Sunday, August 17, 2008

A Garden Update

Well, it has been a few months since we started the garden and it's doing really well. We've been able to 'harvest' green beans, yellow beans, radishes, turnip, sweet sugar snap peas, carrots, little onions, zucchinis and tomatoes.

As for our herbs, we've been taking advantage of rosemary, thyme and oregano.

With the end of the season approaching fast, we're just waiting on the last batch of carrots, onions, tomatoes and eggplant.

We're really looking forward to next year.

Visitors From The UK Part II

Bernadette, Lucy and Aisling arrived on the new direct flight from Gatwick to Fredericton.

Just realised I haven't posted this yet- it is so hard to keep these things up to date!
We had a great time with Bernadette, Lucy and Aisling. Highlights included lots of boating- Lucy got the hang of waterskiing and they both had fun being towed along on the tube. I wasn't there but they tell a story of Steve taking them, barefoot, into a swamp where they were attacked by a million, huge, ferocious, man-eating mosquitoes which took chunks out of them and made them itch for weeks!We also went to the market, swam in the pool a lot, enjoyed the sun (the weather was a hundred times better than the month before when A-M and C were here. We went to a couple of parties which was interesting- gave them a chance to meet some Canadians.

It is just interesting to see/hear other people's perspective on what is similar and different between here and the UK. I meant to keep a record of all the things I noticed when we first moved here but never got around to it. It's amazing how quickly many of those things become unnoticeable and you just adapt. We still may write a list sometime, for fun. Having spent over 3 years in the UK Steve is just as aware of the differences as I am. We laugh at stuff regularly:)

A Summer Of CISV Activities

Well, July was a really busy month when it came to CISV. There where 3 main events which proved to be very interesting.

The first was the CISV Village which was held at Magaguadavic Lake. The pre-camp preparations inlcuded Steve's help with the set up of the Army modular tentage and terrain upkeep (what?-ed.) while Siobhan helped with the arts and crafts cabin. Even Brendan got to help out by attempting to drive the front loader. There were kids and leaders from 12 different countries. The Camp itself was an excellent venue for the kids. There was a beautiful white sandy beach with an onshore breeze which took the edge of the blazing sun. Mid-way through the camp, there was an open house where each group presented their country through information stands, skits and songs. It was a lot of fun and interesting watching all the kids.

Upon completion of the open house, this is when our second event took place, Siobhan, Brendan and I got to host 2 kids from the Camp, both 11 years old. They were Mustafa from Turkey and Mathias from Sweden. From Friday to Sunday, the boys where kept busy swimming, boating, going to the Farmers' Market, Science East as well as bowling and video games at Kingswood.

The last big event which was the most intensive for Siobhan was the local Fredericton CISV and MCAF mini-camp. Siobhan hosted 16 kids for 4 days at Greer Creek Lodge with Catherine, her assistant. The 4 days were packed with loads of activities, swimming and discussions along with all the chores of cooking and cleaning. Brendan even took part in the 4 day event and loved every minute of it. As for me, I helped out on the first and last night.
(Should we record Brendan's close call with calamity? He "escaped" (out the front door which was left open) and headed straight for the water. A good ten minutes after seeing him last I noticed he was missing and ran straight for the water too, yelling at the others to search the lodge and around. But there he was, standing right on the water's edge, happily throwing rocks in, minding his own business and enjoying the sunshine. Anyway, I cried and cried and have never loved him so much!)

Anyhow, a busy month which lead us into a busy, busy summer.

Visitors From The UK Part I


Summer has finally arrived along with our guests. Our first guests from the United Kingdom where Anne-Marie and her sister, Catriona. Although they came for a 'relaxing' holiday, it didn't take long before Siobhan had a fun filled schedule built. After a quick tour around Fredericton, they were off to Grand Manan Island for 2 days of camping, walks and whale watching. From there, Steve meet up with the four of them at Fundy National Park. Over the three days, we hiked the Copper Mine, Caribou Plain and a couple of others we've forgotten the names of. Once back in Fredericton, some last minute shopping was done and Anne-Marie and Catriona got in some horseback riding. Their trip ended with a weekend in Halifax. We had a good look around town, caught some shows at the International Busker Festival and did the tourist thing and drove the coast down to Peggy's Cove.
All in all we had a fantastic time- thanks for coming!