Merry Christmas 2023

 Merry Christmas!

As the world continues to spin, we are still trepidatiously emerging from the pandemic and finding the light in our daily lives with friends and family.  As we normalise our lives, travel still seems like a good antidote.

Kite surfing in Cabaret

Escaping January, I skipped out of the chill to a surf camp holiday in Cabarete, Dominican Republic. A perfect combination of sun, surf and the challenge of learning a new sport.  It was so much fun, I'm going again this winter. Barb and Don will be there again this winter! 

Check out the sunny pics Hola ! Surfs up!. 

Barbie and I beach!

Swell is a boutique surf camp with
great instructors and
staff who really care for their guests

Yoga with Molly

Sadly, due to climate change, the Rideau Canal did not freeze last winter for skating magic.   It was deeply missed, as it is Ottawa's way of coping with a long cold winter, and finding community with young and old of every skating ability.  It is the longest outdoor rink in the world at 7km one way. Rideau canal skateway

We certainly still had winter to deal with! 

Staying warm 
cozied up with Paula!

Dr Seuss tree
by Mother Nature

Visiting Marisa
with a little liquid warmth

Marisa is happy because she
has butter tarts. 
Its not the liqueurs

Adrian kept the neighbours happy and warm with regular boulangerie deliveries from his Cordon Bleu class.  We love carbs and gluten in this household!  He even crowned Queen Cheryl for the Fete des Roi.  

Crowning  "Queen Cheryl"
for the Fetes des rois

 
July Talk concert
with Catherine

Ensuring we didn't miss the good parts to Canada's winter, we headed to Whistler, BC for a ski holiday with friends.  It is not just fabulously beautiful, but fantastic ski terrain.

Ninja says, "point your skis downhill Adrian!"

Fantastic weather all week.  No fog!

Gabriel plans to
 avoid the bears

Sign says: environmental initiatives to enhance habitat for Black Bears.  Gladed ski trails increases biodiversity of the forest = key food for bears.

Yum.  Humans, crunchy on the outside,
soft on the inside

Doesn't look that hungry?

Avoiding dangerous head first falls.  
Think the graphics are clear

"Long arms" Gabriel
on selfie duty

Ninja and Ghost skiers

There is a very narrow ridge to ski along
before heading into the bowl

Glorious views! Find the Ninja and Ghost!

Jill and Pam warming up with hot chocolate

 Did you toot?

Champion skiers

The splendour just isn't captured in a photo

Lucky weather day to get to Peak Lookout.  Breathtaking

Top of the world!

Apres ski 1

Apres ski 2

Girls at Earls

We always look forward to tip toe through the tulips come spring.  

The Tulip Festival always makes me appreciate our nation's capital.

And they think they're funny
standing on their tippy toes!

Wonderful reunion in Stratford
with Allyson and Stephanie. 

Adrian and E on a camping adventure

We were invited to attend the 75 years of UN Peacekeeping commemorative ceremony marking International Day of UN Peacekeepers at the National War Memorial.  Adrian served with the UN in the Golan Heights.  I served with the UNHQ in Haiti and as the NDHQ Logistics Officer supporting the UN missions in the Middle East and Africa.  

Adrian in his secret service suit....

We are also so pleased the Queen honoured us 

at Jackson's birthday party

Make a wish Jackson!

Steve was very enraptured
with HRM's conversational skills

Paula,  E, me and Priya. 

The Queen even posed
for a family photo,
Corgi included

Spending time on the picket line
with Laura during our strike

Croissants in France

Spring also seems like the ideal time to travel to Europe.  Sadly, our best efforts to teleport landed us at the French Embassy 

and the British High Commission on our bikes. 

Laissez-les manger de la brioche!

Ginger snaps in the United Kingdom

E practicing to swim the Channel
between the two countries

E headed a little further
to India

View from my "office".  
The bald eagle with the
massive wing span came frequently.
I was in awe every time.
 

I was grateful to combine remote work and holidays in Nova Scotia.  

As I've been negligent on creating any blog posts this year, you're getting the Nova Scotia overdose of sea side pictures now.

Always happy to visit
Karen-Anne and Dan
in Cape Breton

Preparing for
the open water swim
to Sloan's island

Are you sure there are no sharks here?
Shark Tracker

Are we trolling Large 
as shark bait?

I'll keep safe on land
in Josh's private squash court!

58 years of marriage has you
twinning with your outfits.

Aunt Kelly offers  
the unusual, but traditional birthday gift of fish. 
Willy Krauch's world famous
smoked salmon.

Fancy canned fish
from Portugal offered by Dan

Is there more fish?

Yup, if you're willing to work
for those lobster bits

The fam damily

Out for coffee!

Unfortunately Mom
broke her hip this summer.
She has lost the use of her legs
due to additional medical issues  

  
Mom spent her birthday in hospital.
She moved to a nursing home in Dec. 

Mom's cheery attitude after
4 months in hospital is exemplary

So many fancy boats in the harbour this summer.
The super yachts (no pics!) have also found
this remote piece of peace. 

The vibrant Halifax harbour

Meeting up with
Lonnie and Anya

Helen's ice cream
is bigger than her!

Big Pam and Little Pam 

Cousin Janice

Dorothy and Sam's cabin 

Hard to say "Farewell to
Nova Scotia" with sunsets like this

E lifeguarded at an overnight camp 
for mentally disabled adults.  
She absolutely loved the hard and rewarding work.

Speedy Leanne at the Army Run
I came in 2nd in my age category!  
Do I mention I got slotted into the 60-64 age group? 
Makes me look faster

Delicious dinner and fun
at Laurie's in Montreal

Our annual trip to Montreal

Enchanting company

Catherine and Joseph made me
an incredible birthday dinner!

A wintery walk along Rideau River

An evening at the NAC

Celebrating Adrian's Cordon Bleu graduation

Happy Christmas!

Wishing family and friends 

a joyous holiday season filled with health.  

May 2024 bring peace to all of us!

Pam, Adrian and E