This and That.

First....the weather....it's been marvelous. We did get a bit of wind from the hurricane that went up north of us. We sat on the deck, it was warm, tropical, humid and the wind was making the big trees surrounding us dance and twirl. It was energizing!

Last weekend we had a bit of a party outside as the summer was so bad weather wise we didn't really get a chance to do much. Had a great time with about ten of us. Lots of food and drink. It was a perfect day, sunny and warm. Sunday we just lazed around.

Monday I tried to do some outside work but was feeling drained, couldn't figure out the problem but did notice that one side of the roof of my mouth felt like I had eaten something too hot and burned it. Tuesday morning I woke up with a bad infection going right down to the neck glands. Managed to get a doctor appointment for after lunch and am now on medication. Still feeling not quite myself. On top of that, himself came down with a bad cold. Something he never gets. He's a bit feverish and just plain miserable. Only time will fix that up. I have a dentist appointment in Gander on Friday and company coming for over night on Saturday, (three people). I'm just hoping that I don't come down with the cold himself has. So, that's what kind of week it's been.

There are more Crane flies in the garden this year than I've seen since I was a child. It must be due to the kind of summer we had. They are all over the place and eating everything.

I've managed to take a few pictures this past while. I haven't gotten out around again but plan to soon.

Stanley and chicken enjoying the shade.




Early morning.

Sea Holly, now with it's blue colour.

I do like thistles even though they are very prickly.


And this lovely spider.


And, last but not least, it's the eyes on this creature that fascinates me.

The Long Shute.

Yesterday being another lovely day I felt the need to get out and about again. So, we went to The Long Shute, just a few minutes drive down the road, and walked up the trail to the lookout.



It was a lot longer than I thought but a nice walk never the less. Lovely moss along the way.


Himself forging ahead.


Along the way.
At the look out.


The view.



Then we decided to go on to the community of Burnside. Unfortunately the lighting didn't seem conducive to picture taking and a lot of the photos ended up looking washed out. I only saved these two which aren't that great but, there you are! Still, it gives a bit of an idea of what the area I live in is like.


There's a Newfoundland song that goes "Thank God We're Surrounded By Water." And, given our winters that never seem to end and our summers that are sometimes non existent, I'm glad I live on this island, fondly called The Rock.

Back home again, in the garden, the Roses are doing well.


Everything is getting overgrown because of the lack of attention this summer.



And, of course we can't forget the little imp.

Sandy Cove & Crooked Tree Park

Yesterday was a beautiful summer day so we decided to go take a few pictures in Sandy Cove. We're surrounded by other small communities, Sandy Cove being one of them and only a few kilometers away. Close enough to walk if we wanted to. There's a great beach there that's quite popular with the locals and tourists alike.


Before you go down the steps to the beach there is an entrance made of a whales jaw that leads out onto a lovely grassy spot with benches to sit on. We were saying that it would be a great spot for a picnic.


One of the views from the bank.


Next we decided to go to Crooked Tree Park just up the road. The name of the park says it all but unfortunately there's not much left of the crooked trees as the hurricane Igor that hit us took down and uprooted most of the trees. Mind you, there are still lots of trees but not like the old crooked ones. A shame really as they were amazing to see.




Looking at these pictures I was thinking that there had to be fairies here.


This is the pond in the park, part of it, it's quite big.

This picture made the outing worthwhile for me. There were also lots of dragonflies but they wouldn't land so not shots.


I don't know what this plant is called. It has a beautiful blue berry.


On our way back we saw lots of Fireweed. It looks so pretty when in drifts.


And so that ended our afternoon. I really should get out more. Really enjoyable.

Saturday

A friend phoned last night and asked "When do the leaves change colour". I said, "I believe they are in full colour around the middle of October." She said, "I've noticed they are starting already, have you." "Indeed I have," I said. She then said, " I was on my way out from the city today and saw this and almost broke into tears.....summer hasn't come yet." Alas, she's right!

Yesterday afternoon the sun did break through. I hardly knew what to do with myself. It warmed up quite nicely and I saw that there were some bees around. There's been such a lack of bees this year that I wonder how this affects next years. Normally the garden is buzzing with them.


A pretty flower.


Freya enjoying the warmth and sun.



Chicken enjoying the bit of sun.


Honeysuckle.


Today promises to be quite nice so I'm off to finish painting the outside of the house.

Sunday Morning.

It's been a dreadful summer weather wise. I've only been able to cut the lawn maybe three times when I usually do it a least once a week. I've had the fire in the wood stove nearly every day. The slugs are loving it. I've never seen so many in all my years here. I've all but given up on getting anything much done in the garden. We've been waiting for a couple of sunny days in a row to paint the outside of the extension I had built on to the house this past spring, but alas we aren't getting any. Some of the poor plants have grown tall and spindly trying reach the sky to find some sun. Not much point in complaining, but darn, it does start getting to one.

We went to a flea market in one of the communities yesterday but it was a disappointment. Every summer there are lots of yard sales and flea markets on the go but there is a real lack of them this year.

I took a few pictures of part of the garden last week when the sun came out for an hour or so. A rare occurrence. There has also been a big lack of bees and other insects. I'm blaming it on the weather. I miss them.



This is the entrance to the inner garden. This spring I moved the Wisteria from the main archway coming into the property to this archway and it seems to be doing better than ever. I've had it for years and it's never bloomed although I've actually done a few suggested things to it. Hopefully, maybe, next year I'll see some flowers.


This Honeysuckle has more blooms on it this year than ever before. The scent is divine.


I can't complain about the lack of birds as they are here all day and many with their young.

One of the Blue Jays.

Little cutie.


Stanley enjoying the bit of sun.


Oh, and I got me a new pair of winter boots. Seems my mind set is there these days, lol.