Spring, Summer and Autumn - 2014….FINALLY!!!

Lunch with friend Sapna and beautiful
baby Naya

And Grandma Liloo.  Marny left
before I could grab a shot

Early June flash visit by Rachel and Laura, to
vist friend Nick who has Lyme Disease.
Bob and I were beneficiaries of 24 hours
with them aboard TULAW

Rachel's selfie testing the iPhone5
discovered in our back yard

A quick visit with Grandma on our way north

A walk through the park for
a coffee in downtown Penetanguishene

Up the hill - Rachel

Down the hill - Laura

Old fashioned lemonade stand

Terrific birthday (Rachel) dinner at The Explorers
Cafe in Midland

Owners - Rob and Jen

"Surprise" melting cake (ice cream
cakes don't do well with so many candles!)

Toronto turns on the heat once they
leave Georgian Bay

Bob and I go "boatin'" in Bob's new
mythic disguise - scary!

Friday, June 13th, 45  years and 12
hours difference from Aunt Rachel,
Avery Elizabeth May Habkirk arrives
safely

Warm weather makes Bob very, very happy!

NO!  You can't head south already!!!

Abundance of wildlife around Beausoleil Island.  That's a snake!
Lots and lots of snakes in the water this year!

Yammer, yammer, yammer.  Don't know
what caused this cutie such anxiety, but he/
she didn't let up!

Dinner with sailboat friends
Shelley and Greg

Beacon Bay welcome party with
friends Ron and Cathy

A fantastic 75th birthday party for friend Thelma
(third from right) and our other Royal Trust
friends, (L to R) Barb, Franca, Alison and Gabrielle

The 2 "B's" - Beautiful Barb and Bob

Father's Day, we get to meet Avery

..and what a precious wee thing she is!

Aunt Jenn

Mom Maggie

The Dad's congregate in the pool.
No glass in the pool John!

Bob and Paul with Ben and Matt

Big brother Ben - captivated with his
sister.  He started changing and feeding
her right from the beginning. 

Matt and Ben created this wonderful
apron for Dad

Back on Georgian Bay, we discover more
new life on the water

A Present Island visit with friends
Yuri and Natasha and meet Nat's Mom and
nephew who come to Canada each summer
for a couple of months.  Wonderful people!

Anchored at beautiful Longuissa

A great slip front and centre
at sister marina Bayport in Midland

Masts at sunset

Mamma Merganser is back this year
with another bunch of sweetness.

Come out of the weeds Habkirk!

Bob's new Loon(y) friend

He floated alongside Bob's kayak for
10 minutes.  Never before been seen by
these eyes.

High winds in the night blew this cruiser
up on the rocks.  He managed to push it
off the rocks with his dinghy, just
as Bob was heading to assist.

Marine worlds answer to CAA

Uh Oh!!!

Rafting with our friends Linda and Warren

And watching that thingy over there!
Thankfully, it blew over.

Dana tries out our new kayak

Joined by her Mom Linda, they head
off to find Brent

While Dad Warren takes pics with
his brand new camera

An hour later, and true to form,
we see Brent towing Mom and Sis
back to the mother ship

Remember this young man!
He's headed to big things in the
swim competition world!!

Heading back to port - another
fun weekend over.

This beautiful couple had their
own photo-shoot on Beausoleil Island

Statue in downtown Penetanguishene

New/old bike planters in the park

Lovely evening cloud formations over
the marina

Baby shower for Avery in early July
Kim is loving holding a baby in her
arms again (her sons are in their 20's)

Maggie and sis Angela

Avery has a wardrobe that would rival
the Kardashians

Great niece Alex with a little cutie

July 11th, we head to Grafton Ontario in
the van for our friends Marg and Eric's
sons wedding and stop at this little
restaurant for lunch near Lindsay.  Great
food!

We launch our kayaks in Omeme and
paddle up the Pigeon River

Settled in the campground a few
kms from Grafton, we light a fire
and gaze at the Super-Moon

Marg and Eric

Handsome groom Alasdair

Beautiful Jen

The home of the bride's mother could
not have been a more spectacular venue, right
on Lake Ontario

Drones!!!

