To everyone

Have a

Happy and safe New Year

Cold and more snowblowing this AM

Quite a bit of snow overnight with some drifts over a foot. It was a bit of a surprise to see so much, nothing that the snowblower couldn't handle. Even had the snowshoes on for a check of the cottages across the road.

A few snowmobiles in town this AM, must be some people in at their camps. Some were using the lake and others using the road for safety.

Took a ride out to the Indian Lake Rd and took a few snowy pics, I was also trying out my new GPS. What an improvement on my old 1997 unit. Works better with the computer too.

Back from southern visiting

Back at home again, it's nice to get away but sure nice to come home. The trip home was like driving in a bowl of milk, it was so foggy. The rain poured down and the fog got worse. About North Bay it started to clear, by the time I got to the top of the big hill it was as foggy as when I started. Got to Gowganda about 4:30PM. The trip from Elk Lake in was like a iced slide.

Had a great time down at Carol's, good food and lots of goodies. Thanks alot Carol and Brian. Will be heading down to Sudbury later to have Christmas with Jeremy and the boys.

To day started off with rain and changed to blowing snow and below zero temperatures by 1:00PM, the power went off about an hour later and is still off as I do this on the laptop, it's now about 4:30PM.

The wind was so strong it knocked a tree down and landed on a vehicle parked in Ron's backyard. It belongs to the gang at Firth Lake. It was quite a big poplar. The neighbour's window across the street which was all ready taped up blew in and luckily Jim Bishop came over and told me. We cut a piece of chip board and covered up the hole.

During a bit of sun I got out to take a couple of pictures a lot of the snow disappeared and if the lake freezes up it will be like a skating rink.

Merry Christmas from Huntsville

Got to Huntsville yesterday, a great drive down with sunny skys all the way. The roads were in pretty good shape.
Seen Kate last night after her work and will have Christmas breakfast in about an hour with her. Then she has to go to work and I am heading for Carol's in Lindsay. Hopefully before the next winter storm that will start this PM.

I want to wish all who read this blog a great Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank all who take the time to enjoy the pictures of Gowganda.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Some cold arctic weather coming in here, -31°C this AM and supposed to just as cold by tomorrow morning. Even daytime temps where chilly to say the least. Kapuskasing was supposed to hit a low of -39°C last nite.

Just out today to get another load of wood and back in the house.

Finished doing the drywall on the ceiling on the west half of the living room. Went pretty well and didn't take too long. Am leaving on Monday to go to Huntsville to see Kate for the day and then going to Lindsay to Carol's to have Christmas so will do the other half of the ceiling when I get home.

Up to the tower to check the non work

Well it's almost 3 weeks since we figured Ontera was going to get at the tower, so far I don't believe they have even got up the hill. It just goes to show you what kind of service we may be getting too.

Anyway (stepping off soapbox) Paul and I went up for our usual hike and discussed the situation good thing we aren't the bosses. At least I have some new pics. Thanks for the hot chocolate and tarts Gert.

Other news, the drywall is in the building, noticed I just said IN. Tomorrow will try to get some pieces on the ceiling.

How windy was it yesterday?

It was so windy even the flag was holding on.

After the wind the temperature dropped and everything became ice. The slush on the lake looks as though it has hardend up a bit. There are even snow machine tracks on Banker's Bay.

Still at the wiring, putting a new circuit upstairs now its easy to put the wires the bare wall.

Just like spring

The temperature today around +3°C almost feels like spring, not. About 10cm. of new snow this morning wet and hard to move. Cleaned the snow off the front and back porches as the snow coming off the high roof hits with a wallop when it comes down.
Slush is starting to come up on the snow with all the weight.

Finished the insulation finally now on to some wiring before doing the ceiling.

A break in the weather coming

Temperatures rising tonight for a couple of seasonal days for this time of year.

At the feeder today a couple of starlings that must have missed the southbound train when it left weeks ago. They seemed a bit worse for wear and are keeping up with a flock of Evening Grosbeaks.

Reno report, all old drywall gone and insulation should be done tomorrow. Some wiring upgrades, vapour barrier and then on to new drywall.

Very Cold

Last couple of night's have been very cold well below -20°C. Good days for working on reno. More than ¾ of the walls are now insulated. I can feel the difference in the room all ready. The problem with to much work inside is no pictures outside. I did take a couple from the house with the telephoto. One of the dam, all frozen up right to the dam, and one of Auld Reekie

No tracks on the lake at all, I suspect it is just slush beneath with powder snow on top.

New's reports that they are packing the trails but break through wet areas quite easily as the ground is not frozen with all the snow.

Last 2 days more snow

Yes there is alot of snow on the ground. Anyone like to take bets about not having snow for Christmas? This is the most snow this early that I have seen since living here. Last year we got snow just before Christmas, today we could put on the snowshoes.

Another visitor to the feeder the other day, an evening grosbeak and a pic tonight of the lites that just went up today. More reno update. Will be putting some insulation on the outside walls tomorrow.

Visit from Mr. Blue

A visitor at the feeder today, a blue jay.

Paul and I went up to the tower today, nothing going on but all plowed out by George. The dishes are in town so something must be going to happen maybe next week.

Renovations underway some drywall is now missing from the walls.

Odds and Ends

Reno report-ceiling tiles and furring off ceiling and rug rolled up and out the door.

Nice day to go to the dump today while on the way took a few pics. The road was icy after all the truck traffic on it. On the way there an Onterra truck with a trailer full of dishes for the tower went by. Finally they may get back to work. Paul and I are going up tomorrow to investigate.

Pic of Banker's Bay, and some from the backyard.

Slush on the lake

The same story, more snow but quite warm today. The lake took on a real slushy look today due to all the snow falling on it. A sledder's nightmare. This may make travel on the lakes very poor this winter.

A few new pics of our weather. Right now an Alberta Clipper is moving thru again and is suppose to drop another 10 to 15 cm. tonight.

Snowblower Idling in the garage

Two days in a row now the snowblowers were busy, according to weather another storm coming thru tonight the blower is idling in the garage for an early start.

This AM snow brought another 10cm. to bring it up to about 30cm.+ a fair amount for this soon in the season. It's shaping up just like the summer had lots of rain, then the winter will bring lots of snow.

December the 1st is the the start of renovations at home. Since the new windows were all put in now the inside work starts. The livingroom is getting a full treatment right from the studs out.

There was never any insulation in the house so this is the start of the bottom floor, the upper floor is all finished. Insulation, vapour barrier, drywall on walls and ceiling. New floor and door.

Yesterday all the furniture came out and all the trim was removed. Today all the old panelling removed, tomorrow the ceiling tiles. The dirty job is removing all the old drywall.

New materials are all ordered including what they call dustless drywall compound, this I will have to see.