Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Summer Adventures...

I created my own adventure in nature and discovered some beautiful new things and some local history along the way...

Our town has a very comprehensive trail system.

I have not walked all the trails yet, but plan to do so... 

I added some additional streets and routes to my walk today... in the end I had taken 14,000 plus steps which for me equalled 9.25 kilometres.



Did you read the sigh?

Are they serious? ... it is all I can do to walk across it!

This bridge that crosses Tillsonburg's own Lake Lisgar I think is made of expanded mesh that you can see through which immediately gives me a pair of wobbly sea legs and vertigo.

But I am proud to say I did go from one side to the other... albeit with clammy and perspiring hands!!!

This trail follows the lake near the Town's Water Park ...
   
 
         
     
Do you have all your ducks lined up?


      
         

 
    
The pirates' play park .... that the grandsons love to visit!


Such a peaceful place to take a walk... 

Monday, August 5, 2013

Hydrangeas in the Garden

With my camera in hand I walked around our garden at home and took the opportunity to take some photos of the hydrangeas ... we have several different varieties and colours.

They are beautiful this year. 

Curious about the name I did a little research.

The fruit that follows the hydrangea's showy blossoms is cup shaped and looks like little water pails.

The name "hydrangea" is derived from two Greek words.

Hydro - meaning water.  Angeion - meaning vessel

                
                 

  

                            
It made me reminisce about our day spent Biarritz... 
                

In the next few days before the blooms are past their best, I plan to cut some to dry and use for decoration in our home.

A good dose of hairspray and they will keep their colour and shape for many months.





Sunday, August 4, 2013

Counting Steps!

I have bought two new pedometers since we arrived home a month ago.

The first one was a "supposed" bargain at only $10.00 with a built in radio... but it didn't work properly from the get go. 

This week I purchased another one... 
the "Smart Health Step Tracker" and it actually is the same one I took with me to France ...the only difference is the colour.

I now have a fluorescent orange one whereas the previous one was also fluorescent but in key lime-green.

Funny thing was that I clearly hadn't read the instructions the first time around. 

In bold, black type it clearly warns and advises...  

IMPORTANT : Do not put the Step Tracker in water.

Had I not fallen into Monsieur Honey's and I believe like most men's habits of trying to do something first before reading the instructions ...  I would have avoided the "French" drowning accident of my trusted pedometer in the washing machine at Beaucaillou.


So now I have my accountability factor.

Even without it, I have been trying to walk everyday.

Yesterday, I walked to our local Farmer's Market that is held on Saturday mornings downtown. 

I purchased some fresh fruits and vegetables and Monsieur Honey arrived at the appointed time to retrieve the shopping.

I continued walking and did some more Saturday shopping at the downtown stores. 

My criteria for any purchases was that the items would have to be minimal in quantity and light weight because I had to walk home carrying these items. 

The weather was perfect for walking ... although warm there was a breeze that provided some cool relief.

So with one foot in front of the other, I will keep on counting ...