Four of the G-8 travellers -
Marg, Chris, Thelma and me

High school friends of Marg (and me
for 1 year) and fellow boaters,
Dwight and Wendy

Marg is a crack golfer and it would
stand to reason that one of her close friends
is the former golf pro from Toronto Ladies

Eric's brother Allen flew in from Los Angeles

Ever tip a canoe?  Eric made this one
all by hand.  Amazing!!

A path through clouds of heather

Competition is fierce in the boating world.  Rachel and Peter send the following pics

of their fun on the water with the Boys and Girls Camp boat on their way to a secret

destination.

Their massive sailboat…actually I'm lying.  They
do know the owners but they are just dreaming
and dropping off something.

THIS is their idea of a boat acquisition.
Note to Peter: turn the pointy end out of the slip!

On the way back to Penetang from Grafton, we
pick up Sean and meet the Habkirk family
at the dock to begin our 2 week adventure
with our grandsons

A month old and Avery has already developed
a camera awareness!

Sean and Matt with Grandpa

Matt hiding out in the aft cabin

Grandpa gave each of the boys a turn
at the helm.  Don't tell the Coastguard!

Ben and Sean are only a year
away from being able to get their small
craft certification and Grandpa is getting
them ready

Each of the boys was required
to provide 2 meals in the 2 weeks with
us.  Grandpa and I were sous chefs.
Sean went first.  The Habkirk's
brought the chef's hat.

Grandpa loves to swim au naturel.
Matt and Ben had no problem
joining him. Sean wasn't as eager,
however in a few days, and as predicted
by Maggie, he went to the dark side.

Grandma demo's how to handle the beast

We surprise the boys with t-shirts and
it took days to pry them off their bodies
to be washed.  They even slept in them!

Ben's turn

Then Sean

A stop at Picnic Island for ice cream always
results in silliness

Love the closeness of the cousins

I teach them how to drop and secure
the anchor

Pretending they are girls…nasty boys!

Matt's turn to cook - always a clown

Who's a happy Grandpa?

Anchored in Echo Bay, the water
a bit chilly - it takes a few false starts before
they all jump in

First bath in a week.  A blessed
relief for Bob and me.

We introduce the boys to Henry's Fish House on SanSouci Island

Scrummo' desserts…always room for these home-made treats

Paul - owner of Henry's is impressed that the boys ordered
fish for lunch.  Apparently most kids have burgers.

Grandpa attracts a butterfly with his "milkweed" toes

Fun in the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame - Parry Sound

Trying their hand at broadcasting the game.

Ben makes yummy pancakes and a few pounds of bacon

Kilcoursie Bay at Kilbear Park - Grandpa challenges
the boys to a swimming race to the shore

Chillin' and eating junk food after the swim.  Matt's checking out
the incoming boats with the binocs

Hanging around on the anchor chain

Matt being taught Lesson #1 on how to BBQ

Matt learns Grandpa's technique of placing
sausages "on their tippy toes"

Great job!!!

Heading in to anchor at Christian Island,
Sean and Matt recreate (sort of) a scene
from 'The Titanic'

Silly boys!  Thank goodness there is one sane
person onboard!

Laundry!

Our boys love the clear waters of our favourite anchorage

Lumpy water the next morning causes seasickness
in all three, so we head back to port early and they
all sleep most of the way

Back on land, our comic finds a unique way to
sit on the lawn chair

In no time, they have the rods out and fish the rest
of the day

Kissing the cod (in this case, the baby perch)
before returning it to the water

Matt's first year using the ugly glove to unhook
a fish

Fish and chip meal at Phil's in Penetang

Last sleep aboard for this year

Pebbles!

Sean exits his suit as he exits the pool  

While Ben does sit-ups

Parents arrive to take their boys home

Love!

Happy Birthday Matthew!

Those boys love their sister

Tears when the boys present us with thank-you cards

We loved the two weeks with Sean, Ben and Matthew!
Such wonderful guys!

