Tell tale signs

Finally the snowdrops are appearing.  After having the coldest March on record for 100 years I think the worst is over.  I removed the layer of leaves that covered the garden so I could appreciate the snowdrops all the better.
The winter was beautiful with a layer of white snow covering the garden debris and making everything look sparkly and new. But once we reach the brown stage of spring I can't hlep being impatient for the flowers of Spring. I even made an urn with artificial flowers.

Now is a good time to rake the garden.  The ground is still frozen and you don't damage the tender plants.

Canada Blooms

These flower creations look like real cakes!

Sometimes the stars align and things just fall into place.  Imagine our joy when we arrived at Canada Blooms show and found out today was free parking.  It doesn't take much to make our hearts glad.
There were some very unusual displays this year.
My favourite exhibit was the Garfield Thompson Landscape Limited. His use of natural settings and water features are incredibly original.

Such detail!

Water comes out of the stone fountain, across the table, and falls into a recirculating pool. 

Incredible flower dresses.

Loved the use of natural stone.

My favourite exhibit had a fountain which tracks across a table slab. 

Trumpeter Swans

La Salle Park in Burlington has a program to reestablish Trumpeter Swans. There is a colony of about 200 swans in the basin at LaSalle Park.  They are all tagged and hand fed in the winter by volunteers.  You can see how big they are compared to the Canada Geese.  They are pretty noisy, honking, bobbing their long necks and flapping their wings.

Compared to the mute swans they are much taller.  They are easily distinguished by their black beaks.  Mute swans have orange beaks. Trumpeter swans are the largest species of native waterfowl in North America.  They were nearing extinction in North America. In 1933, Overhunting by early European settlers had reduced the numbers of trumpeters to just 77 breeding adults in Canada.
Harry Lumsden, retired from the Ministry of Natural Resources, with the help of dozens of volunteers has brought the swans back to Ontario. He started the program in 1982. There are over 1,000 trumpeters in the south-central part of the province now.  For more information go to: http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2009/03/29/trumpeter_swans_making_a_comeback_in_ontario.html

Looking across Hamilton Harbour from LaSalle Park. this spot is a haven for ducks, Canada geese, Trumpeter swans and mute swans.

Bobbing, dancing and weaving to their loud trumpeting.

Ice storm

The ice storm was really hard on people.  Many people lost hydro power and some sewers backed up.  But if was beautiful.  The trees and bushes sparkled in the sun and it looked like a wonderland.

Christmas Urns 2013

Balcony before

Balcony after

A group of retired teacher met to do a workshop on Christmas urns with me. What a crew upbeat, eager and open to ideas. In spite of the same materials each urn is as individualistic as the owner.

 RWTO Garden club 2

Example from Sheridan.

back in touch

All of the main buildings are open air.

Our little lOve nest

Definitely a Thai theme here, even the hangers are made of twigs.

the vista

That's us # 501.

After our days at sea we are once again on dry land. Actually it is a volcanic  island, very romantic and out of the way. If it weren't for the rain, it would be perfect. We had a bout of flu. The Handyman spent one day aboard flat on the bunk, not the best space to weather the flu. He missed a whole day of diving. He was a trooper about it and never complained, but i knew it was serious when he didn't' want to eat. I think one young man brought it aboard. I was congratulating myself on not getting sick, I had brought along Lysol wipes, when I was laid low as well, but at least I was back on dry land. I think we have used every one of the pills the travel doctor gave us. And we gave away Advil to those in need.
Tomorrow we are off to James Bond (or James Bon, as they call it here) island and the caves. We'll keep you informed...

Just loafing

I think my bathing suit is bigger than anyone else's on the beach. Mine is the niqab of bathing suits. The handyman said he is tired of looking at all the over 60 jiggly bits here on the beach. The staff are covered head to toe and the 'Farangs' (Thai for tourist) are all dressed in bikinis regardless of age and toning.
The sea is incredibly warm _ warmer than the pool. We swam in 3 out of 4 of the pools and bobbed in the ocean, but the surf was very strong.