tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3156101676971922802024-03-13T04:23:32.206-07:00AJ's Nova ScotiaAmanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.comBlogger284125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-22281493506997455812017-04-23T14:27:00.000-07:002017-04-23T14:33:53.569-07:00It's Been A Long Time!What can I say, I have been gone fro nearly a year, no blogging at all. What started a temporary situation turned into a full blown sabbatical.<br />
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In 2016, February to be exact, I got laid off from my job, which saw me focusing on nothing but finding a new position. Not the easiest of tasks in Nova Scotia! Thankfully I was paid for a couple of months so it gave me some breathing space to keep a look out. In March I went on vacation, I flew over to the UK to meet up with my father, his partner, my brother and his girlfriend. Having met up at Gatwick we stayed overnight and then flew out the next day to Cypress and embarked on a week long cruise to Israel and Turkey. We were scheduled to visit Beirut, but high winds prevented us from making it there and instead we spent extra time in Cyprus. I found the trip quite amazing and learned a lot especially in Jerusalem. I have included a couple of images from that trip below:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJ-U357eUsU/WP0RTXyAurI/AAAAAAAAD1g/rWr27FsiOsoPQQU319noen4nEOsJXsK-gCLcB/s1600/Prayers%2Bat%2BThe%2BWestern%2BWall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJ-U357eUsU/WP0RTXyAurI/AAAAAAAAD1g/rWr27FsiOsoPQQU319noen4nEOsJXsK-gCLcB/s400/Prayers%2Bat%2BThe%2BWestern%2BWall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Western Wall</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwZh7WP5plI/WP0RVg-y65I/AAAAAAAAD1k/j7AqBIKqKGsGt4erl_8mOYWEATvSeoBowCLcB/s1600/Holy%2BLanterns%2Bin%2Bthe%2BChurch%2Bof%2Bthe%2BHoly%2BSepulchre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwZh7WP5plI/WP0RVg-y65I/AAAAAAAAD1k/j7AqBIKqKGsGt4erl_8mOYWEATvSeoBowCLcB/s400/Holy%2BLanterns%2Bin%2Bthe%2BChurch%2Bof%2Bthe%2BHoly%2BSepulchre.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Holy Lanterns in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCUkJ2UNUJg/WP0RcOsMhyI/AAAAAAAAD1o/8McywSCkVEQaIpKypHueu57cyxpAI3XQwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1912_3_4_fused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCUkJ2UNUJg/WP0RcOsMhyI/AAAAAAAAD1o/8McywSCkVEQaIpKypHueu57cyxpAI3XQwCLcB/s400/IMG_1912_3_4_fused.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Alanya, Turkey</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPzCzEi8PUw/WP0Rz-6uytI/AAAAAAAAD1s/6Q8xOOA1lRwuRcZyj37IDMnTr8MuM-kEwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2032_3_4_fused.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPzCzEi8PUw/WP0Rz-6uytI/AAAAAAAAD1s/6Q8xOOA1lRwuRcZyj37IDMnTr8MuM-kEwCLcB/s400/IMG_2032_3_4_fused.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Korykos Castle, Turkey</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zp0NNskKIEA/WP0R5B6AFjI/AAAAAAAAD1w/mml9rzV31bIg4gs7ikSaq-xsqf2oce7kACLcB/s1600/IMG_1732_3_4_tonemapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zp0NNskKIEA/WP0R5B6AFjI/AAAAAAAAD1w/mml9rzV31bIg4gs7ikSaq-xsqf2oce7kACLcB/s400/IMG_1732_3_4_tonemapped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Holy Sepulchre Interior, Jerusalem</i></td></tr>
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After returning from my cultural adventure, my job hunt intensified. I had a few interviews, even came close a couple of times and then finally landed a term position in May as a Communications Assistant for a Real Estate Firm. It was a baptism of fire and a steep learning curve, but I really enjoyed my time there and the skills I gained along the way. The term was supposed to only be for 3 months, but I Eden up being employed there for 8 months. I knew my time was limited there so I kept an eye out for other jobs and as if perfectly timed, the week before I left there I landed a permanent position at a local firm as a Marketing Coordinator, which I am not just over 4 months into the role and very much enjoying it. The Real Estate firm have tried to coax me back into the fold there, but as much as I enjoyed the work, I am now earning more and with much better benefits closer to home. So it's really a no brainer that I will be staying put. As I left the one position and before starting the new I headed off on vacation once again and met up with my dad and his partner in December for a Caribbean Cruise, which was undoubtedly my most favourite sea faring adventure to date. I met some fabulous people on there and visited the most beautiful islands Barbados, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines. You can view the slideshow of this trip below:<br />
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I actually embarked on another trip in February for my birthday. This time I flew down to meet up with the family in Fort Lauderdale and we sailed from Miami around the Bahamas to Grand Turk, San Juan and Nassau. I actually spent my birthday interacting with Sting Rays on Balmoral Island in Nassau. Gorgeous! We stayed an extra night in Miami, and got to see the sights there which I loved especially the Everglades, finally ticked off my bucket list! I am so far behind, and still editing these images, but here are a few from that trip.<br />
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And that I think, just about brings us up to date. I ma super busy with work and have no other travel plans until Feb next year. Of course that might change! I am hoping to get out and about around the Province as the weather starts to improve, it has once again been a long Winter and we are currently in a dismal, grey and cold Spring. My In-Laws cam over last June for their first visit so I was out a lot last year snapping away, I hope to post some of those images in due course. I cannot claim to be the blogger I once was, but I will try and update every now and again!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ul9RSWKl21g/WP0aAVIoMMI/AAAAAAAAD2A/10Sgfc9khCk4FzZs_7uDxibmbC9lR1B7QCLcB/s1600/Leaving%2BMiami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ul9RSWKl21g/WP0aAVIoMMI/AAAAAAAAD2A/10Sgfc9khCk4FzZs_7uDxibmbC9lR1B7QCLcB/s400/Leaving%2BMiami.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Leaving Miami</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ6fSFBHYSQ/WP0aAZZezMI/AAAAAAAAD2E/GwVeozQbUsgmH2cddXw-JZT0cJ7anOdlACLcB/s1600/MSC%2BDivina%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vZ6fSFBHYSQ/WP0aAZZezMI/AAAAAAAAD2E/GwVeozQbUsgmH2cddXw-JZT0cJ7anOdlACLcB/s400/MSC%2BDivina%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>MSC Divina</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxWNbm4Sij8/WP0aARvoShI/AAAAAAAAD2I/fcZDFRxnp8o1DJFOW55_WYlgCZofAqsRACLcB/s1600/San%2BJuan%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IxWNbm4Sij8/WP0aARvoShI/AAAAAAAAD2I/fcZDFRxnp8o1DJFOW55_WYlgCZofAqsRACLcB/s400/San%2BJuan%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Street Scenes from San Juan I</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ai2JZRaqtMU/WP0aA3s2slI/AAAAAAAAD2M/GTpPTL9s30Iy3ErRAgyAPYst_PYTGZVHQCLcB/s1600/Snake%2BBird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ai2JZRaqtMU/WP0aA3s2slI/AAAAAAAAD2M/GTpPTL9s30Iy3ErRAgyAPYst_PYTGZVHQCLcB/s400/Snake%2BBird.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Snake Bird - The Everglades</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3xGWg0iW50s/WP0azwRq_EI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/_j-e8yHSnZ8UFHWGXwnB086rk83FUjh1wCLcB/s1600/Cats%2Bin%2BParadise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3xGWg0iW50s/WP0azwRq_EI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/_j-e8yHSnZ8UFHWGXwnB086rk83FUjh1wCLcB/s400/Cats%2Bin%2BParadise.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cats in Paradise - San Juan</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IzJ1NkdQw1M/WP0aAwUD0eI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/wHHmhyZ8tNoqIaPT-ZNF89RTtesDa62ywCLcB/s1600/Street%2BScenes%2Bfrom%2BSan%2BJuan%2BII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IzJ1NkdQw1M/WP0aAwUD0eI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/wHHmhyZ8tNoqIaPT-ZNF89RTtesDa62ywCLcB/s400/Street%2BScenes%2Bfrom%2BSan%2BJuan%2BII.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Street Scenes from San Juan II</i></td></tr>
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Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-77917388209480742132015-12-23T15:44:00.001-08:002015-12-23T15:44:10.787-08:00Merry Christmas<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNm_0qbnpDA/VnssvlqtWVI/AAAAAAAADm0/C_HCl04MnTc/s1600/christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNm_0qbnpDA/VnssvlqtWVI/AAAAAAAADm0/C_HCl04MnTc/s320/christmas.jpg" width="320" /></a>I haven't updated this blog since October...Shame on me! I am still here, alive and kicking...well alive anyway!<br />
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Firstly let me wish all of my followers, friends and family a very Merry Christmas. I have been in slow down mode here for quite some time now, as the days got shorter my hibernation began. I did order myself a SAD lamp to see if it would help with my terminally depressed state of mind, but as yet it has yet to make a difference. I am currently battling a rather nasty cold which came out of nowhere at the weekend. My throat has been so painful, but thankfully I am feeling a little better today. Rob and I attended Anne and Smiffy's annual open house at the weekend, as always a pleasure, just unfortunate that I was feeling so rough we had to leave early. I also attended our works do last week on Tuesday which was surprisingly good, I say surprisingly as I wasn't looking forward to it. It was held at a Dinner Theatre. It was somewhat corny but very enjoyable and the food wasn't bad either.<br />
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Hamish has recently been in for some work at the vets. Pretty much all his teeth are out now and he also had a cyst removed from his head. He had to wear the cone of shame for 10 long days! Poor boy. His stitches are out now and he is almost back to his handsome self again except for the missing fur on top of his head. He seems none the worse for wear and pretty happy now he has less teeth bothering him. Still hard to believe he is 18 years old as he sure doesn't look it and the way he wrestles with Shakespeare is pretty amazing.<br />
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The weather has been pretty kind to us so far, tomorrow and Christmas Day are supposed to be double digits. it's been a pretty English Winter thus far, grey and rainy but warm. I am sure that will all change. I believe I was saying the same thing this time last year and then from the second week in January the worst Winter in years hit us and continued hitting us until May! My Christmas wish would be to not see any snow all Winter, that would make me very happy.<br />
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I have been immersed in my Reality TV of course and have really enjoyed the Apprentice, I'm a Celeb, Strictly and on this side of the pond Survivor.<br />
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Here's an interesting fact...It's all been about the letter J this year....Celeb BBUK, James won, Survivor, Joe (loved him) should have won but Jeremy did, Joseph won the Apprentice and Jay won Strictly (loved him). I'm a Celeb, George from the band Union J almost won! I reckon 2015 was a lucky year for all things J!<br />
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And if you are remotely interested I predicted that Jay would win Strictly Come Dancing in Week 1.<br />
(That almost never happens when I make predictions, My picks usually make the finals but never win).<br />
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While I am talking telly...My award for the best series I have watched this year (non reality based) goes to The Detectorists. What a superb show, understated comedy at it's very best. I will leave you with the teaser of a trailer from the first series (I am a little late finding this show). Whatever you are doing over the holidays, have a great time and eat loads!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DZDxo6ZHR0M?rel=0" width="412"></iframe>Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-18943041323419927322015-11-01T14:33:00.003-08:002015-11-01T14:36:37.229-08:00Happy Halloween<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95FO5Ym3cQ0/VjaR2VfzfcI/AAAAAAAADks/dmUyUIHQ7Iw/s1600/The%2BPumpkin%2BCart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95FO5Ym3cQ0/VjaR2VfzfcI/AAAAAAAADks/dmUyUIHQ7Iw/s320/The%2BPumpkin%2BCart.jpg" width="320" /></a>I know I am a day late, but better late than never!<br />
Only about 20 trick or treaters came a calling last night...Which means plenty of treats left over for us to finish off! I was surprised how few there were as it was the perfect weather day, sunny all day and not too cold last night at all. The ones that did come round had some pretty creative and cute outfits. They were all gone by around 8.30 pm.<br />
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It's been a busy week this week which involved getting the tires changed over for winter on the car, carving out pumpkins and on Wednesday a trip to the theatre.<br />
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About a week and a half ago I was stuck in traffic heading for work. I was listening to the radio and a competition question came on relating to a clip of music from a TV show. I instantly knew which show the clip was from and as I have the voice activated, hands free thingy in the car I thought instead of just shouting at the radio I would call in. After one mis-dial, I got though and was on the air, I was asked to ID the clip and I got it right...My answer...Hart to Hart. I won tickets for a show called <a href="http://www.boomshow.ca/" target="_blank">Boom</a> at the Nepune Theatre. The DJ said I was terribly British, doing an impression of me saying Hart to Hart in his best British accent. I was giggly and mortified. I have never phoned a radio station in my life, let alone won anything. I attribute this luck to a seagull pooping on me about 2 weeks ago! Might I add that is the 4th time now a seagull has pooped on me since I have lived here. So anyway Rob and I were theatre luvvies on Wednesday night. The show is fantastic. It is actually has quite the buzz surrounding it and is playing a huge amount of dates across Canada. It's a one man show played entirely by a very talented actor called Rick Miller who is supported by some very sophisticated multimedia, the show narrates 25 years of the Baby Boom era. It's so clever and without doubt the best thing I have ever seen at the theatre. He chats to the audience afterwards and encourages people to tell their stories and memories. <a href="http://www.boomshow.ca/" target="_blank">Check out the website to see more of this! </a><br />
