Back in Ottawa

It's been a typical hot eastern summer here in Ontario.  We are enjoying Jerry and Sue's estate on the Rideau River.  It's a lovely opportunity to rediscover the joys of summertime reading under a shady tree, with all kinds of boats going by, and the high-pitched buzz of the crickets.  Vic saw a sizable fish jump when he was out in the boat.  Oh to have a licence!

A great highlight was visiting with Sasha and Jamie on Skype.  The ukelele solo was a thriller, Jamie, and Sasha, you dance like a star!  Can't wait to see you all again, hopefully by mid-August!

Pictures from Wakefield, PQ and Ottawa, ON

tonight we're in...

Ste Anne de Beaupre, Que., on the north shore of the St. Lawrence.  There's been a heat wave, broken by a sudden downpour which disappeared in no time, leaving rainbows.

Tomorrow we are hiking with my cousin Geoff and his wife, Denise.  Then after overnighting on their estate at Les Eboulements, we'll carry on to New Brunswick.

 Luckily our car didn't suffer a B&E like the guests who were checking out as we entered our hotel in Montreal.  Everything is going well!

Enroute to Montreal

Our friends in Montreal are parading in the Caribbean festival today and tomorrow.  They warned us about trying to drive in the city today, so we're staying in Brownsburg, Que., in a delightful motel with friendly guests who sit on their deck chairs waiting for newcomers to chat with.  We will meet Vic's cousin, Wally Gnaedinger, for lunch tomorrow, and hopefully Vic's boys, Matt and Jesse, as well.  The festival-goers are a shoein for Monday's schedule, and then on Tuesday, we have a lunch date with my cousin, Noel Meyer and his wife, Andree.

The weather has given us real summer, including a spectacular thunder-and-lightning deluge on Wednesday, the morning we went to the Five Lakes Fishing Club with Vic's 4 grandkids.  The sun burst forth and shone all afternoon! and the day ended with s'mores around the campfire.

On the Hill

We walked the 262 steps from the Ottawa River up to Parliament Hill last evening as the sun was setting, to the muted sounds of the Jazz Fest.  Are we having a good time?!!
We caught up with Jerry and Sue, who had arrived home from China the night before.  Jodie and Laura brought Logan over, and pregnant Martha and Jake arrived for dinner.  Lisa was in Toronto, having run a marathon last week.  Greetings to all from each of them!
Now it's time to party with Vic's sons and family.  We've had dinner and a lunch with Ainslie, who turned 99 last month - what a babe!
Best wishes to you all!