A few days later, we head out on our annual vacation
with the Waddell family

First night of cards with Brent, Matthew and Dana

Rafting at Shotgun Bay, Massassauga Park

Bow anchors and tying to shore provides safety
in almost all weather conditions (we don't
mention the "H" or "T" words)

In the next bay, we discover our friends Claudette
and John

Look closely and you will see their annual visitors -
beautiful hummingbirds  

Time for some tubing

Two beauties - Bella and Dana

Sorry Brent - of course you are beautiful too!

Fun zone toys

Another visit to Henry's….yipeeeee!!!

Another great meal.  L-R:  Warren, Dana, Matthew (nephew from
Florida), Linda, Brent, Bob and me

Heading back to the anchorage in the "fast boat"
at sunset

Beautiful!

Brent's swim training with Mom pacing him

Bath time for Bella….definitely NOT her favourite thing.

Bob has a purpose…just watch

He's up!  What's he going to do?

Yes, yes…here it comes….

Arms going up…up..up….

An almost perfect sun salutation!  Yaaaayyy Bob!
Yoga every day brings balance!

Pencil drops from the bow

Bella just chillin'

A woman after my own heart…wine glass
in hand

Even in the water, Linda doesn't spill a drop

Park staff makes it through the maze to collect the "tie to shore"
fee

I pay Mom a visit and meet her new companion.  Henry spends
4 afternoons a week with Mom and he is wonderful.  I think
I need a companion!!!

I take Mom out for a treat

Notice that for the first time in her life, Mom
has red nail polish!  What a woman!!!

Beauties

Back at the marina, a little fella hops aboard and
makes himself right at home

Alison and Jerry come for a weekend and we have a blast
out at Christian Island

Bob and me wishing our dear friend Janet in Vancouver, a Happy 70th!

Jenn and Marcin come for a day and as we are anchored
at Beausoleil Island, the Waddell Family swans by
to say "Hi"

Marcin believes he is on the high seas

…and aims for an imaginary whale

Lovely photo of Bob and Jenn

It seems I've spotted a whale on the horizon

These two cuties on shore have captured little frogs and a fish.
The fish just might be dead!

Bob and I learn from Linda, that the Island Park
office loans out mountain bikes, so we take
advantage of the program and explore

Late summer, the swallows gather on the bow rails.  On the
busiest morning I counted 80 perched and chirping.

Another beautiful day spent with Mom at
the Mill Pond in Richmond Hill.  Neither
of us had eaten a soft ice cream in years and
when we heard the tinkle tune of the truck,
I bought us a couple.

Mom loves it here!

 Back home at 61 Woburn (temporarily), we've packed up the boat and have a wonderful, albeit brief, visit from our good friends Nancy and Phil

We take the subway downtown and attend the Alex Colville
exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)

Hangin' at Yonge-Dundas Square

Then we move into our temporary downtown loft
the day before the family BBQ in Burlington.
Bob's husking corn for the big party.

Our lovely little patio

The young couple next door grew these awesome
tomatoes.  It was all we could do to keep our hands
off of them!

The view from our patio….palm trees!  Real palm trees!

Our cozy loft

At the BBQ, Mom gets to hold her great-grandaughter
Avery for the first time

Jenn, Tina, Steve and Marcin - chewin' the fat!

Jill's father and step-mother are visiting from England

Kevin and Evelyn

Everyone in the pool!

 The next day we explore our new neighbourhood.  Bob and I both worked downtown prior to retirement and we are gob-smacked by the incredible changes (good ones!) to the area.  No longer seedy and it's becoming the area to live for the young and young-at-heart.

Fast rail to Pearson in the works ..at last!

Our loft is bookended by 2 parks.  This one is Clarence Square

B

Setting up stages for TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival)

Chinatown markets

New streetcars

Bike Share

Entrance to our loft.  Love it!

Exposed original (early 1900's) brick and Douglas fir beams

 Fun camping in Algonquin Park with friends Marg and Eric

Happy Birthday Marg!

