In Motion….

“Let others play at other things, the king of games is still the game of kings” – verse on stone tablet, Gilgit, Pakistan

Another photo from our visit to Barbados in 2014.  While touring around, we happened on a polo match in play.  Hopping out of the car and we stood with the other spectators to watch for a while.

It was fascinating – both the game and the interaction of the fans.  My boys were keen to try to figure out the game, whereas I found it a very cool place to people watch.  The spectators set up their folding camp chairs and coolers along the field line, just as I would do at one of my kids’ soccer games.  The difference was, these folks were sipping champagne from glass flutes.

It is certainly a game in motion.  When those ponies (horses?) came thundering by you knew it. According to the rules of the game, there are four players on a team.  Numbers 1-2 are traditionally attacking, 3 is mid-field and 4 is Defense.  However, as the sport is so fluid there are no definite positions.  That fact kind of tells you all you need to know.  Fast-paced and thundering.

It was a brilliant experience!!

Weekly Photo Challenge – Motion

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Good Morning, Sunshine!!

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.  Don’t go back to sleep – Rumi

Dawn over that Atlantic on the very first morning of our holiday on the beautiful Island of Barbados  – February 2014   (Oh my! I could go back there….)

Weekly Photo Challenge – Early Bird

This Way…..Along the Rideau Canal

Lets take a stroll along the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Canada.  This 202 km long waterway links the city of Ottawa with Kingston, Ontario and Lake Ontario and is made up of a chain of lakes, rivers and canals.  First opened in 1832 (as a precaution in the case of was with the US – yikes!), the Canal is now a National Historic Site, beautifully maintained by Parks Canada, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, in Ottawa it feels like the main artery of the city.

In a city that celebrates recreation, the Canal is a haven for for pleasure boaters as well as (obviously) paddle boarders. The paths along each side of the canal make for a lovely walk (for folks like me) and is a natural draw for runners and cyclists.

In winter, a 7.8 km portion of the canal that runs through central Ottawa becomes the Rideau Skateway – the world’s largest skating rink.  What an interesting commute to work that would be, don’t you think?  I’ve been lucky enough to visit the canal in spring, summer and autumn….. but it is on my list of things to do, to skate here in the wintertime.

You can add that to your bucket list, too. 🙂

…. an entry for Which Way? Challenge…..

Afloat

“There is nothing – absolutely nothing –

half so much worth doing

as simply messing about in boats.”

– Ratty to Mole in Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Graham

Nova Scotia Schooner Races 2014 ,

just past the start line …..out of Riverport

Weekly Photo Challenge – Afloat

So, This Is Spring, Is It?

Julie, from the very lovely Frog Pond Farm tells us April is Garden Share Collective Month.  Here we are one week into the month, and I feel I’d be remiss if I didn’t share my garden, poor thing.

This is what happened here yesterday…… yup, another 15 cm of snow to add to the 350 cm or so that we have had since early February.

And this is the kitchen garden this morning.  Under the snow are the raised beds. I guess I can forget getting into the shed for a little while yet.

The grapevines should have been pruned a month ago, but instead, they are up to their armpits in snow. They will have to wait.

And my poor chickens are desperate for a patch of bare soil, bless them.

It’s a very sad story, I know.  But it is not all doom and gloom – not at all.  Gardening is for optimists, even at the best of times. All this snow pretty much guarantees us of a full and healthy water table this summer. That’s very good news.  And, hurrah!! The maple sap has started to run…. albeit, about three weeks behind schedule.

And under the grow lights, the tomato, pepper and onion sprouts are encouraging me everyday.  Since I can’t access the my pots, which are in the garden shed, I’ve been using yogurt containers, egg cartons and other recycled items to start the seeds.  So far, so good.

 Tomorrow we are going shopping for some vineyard trellising posts!!! Thats the sign of an optimist! 🙂

Wishing you all, Happy Gardening, where ever your garden is.

Blur – wpc

I often think that night

Is more alive and more richly coloured

Than the day. – Vincent VanGogh

Weekly Photo Challenge – Blur