Thursday, June 29, 2023

Thursday June 29, 2023 Peaceful Valley

PLEASE bookmark this page and check daily.

Older Blog:  https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/

Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:  http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/ or http://saccc05.tripod.com/

******

Thursday June 29, 2023

So today was geared to a trip organized for francophone seniors out of our sister building on the south side.  Ghislaine drove myself and 2 other ladies to the adjoining church down there and we awaited a bus that was delayed, and could not enter the lot because a moving van had effectively blocked enough of the road.

So the group of about 40 seniors and 4 organizers had to walk over to the other side of the church to board the bus.  And there were 3 kitchen carts loaded with food that I helped run over there to load under the bus.

Finally we were underway to a place south of Pigeon Lake called Peaceful Valley, which is 85 acres of land with a clubhouse and nature trails, started by a senior sister and brother to benefit seniors in perpetuity.  Volunteer hosts met us and were wonderful guides and cooks who did their best to speak in French.  I gave a hand to almost all the seniors getting down from the bus and that was appreciated.

The lovely clubhouse overlooks a large valley with the Battle River meandering through.

The barbeque of hamburgers and chicken patties came just at the right time and the accompaniments and desserts were plentiful.

I did 2 of the nature tours on a golf cart because the first time I was on the back and missed most of the visuals and commentaries.  There were many beautiful birds at the several feeders, and I somehow managed to miss the groundhog under the deck...  But I did get a glimpse of the mischievous forest fairy.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable, warm day under sunny skies with a delightful group, and I did get to practice improving my forgotten French.  

The ladies of the French organization asked if I would be interested in volunteering to take photos at a week of activities July 17-22.  I had to consult my busy schedule before saying yes, lol.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.  I won't bother with captions.

That was the day’s excitement.

Al

******

© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission. 

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE  that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.







































 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Tuesday June 27, 2023 Exploring

PLEASE bookmark this page and check daily.

Older Blog:  https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/

Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:  http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/ or http://saccc05.tripod.com/

******

Tuesday June 27, 2023

I awoke early to a smoky sky and did chores so I could head to Save-On and get my salads and snacks.  I have so much other food in the apartment that I really need to use up, even though most of it will be good for years...

Then Bob wanted to go visit a place on the edge of the city along the Sherwood Park Freeway where he worked many years ago, Maple Leaf Metals, expecting to be fȇted with coffee and maybe a BBQ.  It was a 10km ride, which we both expected to be further, but still a good test for our battery strength.  We did not run at full speed to get there and were disappointed that the guys he mainly wanted to see were away, and they didn't have coffee since Covid...  So we backtracked to McDonald's and had a nice brunch.

We stopped in at Goodwill to check for a few items friends are looking for, but they did not have them.  The Gios happily cruised us back and forth along Whyte Avenue where we got the usual many comments.  We pulled into the Commercial hotel for a beer apiece and enjoyed the gregarious little bartender's banter.  We cruised some more before coming back across the High Level Bridge and cruising a circle around the Legislature before returning, desperate for a washroom by then...

I processed the pictures below (which I will collage for Bob) and had a nap...

The good news is that our batteries were still strong on our return, even after about 28 kms, so we are both very happy with that knowledge.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.  That was the day’s excitement.

Al

******

© All my work is COPYRIGHT protected and may not be used in any way without purchase, or without my permission. 

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE  that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

Start

 

 

Maple Leaf Metals scrap yard

Man making noodles

Great bartender

Bob looks happy, yes?

Cruising Whyte Avenue

Circling the Legislature

A nice old gal

Bob cruising the fountains