Eric tries out "the look" of the north

Marg tries out our inflatable kayaks and learns quickly
that she's a canoeist at heart

Back downtown checking out HTO Beach

Pedestrian walkway on John Street

Great symbols for the Fashion District

 Avery's Baptism

Proud Grandpa

Aunt Dorothy 

More downtown exploring

Historical homes on Draper Street - a 2 minute walk away

The Habkirk clan join us for fun in the neighbourhood
and a visit to the Ripley Acquarium

Canoe Park and a climb on a replica Tommy
Thomson red canoe

Chief Ben wrapped in his sister's blanket

Avery loved all the motion

The boys drag Avery into the shark tank tube.  This girl
will grow up as tough as nails!

Hands on learning how our lock system works

Ireland Park on the waterfront, depicting
the horror of the potato famine in Ireland

Spotting the Monarch butterflies in the Music Park

Very, very old birdhouse in the Music Park

"The Wave" walkway at the Harbourfront Marina

Waterfront Fire and Rescue statue

It was a fun day brunching and walking with friends Thelma and Art

Heading home, we wander through the magnificent
BCE Place where the contrast of old architecture
and new impresses

The old facade was incorporated into BCE Place.  Nice!

I decide to take part in the International Climate March

I follow the Idle No More group

Even a crowd didn't distract this man from his yoga practice at City Hall

A huge turnout and a beautiful day for a protest

 More beautiful sights in our city.

 Bob and I take our kayaks to Cherry Beach and set off for a paddle around the Toronto Islands

Ok everyone…all together now - bottom's up!

Tucked away in a little bay - a houseboat 

Island Marina

Centre Island Farm

Island restaurant and pub

One of the many passenger ferries that transport people back
and forth to the various islands

Miss Hamburg - a cruise ship

We see a wedding party on the beach

Yoga practitioner doing "downward dog" while her dogs watch
and learn how to do it right

Mounted officers in front of our building

A couple of days later, we rent bikes from the Toronto
Bike Share program and spend the day heading west along the
waterfront.  Gorgeous!!!

Lunch stop

Boats and paddle boarders share the channels and the lake

A fun birthday celebration at Mom's friend Agnes' retirement home,
that included Agnes' daughters and niece who have been my friends
since childhood.  L-R Joyce, Marlene, Ruthe, me, Mom, Agnes, Lorraine
The next morning, bright and early, Mom fell for the first time ever,
and broke her hip!

After meeting with the orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital and learning
that Mom did not need surgery but rest and therapy in hospital,
we raced back downtown to Massey Hall for the cross country David
Suzuki Foundation Blue Dot Tour.

Bare Naked Ladies - hilarious!

A beautiful evening with a full house.  Performances by Bare
Naked Ladies, Chantal Kreviazak and many other well known singers and poets,
 and speeches by aboriginal leaders, Stephen Lewis and Dr. Suzuki left us with
tremendous hope for a future with the right for every living thing on
the planet for clean water, air and soil.  

Toronto prepares for Nuit Blanche in our local park

Bad photo, but an awesome Nuit installation at The Globe and Mail
building right across the street from us.  People hanging everywhere!
People with superhuman strength.

This installation in the park on the west side of our loft,
depicts the tiny spaces people are prepared to live in.
The young artist in the knitted hat actually lives in
this trailer.  It's bright and bold and she loves it.

On our way to the next installation near the waterfront,
we admire the LED lighting of the apartment buildings

The huge moon at Canoe Park and in the
foreground, a giant kaleidoscope 

Looking through it and seeing the person looking in
from the other end

 A maze with a difference

Feel free to lay on the yoga mats and look at the sky through
the structure

Walking bridge that connects the north and south sides of the tracks

Toronto's finest on Spadina

The lineup was too long for us to experience this
installation, however those who did, told us that it was
so quiet inside, they couldn't hear anything, including their
own screams.

Wrecking ball - an optical illusion.  It appeared as
though the ball would smash the buildings wall

Walking among the worlds at night

Gauzy maze

The moon appears to be perched on top of the CN Tower

Nuit Blanch volunteers headwear

Over 120 installations, an all night festival
and millions walking in the streets.  Amazing!

