Summer Days

Time for an update! Since my last post I haven't been doing to much. The weather has been pretty nice though and it looks like Summer has finally arrived.

I was annoyed to learn that the aquatic club at Bell lake that we swam at last year has now stopped their day passes. So frustrating as it was such a great place to relax and swim. Thank goodness Anne has a back up plan (and lake). So this week on Monday (the hottest day) Rob and I went for our first swim at Penhorn Lake after work. The water was lovely and such a welcome relief as it was scorching. It seemed quite a few others had the same idea and there were at least 40 others there. This lake is pretty near to home and roughly a 10 minute drive from our place. I think we will definitely be making use of it again.

Once a week the BBQ's have continued either at Anne and Smiffy's place or at ours. This week it was our turn on Friday. I think we are getting the hang of it more and more now. The first one was a little amateur and ill prepared to say the least. The menu is always gluten fee and I have to say, I really find gluten free food, burger, sausages and cake, all much more tasty than regular.

Yesterday I went out with Nancy, Cheryl and a chap called Wesley (from the camera club), who I had never met before. We drove out to Wolfville and took a stroll round the Botanical Gardens at Acadia University. I had never visited the campus before. Gorgeous place, lovely buildings and gardens. It doesn't cost to visit and you can wander pretty much anywhere inside and out. After the photography we went for supper at  Paddy's Pub (always one of my favourites). We than briefly stopped off at the door installation and the Grand Pre look off. I got back around 9.45 pm.

I have been busy editing some more of my vacation shots, so here are a few more, plus a couple of shots from yesterday.

Boldt Castle Power House

This Island is called 'Just Enough Room'

Toronto Skyline from Tornoto Islands

View from the CN Tower

Kingston Penitentiary

Blueberry Surprise 

Lady & the Plant

Canada Day and Other Stuff

Pickles in the Garden

So this week was a bit of weird one. We had two days of work on Monday and Tuesday and then a Day off for Canada Day on Wednesday. Being a Brit. having a Bank Holiday on any other day but a Monday is an alien concept, plus it feels very strange as it feels like a weekend, but isn't.

That said a day off is a day off! The weather started out pretty lovely in the morning. Rob and I were at odds as to what we should do. He wanted to go down to Alderney Landing to take in the free entertainment, there was, as always much going on. Pancake Breakfasts, the parade on the Halifax side. Free ferry rides and live music at Alderney Landing. However I really didn't fancy it, from past experience, parking is a pain in the arse and there are too many queues for my liking. If there was someone I really wanted to see on the sound stage I would have made the effort but there wasn't and I wanted out of the City, so we headed to Grand Pre to The Tangled Garden and then onto to see my favourite Uncommon, Common art installation by Nicole Evans and Pat Farrell. You will remember I have annually photographed this installation for the past 4 years. This year sees a return to a door theme again and what a fabulous display it makes.

As we returned to Dartmouth the skies became darker and the rain began to fall, although not a lot of rain, it and the fog which came later put the Canada Day fireworks on hold.

Friday night we had a BBQ at our, Anne, Smiffy and Rachael were in attendance as were the mosquitoes later on. We did have a vague plan to go and watch the postponed fireworks but in the end we couldn't be bothered. We did catch a glimpse of Bedford's fireworks from the back garden.
I really enjoyed the evening and the company.

I haven't yet got back to editing images from our trip, so this week here are some pictures from last Wednesday.

Opportunity Knocked by Nicole Evans & Pat Farrell

The Tangled Garden 

A Tasty Sight

Tangled Garden Jellies and Preserves...
Good to eat and great to photograph!