CHIMNEY FIRES

Our wood stove has worked faithfully keeping us warm the past three winters. I was concerned about creosote buildup and the possibility of a chimney fire as we hadn't had it cleaned since we started using it. 

So we called in the experts and helped with the job so we can do it ourselves in the future. It really is an easy job once you know the steps to follow and how to remove the right pieces to get everything cleaned.

The biggest part of the job was cleaning the soot out of the firebox. There was very little soot in the chimney, less than a cup after three years of burning.

The stove was then cleaned with steel wool. This we should do at the end of every burn season.

The last step was a coat of paint giving our stove a showroom finish.

We were very happy to learn how clean our stove burns and how little ash is left behind. With proper maintenance our stove should last 20 -30 years. 

Chimney fires don't happen by accident, they occur from neglect. Take a few minutes and inspect your chimney or call in the experts to get it cleaned; it's cheaper than rebuilding your home.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone. 

CONCERTS and SPECIAL EVENTS

The summer concert series has started and last night's group  attracted a large crowd.

Everyone enjoyed the 50s - 60s sounds coming from the stage. They played a host of artists from that era.

This weekend Bancroft hosts the "Wheels, Water and Wings" festival. It kicks off Friday night at 6 with the classic car show on Hastings street followed by music from "Ghost Town Cryers" on stage in the downtown core. It's a weekend full of music, food and fun and usually draws a big crowd.

Hope to see you there.

FORTY TWO YEARS

Forty two years ago yesterday we walked out of church ready to embrace life together. The adventure hasn't stopped as we continue to enjoy good health and the ability to hike and paddle some of our beautiful parks and remote regions of Canada.

Back in 73 we headed west in a van I had converted for camping to explore the wilderness of British Columbia. Yesterday we thought we would do a little exploring closer to home but the weatherman had other ideas. No problem; let's go with Plan B and in life you know you always need a Plan B.

Mary is a quilter and quilters need fabric so yesterday we decide to take a Fabric Acquisition Road Trip (I'll let you figure out the acronym) to six quilt shops close to home. 

Presently the quilt shops in Ontario are offering a "Row by Row" competition which was another excuse for our trip.

We headed out early as we knew the day would be long and we wanted to be back at "Uncle George's" (restaurant) for supper.

Before we reached our first quilt shop the cell phone rang. It was our daughter Sherri calling to wish us "Happy Anniversary" Mary chatted and shared our plans for the day while I drove.

Many of the quilt shops are located in small towns, full of historic old buildings. While Mary shops I explore the streets, chatting with folks and taking pictures; I'm never bored.

This quilt shop looks to be an old western movie set, definitely worth exploring.



Before we had completed our visits, Sherri called back to say she had made a reservation for us and not to worry about the bill, just eat, celebrate and enjoy the evening. Thanks Rob and Sherri you made our day of celebration extra special.

Our reservation was for 6:15 but we arrived early and could be seated without delay. We were so grateful for the reservation as at least 15 folks were turned away because the place was fully booked. I wouldn't have thought such a small restaurant in such a quiet location would be that busy on a Tuesday night. Thanks to Sherri we had no problem getting a table.

We both ordered "prime rib roast" as that is the house specialty and we weren't disappointed. It was delicious, done to perfection and flavoured to our taste. It was the best prime rib we've eaten in a very long time. Rob, you would love it.

This was followed by chocolate/raspberry homemade pie, a dessert they are famous for. Once again we were not disappointed. Sorry for the crappy photo but I was half way through when I realized I hadn't taken a picture; it was that good, one bite and I just kept eating.

Thursday we are off to explore Bon Echo Park a park we haven't been to since Sherri was a baby. We took her there in the honeymoon van, no baby seat, no child safety chair back then just laid out on the bed, fast asleep as we drove. Times have changed and for the better when it comes to car safety.

Now it's time for Mary to make her "Row by Row" quilt and for me to finish my office.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

AFTER SUPPER

Durl tells me that fish are more likely to bite after supper or before breakfast assuming you eat before dawn or at sunset. That's when fish seem to be looking for food and spend the rest of the day lying around enjoy the day doing whatever a fish does for enjoyment. 

