sister and her daughter who so kindly had to wait all that time but they did go for breakfast - I don't blame them.
Cinthia who took her little puppy along for the ride. Chanelle is cute isn't she? Only 2 months old.
Before we head back to my hometown, we stop at Grande-Anse. If you want information, brochures, beautiful view, this is the place.
Lobster traps are not that big hahaha but this is a replica of how they look like.
Going to admire the beautiful view and breathing the fresh ocean air.
It's really really high up here! It was humid and misty. Better than having rain on my first visit home.
My sister is relaxing here. The chauffeur deserve a little break. (wink)
The first day after supper, my brother and I walk to town which is a good mile if not more.
Looking back over my shoulder I decided to take this picture of where I was born. The little village near the ocean.
There are a few of these nests near my hometown. Joy oh joy!!! It was my luck to capture the mother falcon coming back as the father wasn't far behind her.
There is an area in town near the water called "la passerelle" where you can walk for miles and miles.
There are stations where you can stop and admire the view while relaxing. It's so peaceful.
This summer, my whole family was home along with my aunt and her son from Montreal. This is a small gathering at the maternal home to chit chat and tease. Others are in the living room playing and laughing. We are all planning a get together at Line's house for Saturday night.
I should have taken pictures of the seven meat pies I made the second day I arrived. Because that's what I recall doing most, baking. Hahaha... phew!!!!!! And then, five rhubarb pies and two cakes.
Claudiane suggested that another rhubarb pie should be made for that party after tasting the one I just baked, meaning ME. I didn't hesitate to put her to the task as she doesn't bake at home lol......
The party is on the way. People are starting to arrive with food galore. Music in the background.
Two barbecues on the go.
There was dancing.
Cousins talking.
On Sunday it was the benediction of the boats.
Remembering lives lost at sea. This wreath is going to be thrown into the ocean.
What was also most important was to be with Mom. Cook with her, taste the familiar comfort food she makes so well, catch up on news, have cups of tea and coffee and eat pies together.
There is a kind of serenity being home. Is it being near the ocean? Being further East? Is it the ocean air? All I know is that one feels grounded.
The beginning of this trip started already late in Ontario by 40 min. I thought in Montreal it wouldn't be the same but w.r.o.n.g again. Not enough time to sit and have supper while waiting to take the other train. All in all, was late by almost 2 hrs. Even missed having breakfast with my sister and her daughter who so kindly had to wait all that time but they did go for breakfast - I don't blame them.
Cinthia who took her little puppy along for the ride. Chanelle is cute isn't she? Only 2 months old.
Before we head back to my hometown, we stop at Grande-Anse. If you want information, brochures, beautiful view, this is the place.
Lobster traps are not that big hahaha but this is a replica of how they look like.
Going to admire the beautiful view and breathing the fresh ocean air.
It's really really high up here! It was humid and misty. Better than having rain on my first visit home.
My sister is relaxing here. The chauffeur deserve a little break. (wink)
The first day after supper, my brother and I walk to town which is a good mile if not more.
Looking back over my shoulder I decided to take this picture of where I was born. The little village near the ocean.
There are a few of these nests near my hometown. Joy oh joy!!! It was my luck to capture the mother falcon coming back as the father wasn't far behind her.
There is an area in town near the water called "la passerelle" where you can walk for miles and miles.
There are stations where you can stop and admire the view while relaxing. It's so peaceful.
This summer, my whole family was home along with my aunt and her son from Montreal. This is a small gathering at the maternal home to chit chat and tease. Others are in the living room playing and laughing. We are all planning a get together at Line's house for Saturday night.
I should have taken pictures of the seven meat pies I made the second day I arrived. Because that's what I recall doing most, baking. Hahaha... phew!!!!!! And then, five rhubarb pies and two cakes.
Claudiane suggested that another rhubarb pie should be made for that party after tasting the one I just baked, meaning ME. I didn't hesitate to put her to the task as she doesn't bake at home lol......
The party is on the way. People are starting to arrive with food galore. Music in the background.
Two barbecues on the go.
There was dancing.
Cousins talking.
On Sunday it was the benediction of the boats.
Remembering lives lost at sea. This wreath is going to be thrown into the ocean.
What was also most important was to be with Mom. Cook with her, taste the familiar comfort food she makes so well, catch up on news, have cups of tea and coffee and eat pies together.
There is a kind of serenity being home. Is it being near the ocean? Being further East? Is it the ocean air? All I know is that one feels grounded.
