Company

Summer is quickly disappearing but we are still enjoying company at the lake.

First we get acclimatized to the water.

Nothing better than sitting on the dock, watching the clouds float across the ski. Bonnie and Winston enjoyed the sunshine and solitude of the north.

Leanne made her first visit, and was surprised at how quiet the days are up here.

We just enjoyed the company and ......................................

the sunshine, food, music and Kawartha icecream.

Looking forward to seeing you up here.

The Blocks Have Landed

Today before 7 our phone rang. It was the delivery man with our truck load of Durisol Blocks. I figured he was just leaving the yard in Mitchell, no, he was at the end of our road wondering if he could get down. "Wait five minutes and I'll be there."
 Dressed and out the door in less than a minute I met Brian and showed him where we needed the blocks placed.

Brian cautiously drove onto our site, 24 skids and over 800 blocks to unload.

First job was to get the "Hitch-hiker" down off the truck ...........

...... then Brian placed each skid closest to where it was needed.

Some spots were more of a challenge than others ........ but Brian managed to get them all off.

Every trucker lives on coffee, so Brian was happy to see Mary deliver coffee and cake for his morning break.

Once unloaded it was time to turn around and leave ..................... easier said then done.

I think we are ready for the crew on Monday.

Finally!

Yesterday, Pat,Steve and Jeff were on site to mark and dig the footings. The weather was perfect and we only had one major snag to deal with. We had a huge bolder, that you will meet later, sitting in the middle of our kitchen. Now a rock in a kitchen is not a good idea and since we couldn't move it we shifted the house to avoid it. Take a look at what was accomplished.

Pat checks the plans while Mary makes sure he is looking at the right page.

Staking the corners. Once this was done, string was run from corner to corner and then the ground was spray painted so Steve would know where to dig.

Can you see the string?

As Steve dug, Pat checked the depth with his transit.

I'm sure by the time the house is up, these plans will be well worn and covered in mud.

Just a few of many boulders Steve was able to remove from our site and save us hiring a rock buster. We will use these boulders to stabilize the hill once the house is up.

Day 1 and we are so happy to have started. Today the Durisol Blocks arrive and Monday we put in the footings. Drop by anytime and take a look.

Another Busy Week

Today construction starts and we are delighted. It has been a busy week up here in the north country.

Even the chickens have been working extra hard. Look at the size of the egg Paul brought over to show us, WOW!

Steve arrived on Monday to pull stumps and clear our building site.

Yes, sometimes a little manual labour is needed. These short logs we will use as firewood this winter.

Even on a busy day we need time to relax and it was wonderful to have Sharon and Doug up for a few days.

Nothing so refreshing as a swim in the lake after working in the bush all day.

Doug is the water baby in the family. He was in before breakfast.

Today we stake out the house and Monday we start to lay the footings. If the weather co-operates, we should be closed in by November. Check back next week for more progress reports.

Down Memory Lane

Off to Combermere on the Madawaska River, last Saturday to take in the market and see if Mary and Connie could find Cana Colony, a Catholic retreat centre just off highway 62 near Combermere.

First, the girls spoke with the camp director to ask permission to walk down "memory lane".

When you are a child, all you want is warm summer days, a lake to swim in and sand to make your own castles. Naturally, the first place the girls headed for was the lake.
Then it was remember this and remember that ..........

Two sisters all grown up remember the days they played here as kids.

Each family had a cabin for the week and this was their's back in 1963. WOW! What were you doing the summer of "63"?

The building off to the left is the kitchen and we will look inside next. Each family had their own fridge, and cooked their own meals.

It hasn't changed. Still the same tables, sinks, floor and windows; maybe a few different fridges.

More pictures from Combermere in a few days.

Still Busy

The lake has been unbelievably peaceful this week; just a pleasure to be on. What a great place to spend our summer days. Thanks Kim and Charlotte.

Yes, we are still cutting trees, a week before construction begins.

Several neighbours have been over to help.. This is Paul's trailer full to the brim.

Connie has been a great help this week loading the trailer and burning brush from our site.

While we were loading the trailer, Paul was cutting the tree trunks into lengths for next winter's fire. (Note all the safety equipment, A wise man.)

Up here you need to get your wood cut and drying a year before you need it.

Hope everyone is enjoying the cooler temperatures. The fall colours will be arriving before long followed by .................................................................................... SNOW!

Maynooth

Maynooth is a 20 minute drive north of Bancroft. They have the best farmers market every Saturday and if we are home usually take it in.

Lots of local artisans and farmers have booths here.

Some sell from the back of their truck or car, others have small portable canopies as shelter from the sun or rain.

Looking for locally produced jewellery, home baking, organic gardening, quilts, socks, tarts, candy, cards, photography? It's all here and available every Saturday until October.

Mary and Carol load up on organic vegetables.

Time to check out downtown Maynooth ..................................

and the Potter's Studio.