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The weather for the most part has remained rather nice, the Fall colours have been spectacular this year. We did catch the tail end of a hurricane this week which unfortunately brought high winds an a lot of rain which knocked so many of the remaining leaves off the trees. After a nice day yesterday for Halloween, the clocks went back last night and today had been pretty gloomy and grey. It's just more confirmation of Winter being just around the corner!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ac8MHqF1r2M/VjaSCq7c9fI/AAAAAAAADk0/nxTZ2U2dsBA/s1600/Grumpy%2BGourds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ac8MHqF1r2M/VjaSCq7c9fI/AAAAAAAADk0/nxTZ2U2dsBA/s400/Grumpy%2BGourds.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This year's Pumpkin accompanied by Gourd Ghosts...<br />Which look grumpy rather than spooky</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPW7kHcDfsc/VjaSFEZmPDI/AAAAAAAADk8/M-5a8CqOuik/s1600/Groupy%2BGourds%2BThe%2BNight%2BTime%2BEdition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPW7kHcDfsc/VjaSFEZmPDI/AAAAAAAADk8/M-5a8CqOuik/s400/Groupy%2BGourds%2BThe%2BNight%2BTime%2BEdition.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>...And the night time edition of Grumpy Gourds</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Fall Splendour at Petite Riviere</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2H4tLl8J9Yk/VjaSOlyxQzI/AAAAAAAADlM/ZVgqRuXScO8/s1600/Return%2Bto%2BBarmoral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2H4tLl8J9Yk/VjaSOlyxQzI/AAAAAAAADlM/ZVgqRuXScO8/s400/Return%2Bto%2BBarmoral.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Return to Balmoral Grist Mill</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lZjVQ2mGc8/VjaSSKSHXUI/AAAAAAAADlU/St2bgSk7BDc/s1600/Kayaks%2Bint%2Bhe%2BPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4lZjVQ2mGc8/VjaSSKSHXUI/AAAAAAAADlU/St2bgSk7BDc/s400/Kayaks%2Bint%2Bhe%2BPark.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Kayaks in the Park</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pl8N9C6iIx4/VjaSUTCsiKI/AAAAAAAADlc/wWO1lGXV9Lw/s1600/Fall%2BRefections%2Bat%2BShubie%2BPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pl8N9C6iIx4/VjaSUTCsiKI/AAAAAAAADlc/wWO1lGXV9Lw/s400/Fall%2BRefections%2Bat%2BShubie%2BPark.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Fall Reflections at Shubie Park</i></span></td></tr>
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<br />Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-68683823122686509232015-10-12T17:21:00.000-07:002015-10-12T17:21:04.549-07:00Happy Thanksgiving!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nf4JVp_st_o/VhxMh4ZBzcI/AAAAAAAADkI/ZpfrgMG5JoQ/s1600/Historic%2BAnnapolis%2BRoyal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nf4JVp_st_o/VhxMh4ZBzcI/AAAAAAAADkI/ZpfrgMG5JoQ/s320/Historic%2BAnnapolis%2BRoyal.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Historic Annapolis Royal</span></i></td></tr>
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I bet you thought I had disappeared! I am still here, just busy with life and very lazy about updating the blog these days. I find it difficult to set enough time aside to sit down and ramble on! As it's Thanksgiving today here in Canada and we have a day off, I thought I would put in the effort and write a little something.<br />
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I have been out and about with my camera most weekends. This weekend I was back in Annapolis Royal again on the prowl for Fall Colours. The weather has for the most part has remained beautifully sunny and warm, although the temperatures have dropped at night now and we have had our first mild frost in the city. The trees are about 50-75% turned now and they look stunning. Earlier today Rob and I took a quick stroll around Shubie Park the water was still and the reflections gorgeous.<br />
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I was at the Pumpkin Farm last weekend and picked out this year's Pumpkin for carving. It will no doubt look the same as every other year, but it's bigger than the one we had last Halloween. I have pretty much bagged up all the candy ready for the trick or treaters as it's just another chore I don't want to have to do last minute. Also since I last updated the blog, Rob and I chalked up our 15th wedding anniversary...This shocks me. Where in did that time go! It only seems like yesterday we were in Vegas getting wed!<br />
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I am loving the new car, I think that's mainly the reason I have been out more than in. I love driving it around, (as long as it's out of the city), it's so smooth and economical on gas.<br />
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I am also up to my eyes in TV at the moment, so much to watch I don't really know where start. The Voice USA, Strictly, Dancing with the Stars and lest we not forget The Apprentice UK starts this week. I am also watching some US dramas. Quantico, How to get away with Murder, The Blacklist (always one of my faves) and an odd one for me, as I am certainly NOT a Batman fan, but I absolutely love the series...Gotham! I watched series one on Netflix and am now hooked on the current series on cable.<br />
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Now if you know me I am not one for sports, but I cannot help but be excited about the Toronto Blue Jays making the Play Offs. I understand a bit more about baseball now than I ever did before. For them to reach this stage they had to play (I think) around 126 games in the season. Now they are battling the best of the best. Having watched them play Miami earlier in the season in Toronto I feel I have more of a vested interest in seeing if they can bring home the trophy! Go Blue Jays Go!<br />
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I will leave you with some of my recent images. Click on any image to view larger...Go on, you know you want to!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEkz-4RwHA8/VhxKHaRlDWI/AAAAAAAADjA/V9uad-sfLhE/s1600/Northwest%2BCove%2BII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEkz-4RwHA8/VhxKHaRlDWI/AAAAAAAADjA/V9uad-sfLhE/s400/Northwest%2BCove%2BII.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Northwest Cove</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YRU3bZ2hufE/VhxKPidCn8I/AAAAAAAADjI/ZI048HP8sZY/s1600/Looking%2Bout%2Bon%2BAutumn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YRU3bZ2hufE/VhxKPidCn8I/AAAAAAAADjI/ZI048HP8sZY/s400/Looking%2Bout%2Bon%2BAutumn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Looking out on Fall, Annapolis Royal</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AL8xXj8vFk/VhxKYu9iLzI/AAAAAAAADjY/dT5Y_1V_soQ/s1600/Southwest%2BCove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7AL8xXj8vFk/VhxKYu9iLzI/AAAAAAAADjY/dT5Y_1V_soQ/s400/Southwest%2BCove.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Southwest Cove</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mIzso0E17Ow/VhxKgJEwUhI/AAAAAAAADjg/5OkWH_GFpn8/s1600/Return%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bpotting%2BShed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mIzso0E17Ow/VhxKgJEwUhI/AAAAAAAADjg/5OkWH_GFpn8/s400/Return%2Bto%2Bthe%2Bpotting%2BShed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Return to the Potting Shed - The Tangled Garden</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqmXgF4eZuM/VhxKjsBrYsI/AAAAAAAADjo/rQf2WdshtqE/s1600/Under%2Bthe%2BApple%2BTrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqmXgF4eZuM/VhxKjsBrYsI/AAAAAAAADjo/rQf2WdshtqE/s400/Under%2Bthe%2BApple%2BTrees.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Under the Apple Trees</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1yEn-IgO3w/VhxKw1t8_LI/AAAAAAAADjw/SkHMGHHFwpI/s1600/Fall%2BReflections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1yEn-IgO3w/VhxKw1t8_LI/AAAAAAAADjw/SkHMGHHFwpI/s400/Fall%2BReflections.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Fall Reflections, Shubie Park</i></span></td></tr>
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<br />Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-20854560994251703872015-09-06T15:38:00.000-07:002015-09-06T15:38:37.453-07:00Sunny Days Off!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1j0pCL-jEw/Vey-O8TV6sI/AAAAAAAADiA/KbS_UNrmFdE/s1600/Prospect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1j0pCL-jEw/Vey-O8TV6sI/AAAAAAAADiA/KbS_UNrmFdE/s320/Prospect.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Portrait of Prospect</span></i></td></tr>
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It's been a glorious week weather-wise and I am very happy about that as I had almost the whole week off. It`s been a busy few days as I have been out and about (in the new motor) around the Province. Starting last weekend, on Saturday afternoon, Rob, Nancy and myself to a drive out to Terence Bay, Prospect and Peggy's Cove. It was our first real trip out in the new car, it was a lovely sunny afternoon until we got to Peggy's where it started to get a little grey and foggy. I had never been in the Buoy Shack there before as I have never seen it open, as it was, I ventured inside, what a delight, a real photographic treasure trove of nautical delights.<br />
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Tuesday Cheryl and I visited Ross Farm, a favourite of ours. I have been wanting to get back there for a while as I didn`t make it there last year. For a relatively small place, we spent a heck of a lot of time there taking photos. There were of course 2 adorable kittens there that I instantly fell in love with and they put on quite the show for Cheryl and I. They need homes, and have been neutered, I am pretty sure it won`t be too long before they are snapped up.<br />
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Thursday Anne, myself and Cheryl went to Annapolis Royal (second time there for me a the past few weeks). Both Cheryl and Anne hadn't been to the Gardens before and I wanted to go again. It was another scorching day I think the temperature was around 27 degrees and very humid. We did sweat quite a lot. The gardens were fabulous. I managed to get a few more different shots than last time. We spent the majority of the day there and then went for a bite to eat before heading across to Port-Royal. We really didn't have much time there as we got there so late, but even so, we crammed in a ton of photos!<br />
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It was about 9.30 pm by the time we got home as we meandered back via the slow road, stopping at a couple of places along the way. I can literally say I was knackered from the driving and the heat by the time I got in, but that didn't stop Cheryl and I getting up and heading out on Friday down to the South Shore. We stopped at Mahone Bay, Blue Rocks and Stonehurst. I even managed to help some Belgium tourists find Stonehurst which they were thrilled about. In the afternoon Cheryl and I headed over to see a friend of hers who lives in Rose Bay. Not a place that I am familiar with, but a very pretty area. We went to check out Hirtle Beach, and a couple of other local spots. Cheryl's friend's husband is a lobster fisherman, and they have the coolest shack down on the water. So we photographed that as well before heading back to the house and having something to eat. We left at around 5.30 and I got home around 7.30 pm. After another long day and late night I slept in yesterday and and in the late afternoon Rob and I drove to Anne's parents cottage on the Eastern Shore. It was another beautiful day, and we sat out on the dock eating chatting and watching the sunset. It really is gorgeous there and so very peaceful, with just the crickets and the waves lapping, the perfect soundtrack to end the day.<br />
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This weekend is a long weekend as tomorrow is Labour Day. So I have one more day to relax before going back to work. Poor Robert hasn't seen much of the new car as I have been driving it pretty much every day. I love it. It's so smooth and comfortable to drive and ride in. Robert reckons it has Velcro seats as every time I drive home in the evening from work I just sit in it for 10 minutes before getting out (how very sad!) I am sure the novelty will where off soon. The only thing our car doesn't have is a remote start for Winter, which would be handy...Eh Smiffy?<br />
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Smiffy has a 4x4, he bought it not long after moving over here. Anne uses it too, they share it. She drives it to work and colleague noticed the double key fob the other day and asked it that was a remote starter on there, she said I hope not...But sure enough it was and all last winter both of them spent ages getting boots and coats on to go out and warm up the car every morning when all they had to do was press a button from the comfort of their warm house! Oh how that made me laugh!<br />
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I have load of images to post from last weekend and this week, Here's just a few. Click on any image to view larger.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yehGXPZzZD8/Veyw-soA8uI/AAAAAAAADhw/VUuwx7V7RJA/s1600/IMG_7590_copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yehGXPZzZD8/Veyw-soA8uI/AAAAAAAADhw/VUuwx7V7RJA/s400/IMG_7590_copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Stonehurst Cove</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kP04cGw2zQ/VeyvvtvB1_I/AAAAAAAADhI/Wb232p184sM/s1600/Ross%2BFarm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kP04cGw2zQ/VeyvvtvB1_I/AAAAAAAADhI/Wb232p184sM/s400/Ross%2BFarm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Down by the Hen House - Ross Farm</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTO1xSbESQg/Veyvu6zvpgI/AAAAAAAADg8/iwXISr22s9A/s1600/Inside%2Bthe%2BBuoy%2BShack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="351" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sTO1xSbESQg/Veyvu6zvpgI/AAAAAAAADg8/iwXISr22s9A/s400/Inside%2Bthe%2BBuoy%2BShack.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Inside the Buoy Shack - Peggy's Cove</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cUi98mhlaHY/Veyvu6Gv6bI/AAAAAAAADg4/crWo9jJL9qA/s1600/Northwest%2BCove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cUi98mhlaHY/Veyvu6Gv6bI/AAAAAAAADg4/crWo9jJL9qA/s400/Northwest%2BCove.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Northwest Cove</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-io0QCH07lmE/VeyvwWOoI_I/AAAAAAAADhg/2gey99wy8nU/s1600/Strung%2BOut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-io0QCH07lmE/VeyvwWOoI_I/AAAAAAAADhg/2gey99wy8nU/s400/Strung%2BOut.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Strung Out - Rose Bay</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IzJ9iMOrr-A/Veyvu44Aa9I/AAAAAAAADhQ/87EN7RRa-Yg/s1600/Kitten%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IzJ9iMOrr-A/Veyvu44Aa9I/AAAAAAAADhQ/87EN7RRa-Yg/s400/Kitten%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Adorable Kitten at Ross Farm</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v71m8rH7VhI/Veyvv6dB9SI/AAAAAAAADhk/wKIjqP3zQao/s1600/Scenes%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2BCottage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v71m8rH7VhI/Veyvv6dB9SI/AAAAAAAADhk/wKIjqP3zQao/s400/Scenes%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2BCottage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Scenes from the cottage yesterday evening</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nd32hgr3enc/VeyvwthnKdI/AAAAAAAADho/5YO2nru70eg/s1600/The%2BNew%2BCar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nd32hgr3enc/VeyvwthnKdI/AAAAAAAADho/5YO2nru70eg/s400/The%2BNew%2BCar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The New Motor!</span></i></td></tr>
