Another visit to the Isle of Man

We have just embarked on our annual pilgrimage to 

the beautiful  Isle of Man.

The main reason for the trip is enjoy the Festival of Motorcycling, which runs for 2 weeks.

Our journey started a little rushed, as our cat decided to play 'hide & seek' in the basement, eluding capture for delivery to the boarding kennel!  A huge Thank you going out to Karen, Lorraine and Richard who came to the rescue to deliver her to the 'spa' after our departure! 

A flight  from Toronto airport always starts with a dinner at Fionn Macool's, including the inaugural beer

 Ken didn't want to rely on 'airplane food', so enjoyed a burger....

 ... While I opted for French onion soup!

 After many hours of travel, we arrived in Douglas, 

our first lodging for the stay.

Although we were staying at another hotel, the Mannin Hotel, 

just down the street, was recommended for dinner...

....we were not disappointed

I had the Homemade Cannelloni with spinach, walnut and Ricotta, garlic bread and salad garnish...yummo!

In good UK tradition, Ken had to have the fish and chips!

After a good night's rest, 

we arrived at our lovely cottage with fantastic views,

which is home for the duration of our stay!

What a great start to our holiday!

A slice of life in rural Ontario

When I moved from the big city to the country over 20 years ago, I thought I was prepared for everything.  I have dealt with wells running dry, wild turkeys strolling across the front lawn and coyote howls in the middle of the night that sounded like they were just under my bedroom window!

I live next to a cattle farm, so often hear them mooing at night.....this morning the 'moo' was a little closer than expected...well, well.....Bessy decided the 'grass was greener on the other side of the fence'

She  looked at me as if to say:

"What's your problem lady...

...I am just having a little snack before I go home'.

I called 'Farmer Bob' to come fetch his cow and off she went back home...luckily, she didn't leave any gifts behind before she left!

With an exciting start to the day, it was time to head to Prince Edward County to meet friends for lunch at The Acoustic Grill 

in downtown Picton.

You can't go wrong with wings and MacKinnon Brewing beer!

 The ferry ride across the to the 'county' 

is always a fun 10 minutes to enjoy the view!

The fields along the way home

 waved their harvest in the gentle breeze.

What a fabulous day to be a 'country girl'!

Summer sights

With the beautiful summer (hot) weather upon us, it is a perfect time to meet up with friends and spend time walking their garden, bursting with an abundance of blooms and whimsical art.

 There was even time to take a trip across the border to our favourite small village on the south shore of the 1,000 Islands, Clayton, NY.

No visit is complete without a stop at Bella's Restaurant

Chicken & cranberry panini

Lobster roll with pasta salad

 Just look at the view from their deck!

 While visiting the marina, you could just feel the love this mama had for her ducklings....giving them enough space to have a nap, but keeping a close eye on them!

It was a wonderful day out with my family too!

More summer indulgences to come.....

Picturesque Perth Ontario

Living in our little corner of Ontario, we are most fortunate to be an hour's drive away from lovely, vibrant, small towns.

 Just north of us is charming, heritage Perth

 The Tay River runs through the centre of town

With many shops to browse, and restaurants to choose from, 

our first stop was The Stone Cellar.

We ate on their cozy patio

I just had to try a local brew from Perth Brewery

 We feasted on  a 'nut' burger, with peach marmalade....

 ...and a lamb burger, topped with cranberries and brie!

After our yummy lunch, we strolled the downtown, 

enjoying the local wall art

The Marriage Quilt

One of Perth's biggest heros was

Big Ben, a world champion show jumping horse.

His statue adorns Stewart Park

'Code's Mill' is now a shopping area 

with a a great little restaurant, Fiddleheads Bar and Grill

  It overlooks Stewart Park .

This lovely place is the original Stewart homestead..

..they donated all the land for Stewart Park

Stewart Park, which is a favourite spot for weddings. 

It was a perfect day for an outing.

So Sad to Say Goodbye to Vienna

We spent out last day in Vienna doing some more sightseeing.

A must see is Schoenbrunn Palace

The front of the Palace

 We visited 22 rooms inside, 

but photos were not allowed of the interior

 There were hundreds of rose bushes all around

On our way to meet up with Helma for a traditional meal in a local pub/restaurant, we walked through 'Nashmarkt'; a very long outdoor market selling just about everything!

For our last meal there, we dined on schnitzel and 'boiled' beef.  

Can it get any more traditional??

Thanks Helma for a wonderful holiday

 Goodbye Vienna

It was wonderful.
Thank you so much Helma & Alan for your hospitality!

Until next time!