Right after supper we headed down to the boat and out onto the lake hoping the fish were still biting.

Every fisherman has his preferred spots and off we went to try our luck.

You catch lake trout by trolling and after a few passes .........

I had one on the line. Note the dog's focus, he wasn't about to let that fish jump back into the lake. 

Soon Mary had one hooked and Durl brought it in with the net.

Can you tell how happy Mary is? She loves to fish. 

We soon had our limit and Durl was kind enough to fillet them for us.

Fishing was a great way to finish off a perfect day. We live in such a beautiful area surrounded by thousands of lakes just waiting for us to take Owen fishing ..................  but first we need a boat.

Thanks again Durl and Linda for a fabulous day in every way. We will enjoy the fish when family visit, may even save some for our guests from Germany.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

FURTHER UP THE LAKE

After we left "Lookout Mountain" we headed north, up through the "Narrows" towards "Indian Point".

Durl shared an interesting story about the Narrows. Seems way back in 1812 when Canada and the USA were at war with each other there was a road built by Colonel Snow from Kingston to Bancroft then on to Toronto. There was fear that moving goods by the Great Lakes in times of war was too vulnerable and so the road was built and actually passed through the Narrows pictured above. There is a street in Bancroft named Snow street named after the same colonel.

Soon we reached our destination and began the climb to another vantage point looking out across Weslemkoon Lake. 

Kayakers were enjoying an afternoon paddle and stopped at an island far out in the lake. From our position we had a commanding view of the lake and could easily see any movement on the water; and that is why the Indians chose this spot hundreds of years ago.

These  holes are proof that the Indians visited this site regularly for hundreds of years. How were the holes made? What were they used for?

Beside this rock, Oak trees still grow. The Indians would gather the acorns and sit on these rocks grinding the nuts into flour. They used the same spot year after year and over time the holes were ground into the rock. 

The women also had a panoramic view of the lake and could worn the tribe if any enemies were spotted on the water. It must have been a beautiful scene as the women gathered, ground, chatted and sang throughout the afternoon.

After more exploring and viewing from up top it was back to the boat; time to head home for supper. The best part of the day was still ahead as we planned to go fishing after our meal was done.

Did we catch anything or come home empty handed? I'll let you know tomorrow.

Some days should never end.

Thanks for keeping an eye on us.

LIFE ON THE LAKE

Life on the lake ....................... it's the best.  

Yesterday was the perfect day to visit Linda and Durl on Weslemkoon Lake. But before we got there we had some exploring and serious  navigating to do. 

Since much of this area is unknown to us whenever we travel we like to take the back roads, the ones that twist and turn through the old villages and cross the streams and skirt the lakes deep in the bush. As you can see, we got a little too deep in the bush and ended up driving through a logging operation and along a road that was really not much more than an ATV trail.

An hour later than expected we finally arrived and we were soon enjoying a delicious lunch thanks to Linda and Durl. We could have just stayed there for the afternoon taking in the beautiful views, but there was too much to explore and discover on the lake so off we went to see the world of water and learn some of the history surrounding the lake.

First stop was lookout mountain where we enjoyed this breathtaking view across the water after an invigorating climb for my old legs across rocks and tree roots to get there. Once again we could have stayed here for the afternoon, but the time was passing and Durl had many more sights to show us.

Before we left we did get our picture in front of the smallest cottage on the lake. It's not really a cottage but a little A-frame someone built on top of the mountain some seventy years ago. Back then winters were harsh and long and you made your own entertainment to stay warm and pass the days. 


I think I'll stop there and continue tomorrow where we will visit an ancient Indian grain grinding location.

Living on the water is spectacular and we have a new appreciation for "cottage" life thanks to Linda and Durl.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA

Today Canada is 148 years old. Here are some pictures taken at the celebrations in Bancroft this afternoon.

Lots of vendors in the park and ................

free entertainment.

But the dark clouds started to roll in so we headed for home.