Friday, May 15, 2015

CANADA


This flower is Trillium, the Provincial flower of Ontario..

We have been here a week already, and time flies so fast...


Regular readers know we are visiting our dear daughter, and two little grandsons, who have grown up so much in the two years since our last visit.

The sturdy little boy formerly known as the Little Bebe is now a determined 2.5 year old - with a very funny sense of humour.
His big brother is about to graduate Kindergarten, returning to First Grade after the summer break.  At last we have heard him speaking French, which the other grandparents assure us is fluent and flawless.  So now he is bi-lingual...
Amazing...


The Canadian Springtime fascinates me...
In one week I have watched the lily-of-the-valley come into full bloom - gorgeous little bells...


We have been to French Storytime at the local library - that was fun...


We visited the pretty town of Almonte..


located on the (Canadian) Mississippi River, where there are six waterfalls.
This led to the establishment of a woollen industry in the 1800s, and we visited a textile museum in one of the former Mill buildings.


Children as young as 12 worked in the mills..



Here we are, at another landmark, the Mill of Kintail:
loving the Apple Trees..



I can never see too much of the Crabapple trees...
Their pink beauty captivates me every day, as I go on my neighbourhood rambles...


Off for another unique North American experience - 
the Weekend at the Lake...

Take care...

XXXX



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22 comments:

  1. helen tilstonMay 15, 2015 at 2:04 PM

    Hello Patricia,
    Your pictures are fabulous and so spring like You grandchildren are so handsome and I am sure you are loving being with them
    Wishing you continued joy
    Helen xx

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    1. PatriciaMay 17, 2015 at 7:09 AM

      Thank you Helen, we are enjoying being on the same continent as you - in fact one of our sons is visiting Florida as we speak. What a small world it is these days. The Canadian lake is gorgeous, and the little boys are a delight to us all. Best wishes to you xx

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  2. RosemaryMay 15, 2015 at 2:23 PM

    I love Trilliums Patricia but sadly they don't like my soil.
    It is so nice that you are reacquainted again with the boys - it doesn't take long, especially these days when we can keep in touch via Skype.
    You will be able to enjoy two springs this year - how fortunate is that?

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    1. PatriciaMay 17, 2015 at 7:11 AM

      The trilliums are a special flower. I had only seen white but yesterday found a pink one at the lake. It is interesting you have tried to grow them and I have never seen one in Australia. However here they are growing wild, in any little spot they choose. Two Springs in one year is an excellent prospect. The lilacs have just come out here and the wild ones in the country are wonderful to see.

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  3. kristieinbcMay 16, 2015 at 6:25 AM

    I'm glad you are having such a wonderful visit with your family, Patricia! And I'm sure your grandson are enjoying their time with you. It looks like Ontario is putting on quite a show for you with blooming flowers and trees. Enjoy your weekend adventure!

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    1. PatriciaMay 17, 2015 at 7:15 AM

      All fun at the lake, Kristie. Ontario is looking great and in 10 days I have seen different flowers emerge, quite enchanting. The lilacs are just reaching their peak. I think swimming in the lake is on today's agenda. Saw a woodpecker pecking wood yesterday :)

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  4. VallypeeMay 16, 2015 at 7:19 AM

    Beautiful photos of the Canadian spring! I'm glad to hear you are having such a wonderful time. It must be so different from Australia!

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    1. PatriciaMay 17, 2015 at 7:16 AM

      The flowers are beautiful, Val, and I love a northern Spring. Everything is different from Australia, especially the countryside. All the spring green trees, which were bare a couple of weeks back, are lovely to see round the lake. Naturally I am bird-watching, running about with camera in hand...

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  5. metteMay 16, 2015 at 8:31 AM

    Hello Patricia,
    I ´m sorry for not commenting your earlier vacation posts, it has just been a busy time over here.
    Although your daughter´s family experienced a much tougher winter than we, spring seems to be ahead us!
    So lovely pictures : ).
    Children turn bilingual over here too, if the other parent talks Swedish and the other Finnish to them. It is amazing and a great " gift " for the individual child at a young age to master two languages.

