Weekending

Somehow we were spared the deluge of rain that was supposed to hit our end of the island and instead we had nearly two full days of sunshine!! So out we went to enjoy seeing our shadows and exploring what was left in the garden :)

As the kids ran through the secret pathway and tromped through the knee high grass that has taken over a neglected flower bed they found some fairy lanterns. Well poppy seed heads actually but the winter had left nothing but their skeletal innards and my daughter thought they would be perfect little lanterns for fairies to use to light their way through the long winter nights *grin*.

Their next exciting find was the 'Ice Whales' swimming in one of the frozen buckets of water :) The thick piece of ice covering one of the pools of water had formed some mysterious shapes that we could think were none other than the dorsal fins of miniature ice whales that were visiting our garden :)

As the kids continued to poke around and dance around the giant mullein stalks still standing in the garden I thought I would get busy and take on the mega job of digging up and turning the soil in the garden for spring planting.

I usually have it rototilled but as I was plucking some of the weeds I noticed how many wriggly fat worms there were just under the surface layer of soil mulching and fertilizing and I made up my mind that this year I would take it upon myself to save those precious little workers from being chopped up in the tiller tines and turn it all by hand.

I only got a quarter of the way finished today and my shoulders and back are aching a bit from the strenuous activity after a lazy winter but if I can get it all finished I'll actually have it ready for planting even earlier than usual since I usually have to wait longer for the soil to dry for tilling so it doesn't cake up to much as it is turned.

I think I'm going to see if I can get my strapping young teenager to help me out though when I return on the next sunny day *grin*.

Hugs,
Rosina

Exploring the Estuary

Yesterday we packed up the kids and headed off to one of my favorite local trails but when we got there we found that the bridge heading into the estuary had been fenced off.

It's hard to believe that this weathered foot bridge used to be a single lane bridge that I drove my car across four times a day, three times a week to reach an elderly woman I did home nursing for. Over the years the decking started to deteriorate so they built a foot bridge over the old bridge but it is getting soft in spots and sometime this summer the whole thing is going to be removed. Hopefully they will replace it but that is still not a sure thing.

Of course us local yokals don't get scared off by a few signs with bold red lettering and we skirted around the edge of the fence and headed on into the forest *grin*.

To be on the safe side we did go single file except for the little guy who went along with his daddy :)

As we wandered through the forest we were surrounded by amazing old growth trees. They are true giants!

This one was actually completely hollow inside and was big enough for all three of my kids to fit in and my dad for a photo. So much fun!

Where the old cottage used to stand there is now the above sign with all sorts of information on the different plants and animals that can be found along the trail. When the elderly lady that lived here passed away the property was donated to Ducks Unlimited and all of the old buildings were removed so that the grounds could return to their uninhabited state. I used to stand in this very spot when it was her kitchen and stare out the windows watching the river, swans and deer pass by. So many fond memories.... now only stories to tell to my children.

Just past the old homestead site is the estuary :)

The kids had fun exploring the grassy banks of the river. It wasn't long before the rain started though so we had to head back into the forest to take cover *grin*.

As we wound our way back around the loop to the main trail we took our time checking out all of the different mosses, poking and petting each one and talking about how they were all unique.

This tree always draws a lot of interest when we visit to as we try to guess what sort of animals may have been gnawing away at its pulpy insides :)

So many things to investigate along the way. The poor little guy got all tuckered out towards the end though and Hubby was more than happy to carry him like a good old sack of potatoes *grin*. What a turkey!

Hugs,
Rosina

Nature Walk ~ Puntledge Watershed

This last week seems to have just zipped by so quickly and I'm finally getting a chance to post some photos about our last nature outing with our neighborwoodie friends at the Puntledge Watershed :)

The park starts with this great bridge leading in along the river...

and down to the waters edge where you can find these magnificent old trees with their giant root systems above ground. I'm assuming that it must be due to the high volume of water that rushes through here during the wetter winter months and the current has stripped away the soil over the years exposing their roots.

