Dec. 31 ~ Intrepid Skier

Yesterday, at -20 F, and with -30 wind chill, my Intrepid friend, Bob, went skiing!

He sent me this photo with the caption, "After a hard 90 minute ski!"

With the blue sky in the back ground, it must have been an exhilarating ski.

Guest Photographer (selfie) : Bob Meldrum

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ALL!

Dec. 30 ~ Brewer Oval

With temperatures at -20, and wind chill at -31, I changed my mind about skiing today!

Instead, I did ten laps of Brewer Oval.

The ice was fantastic and it felt great to skate for the first time this year.

Dec. 29 ~ Sound of Music

Girls' night out at the NAC to see The Sound of Music. It was magical!

Karrie, Maggie, Megan, Peggy

Dec. 28 ~ At Christmas

Small cousins enjoy a sleep (?) over!

Dee, Aaron, Topher.

Dec. 27 ~ A hard Lesson

Between ice storm, travels rescheduled, a ten hour drive from Guelph,

we finally had all 12 of us together for two hours.

I was very eager for a family photo, so I set up my tripod, turned on the self-timer,

but obviously I forgot the check my aperature! Note to self -

1. be more thorough with checking settings.

2. always take one photo on Auto,  just in case!

Dec. 26 ~ Family at Christmas

When The Cousins get together, there is intense excitement and energy.

Getting outside helps to blow off a bit of steam!

Dee, Duncan, Maggie, Marty, Topher, Aaron.

Dec. 25 Merry Christmas!

A Christmas afternoon walk, at - 20 degrees,

shows an ominous sun struggling to get out from behind the heavy sky.

Dec. 24 ~ Just in time

It's magic.

Without any special tending or nurturing, our Christmas Cactus seems to know when to appear!

Dec. 23 ~ Let it snow!

 

Lots of digging required before we can go anywhere!

Dec. 22 ~ Skiing at Nakkertok

 

This is Nancy, on the "lost' part of our adventure!

Dec. 21 ~ Skiing at Nakkertok

Skiing at Nakkertok on the Moral Loop ... this was before we got lost!

Nancy suggested that I hold up a ski for fun ...

then I fell, and she took my photo as I was buried in snow.

Too bad her laughter caused her to blur the picture!

Dec. 20 ~ Snowy Dogs

Megan is looking after Pav's dog, so when Megan goes away for the weekend,

 we look after her dog, Georgia, and Oliver!

They loved the snow!

Dec. 19 ~ Skiing

 

A trail through the woods at McKenzie King Estate.

Dec. 18 - Skiing

 

With fresh powdery snow, sunshine, and temperatures that climbed up to -11,

skiing today was a real pleasure!

Dec. 17 ~ London

 

In London, in December, they decorate with pretend snow, yet have real flowers in  hanging baskets!

In Ottawa, in December, we have real snow,

but we don't seem to bother with pretend flowers in hanging baskets!

Dec. 16 ~ Falling

If he can smile when he falls, he is well on his way!

Dec. 15 ~ Aaron's First Ski

 

Today was Aaron's first day skiing on real skis!

He was happy and had fun!

Learning to get up from falls is the first important skill!

Dec. 14 ~ London

This is one of my favourite night pictures from London ...

Trafalgar Square, Christmas Tree, double decker buses, the fountain and lights reflected on the water!

Dec. 13 ~ Back to London

 

I asked a passing walker if he would take a picture of Tanya and I and to include St Paul's Dome.

As he took the photo, he said,

'Yup, I got the dome, all right. Right on top of your head, just like a hat!"

This is the second photo that he took!

Dec. 12 ~ Ice Fall

The ice fall near Kingsmere is always spectacular.

Freezing and melting this year has produced long icicles early in the season.

Judy and Odile.

Dec. 11 ~ First Ski (But not finished with London!)

Skiing with Odile and Judy, then we bumped into Jen!

Fantastic conditions for this early in the season.

Dec. 10~ London Starbucks

There were hundreds of Starbucks in London, but this was the best location ever!

Dec. 9 ~ London

This 'still life' picture was taken through the shop window of Tricker's Shoe Store,

a High End London retailer!

I like the composition, the textures, the shapes and colours.

Yes, the price is in pounds!