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Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-50169651920298977852015-08-23T14:30:00.003-07:002015-08-23T14:30:48.157-07:00Cars!So this is quite rare these days...2 posts in 2 weeks.<br />
This post is more of a follow up to last week regarding the car subject! We took ours for it's oil change this week, and Rob the mechanic, got it up on the ramp and showed my Rob the full horror that was going on underneath. I truly think that Rob had been in denial about how bad it was and how quickly we needed to think about getting another vehicle. Our poor old Focus is pretty much on it's last legs and fit for the knackers yard.<br />
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With his mind made up Rob then proceeded to explore more options and deals at various places on Friday. By Friday evening, I thought, we might be investing in another Ford, but by Saturday, we had decided to go a different route. We have decided to lease a Toyota Corolla. Leasing we think is by far the best option for us and with all the extra warranties we took out we are pretty much covered for everything, including breakdowns in the whole of North America. It's a nice car, and for any potential visitors, it has 4 doors instead of just the two that the focus had which will make things so much easier. It has heated seats, mirrors, air con, CD and bluetooth. It's a nice slate grey which actually has a hit of blue about it. I think it will be a little easier to find in the Walmart car park than silver, which seems to be the norm round here, Rob and I could never remember where we parked the Focus in the sea of silver. Best of all the Toyota deal at the moment is $2500 trade in on any vehicle. And there is no way we would have got that anywhere else for ours. All being well we just have to pick it up on Tuesday. Then we just have to find the money to pay for it every month. Good thing is at the end of five years we just hand it back for another new one or possibly buy it outright.<br />
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It will save us money on car hire for road trips and CAA so every cloud and all that!<br />
Will try and post a photo if it next week. Until than more photos from last week.<br />
Big congrats this week to Blake and Robyn who have just got engaged!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JeYhgT5Spbs/Vdo6lrOic2I/AAAAAAAADfw/jOwPQY4udPU/s1600/Sherbrooke%2BVillage%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JeYhgT5Spbs/Vdo6lrOic2I/AAAAAAAADfw/jOwPQY4udPU/s400/Sherbrooke%2BVillage%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Walking in the Past at Sherbrooke Village</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zvionKQOOAc/Vdo6oGtnidI/AAAAAAAADf4/fbW7FQ4uwk4/s1600/Chronic%2BWeaknesses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zvionKQOOAc/Vdo6oGtnidI/AAAAAAAADf4/fbW7FQ4uwk4/s400/Chronic%2BWeaknesses.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Chronic Weaknesses (Apothecary, Sherbrooke Village)</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NS971dAxVyI/Vdo6qXB_upI/AAAAAAAADgA/66_3vB2M4V8/s1600/Historic%2BGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NS971dAxVyI/Vdo6qXB_upI/AAAAAAAADgA/66_3vB2M4V8/s400/Historic%2BGardens.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Historic Gardens, Annapolis Royal</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gasaqU4F3b8/Vdo6z_2Z-uI/AAAAAAAADgI/9_K5BCJ-h1U/s1600/Blacksmith%2BSherbrooke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gasaqU4F3b8/Vdo6z_2Z-uI/AAAAAAAADgI/9_K5BCJ-h1U/s400/Blacksmith%2BSherbrooke.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Blacksmiths Shop, Sherbrooke Village</i></span></td></tr>
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<br />Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-184863031047928212015-08-16T16:03:00.000-07:002015-08-16T16:03:03.288-07:00Days Off<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>To the Beach</i></span></td></tr>
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I do hope dear readers you are still following. It seems to take me forever to get round to updating the blog these days. Due in part to the fact I have had nothing much to write about.<br />
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Rob and I have a few financial issues right now, One is a complicated matter to do with his work van and the tax people...Which I might add was nothing to do with him, it was because the firm he works for got audited. It really is so stupid and way to long and complicated to go into. The other problem we have is that our car is on the way out. It needs so much money spent on it to put it right that it makes more sense to get another one. There in lies the rub as we don't have the cash and cannot agree on anything. We are however toying with the idea of leasing rather than buying. Having had a chat with one of the sales people in the Honda showroom, leasing does seem the way to go, bearing in mind you can lease to buy or upgrade after the 5 year lease is up. We are now thinking about a Chevy of some sort as their leases are shorter and a tad cheaper. Who knows?! It's a mine field, but one things for sure we will have to do something before our MVI is due next year or if the car packs up in the meantime.<br />
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This week was Robert's birthday so he and I took Thursday and Friday off work to make a nice long weekend. The weather has been fantastic for the whole four days so no complaints here.<br />
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Thursday we drove to Annapolis Royal and visited the<a href="http://www.historicgardens.com/" target="_blank"> Historical Gardens</a>, which neither of us had been to before. It was superb, by far the best gardens I have visited in Nova Scotia. It's rather formal and so pristine, it reminded me of home and the National Trust gardens I used to love wandering around. The colours and planting were spectacular. I would highly recommend it if you are ever visiting this Province. From there we went to <a href="http://www.novascotia.com/see-do/attractions/port-royal-national-historic-site/1462" target="_blank">Port-Royal Historical Site</a>. You may remember I went there last year with Anne, but Robert hadn't been. I enjoyed my second visit there as much as my first. We meandered our way back along the mountain roads, until we finally hit Wolfville where we went for a lovely dinner at Paddy's Pub (one of my favourite out of town places to eat). I have to say we were shattered when we got home as it had been a long, hot day.<br />
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Friday on Rob's birthday, still tired from the day before we got up early again and headed along the Eastern Shore about 2 and a half hours to <a href="https://sherbrookevillage.novascotia.ca/visit-us" target="_blank">Sherbrooke Historical Village</a>. We stopped briefly on route at Sheet Harbour, where I finally photographed the incredible waterfall/river there. I think it was once the sight of a pulp mill. Rob and I hadn't visited Sherbrooke since 2010, so it was nice to re-visit this rather charming place. It was another hot one and we got tired out pretty quickly. We ended up leaving the village grabbing and ice cream and heading home around 4.30ish. On the way back we stopped for a quick walk along <a href="http://www.novascotia.com/see-do/outdoor-activities/taylor-head-provincial-park/1863" target="_blank">Taylor Head Beach</a>. I think this is my favourite beach. It's flat and long, with lovely dunes. I did dip my toes in the water and yes it was freezing.<br />
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Saturday it was vets day! Off we went with the boys for check ups and vaccinations. Shakespeare got a bit whingy when he had to have some blood taken, but other than that he was a complete suck up with the girls in there. (They adore him). However he is too fat. He has to go on a strict diet. The reason he has got so big, is because we have been trying to put weight on Hamish as he needs the bulk as his muscle mass is starting to go now as he is an old man. Hamish doesn't eat all his food and before you know it Shakespeare is in there like a ninja finishing it off. As for Hamish, he seems to be doing okay, he had put on a little weight, but OMG did he make a scene in there hissing and snapping, and the girls barely touched him. He is due to have more teeth out in December, so when he gets put under they will give him a full exam them. He is so bad at the vets now they have a big X on his notes saying under no attempt take his temperature. He is the original Grumpy Cat these days.<br />
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Today (Sunday) I have done nothing at all, it's been great. I caught up on my soaps and romped through the latest series of Hell on Wheels on Netflix, such a superb series! Rob has been cleaning the guttering outside and at 4.30 pm we decided to go to the lake for a quick swim, it was lovely and refreshing.I heard crickets whilst by the lake, I love the sound of them but for me they herald the fact that Summer will soon be drawing to a close, once they stop chirping the nights will get cooler and the leaves will start to change once more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YbLvegacQfw/VdESWh5KthI/AAAAAAAADe8/mLaCYgZndQs/s1600/Port%2BRoyal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YbLvegacQfw/VdESWh5KthI/AAAAAAAADe8/mLaCYgZndQs/s400/Port%2BRoyal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Still Life at Port-Royal Historical Site</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nEVyFVxhig/VdESWs4qTYI/AAAAAAAADfE/lWKkVroluL8/s1600/Sherbrooke%2BVillae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2nEVyFVxhig/VdESWs4qTYI/AAAAAAAADfE/lWKkVroluL8/s400/Sherbrooke%2BVillae.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Beautiful Sherbrooke Village</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkKwEMqdAaA/VdESXEKqvtI/AAAAAAAADfQ/hPOnQAq9mmQ/s1600/The%2BHeather%2BHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TkKwEMqdAaA/VdESXEKqvtI/AAAAAAAADfQ/hPOnQAq9mmQ/s400/The%2BHeather%2BHouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Gorgeous Property and Garden spotted at Granville Ferry</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KU7HWlcjeAo/VdESZmpL2WI/AAAAAAAADfc/gXmrRUl6mgg/s1600/Historical%2BGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KU7HWlcjeAo/VdESZmpL2WI/AAAAAAAADfc/gXmrRUl6mgg/s400/Historical%2BGardens.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The magnificent Historical Gardens at Annapolis Royal</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LipobgJKfmU/VdESWgg0ChI/AAAAAAAADfA/8zl2GRQ67Ew/s1600/Sheet%2BHarbour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LipobgJKfmU/VdESWgg0ChI/AAAAAAAADfA/8zl2GRQ67Ew/s400/Sheet%2BHarbour.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The River at Sheet Harbour</i></span></td></tr>
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Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-14710091045655589112015-07-19T12:18:00.006-07:002015-07-19T12:18:50.996-07:00Summer Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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I have been busy editing some more of my vacation shots, so here are a few more, plus a couple of shots from yesterday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIvHSr1RyvU/Vav0NkobvDI/AAAAAAAADcw/mNj_uG_eJ_Y/s1600/Boldt%2BCastle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QIvHSr1RyvU/Vav0NkobvDI/AAAAAAAADcw/mNj_uG_eJ_Y/s400/Boldt%2BCastle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Boldt Castle Power House</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mqk_6oThc68/Vav0hkBDF-I/AAAAAAAADdg/6U4Zj2wcby8/s1600/Island%2BLife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mqk_6oThc68/Vav0hkBDF-I/AAAAAAAADdg/6U4Zj2wcby8/s400/Island%2BLife.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This Island is called 'Just Enough Room'</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdzbvsuvNMs/Vav0iPJTg0I/AAAAAAAADdc/itmoskMs9pI/s1600/Welcome%2Bto%2Bthe%2BJungle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RdzbvsuvNMs/Vav0iPJTg0I/AAAAAAAADdc/itmoskMs9pI/s400/Welcome%2Bto%2Bthe%2BJungle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Toronto Skyline from Tornoto Islands</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WrLV3hAYYtg/Vav0ilaoTxI/AAAAAAAADdU/WlSMnD18xN0/s1600/Where%2Bthe%2Bmoney%2Bis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WrLV3hAYYtg/Vav0ilaoTxI/AAAAAAAADdU/WlSMnD18xN0/s400/Where%2Bthe%2Bmoney%2Bis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>View from the CN Tower</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; line-height: 21px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Kingston P</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>enitentiary</i></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_1XrX9knyg/Vav0hfQlV4I/AAAAAAAADdM/gL4eLPF_prk/s1600/Blueberry%2BSurprise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_1XrX9knyg/Vav0hfQlV4I/AAAAAAAADdM/gL4eLPF_prk/s400/Blueberry%2BSurprise.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Blueberry Surprise </i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Lady & the Plant</span></i></td></tr>
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Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-43299387471090803942015-07-05T14:26:00.002-07:002015-07-05T14:26:43.258-07:00Canada Day and Other Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Pickles in the Garden</span></i></td></tr>
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
I really enjoyed the evening and the company.<br />
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I haven't yet got back to editing images from our trip, so this week here are some pictures from last Wednesday.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Opportunity Knocked by Nicole Evans & Pat Farrell</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qp-ahu4wnr4/VZmem1-4b4I/AAAAAAAADcU/a1wT5JmEFYM/s1600/Tangled%2BGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qp-ahu4wnr4/VZmem1-4b4I/AAAAAAAADcU/a1wT5JmEFYM/s400/Tangled%2BGarden.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The Tangled Garden </span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ArqEvAX-ouY/VZmemK3dw8I/AAAAAAAADcM/s3ppp3s4L7E/s1600/A%2BTasty%2BSight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ArqEvAX-ouY/VZmemK3dw8I/AAAAAAAADcM/s3ppp3s4L7E/s400/A%2BTasty%2BSight.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A Tasty Sight</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jynSCvbMhjE/VZmelzPnYBI/AAAAAAAADcI/wHzV6lSy4Ak/s1600/Jellies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jynSCvbMhjE/VZmelzPnYBI/AAAAAAAADcI/wHzV6lSy4Ak/s400/Jellies.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Tangled Garden Jellies and Preserves...<br />Good to eat and great to photograph!</span></i></td></tr>