In fact while we were there the sirens went off signaling that they were about to increase the flow of water coming into the river so we were careful to not let the children go into the water while we were there as it was moving quite fast.

Nothing like using a giant root system as a make shift jungle gym *grin*.

I love catching photos of my boys walking down the trails together :)

The eagles are very active this time of year and we were able to watch a couple sitting atop the trees again that afternoon.

One very exciting find for the kids was the perfectly intact backbones from last years salmon spawning that takes place here. My oldest did most of the fishing for them as he could reach further out into the stream.

They had quite a pile of them collected by the time we left :)

There are some great old fish ladders out in the back of the trail to. They are large logs buried into the stream at regular intervals with their centers notched out creating a series of sort of steps to make it easier for the salmon to swim upstream during spawning season.

We always have so much fun exploring and despite the lengthy travel time it takes to meet up with our friends the kids always claim that every week was the best one ever!

Hugs,
Rosina

Nature Walk ~ MacDonald Wood

Earlier this week we had a chance to meet up with some great friends and head out into the woods for some nature exploration. Sunshine, blue sky, brisk air... who could has ask for a better winter day :)

A short stroll through the wooded trails led us to this great boardwalk leading to the beach where the real exploring began.

There were empty clam shells to be examined, barnacle clad rocks to be rolled...

brave fingers willing to pick up smaller crabs whose pinch had no bite...

and the fun of packing around a moon jelly or two with their see through bodies and jello like texture :)

All of the children so willing to share their finds as they clustered around in the shallows of the ocean. Anytime there is water involved that seems to be where they all end up *grin*. Case in point, I reminded my youngest two that they were in snow boots and wellies with a few holes in them and that going into the deep water might not be such a smart idea but of course they filled their boots literally. Just in case you're interested it takes two full days in front of the woodstove to dry out a sopping wet snow boot full of salt water LOL.

My oldest son, very much the senior of the younger neighborwoodie crew enjoys these outings tremendously :)

I wish we could have spent longer taking in the scenery, scents and sounds but I know we'll be back. I love to pop out to one of these spots during a busy day in the city to let the children run free and burn off some of that pent up energy that grows while being cooped up in the car for much of the day.

It really makes for much happier and well behaved children I find when I take that extra minute or hour to go exploring with them before grocery shopping. I just make sure to bring along extra clothes in the event of a very wet child! LOL.

Hugs,
Rosina

Where Have We Been??

We've been camping!! Our very first trip of the season :)
We didn't venture to far from home as it was our maiden voyage after ripping our travel trailer completely apart to replace rotten flooring and walls, but it went fabulously. No mishaps or trouble. Everything seems to be in tip top shape *grin*.

A lovely little campsite surrounded by tall trees and oodles of trails to wander.

One of the paths took us right along the river and it was so nice to enjoy the cool shade of the trails. The weather was absolutely beautiful and truly made you appreciate the reprieve from the heat that the forest provides.

My mini explorer :)

We spent 3 whole days exploring, playing, wandering and just plain old relaxing.

I don't know how many little birds nests L found as she wandered around in the bush behind our campsite. This little one was tucked in the hollow on the backside of a rotting stump :)



No eggs in it but perhaps it belonged to our little friend above that seemed to have adopted us as he followed us from stump to stump watching our every move *grin*.

I just love that we are able to spend many hours outdoors year round but in summer we actually get to pick up and move outdoors... unplugged and loving it :) No phones, no tv, no computer or emails to pull you away from more important things like family togetherness. Early nights, good books and deep sleeps. It really can't get any better than that!

Oh and check out my new paper lantern solar lights I picked up for Hubby :) He loves solar lights and I thought these were so cute *grin*. They even twinkle in the dark so it looks like they actually have candles flickering inside of them. So pretty!

I've got more photos of our Father's Day and outing to the Market but I'll have to share that tomorrow as my pillow is calling me :)

~ Rosina