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    1. PatriciaMay 17, 2015 at 7:20 AM

      Hello Mette, Our wifi has been indifferent, so I also have not been going around the blogs much while over here. Hope you are going well with the house sale; I know what a busy time it is for you. After the very tough winter, the Canadians are rejoicing in the Spring, and this weekend by the lake is full of Spring lovliness. Lilacs line the country roads, in full bloom. Gorgeous! The language gifts of children is great = even the 'baby' here spoke some French yesterday, and he is only starting to get fluent in his English. I am enjoying the wildlife, and hope to get lots of interesting photos.

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  6. Jenny WoolfMay 16, 2015 at 2:56 PM

    It looks beautiful. I have never seen Canada in the Spring but it is a lovely country and I am glad you are having such a good time with your family. It is startling how much kids can change in two weeks let alone two years but how good that you are able to visit as often as this even though they live so far.

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    1. PatriciaMay 17, 2015 at 7:22 AM

      Canada is a beautiful country, Jenny. The Spring arrives so suddenly and is spectacular. Yes, children change all the time, and in fact it feels a bit like they are two different children from the ones of two years ago. But it does not matter, they know who we are and relate to us really well. We hope they might come to Australia next year. Meantime, off to look at the lake :)

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  7. Michelle RidgwayMay 17, 2015 at 5:17 AM

    How gorgeous are your Grandsons. Loving your pics and the gorgeous blooms. Enjoy xx

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    1. PatriciaMay 17, 2015 at 7:23 AM

      As a totally biassed grannie, I agree the boys are the cutest in the world, Michelle. They are closely followed by the flowers, then the birds. And I saw a beaver on the lake, some chipmonks and a big woodpecker. Love the hummingbirds, but there are no cardinals by the lake. xx

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  8. PatriciaMay 17, 2015 at 7:13 AM

    Yes Val, we have made the journey and here we are, enjoying a Canadian long weekend at the lake! Have now seen my first beaver, hummingbird, woodpecker - and chipmonks, and a blue jay. The little boys are endlessly entertaining too :)

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  9. Vimax AsliMay 17, 2015 at 9:41 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  10. DarlaMay 18, 2015 at 7:06 AM

    It looks like you are taking advantage of what nature provides in Canada. I expect you are enjoying it all but enjoying those grandsons the most.

    Darla

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  11. Red Rose AlleyMay 18, 2015 at 8:31 PM

    wow, Canada's flower sure is lovely. The waterfalls must have been a sight. I have always been fascinated with waterfalls and their beauty. Patricia, like you, I can never see too much of the pink blossom trees either. There is something so special about them. Your two little grandsons are sweet. I hope you are having a great time. Have fun, and be safe.

    love, ~Sheri

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  12. Debra TurnerMay 24, 2015 at 9:07 AM

    What a beautiful part of the world ... and time of year! I read in your last post, that you have finally spotted the red cardinal. I was so hoping you would!

    When I was a child, we had a small backyard, and in it we had a magnolia tree, so sometimes I'd see red cardinals fly into our backyard. Once in a while a blue jay, but mostly the red cardinals. Are they vivid, red?

    We also had lily of the vallies growing. It really was a small backyard, so I don't know how we got so lucky. It was great place for a child to play.

    I'm enjoying seeing your little grandchildren grow so quickly. Where does the time go?

    Happy travels,
    Debbie

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  13. Debra TurnerMay 24, 2015 at 9:10 AM

    Opps! Again, a topo. I meant " Are they not, vivid red?" and "a" great place for a child to play.

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  14. Roses, Lace and BrocanteMay 25, 2015 at 10:54 PM

    Your bogs are gorgeous Trish - and I know what special times these are for you all!
    I haven't ever seen a Trillium - I imagine they need cold winters, is that right?
    The blossoms are a picture - Spring is such a glorious time in the garden.
    Marvellous to say you have seen the Mississippi - one of the great rivers of the world!
    You're doing well with your blogging!
    Shane x

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  15. KathyJune 9, 2015 at 3:13 PM

    You obviously had a wonderful time in Canada, Trish, revelling in all the differences in landscape and nature and customs. It's amazing how easily small children learn a second language and become bi-lingual. I heard it with a cousin who had a German father and of course with French-resident British friends whose children were educated in France.

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