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Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-31581774602541395562015-06-21T15:03:00.002-07:002015-06-21T15:03:37.408-07:00Road Trip<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIY8Wgb7IBQ/VYcxl50IeuI/AAAAAAAADaQ/-oOSfCLYvw8/s1600/City%2BLines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIY8Wgb7IBQ/VYcxl50IeuI/AAAAAAAADaQ/-oOSfCLYvw8/s320/City%2BLines.JPG" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">City Lines</span></i></td></tr>
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I'm back!</div>
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Once again it has been far too long since my last post. I honestly haven't had too much to talk about lately and the prospect of dedicating time every Sunday to updating has become somewhat daunting. However this week I do have something to talk about, so put the kettle on, rest up and prepare for a long read!</div>
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Rob and I finally got to take a break and left the shores of Nova Scotia on a road trip bound for Toronto to visit our friends there. We started our journey on June 5th, we picked up our rental car in the afternoon and drove 6 hours to Grand Falls, New Brunswick. It seemed the most convenient place to stop overnight as it is close to the Quebec border. Grand Falls is pretty small and it's main attraction is the Falls and Gorge. Rob and I had been there before years ago, but the last time we visited there didn't seem to be much water there, so it was great to re-visit them this time on a sunny morning (June 6th) and find tons of water and rainbow! After a quick stop we headed on, we had a long drive of 8 hours to complete to reach our next destination, which was the town of <a href="http://www.gananoque.ca/" target="_blank">Gananoque</a> which is situated in the heart of the 1000 Islands. If you have never heard of the Islands, let me tell you, it is an absolutely stunning area and a must see. Here's some info on them from Wikipedia:</div>
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<span style="color: #252525;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">The Thousand Islands constitute an archipelago of 1,864 islands that straddles the Canada-U.S. border in the Saint Lawrence River as it emerges from the </span></span><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">north-east</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> corner of Lake Ontario. They stretch for about 50 miles (80 km) downstream from Kingston, Ontario. The Canadian islands are in the province of Ontario, the U.S. islands in the state of New York.</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><i>The 1,864 islands range in size from over 40 square miles (100 km2) to smaller islands occupied by a single residence, or uninhabited outcroppings of rocks that are only home to migratory waterfowl. To count as one of the Thousand Islands, emergent land within the river channel must have at least one square foot (0.093 m2) of land above water level year-round, and support at least two living trees.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">We checked into our motel in the late afternoon having driven along the parkway which was such a pretty ride in. After the lovely scenery on route our motel was somewhat disappointing to say the least, it was very musty and what was advertised as a steak and pancake house at the front of the motel on the website was now a Chinese restaurant. The motel was run by a Chinese family, the rooms were old and small, the WiFi was non existent and out front there was a rancid old swimming pool. Needless to say I wouldn't recommend a stay there! However, they are renovating and I found out later that it had been closed the whole of last season. (I can only assume that is why everything smells musty). Aside from the accommodation we had a lovely time in the 1000 Islands, we took a </span><a href="http://www.ganboatline.com/LostShipsTour.asp" style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" target="_blank">boat trip</a><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> the following day which takes you around the bulk of the islands including millionaire's row and </span><a href="http://www.boldtcastle.com/visitorinfo/" style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" target="_blank">Boldt Castle</a><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"> which is one of the main highlights. The weather was gorgeous and we got a little sun burned that day. After the boat trip we drove out to the observation tower which is on an island half way between the US and Canada. From there we drove up to a small town called Delta where we visited The Old Stone Mill, which is an Historic site and one of the best preserved Stone Mills in Canada. We rounded off the day with a lovely dinner on the water's edge in </span><a href="http://www.rockportthousandislands.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=96&Itemid=176" style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;" target="_blank">Rockport</a><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">, which is just gorgeous.</span></span></div>
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The next day we were up and on the road again, heading to Toronto. We stopped on route at Kingston to visit the <a href="http://www.penitentiarymuseum.ca/default/" target="_blank">Penitentiary Museum</a> which is located in the old warden's quarters of the recently closed (2013) Kingston maximum security prison. Now being a huge Prison Break fan, I absolutely loved this museum. It was fascinating, the history of the place is very interesting as are the exhibits, including some rather evil looking, crude, home made weapons (which are pretty scary to say the least). You can read about the ingenious escape attempts and the people that run the museum are all ex-correctional officers who have some great stories to tell. I would absolutely recommend a visit to this museum if you are ever in the area.</div>
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Having stopped there, I didn't factor in the traffic and road works that we would encounter as we got nearer to Toronto, so the drive took us a lot longer than expected. As we got nearer and nearer to the city the traffic got heavier and heavier The lanes on the 401 (which had started of as essentially duel carriageway) ended up as 16 lanes of heaving traffic (8 lanes in both directions). Now being from Nova Scotia and barely seeing any cars on the road, this came as quite the culture shock for us...I found myself wincing quite a bit and hanging onto to the overhead hand gripper, poor Rob had to figure out where and what we were doing as the Sat Nav decided to have a fit on us, and couldn't work out that we had ended up on the express way. It seemed to take forever to get off the bloody thing, but we did eventually and arrived around 4.30 pm at Eunice's house in Royal York.</div>
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It was so lovely so see Eunice again, it had been 7 years since I last visited and longer since Rob had been out there with me. We spent the evening catching up with her and (son) Tim, and enjoyed the best roast beef dinner we have had in a long time. The following day we took the subway down town and went up the CN Tower (always a favourite of mine), the price to go up these days however is shocking. $35.00 per person to the observation decks, and if you want to go up to the sky pod, you can add on an extra $12.00 per person. It was a bit grey in the afternoon, so the views could have been better, but it was still enjoyable, afterwards we had a late lunch on Front Street and headed back.</div>
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In the evening we enjoyed a night out with Tim, Paul (his brother) and their nephew Blake. We went to see the Blue Jays play Miami at the <a href="http://www.rogerscentre.com/about/history.jsp" target="_blank">Rogers Centre</a> (which to me, will always be the Sky Dome). </div>
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Tim and Paul, had a method to getting in. They bought tickets after the game had started outside from a tout, the idea was them to take these 'nose bleed' seats in the 500 section and then sneak our way into one of the lower preferable sections. As their were 5 of us this didn't prove so easy. I think we got booted out of 3 sections before finally finding a spot. It was a gorgeous evening but a little too hot for me as I was sweating like a horse after all the running around. The roof was open in the dome and the view of the CN Tower from there was as always, excellent. The game was pretty exciting (even for me who, as you know is not a baseball/sports fan). It was looking doubtful the Blue Jays would win, but then in the final moments of the game, they pulled it back and won by one run. Which is just as well as Paul and Tim said if our presence there made the team unlucky they would never take us again :o)</div>
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The next day we bit the bullet and drove down town, the Sat Nav did us proud and we parked the ferry terminal that runs over to the <a href="http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=34e9dada600f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD" target="_blank">Islands</a>. We headed over to Centre Island and walked 4 km to Hanlan's Point which has the best view of the skyline. Halfway along the sky got darker and darker and the heaven's opened, it was quite the down pour and just for good measure there was some thunder and lightening (poor Rob). I am terrified of storms so I wasn't at my best.</div>
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We took cover at the Art Centre near the lighthouse and fortunately it didn't last long. Afterwards the sun came out and it was as if it had never happened.</div>
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Later that day we said farewell to Eunice and headed to Georgetown to spend the next two nights with Eunice's daughter Lisa. Lisa made a fabulous meal for us upon arrival and we had a good catch up that evening, she has recently moved to a new house, so it was nice to see it, it a lovely town house with 3 levels and 2 walk out decks. So neat and tidy. The following morning she cooked us a lovely breakfast and we headed off to Niagara. We stopped briefly at Niagara on the Lake on route, it was so busy with tourists and parking was a nightmare. At Niagara, the amount of people was again staggering, but we parked and then got the hop on, hop off bus to the <a href="http://www.skylon.com/" target="_blank">Skylon Tower</a> for my favourite views of the Falls.</div>
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We got back around 7.00 pm to Lisa's and were hoping to meet up with Paul again for dinner, but sadly he couldn't make it so Rob and I ate out in Georgetown. The following day Lisa had to be at work early and we had to be on our way to Montreal, so we said farewell and headed off at around 6.45 am. I wish we could have stayed longer but time just didn't permit.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The journey to Montreal was long. It seemed to take forever, I miscalculated the time it would take.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We were heading to see a friend of mine (who I have known online for many years, but had never met in person). Rosy and her hubby Edwin live not far outside of the city (although you would never know it), in <span style="color: #252525; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Lasalle,+Montreal,+QC/@45.4339575,-73.599687,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x4cc91117b797c677:0x5040cadae4d4b30" target="_blank">LaSalle</a> which located in the south-west portion of the </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Island of Montreal</span><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">, located along the </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">Saint Lawrence river. The area is mostly English speaking and looks very English. It is a Gorgeous area, I was instantly enamoured with the location.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">As soon as we met, Rosy and I clicked, I always new we would and we enjoyed a wonderful evening chatting, we stayed in with Chinese food, and what a feast it was, such a great night. Even Benny their dog, who is 'mature' and can't walk so well these days, got so excited to see us that he even made a huge effort to make it up the stairs when we took our bags up. Rosy and Edwin are writers, but they have been renovating upstairs into a photographic studio as Rosy is moving more towards the photographic side of things, undertaking newborn shoots and glamour photography.She is extremely talented. I have no doubt this new venture will be a roaring success. I just wish she lived nearer, as I know we would pretty much be inseparable. The next day we were up fairly early (although to be honest I could have stayed in bed). Rosy cooked up a storm with breakfast and then took Rob and I to her happy place. A migratory bird <a href="http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=9217,104017603&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL" target="_blank">sanctuary/park</a> on the river near the <a href="http://raftingmontreal.com/rates/jet-boating/?gclid=CjwKEAjwwZmsBRDOh7C6rKO8zkcSJABCusnbC-WsGsoV3QqWB6x9aUSag306Td1-T4qblcou_-WkNxoCQqvw_wcB" target="_blank">Lachine Rapids</a>. A truly beautiful spot, where you can commonly see Blue Herons (although we didn't that day). We did see river rafters on the rapids which brought back a few memories for me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sadly we had to leave at around 2.30 pm. Our time was brief and I really didn't want to leave, but we had to get back to Grand Falls (6 hours driving). So off we went. Of course we lost an hour in time as we crossed back over from Quebec into New Brunswick so we finally reached the motel at around 9.30 pm. Our last leg was the 6 hours home the next day. All in all we did around 2,500 km.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was tiring but such good fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have only really just begun to edit images, but here are a few for now. Don't forget to click on all the links in this article to see where we went and what we did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh and finally here's what you need to know about the </span>origins<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of 'Thousand Island Dressing' in case you were wondering:</span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.2000007629395px;">A fishing guide's wife, Sophie Lalonde, gave the recipe to an actress, who in turn gave it to another Thousand Islands summer resident, George Boldt, who was building Boldt Castle in the area. Boldt, as proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, instructed the hotel's maître d'hôtel, Oscar Tschirky, to put the dressing on the menu.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The Old Stone Mill, Delta Ontario</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yoG-RPUTC4c/VYcye9S5MBI/AAAAAAAADa4/hqvy_RK0YxU/s1600/City%2BHeights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yoG-RPUTC4c/VYcye9S5MBI/AAAAAAAADa4/hqvy_RK0YxU/s400/City%2BHeights.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">City Heights - My favourite Skyline view from The Islands</span></i></td></tr>
