The Walkerton Welcoming Committee.

Tuesday morning we left Cort and Sherri-Lyn's and headed for Walkerton. On route we stopped at a log home place along the 400 and checked out their product and pricing. The model was really nice but the price is way out of our reach and way more than we intend to spend..........we will keep looking.

We stopped and had a sub part way to Walkerton and then arrived at Ed and Frances' place by 4:00. It was really too lat to start sewing today so we just sat and talked and then enjoyed a wonderful Salmon dinner with Ed and Frances and mutual friends Ann and Victor. WE called Shelly after dinner to wish her a happy birthday.

Since there was 6 of us we had hot tubs in shifts. The ladies went first and then the guys went after.

It was a very nice evening.

We arrived at Cort and Sherri-Lyn's on Sunday night at about 6:30. We would have been earlier but we had to go down to the Service Centre just outside of Barrie to dump our black tank.

Cort and Sherri-Lyn had to go out but when we got there Luke and Shelly were there. We all needed some dinner so we drove into town and had our dinner together. By the time we got back Cort and Sherri-Lyn were home. We sat up and talked for a little while and made a list of the things that Shelly still needed to get before the baby arrives.

The next morning we were ready to go by 10:30. We had a lot of stops to make so it was going to be an all day event.

We met Colin and Luke at the Manderin for lunch which broke up the day nicely. By the time we got to Costco Shelly was getting pretty tired so they let her use one of the motorized scooter/shopping carts that they have. That made it a whole lot easier for her.

I had a great day shopping with my girls and we had a lot of fun.......at least I did! I think the two of them spent more time laughing at me.

Cort made a roast for dinner and Sherri-Lyn baked a cake for Shelly as it is her birthday tomorrow. Luke and Shelly left after dinner as Shelly had to work on Tuesday and had a doctor's appointment. We stayed in the driveway one more night.

Yes that is me shingling the roof.


Colin working on the last section of the decking.

Front of the shed roof done.



Some of the beautiful Fall colors around our end of the Lake.





Bad picture because it was getting dark but that is the decking completed except for 3 small peices.


Thursday Friday and Saturday were spent finishing up the dock work and by the time we were done all but 3 small pieces of wood were done.

I spent half a day shingling the roof .....which I might ad turned out very nice. I could only do the front half as we need to get a longer ladder to do the back.

We took a little tour of the Waterfront to look at a couple of log homes that are built in our area. We were amazed at how much the leaves have changed in the two weeks we have been here.

Saturday we worked very hard and late to get everything done that we needed to before leaving. Cleaning up tools, putting everything away in the shed and piling left over lumber up neatly for the time we are gone.

Saturday night we went to the Monetville tavern for wings, fries and beer. The beer was very good after the day we had.

Middle Section of Dock almost done.


Yesterday we received a call from our Real Estate Agent in Fergus. He informed us that we had 2 offers on our Apartment building in Fergus which we currently have for sale. The first job this morning was to deal with the offer and fax it back to our Agent. The Library fax machine was not working so I went to the drug store. It turned out that they were cheaper anyway.

When I returned I went down the hill and cleaned up 3 trees that Colin had cut down and then started work on the Shed. I put up a shelf and hung a lot of the tools on the wall. By the time I was done everything was back in and very neat. Colin has the frame work done for the centre section of the dock and used up all the boards we had......time for another run to the lumber store. I was walking up the driveway and Mexi discovered a Pheasant on the driveway. I don’t know who was more shocked Mexi or the Pheasant. It took a long time to coax her back out of the bush.

We were all pretty tires by the end of the day.

Wow! We have Stairs!

Colin standing on the completed section of Dock with Mexi.


Nice Shiny new painted floor.

The weather this week has been great, cool at nights and warm during the day. I got the laundry sorted out and packed up. There was garbage to take to town, bottles to return, a few things to pick up from Rona and then do the laundry. On the way back I picked up water. Colin worked on the dock while I was gone. When I got back I put the laundry away and then made some sandwiches to take down the hill. After Lunch I emptied the shed out, swept the floor and then put a coat of paint on. Looks very good!
Colin got one section of dock completed and started to pile stones in the next one. Things are progressing nicely.

Fred heading home.

I made a big breakfast as Fred was leaving to go home at around 11:00. Couldn’t very well send him off with an empty stomach. We enjoyed fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, sauteed tomatoes, peameal bacon, toast and juice. We had a great visit but it was time for him to leave.

