Visit to Merrickville-Wolford "The Jewel of the Rideau"

This afternoon we decided to go and walk around the town of Merrickville-Wolford which is about 18 km (11 mi) from us. Merrickville (as it was called when I was growing up) is an artsy town on the Rideau. Here are some photos that I took of downtown.

We went in to most of the shops but didn't find anything that I liked better than my money.

It was a beautiful spring day with hazy sun and 18C (65F). We need more of those days!

Mostly About Doors

Today we drove to the little town of Perth about 12 miles from us. I wanted to go to Foodsmiths which is a specialty food store where I can buy some gluten free items and bulk items. I also wanted to go to Metro while there as they had blueberries on sale. I wouldn't have driven there just for the blueberries but since we were there....

While there we walked around downtown and I went into a few shops. Perth has some nice little stores, didn't buy anything but it was fun anyway.

I did take a liking to some of the doors I saw downtown though.

There are a lot of interesting doors in Perth and some very nice architecture as well. I'm hoping to go back and take some more photos when it gets warmer.

And a dragon column (there was one on each side of the door) for a Chinese restaurant.

We Met Jack! Tonight We Saw Beaver and the Supermoon

Today was the day that we were going to visit Nick and Becky and meet the newest member of our family, Jack.

This is Jack, isn't he a doll!

 What a little cutie he is and it's not just because I'm his great aunt. Even Gordon thought he was cute! He was having his lunch when we arrived and although we stayed a couple of hours he slept the whole time. He makes lots of noises when he's sleeping but he seems like a really good baby. He was 19 days old today!

Me with Jack

 Nick and Becky are doing well and Becky is looking good! We also got a tour of their house. It's a cute place and they're getting all settled.

Nick, Becky & Jack

Jack with his Mommy & Daddy

Jack with his parents, grandparents & aunt

I'm so glad to finally see the baby!

On another note, it's too bad we can't see the twins in Ohio as well as the remainder of the U.S. family. The good news is that Michelle, Eric and their family are planning to visit us this summer.

Tonight we went out to see the Supermoon. On the way there were two beaver on the ice right where we take our sunset photos in the summer. Unfortunately mine isn't too clear. It was getting pretty dark.

One of the beaver

Supermoon

Then on to see the supermoon!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

There's no Irish in my family that I'm aware of but anyone can be Irish for a day! A special Happy St. Patrick's Day to my brother-in-law, Garth who is Irish and proud of it! Unfortunately Garth and Betty don't have a computer so they won't see it but the thought is there!

This Morning's Conversation and Result

Gordon: When it clears today I want to go for a drive.

Sandra: Where do you want to go?

Gordon: I don't know, I thought we might just follow the Tay River.

Sandra: O-Tay! (Humour)

The sun came out here around noon so we headed west. Unfortunately the sun didn't follow us but we did follow the Tay River. We followed it backwards from where it empties into the Lower Rideau Lake to it's inception at Bob's Lake near Bolingbroke. So, we traveled a lot of back roads today and the car looks like it's been mud wrestling!

The Tay River emptied into Lower Rideau River

This is at Bowes' Mill - the old mill is on the left

This is another old building at Bowes' Mill - has a gas pump in front of it but building is vacant

The Tay

Probably a Bohemian Waxwing-there were a lot of them around

The Tay

The Tay

The Tay

Common Mergansers & 2 geese in the distance

Merganser closeup

And they're off!

This was a lovely well-kept old barn-there were more outbuildings painted the same

A Canada goose along the Tay

Aliens or snowmobiles?

We really were on back roads today

The Tay River begins at Bob's Lake at Bolingbroke

Here's a little map of our drive today. We did backtrack quite a bit so it's not exactly where we went, but it's close.

We found a lot of very scenic back roads today. We returned home via Sharbot Lake where we'd been a couple of weeks ago. I didn't realize the town was as large as it is and very scenic being on......Sharbot Lake.

What A Difference Between Saturday & Sunday!

Saturday

Sunday