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Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-82213458560436256252015-05-17T16:49:00.002-07:002015-05-17T16:49:51.336-07:00Long WeekendSo Victoria Day weekend is upon us...Hooray for 3 day weekends.<br />
The weather was spectacular yesterday So Rob and I drove down to the South Shore and visited Mahone Bay, Lunenburg and Blue Rocks & Stonehurst. Definitely my 'go to' places especially when the sun is shining.<br />
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I think we discovered the best fudge ever in Mahone Bay, we bought a box of different flavours including Root Beer, Maple Nut and Orange Cream to name a few.<br />
We had a spot of late lunch in Lunenburg at <a href="http://www.grandbanker.com/" target="_blank">The Grand Banker</a>, our favourite restaurant along the waterfront. All in all it was a lovely relaxing day in the sunshine, something much needed!<br />
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Robert has been busy in the garden, as everything is starting to sprout now. We got some new neighbours recently next door, obviously we didn't get to see them much over Winter except when they were behind a snow blower! But now they too are our in the garden most of the time. Cindy is not a big plant fan, something that surprises me, since she and her husband bought a bungalow that was owned by a keen gardener. I have been eyeing up a dwarf weeping willow in that back yard for a while, so I made her an offer, and the deal was done. It is now planted in the front garden where we dug up a rather sad rhododendron bush last year. We also gained a rambling rose. When Cindy said she didn't want it, I jumped at the chance of taking it, as I knew it was the previous owners pride and joy and the colour is my favourite shade of pink. Rob and I are thinking of moving in on her compost next :o) The lawn is looking pretty awful after the all that snow and ice. Not sure it will ever look right this year as there are so many bald and dead patches. We had an area to fill that has no grass at all, the previous site of a kids swing set. So a new flower border is now in place...Now all I need are some plants.<br />
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We now have a BBQ thanks to Anne and Smiffy who were getting rid of theirs. So far we have cooked up a storm on it twice, and it's so good to finally have one. I suspect if the sun is back out again tomorrow we might be heading for our third.<br />
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Big Brother UK has started....So apologies to those of you who are following me on Twitter as I am tweeting quite a bit about it and also on BB Canada as that is still running for another two weeks.<br />
For those of you that know me as a reality TV junkie, I hope your read the article in the Daily Mail recently which finally vindicated me, as it said that watching reality TV is good for you....I know, weird huh, but apparently it is good on a social level. People that watch are able to analyse people much better in real life, and it keeps the brain sharp tactically.<br />
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Here are some images taken yesterday...Click to view large!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55DNg1JuiXs/VVkm5Zt1SDI/AAAAAAAADZE/Jgq0W3Ft0yQ/s1600/Lunenburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="80" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55DNg1JuiXs/VVkm5Zt1SDI/AAAAAAAADZE/Jgq0W3Ft0yQ/s400/Lunenburg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Lunenburg Panorama</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFl3Hs9a9n4/VVkm2zZ0vUI/AAAAAAAADY0/9FfeyM3Q2Bg/s1600/Mahone%2BBay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFl3Hs9a9n4/VVkm2zZ0vUI/AAAAAAAADY0/9FfeyM3Q2Bg/s400/Mahone%2BBay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The Three Sisters, Mahone Bay</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ld6_e1rHRiM/VVkm4_-9GeI/AAAAAAAADY8/aYXBS8eT4Aw/s1600/Spring%2Bat%2BStonehurst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ld6_e1rHRiM/VVkm4_-9GeI/AAAAAAAADY8/aYXBS8eT4Aw/s400/Spring%2Bat%2BStonehurst.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">My Favourite Place...Stonehurst</span></i></td></tr>
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<br />Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-34339036212411903592015-05-03T16:20:00.002-07:002015-05-03T16:20:28.138-07:00The Sun is Shining<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Finally all the snow has gone, Robert has started to pick away at the grass and even I ventured out in the yard today to clear some dead foliage and do a little weeding. Nothing blooming yet, but it's shouldn't be long!<br />
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Anne and Smiffy gave us their old BBQ, it needed some TLC but it's back up and working, we just need gas now and a quick paint job and it will be good as new. It will be great to finally have one. I think we must be the only people living in Canada without one until now. Canadians BBQ all year round, not just the Summer...Oh know they are out there in all weather?! Now that is something I will never quite understand as a Brit.<br />
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I finally caught up with Racheal yesterday, and we took a brief ride out to Eastern Passage to try and get our photo mojo back. Linda (our Mortgage Broker and Tax filer now) popped round with out Tax paperwork. What with one thing and another, being first time home buyers in Canada, costly reno's on our house in the UK and some other factors, we did actually get some money back this year, which is much needed. Some of that money is going towards a Cordless Dyson...OMG I cannot wait to get it! How sad am I to get so excited about a vacuum.<br />
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Robert has got himself a second (part time) job. It's only a couple of hours cleaning on the weekend (very early in the morning), but it should help us when his work drops off in the Summer.<br />
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Will leave you with a favourite Your Tube vid and some recent pics.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G4Sn91t1V4g?rel=0" width="412"></iframe>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-HNo8MtQoo/VUasb_GnpBI/AAAAAAAADYI/7ag2KEIMd1A/s1600/The%2BColours%2Bof%2BFisherman's%2BCove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-HNo8MtQoo/VUasb_GnpBI/AAAAAAAADYI/7ag2KEIMd1A/s1600/The%2BColours%2Bof%2BFisherman's%2BCove.jpg" height="145" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The Colours of Fisherman's Cove</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FUyGWHnagiM/VUasbE1KArI/AAAAAAAADYA/QC2WHxZs-uc/s1600/Spring%2Bat%2BProspect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FUyGWHnagiM/VUasbE1KArI/AAAAAAAADYA/QC2WHxZs-uc/s1600/Spring%2Bat%2BProspect.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Spring at Prospect</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-19KkNkkFbw0/VUasbHcWgsI/AAAAAAAADX4/iE5Ko92JFGU/s1600/Makes%2Ba%2Bchange%2Bfrom%2Ba%2Bfish%2Bsupper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-19KkNkkFbw0/VUasbHcWgsI/AAAAAAAADX4/iE5Ko92JFGU/s1600/Makes%2Ba%2Bchange%2Bfrom%2Ba%2Bfish%2Bsupper.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Makes a Change from a Fish Supper</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqunT57loB0/VUasbQLRuNI/AAAAAAAADX8/Hv5q9LaK1tM/s1600/A%2BRopey%2BCollection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nqunT57loB0/VUasbQLRuNI/AAAAAAAADX8/Hv5q9LaK1tM/s1600/A%2BRopey%2BCollection.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A Ropey Collection</span></i></td></tr>
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<br />Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-36080705538066350182015-04-19T19:06:00.004-07:002015-04-19T19:06:59.455-07:00Coming out of HibernationIt's been yet another long spell without an update for the blog. I really have had nothing to say as I have continued to hibernate due to the cold weather and the dreaded snow hanging around for far longer than it should have.<br />
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I am however pleased to report that due to a few nice days of above zero temps and some much needed sunshine we have turned a corner here and the snow has all but gone. The lakes are still mainly still just frozen on the surface, but I think even they will once again look like lakes but the end of this week.<br />
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Today I felt it was time to start easing my way out of hibernation. I finally left the house and it felt strange! Robert and I took a late afternoon drive along to Peggy's Cove via Prospect on route, the light was inviting, even if there was a distinct chill in the air especially at Peggy's. It feels like I am taking baby steps back into the outside world, As the weather improves I feel and hope my mood will improve too.<br />
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I actually managed to pop round and see Nancy one day after work last week, I haven't seen her in the longest time and her birthday gift had been gathering dust on a shelf. It was nice to have a catch up. I have yet to see Rachael but I feel we should be out with the cameras (fingers crossed) in no time now.<br />
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I have of course been totally immersed in all things TV, Netflix is a general staple of every day! I am currently watching Bloodline, which is very intriguing and addictive. Plus shock, horror I have actually started reading a <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Behold-Horse-Milton-William-Cooper/dp/0929385225" target="_blank">book</a> this week 'Behold a Pale Horse'. Probably not an obvious or easy read, but something that I am pretty fascinated by.<br />
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Until my next entry, I will leave you with one of the images taken earlier this evening.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evY6lViKmSk/VTRe3N1rvJI/AAAAAAAADXU/zn6OEeTl8Ss/s1600/You%2Bcan%2Bnever%2Btire%2Bof%2BPeggy's%2BCove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-evY6lViKmSk/VTRe3N1rvJI/AAAAAAAADXU/zn6OEeTl8Ss/s1600/You%2Bcan%2Bnever%2Btire%2Bof%2BPeggy's%2BCove.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'You can never 'tire' of Peggy's Cove'</i></span></td></tr>
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<br />Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-90057644380925491562015-03-22T12:46:00.001-07:002015-03-22T12:55:41.069-07:00Spring has NOT SprungI felt I should make an update, but I am finding it somewhat difficult to sit at the keyboard and remain perky about anything right now.<br />
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I have been pretty ill for the last 3 weeks. I got very bad bronchitis again, which resulted in a trip to the doctors, a round of antibiotics, and two inhalers. I missed some work because it and ended up in bed for 5 days. Since then it has abated, but I am still coughing and have found it very difficult to deal with the heavy cold cold like symptoms which followed.<br />
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I have only been out of the house once socially since my last update and that was a trip to a local salon with Anne. We treated ourselves to some pampering, a facial, pedicures and a manicure in Anne's case. The particular day in question was a rarity....It didn't snow, the sun was shining and I believe the temperature reached 1 or 2 degrees. Since than it has all gone down hill again. We have had yet another storm, with a huge dumping of snow which effectively put Nova Scotia out of business last Wednesday. The snow banks are so high now everywhere there is really nowhere to put it now. I have never seen so much snow in my life. There are only two good things to come out of this....Number 1, People have almost stopped talking about 'The Great Storm' White Juan. Number 2, I got a day off work on Wednesday! As I sit here typing it is snowing yet again and the wind is howling, it is all due to flash freeze later after we get some rain. My mood is literally at an all time low, I am utterly fed up with the weather and a few other things besides.<br />
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For those of you interested, I have given up smoking once more the day the coughing started I knocked it on the head. Of course last time I crept back to it, so this time I am not making promises I cannot keep, just taking it day by day, but it will be a month on Tuesday.<br />
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The only thing that is keeping me remotely sane right now is TV. Big Brother Canada starts tomorrow, I have Dancing with the Stars just started again, The Voice USA and Survivor to keep me going in the world of reality TV. I have also been watching The Voice UK...and if you are you have vote for Vikesh to win...An unlikely star perhaps, but what a voice. He tweeted me back the other day, as did Michael Van Schoick, who you might better know as Dave form the Money Supermarket Ad...I so love that ad!!!<br />
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I have been following the British politics in the lead up to the Election with much interest. What a am finding particularly hard to tolerate is the slanted media bias that has been heaped on UKIP. Now I am not saying that they don't have <i><b>some</b></i> dubious followers, but at every given opportunity the media make the whole party out to racist and homophobic, which I do NOT believe is the case at all.<br />
I can only assume that the powers that be are that afraid of UKIP that they feel the need to constantly bash them and belittle them. I also noted that the Tories are in some do-do thanks to Afzal Amin and his cunning (or as it turned out, not so cunning plan)...And and lets not forget (although we really want to) Clegg and his donation scandal. This could be an interesting Election for sure.<br />