Nov. 8 ~ London

At Neal's Yard Dairy, in b\Borough Market, we visited a cheese shop.

Each cheese identified the farmer and the location where it was produced.

And a taste was provided before purchase! Delicious!

Dec. 7 ~ Back home, but still photos from London

In St James park, this dramatic tree stood out amongst its peers.

Dec. 6 ~ Last Light

Somewhere along the Embankment we crossed over this inlet,

just as the last light of day caught the buildings.

Dec. 5 ~ London Arches

This magnificent arch is at the entrance to The Mall,

where regal processions parade to Buckingham Palace.

Dec. 4 ~ London at night

With short, grey December days, by contrast, London at night sparkles!

Dec. 3 ~ On the ferry from Greenwhich

Life-long friends took me to Greenwich for the day! What a glorious view of London!
Bob, Siobhan, Peg
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Dec. 2 ~ Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square

Dec. 1~ London Footbridge

Nov. 29 ~ London !

Tanya and I are in London.

Here, she's in front of the enormous Covent Garden Christmas tree.

Nov. 30 ~ Broadway Market in London

The cheese cake lady ... Oh my!

Dec. 1~ London

Nov. 28 ~ On the Strreet Where I Live ...

... it was a Winter Wonderland!

Nov. 27 ~ Doesn't Everybody ...

... eat spaghetti with fingers?

Marty does!

Nov. 26 ~ Snow

Obviously, we didn't get ALL the leaves raked up!

My lavender plant is casting shadows on some vagrant oak leaves, partially snow covered.

Nov. 25 ~ Snow!

After the first snow, my back yard chair still seemed to be inviting.

Come sit in the sun! it said.

No thanks ... -15 wind chill just doesn't cut it!

Nov. 24 ~ Mer Bleu

This story (photo) has a beginning, middle and end.

The beginning is the foreground weeds, slightly softly blurred.

The middle is the bull rushes, sharply focused.

The end, is the grey railings and trees, blurred in the background.

Nov. 23 Mer Bleu

 

And here's the entire tree, all five trunks.

Nov. 22 ~ Mer Bleu

At Mer Bleu, there is a special five-trunked birch tree that I love.

Often there is a special section of the bark that has interest.

Here, some of the bark is peeling, and another trunk is blurred behind.

Nov. 21 ~ Mer Bleu

On a morning walk at Mer Bleu, plants were still dusted with the frost from the previous night.

As my walk progressed, and the sun warmed the plants, the frost melted.

I was lucky to be early enough to get this shot!

Nov. 20 ~ Hibiscus

This hibiscus plant was outdoors all summer, and did not bloom once!

I guess it was saving up to bring us winter joy,

because it is now blooming on our kitchen window ledge!

More than blooming, actually. This morning it was basking in the sunshine.

Nov. 19 ~ Around the Block

Today my Camera Club met with Jo-Ann Holden.

She shared her Talent, Time and Expertise with us.

We all took a walk around the block to see what subjects we could find to practice 'shooting'.

Thanks, Jo-Ann!!!

Nov.. 18 ~ Grannies Bake Sale

On Nov.17, my Grannies Group, the Ammas for Grammas, had a bake sale.

We raised funds for Grandmothers in Africa who are supporting their orphaned grandchildren. Thanks to all the Ammas for donating time, energy and talent!

Janet, Anne S., Anne P., Judy, and Joan.

Nov. 17 ~ Green ...

On a grey day, the Gatineau Park is very monochromatic ...

white snow, brown trees and grey skies.

Somehow, the ferns have kept their green colour,

and provide lovely splatters of colour on the landscape!

Nov. 16 ~ The Friday Hikers

 

Most Fridays in the fall, the Friday Hikers get together in Gatineau Park,

 to hike and chat for the morning.

We have been doing this for about five years, enjoying the fun and exercise.

L-R: Peg, Tanya, Anne, Frances, Anka, Cheryl, Judy, Bev.

Keogan Hut is in the background.

Nov. 15 - Icy Stream

 

Cold nights are starting to produce frozen waterfalls.

Nov. 13 ~ The Wednesday Hikers

 

Yesterday's Wednesday Hikers were Peg, Rose Ann, Tanya and Judy.

Judy is the leader, with years worth of back-country trails stored in her inner map!