Canada again in 2019 to see a VIP

Jenny wanted a catch-up with Alex last year so we planned a ski trip with them for March as you all know. During the planning Alex and Cody said they would be planning to have a child but it will probably take ages so come on over anyway. Of course, a week after we booked and paid for our tickets and accommodation Alex was pregnant!!!! So we have done a lot of travelling this year.

We decided to take our bikes over. This turned out to be a relatively smooth operation and a great idea. We saw more of K/W and surrounds than we had seen in 2006 and the icy March visit. 

The light load about to board the train to Sydney

Going through the NEW departure gates at Sydney International: SUCKERS!!

Exploring the many trails in town

And of course, the post ride coffee

Schmitsville Cafe. A Menonite shop in Wellesley

Two different modes of transport. This shot was at the covered bridge

Settled into life at 505 Old Orchard Road. Helping Alex and Cody with the new addition. Baths, cuddles, working on the basement, trips out as a family, dog walks, shopping, eating/drinking including compulsory Caesars and more cuddles.

                       

Cottage Country
Cody's family own a lake side cottage at Chesley Lake about 2 hours north that Bonnie and Allan booked on the pretense that we would like a weekend away with them when we visited. We were blessed with some great weather and had a fantastic, relaxing time. Only downside was me getting excitemetitis and thinking that I could get straight back on a water ski. WRONG: nursed a torn hamstring muscle as a result. Worst part of it was the 24 hour sit in the plane, very uncomfortable.

Sunrise 1 on the lake

Sunrise 2 on the lake

    

Then there was some water skiing. It was fun........ up to a point!

 

Hold the phone!!!!!!!!!!!!

More pics of the trip

Who could forget the Queen of Broil King!

Stopped off to say hello to Bruce the bull

First outing!

Aurora bailed up this squirrel on one of our walks

How many times have you seen pics of this bridge

Menonite park. There is no way an Australian council would allow these to still exist

Farmers brecky at Schmitsville Cafe in Wollesley. Accent on the plural (enough for 3 farmers)

People pics

The inlaws and the outlaws at Chesley Lake

Elena Rose Dietrich

Welcome to world Elena Rose, born 27th August 2019 at 9:55pm. Weighing in at 6lb 10oz and 18" tall. Jenny and I were expected before her birth arriving in Canada on 30th but she came into the world early.

 

Here is a quick recap of Elena in her first 3 weeks.

Proud parents

 

And most importantly, Nan and Pop.

                                             

The Pond

Latest project was to rip out the old tired pond with the Roman/Greek influence and put in a cleaner more Japanese style pond. So here is a dated series of pics showing the changes since we bought the house. More work to do. Needs a Shishiodoshi or similar bamboo thingy and some Koi!!!!

Original pond taken by Real Estate Agent 2008

2008 Real Estate pic

About 2011 when we took the dirt out and put a pond liner in. Added some plants and fish

The Iris went berserk and filled up the pond with roots reducing the depth thus allowing birds to eat all the fish in the shallow water!!

Nice flowers but only for about 2 weeks in spring.

The start of the new pond included selling the Iris'. I got about $300 in total. Sold the paving stones for $100. Got rid of the soil for free. A guy (turns out to be a teacher from Kotara who wanted dirt for his backyard) came around with his three kids and shovelled and barrowed it out. Next was a concrete retaining wall paid for by the flower proceeds and some designing.

Sold for $2 to $5 per plant. Lots of old grannies came buy with there bingo money.

Excavating

Planning

Trimming some trees. 

Putting all the pieces together

The final result to date.