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I will leave you with images from the back and the front of the my house, my favourite ad of the moment and a NEW 22 Minutes Halifax Tourism ad/Skit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6sh8HXE3-k/VQ8bF1xoqEI/AAAAAAAADWc/R3ZOjFDY55w/s1600/diveway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6sh8HXE3-k/VQ8bF1xoqEI/AAAAAAAADWc/R3ZOjFDY55w/s1600/diveway.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Our Driveway</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GSMbSnhGHJY/VQ8bI4J4mvI/AAAAAAAADWk/9P0M03S0LKA/s1600/front%2Bof%2Bhouse%2Btowards%2Bdriveway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GSMbSnhGHJY/VQ8bI4J4mvI/AAAAAAAADWk/9P0M03S0LKA/s1600/front%2Bof%2Bhouse%2Btowards%2Bdriveway.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Looking towards the driveway from Front Door</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMb73AiZvlM/VQ8bL-sHe3I/AAAAAAAADWs/C6VuVTgc9HY/s1600/our%2Broad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CMb73AiZvlM/VQ8bL-sHe3I/AAAAAAAADWs/C6VuVTgc9HY/s1600/our%2Broad.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Our Road (worse since this was taken)</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGyMy6hQnUA/VQ8bOsiWgtI/AAAAAAAADW0/qquXrcJzYpE/s1600/view%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Bfront%2Bwindow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGyMy6hQnUA/VQ8bOsiWgtI/AAAAAAAADW0/qquXrcJzYpE/s1600/view%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Bfront%2Bwindow.jpg" height="287" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">View from my front room window of the garden</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNLItY64ITM/VQ8bPlsV39I/AAAAAAAADW8/LobNIF92_TY/s1600/view%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bback%2Byard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNLItY64ITM/VQ8bPlsV39I/AAAAAAAADW8/LobNIF92_TY/s1600/view%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bback%2Byard.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">View from the kitchen of the back garden</span></i></td></tr>
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<br />Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-48764147600579167202015-02-15T15:38:00.001-08:002015-02-15T15:38:10.180-08:00Another StormHere I am again with nothing much to report except the dreadful weather.<br />
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I celebrated my birthday on Feb 10th, I say celebrated in the loosest of terms, it was possibly the most lack lustre birthday to date. I would like to thank all of you that sent cards and gifts, much appreciated. I found birthday wishes from my work colleagues on a big poster they made in the loo....Commonly known now as my second office. A customer bought me in a cake, which was sweet and Rob brought back a Chinese takeaway. My birthday wish was that it didn't snow that day, but sadly that wish didn't come true and it was yet another messy day on the roads, however that was nothing compared to the weather today. We have had more snow, followed by ice pellets and then a load of rain as the temperature rose for about 2 hours, which caused some melting of the massive amounts of snow everywhere, that in turn has and is now flash freezing again as the temperature drop back down to around minus 15.<br />
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The last few weeks have been relentless, almost everyday it has been a struggle to go anywhere and try and keep on top of snow clearing. Just leaving the house requires a good extra ten minutes just to get extra layers of clothing on and boots of course. This Winter really has turned into possibly the worst one yet here for me. I hate it! My mood is bleak most of the time, I cannot be bothered with anything. So if I haven't written back to you recently, it's because even the computer holds no interest for me. I am pretty sure I am not alone in feeling this way, most people I know seem to have no energy and sleeping way more than they normally do.<br />
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I am hoping upon hoping that this weather ends soon and I can begin to get out of this funk.<br />
One good thing in amongst the weather gloom is that we have a new Stat/Bank holiday tomorrow. Many other parts of Canada already celebrate a day off in Feb as Family Day. Nova Scotia have called it Heritage Day and tomorrow is the first one. I am thrilled to be having a day off as it means I don't have to try and get into work. I find it funny that most other Provinces call their holiday 'Family Day' yet Nova Scotia has to call it something else.<br />
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I will leave you with a couple of snowy images - On the left a view of the front garden and driveway, on the left a car buried in snow out the back on of the units next to where I work. The image was taken last week. Good job they left the windscreen wipers up to stop them getting snow covered!!!! I actually saw the lady owner digging it out Thursday but by Friday it had more snow on it. I am also posting my favourite viral cat video of the week.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NiITqh5diVE/VOEs7roegCI/AAAAAAAADVM/h2qnEI4kjgk/s1600/2015-02-07%2B15.53.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NiITqh5diVE/VOEs7roegCI/AAAAAAAADVM/h2qnEI4kjgk/s1600/2015-02-07%2B15.53.24.jpg" height="173" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Spot the car in the right hand image! Click to view larger!<br /></i></span></td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cRWGoOZnfyo?rel=0" width="412"></iframe>Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-4758794388047306242015-02-01T12:25:00.001-08:002015-04-19T19:10:22.500-07:00Still HereIt looks like Winter proper has kicked in now, after a relatively snow free December and half of January, we got a first 'full on' Winter storm last week. It moved up the Eastern Seaboard affecting NY and Boston the worst as no doubt you will have seen in the papers and on the news, it was a pretty messy affair for us and as usual it was a battle to get to work, I luckily grabbed a lift in with a colleague and we were sent packing at noon as the roads were terrible. Since then it has snowed more, thawed, frozen, chucked down some freezing rain which took Rob and I 20 minutes to chip a thick layer of ice of the car, then it snowed some more and has now frozen again and guess what...we are due another winter storm on Tuesday...Yay!...NOT!<br />
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In case you haven't spotted it yet I hate the snow and winter in general and it has literally sapped any life out of me, I go to work I come home and I don't do anything. Just getting on the computer is proving an enormous effort as you can see from my lack of updates.<br />
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Rob has been pretty busy in and out on call his colourful language appears to be getting worse every time he has to go outside to empty the bins, shovel the driveway, open the shed or go out in general. It's been so cold that the lock keeps freezing on the shed door which maddens him to the point I think his head is going to explode, I watched him earlier doing a Basil Fawlty and kicking it relentlessly.<br />
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Although I maybe inside more than out, it has certainly given me plenty of time to watch lots and lots of TV. Something I missed in the UK but have now watched on Netflix is 'Last Tango in Halifax' What a fantastic series that is, I loved it, and it has to be right up there with my all time fave TV series now. I have also finished watching the latest series of Lilyhammer, which is a series that so shouldn't work in theory but just does, it too is one of my favourites. I could list so many more but there are way too many of them. I have been engrossed in Celebrity Big Brother and loving it. I am torn as to who I want to see win it but I think as a beacon of calm in a sea of Chaos, Keith Chegwin should win it. I have been sharing many tweets with the BB fans and Interact quite regularly with Judi James the Body Language expert on Big Brother's bit on the side, I have also been interacting with Chris Wright one the contestants from last Summer's Civilian BB (he was my favourite to win it but sadly evil prevailed over good). I should mention that I have also in the past had Twitter one or two interactions with Keith Chegwin (when he was on Dancing on Ice). I love Twitter and interactions like these make it so much more interesting.<br />
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I will leave you with my favourite viral video that never fails to put a smile on my face...I love it even more as he reminds me of Hank from Breaking Bad!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="232" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MmUvgTNVFuE?rel=0" width="412"></iframe>Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-68661983998770917252015-01-11T14:32:00.003-08:002015-01-11T14:32:48.554-08:00Happy New Year and all that!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ug5i6E8RSWs/VLL5vXvNVpI/AAAAAAAADUI/-yeq0hZ00-o/s1600/A%2BWhite%2BChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ug5i6E8RSWs/VLL5vXvNVpI/AAAAAAAADUI/-yeq0hZ00-o/s1600/A%2BWhite%2BChristmas.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A White Christmas</span></i></td></tr>
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Hey peeps, it's been a while, apologies. I am in such a funk with Winter I have practically lost the will to do anything.<br />
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I hope you all had a relaxing Christmas. I was glad to have a few days away from work, I definitely needed the break and slept through most of it. When I wasn't sleeping I was watching mountains of TV. Netflix took a pounding. Rob and I spent our first Christmas in our new home quietly. We had beef instead of Turkey. Big thanks to all of you who sent cards and pressies. Much appreciated.<br />
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Anne and Smiffy popped round between Christmas and New Year, other than that we didn't have any visitors.<br />
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The snow held off until about a week ago, and we have had a bit on and off then some rain, then ithas frozen again. We have had some pretty cold temperatures too. One day it went from plu 9 right down to minus 28 with the wind chill in the space of 24 hours. I must say though I am not finding Winter as unbearable as last year, as it has come much later which hopefully, in turn should make it a lot shorter.<br />
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Pat our Realtor popped round just before Christmas with a really sweet hand painted Christmas tree ornament (as you can see here). Thankfully it made it through the season without Shakespeare breaking it. He didn't do too badly with the tree, but was pretty upset when we took it down and was still clinging on to the bottom branches as we packed up in the box.<br />
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Anyhow nothing much else to report. So I will update again when I have something interesting to say!<br />
<br />Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-51721745306090150532014-12-25T08:04:00.003-08:002014-12-25T08:05:16.583-08:00Merry Christmas!...No snow...Yet!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-thHdRfsiLvE/VJw038GpgVI/AAAAAAAADTw/dvvc9ovGX7A/s1600/Noel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-thHdRfsiLvE/VJw038GpgVI/AAAAAAAADTw/dvvc9ovGX7A/s1600/Noel.JPG" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Art imitating life! The broken ball count continues as <br />Shakespeare enjoys Christmas and Hamish is just <br />glad he's deaf!</i></span></td></tr>
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<br />Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-65340863221606534162014-12-16T15:20:00.001-08:002014-12-16T15:20:41.774-08:00A Much Needed UpdateSorry I have been AWOL again.<br />
Really not too much occurring apart from the usual doldrums I get at this time of year. Work has been manic and my stress levels have reached sky high. Possibly something I shouldn't mention but (seeing as this is a warts and all blog), I will...I have been prescribed mild anxiety medication to help me stay a little calmer right now. That said I am feeling much better this week that I was last week (before I started taking them).<br />
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There are many things compounding my mood and state of mind. Christmas is nearly upon us once more and for me it's a total non-entity. I dislike Winter intensely and not having my family around this time of year really gets me down and then there's work, with a new computer system that is extremely complex and making my job 3 times more arduous than it was before. Rob and I will be spending our first Christmas in our new home which is the one thing I am looking forward to, that a few days away from work.<br />
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The weather forecasters are practically chomping at the bit now when it comes to predicting the weather. They want snow, ice pellets, blizzards, white outs and freezing rain so bad now. They seem pretty disappointed that mother nature has let them down so far. Hard to believe but since my last update and that dusting of snow we had, we have seen NONE...yes NONE of the white stuff yet. What we have had is pounding rain and wind, followed by mild temps and almost t-shirt weather days. It;s certainly been a mixed bag. I know we won't avoid the snow for much longer but I for one have been enjoying the wet days.<br />
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What I haven't been enjoying has been driving home in the dark on those aforementioned wet days.<br />
The reason being...Pedestrians on badly lit crossings wearing black clothing. Now I pride myself on having pretty good eyesight, But you cannot see these people who not only dress in the worst possible colour, but step out without looking or warning as they have right of way and don't look first and expect you to stop....Meanwhile us, the car drivers are struggling to make out even the crossing under the dimly lit street lights (that would be equal to the likes of the streets lights in a third world country), whilst battling blindness from oncoming traffic and driving rain. Reflectors should be made compulsory whilst walking at night round these parts and pedestrians should not have right of way unless the crossing is controlled by a 'walk now' button. Even with the new zebra crossing markings it's still almost impossible to see people. Every week I am still hearing of people being knocked down, it is crazy...and it's no wonder.<br />
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Okay I am moving on from the ranting.<br />
