Mopving House

I helped the M'akls move house on the weekend. We cleaned the windows, blinds, cupboards and floors at Kestrel Lodge, picked up the keys for #5 Long Close, checked out the new digs with much excitement, moved many truck and carloads of possessions, took time for lunch on the patio then unpacked.

Garden Party

Lucinda and I were very privileged to have her neighbour secure for us two very precious tickets to a garden party honouring the queen on her 60th anniversary.Hosted by the lord lieutenants of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire at a luxurious garden in Henley on Thames, it was very special. We parked in a huge green meadow, enjoyed tea, then watched HRH disembark from a royal barge which floated down the Thames. After she was seated in a pavilion we all watched the spectacular "Time and the Thames" a pageant of boats depicting various times on the river from Celtic, to Norman to Viking to East India Co etc up to this century.HRH then did a walk to and from a tea house.Twice we were close enough to touch her!She is amazingly little and very beautiful with a true British peaches and cream complexion and a lovely smile for all her loyal subjects.

Ascot

Though Ladies Day at Ascot was rather blustery,Lucinda and I had a wonderful time.
Darren, the only gentleman in our group, poured champagne from the tailgate of his SUV and we enjoyed a lovely picnic on the grass near the car. We had a great vantage point to view the arrival of the royal carriages and I became quite emotional when the band began God Save the Queen. Betting on the races made them quite exciting and some of us won, some lost and some won but forgot to claim the winnings! At the end of the day the band played all the old familiar English songs and there was a rousing singalong, much flag waving and more champagne.

Opening San Souci 1 and 2

We had a crew of six to open the Emma Lake cottages this year: Barb, Garry, Karen, Lee Ann, JR and me. We arrived on a lovely sunny day and were treated to an amazing sunset that evening. Some of the seven days were sunny but most,unfortunately were rainy! Nevertheless we pressed on with the tasks at hand. The actual opening went relatively easily but we had repair, demolition and construction as well this year. JR, Karen and Lee Ann struggled for many hours to remove the stump left when the big tree fell in the tornado last year. Karen and Lee Ann repaired the dock which was also hit by the tornado. I demolished some old decking which we then replaced as well as building another new deck. Barbara painted continuously, occasionally assisted by the girls. Five of us put in the boat lift so that went smoothly. Garry had suffered a back injury so wasn't able to do any of the heavy work but spearheaded and supervised all the projects.

A Musical Weekend

What a treat for the eyes and ears! Attended the St Gerard School spring concert at which Ryan and his grade four class entertained with a series of recorder selections. Next I experienced an extremely entertaining Cowtown Opera production at the historic Canmore Opera House. This was followed by an evening with the CPO accompanying the amazing group "Rajaton" singing the best of ABBA. Then the Grand Finale was my friend Bernie and her choral group "Up2Something" presenting a fantastic "Joy Ride" concert.