Castletown

 Castletown is the former capitol of the Island and can trace its roots back to 1090!!  The main attraction is Castle Rushen which was originally built in 1265 for a Norse king, then fortified between the 13th & 16th centuries.

Walking through the town, with its narrow streets, is like taking a trip through time!

The town is located on the coast of the Irish Sea, and was also know for its shipbuilding. The harbour overflows with boats and each year they host the 'tin bathtub races', which we watched a few years back, but missed this year! Here is a snap from that event!

I found this apartment building quite unique!

I promise to add some Food pictures soon!

Off to the races today!!

Evening Practice

 Even the most seasoned riders need to brush up on their game to race around the Island.  The first week of the Manx Grand Prix (MGP), is all about practice.  The riders are grouped by class, then take off one by one down Bray Hill (the start/finish line) and speed around the course, getting in as many laps as the time will allow.

One of our favourite spots to watch is called Ballacrane, where the riders speed along a straightaway, then have to make a sharp right hand turn to start heading north. It is very exhilarating to watch the riders lean their bikes over to make the turn.  I still can't believe that they don't tumble over for that maneuver.

    

                                    These little guys were just hanging around!!

                                            Coming up....a day in the paddock!

                                                         Back to The Isle of Man!!

After a 3 year hiatus, we finally are able to return to our favourite Island to watch the motorcycles  race around the island!!  With much anticipation, we dove to Toronto to catch our flight to Manchester.  We had forgotten all the hassle that goes with airport nonsense: long lines, security checks and pat downs.  We anticipated getting fed on the plane, so didn't have anything to eat at the airport.  After several delays, (missing Co-Pilot), we broke down and bought a bag of chips and a coke as all the restaurants were closed!!  We treated ourselves to Business Class, so anticipated that the meal would be an improvement over what was being served in Economy.  No such luck.....dried out chicken with a sauce that had no taste.  At least the wine was acceptable!  

I think that one of the worst airports I have ever been at is Manchester.  We all trotted off to the baggage claim and waited for our luggage, and waited, and waited.......2.5 hours!!!!!  The company who was hired to unload the plane didn't show up!!  All I can say is that I am glad we had a 5 hour window before catching the plane to the Island!!! We had to change terminals....so back to all the security checks, yet again.  I never seem to make it through Manchester without getting pulled over for something.  This time it was the little welcome kits you get in Business...yup, it had an extremely small tube of toothpaste.  I should  be ashamed of myself for trying to pull that one over the security guards!!

We finally arrived and was picked up at the airport by the lovely hostess of the Air BnB, that we had to spend one night at.  The local pub just down the road from them stopped serving food due to Covid, so she kindly drove us to the next village to get some dinner! 

You can't go wrong with a Steak and Ale pie!!

We are now at the stone cottage where we will be for the next 2 weeks.

Coming up....actual pictures of motorcycles practicing!!!

Autumn Splendor in Canada

We certainly are fortunate to live in a part of Canada where, after driving north in our car for a few hours, we can view vibrant vistas of brilliant reds, yellows and oranges, as the trees change colours.

With our friends from our British Car Club, Boot and Bonnet, we convoyed with 13 cars up to Haliburton for a 3 day sightseeing trip.

The tress were in full Fall Splendor!

We stayed at the Pinestone Resort and were treated to a Prime Rib dinner the first night!

One of our outings took us to The Haliburton Sculpture Park, where we enjoyed the art with the lovely background of the changing trees. 

Here I am being my 'own' statue!!

On day 2, we drove to Huntsville, where we enjoyed the views from a 'look-out' at the top of a mountain!

We stopped for lunch at the Huntsville Brewhouse and regaled ourselves on their fabulous beer and Onion soup made with beer!

Both certainly were yummy!

For our last day, we gathered the cars for a 'photo op'!

As we headed out of town, we made a small detour

 to another look-out

We ended our trip with a goodbye lunch at the Waterfront River Pub in Napanee.  The trip was topped off with a fabulous Lamb Burger!!

It really is worth taking the trip to enjoy our special country!

My Staycation

 Life as we knew it, has changed drastically over the past 2 years.  Covid took over all our normal activities, which curtailed human interaction, dining out, travelling and our work lives.

We all adapted, to the best of our abilities.  Video meetings have been a wonderful way for me to stay in touch with my family, friends and clients.  As the lockdown has started to ease certain restrictions, I used this opportunity to take 'day trips' around my home.

The first outing took my husband and me to the village of Wesport for a celebration lunch at The Cove Inn, overlooking the Westport Pond.

                  I had to splurge on my 'all time' fav...poutine!

Next up, was a visit to Downtown Kingston to meet up with friends for lunch.  We chose a locally owned restaurant specializing in seafood and 'smoked' beef.  I went for the taco version of both!

After lunch, we went back to their apartment, in a high-rise, with wonderful views of the city! 

It was a long awaited for afternoon

 with lovely friends and food!

More Staycation stories to follow!

Rural Living

When we moved to our 25 acre property years ago,

 it came with a variety of topography. The property was originally part of a large farm and our acreage is where the cows used to  graze. Behind the house is the largest plot with approximately 20 acres of forest and wetlands. The house and lawn itself sits on 2 acres and to the west is a 3 acre field where hay grows.

As we are not actively farming, we decided to give back to the community and have offered the field to a local farm just north of us.  Each year, the farmer dutifully comes at the end of August to cut and bail the hay, which at that point has many weeds in it.  The farmer is at the stage where he is starting to enjoy his retirement, so has passed the reigns on to his grandson.  Most farmers try to get 2 cuttings from their fields, so this year was a First for us, as all the equipment rolled down our driveway yesterday!!

It was a 'tandem team'...one tractor cutting and the other bailing. 

It was a graceful coordinated effort!

'I am sure I can get just one more on there!' 

'Ok, I will have to carry one on the front!'

As the sun starting setting, they were all loaded up and ready to go!

There are going to be some happy cows this winter.

Tranquility

During this time of social distancing and self isolation, my trip to France to visit my sister was cancelled.  Having video chats with her and my nieces only slightly makes up for not seeing them in person.

On a bright note, living where I do, there are many places to escape the boredom and find a tranquil spot to enjoy nature.

We took advantage of that by taking a little drive in our 1953 MG TD, heading north to the Rideau Canal locks, where we had the majestic scenery all to ourselves.

  

Our first stop was Davis Lock.  It was so quiet with nobody around.

They trees were bursting with colourful buds!

Even though the locks were not in use by boaters,

 they were still gushing water 

We drove another 20 minutes north to Chaffey's Lock

Although it was very peaceful, it was sad to see that this horrible situation has forced us all to stop enjoying what the warm weather would be encouraging us to do....seeing friends and enjoying each other's company

Wishing everyone a safe and healthy spring.