Early the next morning I hop onboard a Via train for the 27 hour
trip to Miramichi, New Brunswick, to boss my sister Jan around while she's
most vulnerable…after her surgery

A shot of Toronto's city bird…the crane

Pulling in to the station at Montreal, where I switch
trains for the overnight trip to Miramichi

Beautiful colours across the road from Jan and Elliot's ranch

  

Their beautiful yard

Their new barn.  Built with love by Jan, Elliot, family
and friends….BEFORE I arrived

Right outside their kitchen window, Jay's, woodpeckers
and chick-a-dees visit the feeders

Psssst…Jan and Elliot, I think
you might need a new railing

Heavy-duty eaters, I counted 8 jays
at one time in the back yard.  This fellow
prefers to dine alone out front.

It was wonderful to observe the colour returning
to Jan's cheeks, her strengthening day by day,
to see Craig and Mary who flew in from Calgary,
to visit with Jan's in-laws and friends and to
see where she works.  Great sister bonding time!

Elliot arrived home the night before I returned
to Toronto, and we had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner
on Sunday before I left.

Last glimpse of the church spire and fall colours
around Miramichi from the platform

Last hug for Elliot

Cause here comes my train!

I awaken the next morning, to this
beautiful sight.

Blowing through Quebec

 Bob, Steve, Tina and Sean met me at the train station and we walked home for a lovely dinner.

Early the next morning, I head to the hospital to visit Mom, and discover that she is doing really well recovering from such a big event.  She was walking without a limp and after only a week.  What a woman.

Bob and I walked to City Hall for the Farmer's Market on Wednesday, only to discover a wonderful International competition happening.  These creative people are designing and building temporary shelters for those who have not.  Brilliant designs, don't you think?

What could make us happier than taking Mom home
from hospital!  First request from the little woman -
a visit to the hairdresser!  Awesome!!!

Cutting through a quiet street, we discover a little park we didn't
know existed.  

The Steelworkers of Toronto, created this beautiful
little oasis and all the work you see in these photo's
was done by them

The park to the east of us is a lovely little shady place

One of the best features of this park in Clarence
Square, is this Parisian French restaurant called
Neuf.  All personnel are French and the food
is fabulous.  Our favourite brunch spot.

On the west side of us, is Victoria Park.  Graves
from the War of 1812 are displayed there

In the distance and on the right, you can see the gravestones

One of our many favourite coffee shops just a 5 minute walk
from our front door

Thor provides beautiful shawls for chilly days

Across the street from Thor is the En Masse Project

This is the En Masse Project…amazing artists!

Last weekend was a great one spent with boating friends.  What
better way to exit October than with summer friends Linda and
Warren (and little Bella if you can spot her)

….and Cathy and Ron the following night.  Such fun!

 Other important visitors we forgot to take photo's of:  Steve, Tina and Sean,
Marny and Marc, Jenn and Marcin, Alison R. , Kim, Shanelle and Natasha and Yuri….I'm slipping!

Lovers of Rick Mercer's rants will recognize many of these alleys.

As a matter of fact, his October 25th, 2014 rant
started right here!

Gorgeous autumn leaves are still hanging on.  As we passed
a home just to the right of this little park, a guy standing on the driveway
chatting with someone, looked straight at us, grinned and called
out "Hi there!"  We were happy to discover that Strombo is so darned friendly!

View from our bedroom window.  Love the colour
and texture of the leaves on the old, old buildings

A rare sight in Canada, or anywhere for that matter..fall colours
and palm trees…right beside our abode

More colour on our street

Last market day in the neighbourhood!  Boo hoo!!!

Another fave coffee shop and resto

Thrilled to have Mom home and in great form

New friend Kellee, meets us at Lou Dawg's
for a drink and some Blues.  She's a dead
ringer for Bob's niece!

Fun scenes when you visit Kensington Market

 I managed to get this segment completed before November 1st (tomorrow!).  Lord knows how long it will take me to get the rest of the year onto the blog.  HAPPY HALLOWE'EN EVERYONE!!!