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I did make the effort and go out this weekend. We had a works do, a bunch of us went bowling, we have some food there and more than a few drinks. I must confess I got the most drunk I have been in years. The do was on the same evening as Anne and Smiffy's Christmas bash, so I was pretty miffed about that. Rob went round to theirs and chauffeured me back after the bowling so I could make a late and rather drunken appearance...Sorry about that Anne! I We swapped presents I slurred quit a bit and was probably quite annoying. I then proceeded to get an early hangover. One of the presents they gave us was from their cat Donovan to our boys. Some toys in a small gift bag.When we returned home I put the bag on the kitchen table and quickly made my way to bed. At around 4 am Rob and I were rudely awakened by a crashing sound then a cat running full pelt across both of us whist rustling at the same time, at break neck speed he ran back across us, before we had time to get up and investigate...What did we find...A ripped gift back, part of which (the handles) around Shakespeare's neck, with the rest of the paper attached looking like a cape of sorts and a some smashed Christmas tree balls where he had done a few turns of the tree trying to escape the bag. This I might add did nothing for my now terrible hangover.<br />
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I am not sure if I will be updating the blog again this side of Christmas. So until next time, I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas. Here's to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2015. We shall be raising a glass and remembering absent friends, sadly lost this year;<br />
Kevin, Gord, Warren & Chris.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7Jb19yWyVc/VJC9vozm7OI/AAAAAAAADTY/WDBWjCkklco/s1600/Blue%2BRocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7Jb19yWyVc/VJC9vozm7OI/AAAAAAAADTY/WDBWjCkklco/s1600/Blue%2BRocks.jpg" height="221" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Winter at Blue Rocks (From the Archives)</i></span></td></tr>
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<br />Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-1134335022135517562014-11-23T14:12:00.002-08:002014-11-23T14:12:29.928-08:00Movie Props and Bad DrivingApologies for the lack of update last week. I really had nothing to talk about I have literally been nowhere and done nothing.<br />
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The weather has turned colder now and although, thankfully we haven't had the weather that Buffalo and other parts of Canada have been enduring, the temperature has dropped somewhat. This week we did actually see a dusting of snow on Wednesday morning. Apparently Nova Scotian's had forgotten that it snows at this time of the year and had also forgotten how to drive. I headed off to work at a snails pace along Main Street wondering what on earth the hold up was, only to come to a complete halt just before joining the Circ (highway). A police car promptly pulled up and the officer got out and started re directing traffic...He ushered me off to another lane, as I crawled past him, reluctant to change my route I wound down the window and politely said 'If you send me off down here, I have no idea how to get to work'...To which he replied...'Where do you work?' I told him and then he said, 'Well you will have to go down Prince Albert and loop round'. I am pretty sure that this last sentence means nothing to you dear readers, as it did to me...I wound up the window and preceded into unknown territory. Thankfully as I started to blindly follow traffic with no clue as to where I was going, Rob sent me a text asking if I had got to work okay...his reply from me was 'Lost - Help' I got him on the phone (speaker) and he had to literally calm me down off the ceiling of the car (as I think I was screaming in a pitch only dogs can hear) and help direct me.<br />
Every which way I went there was traffic everywhere.I eventually got to work, all told the normal 10 minute journey took me an hour. I heard later that in and outside of the city there was a total of 37 accidents...Can you believe it?!<br />
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<b><i>A message to Nova Scotian's...It's Winter...It snows...Get your Winter Tires on and Slow Down!</i></b><br />
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Yesterday Rachael, Her son Dean, Rob and I went to the Victorian Christmas event at Halifax Citadel.You may remember we went last year. I cannot convey to you (even though it was a sunny day) how cold it was up there. It was actually minus 3 degrees but with the biting wind, it felt like minus stupid! My face was still red raw last night. I would have come away empty handed photographically had it not been for the remains of a movie set in the grounds which we found far more interesting than all the Santa and bagpipes stuff. We to a look round behind one of the buildings and found a veritable feast of movie props handily all gathered in what resembled a back alley. We braved the howling wind that was whistling down there and bagged some photos. Which you can see below. It reminded Rob and I of Dr Who for some reason. I just imagine it's what one of their sets might feel like, although not outdoors and freezing cold.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1B5JWBKlGgU/VHJZXRtZjXI/AAAAAAAADSY/57jg3NujSWY/s1600/Movie%2BSet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1B5JWBKlGgU/VHJZXRtZjXI/AAAAAAAADSY/57jg3NujSWY/s1600/Movie%2BSet.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Movie Set at The Citadel</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jqb459vCp4/VHJZZWKB3_I/AAAAAAAADSg/8pT-6CqaONE/s1600/Back%2BAlley%2BBarrels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jqb459vCp4/VHJZZWKB3_I/AAAAAAAADSg/8pT-6CqaONE/s1600/Back%2BAlley%2BBarrels.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Back Alley Barrels - Very Dr Who</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgzNIvbcW9o/VHJZbTwZsXI/AAAAAAAADSo/IzKDundxft4/s1600/Duo%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgzNIvbcW9o/VHJZbTwZsXI/AAAAAAAADSo/IzKDundxft4/s1600/Duo%2B1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Barrel Wagon (left) Dried Flowers on Hanger (right)</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CBSLQY1n3n0/VHJZdD0ZK-I/AAAAAAAADSw/uduczgtJdxI/s1600/Duo%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CBSLQY1n3n0/VHJZdD0ZK-I/AAAAAAAADSw/uduczgtJdxI/s1600/Duo%2B2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Old Mangle (Left) Dried Flowers on Crate (Right)</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TuwT5aKaFEg/VHJZe4dC4CI/AAAAAAAADS4/hIAd-Userv4/s1600/Duo%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TuwT5aKaFEg/VHJZe4dC4CI/AAAAAAAADS4/hIAd-Userv4/s1600/Duo%2B3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">More Wheels and Barrels...Loved it!</span></i></td></tr>
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<br />Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-90035128714763123352014-11-09T14:06:00.001-08:002014-11-09T14:09:27.660-08:00Remember<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cN52ZwN9jsA/VF_kurYZB5I/AAAAAAAADSI/NshCc475IfE/s1600/Lest%2Bwe%2BForget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cN52ZwN9jsA/VF_kurYZB5I/AAAAAAAADSI/NshCc475IfE/s1600/Lest%2Bwe%2BForget.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>I hope this post finds all my UK followers well on this Remembrance Sunday. I do hope that at least some of you have made it up to the Tower of London to view the amazing ceramic poppy spectacle. I have to say I would have loved to have visited that in person. I read that some it will still be on display until the end of November. I think it's a shame it can't stay there permanently as a constant reminder and tribute to those who served and gave their lives.<br />
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Over here we have Remembrance Day on Tuesday and for most of us it is a holiday. There will be services and parades across the province. The largest being in Halifax.<br />
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I really haven't done anything much to talk about, so now you can expect a bit of waffle...<br />
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The dreaded Christmas season is nearly upon us again, I just bought some Christmas cards and found the whole process quite annoying, where the heck did Summer go? We also spent a couple of hundred bucks this week getting the Winter tires put on, an oil change and the rust proofing undercoat. Pretty essential living here as the vehicles really do take a pounding all Winter.<br />
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I am going to skip on to something more pleasant than Winter and it's time for me to bang on about a movie I watched this week. (I cannot actually believe it's taken me this long to watch it as I have actually had it in my possession for months). 'Silver Linings Playbook' is the best film I have seen in a very long time. I'll be honest, when I started watching it, I thought it wasn't for me, but I quickly changed my mind, the acting is superb, it's thoughtful and touching with a just the right amount of humour. If you haven't seen this movie yet, give it a go. For me these days, I love a movie that tells a good story, that's character driven and not reliant on special effects and this checks all of those boxes.<br />
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Not only did I see the best movie I have seen in a long time this week, I also fell in love all over again with Ed Sheeran. I finally got around to buying the new CD 'X' and track 11 Talking Out Loud literally takes my breath away. If you only buy one CD this year, buy this one!!<br />
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I will leave you with (the not so good video) for Thinking out Loud, I do admire Ed for taking on the dance challenge I just think he looks a little awkward. Also as a special treat for you :o)...Some of my recent images of Shakespeare taken under the sheets on our bed which is his absolute favourite game.<br />
Don't forget if you want to catch up and see all my photos you can follow me on Flickr<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda_white_photography/" target="_blank"> here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AaJLehbxjt8/VF_jn8R-iFI/AAAAAAAADRw/EUehtCwwCak/s1600/I'm%2Bready%2Bfor%2Bmy%2Bclose%2Bup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AaJLehbxjt8/VF_jn8R-iFI/AAAAAAAADRw/EUehtCwwCak/s1600/I'm%2Bready%2Bfor%2Bmy%2Bclose%2Bup.jpg" height="202" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">I'm ready for my close up now</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kiyIYFSfeg/VF_jnlcjAxI/AAAAAAAADRs/mNJmLf2c57o/s1600/Mischief%2Bis%2Bonly%2Ba%2Bpaws%2Blength%2Baway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kiyIYFSfeg/VF_jnlcjAxI/AAAAAAAADRs/mNJmLf2c57o/s1600/Mischief%2Bis%2Bonly%2Ba%2Bpaws%2Blength%2Baway.jpg" height="221" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Mischief is just a paws length away</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ThQRUR2W9Jw/VF_jnkQXehI/AAAAAAAADRo/q8d23v48Vq0/s1600/Undercover_A_White.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ThQRUR2W9Jw/VF_jnkQXehI/AAAAAAAADRo/q8d23v48Vq0/s1600/Undercover_A_White.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Undercover Cat</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-heKY_uQi4yA/VF_joKCN8tI/AAAAAAAADR4/Zjl4_K7Tbxs/s1600/Upside%2BDown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-heKY_uQi4yA/VF_joKCN8tI/AAAAAAAADR4/Zjl4_K7Tbxs/s1600/Upside%2BDown.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Upside Down</i></span></td></tr>
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Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-41720436664897272132014-11-02T12:39:00.001-08:002014-11-08T20:48:08.651-08:00Happy Halloween<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBvqqHKBygU/VFaTXtqWFzI/AAAAAAAADQ4/uRqjXKifg1g/s1600/Stuck%2Bon%2BYou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sBvqqHKBygU/VFaTXtqWFzI/AAAAAAAADQ4/uRqjXKifg1g/s1600/Stuck%2Bon%2BYou.jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Stuck on You</span></i></td></tr>
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I trust everyone had a wonderful Halloween. Rob and I (having ignored it last year) decided we would participate again this year in the hope we wouldn't have 150 kids knocking at the door in the new neighbourhood and thankfully there were just about 35 that came round in some rather interesting and pretty good costumes I might add. We had enough treats for 50, so we have been enjoying the leftovers yesterday and today.<br />
<br />
A few of the work colleagues dressed up on Friday, we had a pirate, a devil 2 sexy fire women, Batman and Clint Eastwood (Colleen our Operations Manager)...I definitely thought hers was the best.<br />
<br />
Friday itself was a beautiful weather day, sunny and warm, and even into the evening it wasn't cold. However since then it has rained ALL weekend. So I have been no where and done nothing which is slightly annoying to say the least.<br />
<br />
The clocks went back last night and it's pretty dark and<br />
miserable already and it's only 4 pm. It's all downhill and full steam ahead for the dreaded Winter now. I did get a second opinion on the weather from the Accu-Weather blogger that I follow on Twitter, he did confirm that he also thought the temperatures would be much milder this winter, but now I wonder is milder temps means more snow rather than less. at least when it gets really cold it can't snow.<br />
<br />
I shall be booking up this week to get my Winter tires on and the car rust proofed. Apparently New Brunswick had some snow this weekend...That sucks!<br />
<br />
I don't really have much to write about as you can probably tell so I will leave you with images of my newly vamped up sofa, curtains & rug, some more Fall shots and this years Jack-O-Lantern that we carved on Wed (photographed amongst the ton of leaves we still have to rake up in the back yard and on the deck).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mStR4pl3rkg/VFaToOUu5TI/AAAAAAAADRI/TOQJ99Jz4Ks/s1600/Jacko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mStR4pl3rkg/VFaToOUu5TI/AAAAAAAADRI/TOQJ99Jz4Ks/s1600/Jacko.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">My 'Standard' Jack-O-Lantern Design!</span></i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7z6X1_UkYog/VFaTn1BLdjI/AAAAAAAADRE/oGirMNECPWU/s1600/Crossing%2BLines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7z6X1_UkYog/VFaTn1BLdjI/AAAAAAAADRE/oGirMNECPWU/s1600/Crossing%2BLines.jpg" height="347" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Crossing Lines</i></span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVcYJnBxTwE/VFaTnn-c1EI/AAAAAAAADRA/6OpLBLqljg8/s1600/Family%2BRoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVcYJnBxTwE/VFaTnn-c1EI/AAAAAAAADRA/6OpLBLqljg8/s1600/Family%2BRoom.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">New Cushions, Curtains and Rug. FYI before the rug was <br />a beige pattern/check the cushions were an 80's </span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">embroidered<br /> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">Aztec pattern </span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">and very thready. The curtains were floor <br />length,beige large check pattern. even though the image </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">is crap, it really is a vision in blue and grey now.</span></i></td></tr>
