Sunday, November 14, 2010

Rememberance Day Walk

We were both off work on Thursday this week for Remembrance Day and, unusually for this late in the year, it was a beautiful day. We decided to take a walk down to the stream to see how it was coping with all the heavy rain that fell since last weekend. We ended up touring around some of the farm fields back there, too. We took a lot of pictures to share with you and, just for fun, I’m including a map to show you where they were taken.

 The letters on the map corresponds to the letters at each picture.
The letters on the map corresponds to the letters at each picture.

 The privacy walls are complete.
The privacy walls are complete. (map"A")

We started off at the gazebo to check out Hubby’s latest efforts. He has completed (!) the two solid walls which face the road now and you can really see how the finished building is going to look. The white of soffits and trim nicely offsets the cedar shingles and spindles. Next we went down to the garden to talk to the pumpkins which are slowly disintegrating back into the ground. The crows are helping. There are a bunch of new holes where the birds have been pecking them.

 The pumpkins are slowly melting into the garden.
The pumpkins are slowly melting into the garden. (map"B")

We started down the path to the stream and were once again surprised at just how big the trees are getting. They have only been in the ground here for 6 years and some of them are already over 10 feet. There are lots of wild volunteers sprouting up, too. It’s always good to have some diversity.
When we got down to the stream we could see that the water level was high, almost as high as during spring run-off, but it didn’t seem as if it had flooded over the banks. It was running nice and clear, too. We even spotted some trout swimming in some of the deeper pools.

 We started our walk on the pathway to the woods.
We started our walk on the pathway to the woods. (map"C")

 The stream was very full because it rained almost non-stop for a week.
The stream was very full because it rained almost non-stop for a week. (map"D")

 A weird looking fungus was stuck to this tree trunk.
A weird looking fungus was stuck to this tree trunk. (map"E")

 Even though there has been a huge amount of rain this week the water in the stream is still nice and clear.
Even though there has been a huge amount of rain this week the water in the stream is still nice and clear. (map"F")

It was a fantastic day to walk in the woods. The wind was calm and the sun was shining. The trees still have some colour as well, just like this beautiful maple tree which was blazing in a clearing. We didn’t see a whole lot of wildlife, just some chickadees and blue jays, but we did scare one snowshoe hare out from cover. He was half way through his change from his brown summer coat into his white winter fur. He didn’t seem to be in too much of a hurry to get away. He had probably heard us crashing through the brush for an hour and knew right where we were.

 This maple tree was a beautiful splash of colour in the darkness of the woods.
This maple tree was a beautiful splash of colour in the darkness of the woods. (map"G")

 The birch trees have really taken over in this section of the woods.
The birch trees have really taken over in this section of the woods. (map"H")

 The dog wood bushes make a nice contrast to the golden colour of the grass in this fallow farm field.
The dog wood bushes make a nice contrast to the golden colour of the grass in this fallow farm field. (map"I")

Once we got to the top of the hill we to the opportunity to look back and see the house from a distance. The gazebo looked good at the side; its white trim really stood out. I just hope it doesn’t start falling apart like the grape arbour down in the fruit tree meadow. That poor old thing has lost almost its entire upper arch and the grape vines were long ago eaten by the mice. We found a couple of ripe pears on the ground under the pear tree. I had no idea that it had matured enough to actually produce fruit. Maybe there’s hope for my peach trees after all. After all they’re doing much better than the cherry tree which is not only dead but is now playing host to a weird fungus, too.

 Looking back from the dog woods you can just make out the gazebo to the right of our house in the distance.
Looking back from the dog woods you can just make out the gazebo to the right of our house in the distance. (map"J")

Back in our own yard now you can see just how much the arbour has failed in the last year or two.
Back in our own yard now you can see just how much the arbour has failed in the last year or two. (map"K")

While we were checking out the trees in the meadow we discovered that the pear tree had actually produced some fruit. Who knew!
While we were checking out the trees in the meadow we discovered that the pear tree had actually produced some fruit. Who knew!" (map"L")

Right beside then pear tree the fox den was showing signs of recent activity.
Right beside then pear tree the fox den was showing signs of recent activity. (map"L")

 This tree apparently died a while ago and now this interesting fungus has colonized it.
This tree apparently died a while ago and now this interesting fungus has colonized it. (map"L")

We had a great walk, got some sunshine and exercise, had an opportunity to remember just how lucky we are to be living in this wonderful country and appreciate the sacrifices others had made to allow us to do so. I’m very grateful.

15 comments:

Marguerite said...

What an amazing walk you're able to have right out of your back yard. It looks like a good long distance too. and pears! It's great to know that other fruit besides apples will survive here. Sounds like a wonderful day in all.

Jane said...

You have no idea how much I appreciate looking at your photos of PEI (love your map:) - what a great day and lovely weather. Fall is lasting forever this year and glad to see you are making the most of it!

The Witch said...

Oh Jane,

I'm so sorry but you have obviously confused the beautiful countryside of Witch's Island with Canada's smallest province. A very common error, I assure you.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

HELLO!! What a lovely walk to take and enjoy when the weather is perfect! That was quite a trek you took, and it's neat that you can pick the spots out on the map--We've been doing a lot of that too as the property around us is listed for sale. THANK YOU for your comments on that--I really do appreciate your thoughts and think you've given some compelling reasons why waiting this out may end up benefiting us--I am just not that good at waiting! :-)

Gill - That British Woman said...

what a great walk we went on, don't feel tired at all and enjoyed all the photos you took!!

The bit that broke on my swiffer was where the handle connected to the bottom pad. I tried gluing it to no avail........as I have had it years it did its job well, so didn't feel bad about buying another one.

Gill

Stella said...

Sounds like a wonderful walk. I can just feel the sun on my shoulders and feel the peacefulness. Glad you had such a lovely .

Canadian Saver said...

Love the pics and am glad to see so much progress made on the gazebo! It is beautiful!

its me, sam said...

Island Witch , Love the photos, but now I'm confused. I thought your island was the "Island" in Canada?

The Witch said...

Sam,
For as long as I need to retain my annonimity I'm afraid that the exact location of the Witch's Island must remain undisclosed, sorry.

its me, sam said...

I hope I didn't offend you. Sometimes I forget that we post under our "secret selves".

Suz said...

Your wonderful photos had me a bit warm and fuzzy for open land...and streams and fox dens and a snow hare!
the gazebo is quite an achievment...structure on the land...a wonderful addition
sorry about the trellis..happens to twiggy things ..they return to the earth
I think witch island is located in your heart...
than kyou for your occasional comment on my wench blog...wench/witch...just about the same

The Witch said...

Sam, Absolutely no issue, no worries. As Suz says The Witch's Island is a place in our hearts and minds that we gladly share with you all. It amazes me every time I read a comment from our readers, I can't believe you are out there. Thank you.

John Going Gently said...

love the toothless pumpkin

lovley to catch up with you blog after too long a break!

Cathy said...

Hello there
I came across your blog via Gill's blog and am enjoying reading about your secret hideaway. I know wherever it is will be fabulous - we visit the Maritimes on a regular basis (dh has family in the Valley) just returned from there early October after another glorious trip. We made it to Newfoundland for the first time this visit.
Loved the guided tour of the area close to home and will be back to read more
Take care
Cathy

Gill - That British Woman said...

I too think that Molly is a wee bit spoiled!!

Gill