Today was not a stellar day for me.....Migraine. Colin on the other hand got some more work done on the dock. I did manage to go into town to get a few groceries, fuel for the generator and propane.

It was cold this morning when we got up but I don’t think we actually had a frost yet.....but very close! You can really smell fall in the air. We had toasted bacon and tomato sandwiches for breakfast and then Colin and Fred went down to putz around by the water.

Fred and Colin decided to do some measuring.......uh.....oh! The lot line was not where the original owner said it was. We may have to move some stairs and landings.

Colin and Fred went for a boat ride and came back very cold. I had a pot of Chili on the stove and warm buns in the oven. I made them some hot chocolate and with the Chili it was enough to warm them up. We were going to have a camp fire but the thought of having to go back out in the cold was enough to decide against it. We settled into the trailer for the night with a few drinks and then went to bed.

Fred and the welcoming committee.


I ran around this morning and cleaned up the trailer to get ready for our friend Fred to arrive later today. I headed into town to buy lumber for the dock and get some beer and groceries. Fred arrived at about 2:35. He rode his motor bike up. The weather turned cool this afternoon so he was a little chilly when he got here. I took him down to the water to check out our building site and of course Colin was there. All but the last 3 steps on the stairs now.

We enjoyed a great steak dinner, a few drinks and then headed for bed.

Lots of contemplating going on.......

First set from the dock up the first incline.

This morning I took the fish we had caught the other day and made them into fish cakes. I ended up with 20 patties. We kept 4 out for dinner and the rest went into the freezer.
Colin worked on the steps and got the first set from the water up done. It’s so much nicer to go up them than clamber up the rocks.

I drove over to Bayview excavating to pay our bill and get our septic approval started. They were very nice and told me that I could fill my water tank there anytime I want to. The water is good and it is way quicker than the Esso station in town.

By the end of the day Colin had the second set of steps from the landing up well underway. When he came up for dinner he only had to put the treads on.

Rick and Bonnie left this morning to go down to Fergus so they were up and gone by about 9:00AM. I needed to make a run into town to do laundry and get more water and fuel for the generator. I cleaned up the trailer before I left and Colin went down to work on his steps. I got back around 4:30, unloaded my stuff and made Colin and I some pizza for lunch.

Colin worked till dark on the steps and he is almost ready to put the actual treads on them.....tomorrow for sure!!

Dinner, some TV and a shower and then to bed.

Bernie's cottage Minus Bernie!


Checking out Bernie's Dock.

Chef Colin, cooking up the Buffalo Burgers.

Okay, I have my seat for the boat ride.


One very Happy Poodle.

The Bow Wow Watch

That is one Big Bass!


Two pike in the foreground.

When we got up Bonnie Rick and I went down to the water to enjoy our morning coffee on the swing. When we got back we all had a big breakfast as we had a big day planned and needed a good start.

A friend of Rick and Bonnie’s has a cottage near where we are so we took a drive over to check it out. He just recently did a whole bunch of stone work on his shoreline and replanted the grass on his lawn. It looked very nice. Unfortunately he had already left to spend the winter in Alberta so we didn’t get to see him.

For lunch we cooked up the Buffalo Burgers which turned out to be very tasty! We then packed the cooler bag with drinks and snacks and headed out to do some fishing and show Rick and Bonnie the area. It started out a bit windy and cool but as the day went on it got a little warmer and nicer out. Just as we decided to head home Rick caught a huge (almost 4lb.) Bass. We made two more passes in the same area and Colin caught 2 nice pike. We decided the day was a success and headed back to the lot.

I cleaned the fish and Bonnie and Rick went down to the water and enjoyed the view and a drink. When I was done we headed to the Monetville Tavern for some delicious wings and homemade fries. By the time we got back it was dark so we went down to the water to enjoy our first campfire on the property. We have had lots of fires to burn brush but this was our first to sit around and enjoy.

Ya........we really need those stairs!
Bonnie and Rick checking out the lot.



Get the company working right away!

Everyone enjoying a steak dinner!

This morning it was time to do a good cleanup of the trailer and then head into town for fuel and water. We spoke with Colin’s brother Rick last night and they are on their way here from Quebec. The left Alberta 2 weeks ago and spent their first week in Nova Scotia visiting Bonnie’s Mom and Dad then the next week they spent in Quebec visiting their son Brad, Chantal and Larianne and the new baby Alison. They will spend 2 days with us and then head to Fergus to visit Colin’s parents.