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Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-11348907890233531042014-10-26T14:07:00.000-07:002014-10-27T15:14:22.715-07:00I Come from a Land Down Under<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gsblUUh8558/VE1hXpiN2tI/AAAAAAAADQQ/OgeDvs4_bKg/s1600/Enchanted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gsblUUh8558/VE1hXpiN2tI/AAAAAAAADQQ/OgeDvs4_bKg/s1600/Enchanted.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Enchanted</span></i></td></tr>
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Hello...and first of all let me wish my friend Sylvie a Happy Birthday! She is an avid reader of the blog and hopefully this will be the first thing she reads on Monday morning.<br />
<br />
Bit of a dull old week again, nothing really to talk about. We have had a lot of rain this week and quite a bit of wind too, so sadly the Fall Colours have gone past their best now. I still haven't taken a photo of the updated cushions and curtains in the family room...Note to self...Must try harder!<br />
<br />
Rachael and I went out for a walk yesterday, we went back to Shubie Park and I her took her along the exact trails Rob and I walked last week. There were still pockets of colour here and there, but I would say two thirds of the leaves are now on the ground.<br />
<br />
I was pleased to read <a href="http://metronews.ca/news/halifax/1192571/winter-2014-15-forecast-to-be-tropical-heat-wave-in-halifax-compared-to-last-year/" target="_blank">this article</a> in the paper this week. If he is right I will be more than happy! However the sceptic in me says this is coming from someone connected to Environment Canada...And you all remember the Rick Mercer +1 video I posted! It could be a false sense of reassurance to stop us all from going to those dark places and destroying property!<br />
<br />
In a random piece of trivia apparently I am sounding more and more Australian. You would not believe the amount of people that talk to me on a weekly basis and say 'I love you accent' I always politely say thank you...and then ask them Where do you think I am from? The answer is always the same...Australia. Actually there was one chap about a week ago who actually thought I was South African. I corrected him one time and he obviously didn't hear me and carried on talking about South Africa so I loudly corrected him again, which seemed to stop him dead in his tracks as he had no anecdotes about the UK. I feel all these people can't be crap at hearing my accent so I can only attribute this to the following:<br />
<br />
1. English mixed with Canadian sounds Australian<br />
2. My best mate Sarah's NZ accent rubbed of on me a long time ago and part of stuck and has emerged again since I moved to Canada<br />
3. I have been watching too much Australian Big Brother<br />
<br />
Whatever the reason, I think I am stuck with being from a Land Down Under.<br />
On that bombshell, I will leave you with some more images from our fabulous Fall.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mzhTXPtvk6s/VE1htTE-qVI/AAAAAAAADQY/xo8kMpdSUZo/s1600/Fall%2BForest%2BFinery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mzhTXPtvk6s/VE1htTE-qVI/AAAAAAAADQY/xo8kMpdSUZo/s1600/Fall%2BForest%2BFinery.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Fall Forest Finery</span></i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1O-suoeoN1I/VE1gyHpP0AI/AAAAAAAADQA/fZHutW7z1bc/s1600/Falls%2BIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1O-suoeoN1I/VE1gyHpP0AI/AAAAAAAADQA/fZHutW7z1bc/s1600/Falls%2BIsland.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Falls Island</span></i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sk6Vzfydpm8/VE1gyUl88II/AAAAAAAADP8/zPrCA7i14H4/s1600/Fall%2BDelight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sk6Vzfydpm8/VE1gyUl88II/AAAAAAAADP8/zPrCA7i14H4/s1600/Fall%2BDelight.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Fall Delight</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ7lifnO8SY/VE1jIFNIQ-I/AAAAAAAADQk/Hvk3zAellGM/s1600/Fall%2BPatchwork%2BII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ7lifnO8SY/VE1jIFNIQ-I/AAAAAAAADQk/Hvk3zAellGM/s1600/Fall%2BPatchwork%2BII.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Fall Patchwork II</span></i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKzS8KnzM2w/VE1gyAyf-mI/AAAAAAAADP4/xgSYyE39AYE/s1600/Cascading%2BThrough%2BFall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vKzS8KnzM2w/VE1gyAyf-mI/AAAAAAAADP4/xgSYyE39AYE/s1600/Cascading%2BThrough%2BFall.jpg" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Cascading through Fall</span></i></td></tr>
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Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-24357306305726793342014-10-19T15:30:00.000-07:002014-10-19T15:30:15.358-07:00Titivating Interiors<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJkAuw-ZN3I/VEQ62MaZl9I/AAAAAAAADPk/wS94sawZJR0/s1600/Touches%2Bof%2BFall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJkAuw-ZN3I/VEQ62MaZl9I/AAAAAAAADPk/wS94sawZJR0/s1600/Touches%2Bof%2BFall.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Touches of Fall</span></i></td></tr>
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Well it's Sunday and I am not going to put off until tomorrow what I can do today. I only say that of <br />
course because I don't have a whole, heck of a lot to write about.<br />
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The weather has been just lovely this week apart from Friday when it rained most of the day. All the hurricane activity moving around and past us, coupled with weather fronts from Ontario are giving us almost Summer-like conditions. I think this is the first year I have known when we haven't experienced a massive wind storm that has quite literally blown the leaves off the trees overnight.<br />
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That said the colours really are so beautiful right now. Depending on which area you visit, some have maybe gone past their best but in the City they have just emerged. Robert and I took (what turned into) a long walk around Shubie Park yesterday in the late afternoon. It wasn't what I would call a blue sky day but light kept peaking through the hazy, grey clouds lighting up all the golds and reds, it's just so lovely to see.<br />
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In other news I have been titivating the family room. My tired, old blue sofa was in need of a makeover, so I finally spent the rest of the vouchers we were kindly given by Rob's boss. I ended up buying some new cushions for the aforementioned sofa and just by doing this, it has completely given it a new lease of life and looks ten times more trendy than it did before. I also finally threw out the old beige/check rug that we bought we we first moved here. It went past it's prime a long time ago and was an eye sore as far as I was concerned. It has now been replaced by a small grey shag pile rug and today I got some heavier weight nice quality grey curtains for that room to complete the look. I have yet to take a photo, but I will. It's amazing how much a few little tweaks can vastly change the look and feel of a room.<br />
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For those of you in the UK wondering (perhaps)...I am watching Strictly Come Dancing and loving Jake AKA Max Branning from Eastenders...I would love to see him win the whole thing. My other favourite it Caroline Flack who I think is amazing on the dance floor. Simultaneously I am also watching the USA version Dancing with the Stars, so I get somewhat confused on a weekly basis.<br />
Without doubt my absolute favourite is Alfonso Ribeiro AKA Carlton from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He is an outstanding dancer.<br />
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I will leave you with a video of Carlton doing 'The Carlton' and some gorgeous Fall scenery.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbeaCfZpdDI/VEQ6ZNT6WeI/AAAAAAAADPQ/mVFUz4hvxvI/s1600/Still%2BWaters%2B%26%2BFall%2BColours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbeaCfZpdDI/VEQ6ZNT6WeI/AAAAAAAADPQ/mVFUz4hvxvI/s1600/Still%2BWaters%2B%26%2BFall%2BColours.jpg" height="217" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Fall Splendour at Shubie Park</span></i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wl078MDc9K8/VEQ6ZCf17YI/AAAAAAAADPU/rw9ArRiP49c/s1600/Ground%2BFall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wl078MDc9K8/VEQ6ZCf17YI/AAAAAAAADPU/rw9ArRiP49c/s1600/Ground%2BFall.jpg" height="213" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Ground Fall</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gsp9ICIG8M/VEQ6YxXdHaI/AAAAAAAADPM/cV0WFJFbcEw/s1600/Sunshine%2BSquash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gsp9ICIG8M/VEQ6YxXdHaI/AAAAAAAADPM/cV0WFJFbcEw/s1600/Sunshine%2BSquash.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Sunshine Squash</span></i></td></tr>
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<br />Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-315610167697192280.post-77757838092177146782014-10-12T20:35:00.003-07:002014-10-26T13:40:35.674-07:00Happy Thanksgiving<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYxpV-gZ174/VDtF3WUtSqI/AAAAAAAADOA/ODP_d-Lha5o/s1600/winery%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYxpV-gZ174/VDtF3WUtSqI/AAAAAAAADOA/ODP_d-Lha5o/s1600/winery%2B1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Wine Tasting!</span></i></td></tr>
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<div>
I seem to have slipped into a bi-weekly update. Apologies! My lack of updating boils down to two reasons...1) I have done very little and have nothing to talk about or 2) I am so busy at the weekends that I run out of time and put off updating. In the case of last week it was definitely a 'did nothing' week. I had hoped to be out at the weekend but it was windy and rainy...Of course as soon as Monday came around, the sun came out again and it has been very nice all week. </div>
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With it being Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, we have a lovely 3 days off. Yesterday I went in search of Fall colours with Rob and we headed to the Tatamagouche area first (approx 1.5 hours away). I have wanted to get back and take some photos of the <a href="http://balmoralgristmill.novascotia.ca/" target="_blank">Balmoral Grist Mill</a> for such a long time now. Rob and I hadn't been there since 2005. Although closed for the season I did manage to get a couple of decent shots of the Mill with some Fall foliage. From there we headed towards Parrsboro area via the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wentworth_Valley" target="_blank">Wentworth Valley</a>, there were some spectacular colours along there covering the mountains and hills, but sadly the road to Parrsboro was a let down, and was pretty much colourless, the greyness descended and we decided to head back. We did however stop in at <a href="http://masstownmarket.com/" target="_blank">Masstown Market</a> to buy our annual pumpkin. Masstown Market is a huge Farm store, it also has a large separate fish market, restaurant and gift section. The produce there is always superb and the place is and has always been packed the the rafters every time we have stopped there. I should imagine the owner is worth a small fortune.</div>
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Today I went out with a colleague of mine from work. We have been saying we should go out for a while now and for one reason or another haven't, but today we did. We went to visit the <a href="http://www.avondalesky.com/" target="_blank">Avondale Sky Winery.</a> For those of you that didn't think of Nova Scotia as a wine producing area, think again. There are many wineries in and around the Annapolis Valley all offering something different from sparkling wines, desert wines, Rieslings and Merlots. The owners of the Avondale Sky Winery loving moved and restored St. Matthew’s Church in Walton which was to be demolished and turned it into their winery shop, complete with original stained glass windows and font, it is a charming place which is very welcoming and beautiful. Having sampled some of the wines there today I actually did buy a bottle (being a beer girl) this was quite something. </div>
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From there we paid a visit to <a href="http://www.howarddill.com/hdpatch.html" target="_blank">Howard Dill's Pumpkin Farm</a>, which as you know by now is always a favourite haunt of mine this time of year...BUT not today. I definitely picked the wrong weekend to drop in...It was packed, the whole word, his wife and kids were there, there was no parking and it was bedlam, I have never, ever seen it so busy. Needless to say I was in and out of there in a flash.</div>
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After the last couple of days I am pretty tired so I know my Thanksgiving will be spent mostly looking at the inside of my eyelids! Happy Thanksgiving Canada!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0W6fd8D44sw/VDtGnud6EfI/AAAAAAAADOI/o6XQtXz0ebc/s1600/Balmoral%2BGrist%2BMill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0W6fd8D44sw/VDtGnud6EfI/AAAAAAAADOI/o6XQtXz0ebc/s1600/Balmoral%2BGrist%2BMill.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The Balmoral Grist Mill</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rk1sTnHxgFY/VDtGrAzhy8I/AAAAAAAADOY/KWfsUkQ2bEo/s1600/Corks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rk1sTnHxgFY/VDtGrAzhy8I/AAAAAAAADOY/KWfsUkQ2bEo/s1600/Corks.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Winery Corks</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c0sAzTn-JBk/VDtGx1yPHAI/AAAAAAAADOg/XsO5sDqaE3g/s1600/Fall%2Bat%2Bthe%2BWinery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c0sAzTn-JBk/VDtGx1yPHAI/AAAAAAAADOg/XsO5sDqaE3g/s1600/Fall%2Bat%2Bthe%2BWinery.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Vines and Colours!</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0K8lQBfEpiQ/VDtGpH-UqzI/AAAAAAAADOQ/Cnxh0S_YIFU/s1600/Fall%2BPatchwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0K8lQBfEpiQ/VDtGpH-UqzI/AAAAAAAADOQ/Cnxh0S_YIFU/s1600/Fall%2BPatchwork.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Fall Colours in the Wentworth Valley</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yuzDHqukVD0/VDtGyEawGbI/AAAAAAAADOk/CzJr-CH7RyM/s1600/St%2BCroix%2BRiver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yuzDHqukVD0/VDtGyEawGbI/AAAAAAAADOk/CzJr-CH7RyM/s1600/St%2BCroix%2BRiver.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">St Croix River</span></i></td></tr>
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Amanda White C.P.A.G.B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14763303125381988728noreply@blogger.com0