LIVING OFF GRID

This blog is about our travels in our solar powered "Airstream" and living off grid, in our passive solar home, near Bancroft, Ontario, Canada.

If you have any questions send us a comment; we love to hear from our readers.
Click on pictures for larger view

Saturday, 7 December 2013

BLINDS

For our many guests who have stayed here in the past only to discover we don't have a bathroom blind, we have good news.




We have a blind. 

Of course our nearest neighbours are half a mile away and can barely see the house let alone the window. 

As you can see this is no average blind, but one of those top down bottom up jobbers that gives you options.

Finally a totally private bathroom. 

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

Friday, 6 December 2013

RUDY'S PLACE

Yesterday Rudy and Lina came up to check on their cottage.  Rudy was concerned about his solar system and wanted to see that it was working properly.




They have a lovely cottage right on the lake and enjoy the beauty of the area all summer long.







The road in didn't look good and Rudy wasn't sure if we could make it ................... I wasn't sure either.





Safely in, now the challenge would be getting  back up the hill?  

After inspecting the solar system and the cottage and determining that all was fine it was time to lock up and tackle the hill.


The hill into no-man's land.

No pictures of the climb up hill as I had both hands on the wheel and full concentration on where the car was sliding to. Other than the close inspection of one ditch we were soon back on good roads and breathing normally again.




"No problem!" 

All is well and once again we dodged the bullet of what might have been.

Thanks for stopping by.








Thursday, 5 December 2013

BLUEJAYS

Yesterday it was chipmunks, today it's bluejays, tomorrow ?????

The jays are just as busy as the chipmunks back and forth in and out all day long. We have five regular customers and the seem to happily co-exist with the chipmunks. (click on pictures for a larger view)



We can sit and watch their antics on the other side of the glass, the cold side. They are never still and fly off if we make a sudden movement inside.




They puff themselves out to keep warm trapping and warming the air between their feathers. I am very impressed with the sharpness of my pictures thanks to a few tricks learned from my e-books. Remember these photos were taken through our livingroom window, which is not photographic quality glass.




This one appears to be looking outside the picture frame as if there were seeds just at the bottom of my blog.

Today, if the weather co-operates, we may have company from Hamilton. Friends on the lake want to come up and inspect their cottage and called to see if they could stop by. We always look forward to having company.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

CHIPMUNKS

The snow has covered the ground but the chipmunks are still very active. We haven't seen many squirrels, but we have two or three chipmunks visit every day.



This little guy has big feet and full cheeks. All day long, back and forth he never stopped.




Can you see how full his cheeks are? WOW! He has a mouth full. And look at those cute little front feet, holding the seed so delicately.



He's not shy, almost saying "Take my picture".


Yummy!


Can you see the seed in his front paws?


I enjoyed their antics; hope you did too.

 Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, 3 December 2013

HOCKEY NIGHT in BANCROFT

If it's played on ice then it's BIG up here. If you need to find someone check the ice rink or the curling rink, they will be at one of them.

Last night I had a chance to go and watch Matthew play hockey. 

Back in the fall, Matthew had been helping us cut and clear bush, stack and split firewood and generally get us ready for winter. Thanks to him we have a porch full of firewood.



Matthew is a great hockey player. Here he turns with the puck ready to head up the ice.





Trying to break in on the goalie. He didn't score this time but a few minutes later he put it in the net.

It was a great way to spend the evening with Mary away and Matthew's team won so we all went home happy.

Thanks Gerry, Jackie and Matthew.




Monday, 2 December 2013

WARM FIRE

Mary is in Toronto so it's an opportunity for me to experiment with my camera. It amazes me that after so many years there are still techniques and programs on the camera that I'm learning for the first time. Thanks to the photography e-books I'm acquiring new skills.


So here I sit by the warm fire enjoying the view, the heat and the new knowledge.

Thanks for stopping by and stay warm.

Sunday, 1 December 2013

SIMPLE CHEAP SOLUTION

I purchased some  photography e-books and want to learn a few more essentials in taking decent pictures. One suggestion was a tripod. 


My cheap basic tripod.

Now I've had a tripod almost as long as I've had a camera but seldom use it except for low light situations. One problem with a tripod is carry it along with a camera, extra lens, filters, etc. 

So I asked Mary to make a bag for my tripod that I could sling over my shoulder and easily hike to my photo spot without the hindrance of carry the tripod in my hands. After much discussion this was our solution.

Yoga Bag

No cost, just re-purposed. I looked on line and there are lots of commercial tripod bags for sale; but why buy when you can make. Then the light went on; why make when you already have.....?

Another idea is to use a bag from one of those folding chairs we all use in the summer. Those bags are sturdy, waterproof and close tightly so the tripod won't fall out. I may switch if the yoga bag is too small.




So now I'm off to hike up the road and take more pictures. The e-books came with assignments and it was suggested we devote a week to each. I'll be doing lots of hiking this winter.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels.