BOAT, CHICKS and DARTS

Saturday, April 17, 2021

 

New COVID-19 orders in Ontario and Quebec limited cross border traffic restrictions until May 20. The Nepean Bowmans decided to have a last outdoor family get together on Saturday afternoon in Chelsea.  It was a fine day so we enjoyed being outdoors.

The big news was the Chelsea Bowmans had a “new-to-them” boat.  Since they lived close to the Gatineau River, it would be perfect for exploring the river, for water sports and for fishing. David seemed as mobile as ever with his injured foot.  Samuel was very attentive and helpful as Papa checked out the boat mechanics – it was a large boat – 60 hp.  After a few hours of work, they had the motor running and the controls all functioning. The boys are looking forward to their first boat trip.

 

 

Although their trampoline war broken, the boys had other interesting things to do. Grant, Barbara and Sam stoked the fire – burning brush from the last visit.    Barbara admired the spring flowers / gardening.

 

 

Grandpa and Barbara did some birding – they spotted a downy woodpecker, a sapsucker, a chickadee, some juncos and a phoebe.  Although they could hear a phoebe call its name, it mostly stayed high up in the trees.

 

 

The most interesting birds were the four new baby chicks.  David showed off Sunny, Cloud, Storm and Netherite.  Sam and Karine invited us into the “adult” chicken area. As one of the chickens had been killed by a marauding racoon, it was good to see the others happily running around.  We also checked their colourful eggs.

 

 

Molly was her usual friendly self.

 

 

Snack time and bingo darts ended our happy visit.…

 

 

The Ottawa Bowmans headed home, with one stop to drop of a 9^th birthday gift for cousin Gavin.…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoors Easter

April 3, 2021

 

As COVID-19 restrictions were still in place (both Ottawa and the Outaouas were now in the Red Zone) our family had an outdoors Easter get together at 47 chemin de la rivière on Saturday.  Everyone pitched in to help cut/transport wood from a large hemlock that had fallen down (luckily at the side of the house).  Kirk chain sawed the sections of the hemlock and another tree and everyone pitched in to move the large logs to the woodpile.  Grant was in charge of cutting and burning the smaller sections and branches. After the Bowman chainsaw work was finished, Kirk helped his neighbour, Jim, saw some logs as well.

 

 

Meanwhile everyone helped the maple syrup operation – collecting pails of sap, keeping the woodstove hot, pouring the newly collected sap into the boiler, then collecting the hot thickened sap (boiling to be completed inside on the stove).

 

 

The boys also enjoyed trampoline time.

 

Molly loved all the action. The chickens seemed happy too. It was time for a hot lunch of bacon and pancakes with maple syrup cooked over the fire. Then everyone enjoyed maple toffee. Their friend, Ross, joined in. His sister, Fiona came over too. Their good friend, Christiaan was biking by so dropped in also.

 Then it was time for the Easter treats.  A happy ending to our visit together.