They arrived around 2:00 and it was great to see them . We showed them around our new lot and then Colin and Rick took the water barrel down to the launch ramp and filled it with water. We enjoyed a wonderful steak dinner and lots of catching up. As they had gotten up early to drive here nobody lasted too long into the evening.

Th platform is in place now we just need the stairs off of it.


Mexi and Colin working on the dock.

Today Colin continued work on the dock with the addition of a platform to put steps up to. It is becoming a little hazardous to negotiate the path down to the dock......steps are a must. My first stop on my way into town was the backhoe guy, we had not received our bill from him yet and we were very curious as to the cost of our lovely new driveway.......hoping we would still be able to afford an "Out House" at the end of it! The bill was a pleasant surprise! I continued on with my list. Some stuff from Rona, a trip to the liquor store, the grocery store and gas station. On my way back I stopped at the Graywalk Buffalo farm and purchased some Buffalo Burgers for Lunch on Wednesday. We were going to get steaks but opted for burgers.....if we don’t like it, it will only spoil a lunch and not a whole dinner. When I returned I did some trimming around the trailer pad to clean up some of the brush knocked down by the backhoe guy. It looks much better!

Instead of leaving on Saturday we didn’t leave till Sunday as we just had way too many bits and pieces to finish up. The remnants of Hurricane Ike were threatening to dump rain on us all the way up but it turned out not too badly. We made a few stops on the way up and arrived at the lot at dusk. It was raining but not badly enough to keep us from setting up the trailer.

Since we have been back this time I have been repainting an entire apartment......2 coats! The last tenants unfortunately did quite a bit of damage to the walls, about 50 holes of various shapes and sizes. They did repair them reasonably well but all the walls were light brown and we did not want to match the paint as it was really too dark. This meant 2 coats of paint throughout the entire place. There of course was cleaning to do and a dump run. I find myself painting in my sleep!

On Tuesday night I did get some time off to go out for dinner with the girls. We had a great time and caught up on each others news. I probably won't see them again till next Spring.

On Thursday I had a whole day off! Frances picked me up and we went shopping for fabric for her latest project. She has decided to take up quilting and is starting with a set of place mats. We had a nice lunch and we also hit a second hand store where I found some really nice baby things for Shelly. All in all a pretty good day.

Charlie loves to have his picture taken. He is a very handsome boy!


Tammy sitting on the couch talking to her midwife.


As seems to be the norm lately we got home Tuesday evening and parked the trailer in the dark. We were both pretty tired so we just unhooked and did the basics and then went in to bed.

Wednesday afternoon Colin dropped me off at Tammy's house, (my best friend's daughter) so I could drive her to her midwife appointment. She is about 5 weeks ahead of Shelly and is having some problems with high blood pressure and was not allowed to drive herself.

We drove down to Guelph where Tammy visited with her midwife and then drove back to Elora. I had to call Colin to let him know I was back and while I was waiting for him Tammy showed me the nursery (very cute) and I had a nice little visit with Charlie her dog.

UPDATE: Tammy delivered a healthy 6 lb. 6 oz baby boy on Saturday September 6th at 2:30, by C-Section. they named him Zachery Micheal. Can't wait to see him in person!

Shelly and Colin checking out a location for a Bunky.


The generator in the beginnings of it's house.


Luke displaying his battle wounds from climbing down to the water.


Ginny being a wild bush dog.


Bailey sticking close to Grampa.

This is not looking good.......I think I am going swimming......don't want to.....

Yikkes!!!! he really did throw me in!!! Shelly save me!!!!......


I will truly bite the next person that tries to do that to me.


The start of the first section of deck.



Me and my dogs.....hanging out on the dock in the sun.


This is the latest craze........the Shelly Belly Float!


This guy looked like he was going park on our dock.

Colin still working away on his dock.

We got up and had a breakfast with pickerel that Colin caught last night, bacon, fried potatoes eggs and fresh tomatoes. After breakfast Luke and Shelly scoped out a spot for their Bunky. We took the dogs down for a swim and had a few hours of fun on our new dock. We all had a great refreshing swim. The weather this week-end has been perfect, warm sunny days and cooler nights. I imagine the next time we are up it will be colder.

Shelly and I took the dogs up to the trailer and Luke and Colin stayed down to do some more work on the dock and the generator building. Shelly had a nap and I did some puttering around.

We decided that before they went home we would go to the Monettville tavern and have wings for dinner. This is the first time we have been there and the food was very good, the atmosphere laid back. We will definitely go back.

Luke and Shelly left late but at least they will miss the traffic.