August Yondering 2026

August Yondering could be a pen name, couldn't it? A wonderful time on the lake, July 31 to August 26. 

Rob and I had a great stretch of anchoring out for ten nights (!!), in and around the bay and then on to Wolfe Island with a stop in Kerr Bay. Alcyone (Alex and Aldo) was en route with us for the trip, with Freya (Caroline and Dennis) joining in the Bay. Feasting with more friends (Laura, Peter, Mike, Kaarina) at Heron's Run. 

This was our first (and second!) time anchoring in Kerr Bay. We opted for there instead of Stella, since Kerr Bay has lots more room. We were still able to dinghy over to Stella for ice and lunch. The Fair Jean anchored with us one night - a beautiful Brigantine. When I looked the boat up later, learned that someone built it in their backyard and used it as their family boat, prior to donating it to a youth charity. Gorgeous ship.

Alex and Nora came up for a few days; unfortunately Parshvi was a it under the weather so couldn't join. This was Nora's first night away from her Mama, but Dada was a comfort. Nora seemed to enjoy her time in the boat, dinghy rides, picking blueberries, and strolling along the lakeside path on Waupoos Island. We also walked over to check out the fireflies in the marina thicket with Griskit following close behind. Not as many on Ausust 15th as there were a month ago in July.

We lent our car to Alex R. with the hopes he could drive into Toronto and return the next day after keeping an appointment, but the brakes started leaking fluid. Yikes! So he set sail back home for the season on the 17th. Aldo left the 16th, and Caroline and Dennis on the 19th. It didn't feel quite the same without their company. Before she left, Caroline gave me a watercolour lesson on Freya. 

With brakes repaired, we took an enjoyable County tour. One of the best roast beef sandwiches I've ever had in Milford at a place called Say Bruce. Homemade bread, onion butter, horseradish and potato chips. My mouth is watering thinking about it! And Rob and I split a slice of triple layer pineapple rum cake. So good. Also checked out a couple galleries on the Arts Trail (Mad Dog, Andara, Melt and the Base 31 Collective. I ended up buying a piece at Melt featuring an owl. We'll have to pick it up when we return for the car, I don't want it taking up space in the boat or potentially being damaged in the car. Not sure where I'll place it when we finally get home.

A day trip into Kingston for the extended Kingston Penetentiary tour. The architecture is imposing. We were there on a rainy day, and the grey sky matched the mood of the place. It looked like the inmates had more space in their cells than we do on our boat - table, bunk, storage, t.v., toilet. But then we definitely have the better view. Got the inside scoop about the 1971 prison riot from one of the guards. As violent as it was, no guards lost their lives even though taken hostage. As a result of the uprising and negotiations, conditions did improve.

We spent a couple nights away from our preferred slip because westerlies made it very bouncy, and we were concerned for the cat. I missed our view! The sheep returned to the island from their grazing at solar farms. The nights were getting chillier and the water a bit cooler for swimming. Summer comes to its end and it's time to think of going home.

What I love about our past two summers at Waupoos is a long list! A short motor or sail from our dock to drop an anchor. Being able to jump in for a swim on a whim from off the boat and dock. Yoga and Qigong on the dock and on the boat. Uncluttered views of the sky at sunrise, sunset, and moonrise. Clouds! Rainbows! Simple living. Meals on the boat taste better because you've been outside all day. Appreciation for the rhythms of nature. The quiet. The sound of crickets and tree frogs. The gulls and terns lined up along the tire wall. How the view is never the same, because of the changing wind, light, and weather.

We were back in our slip for the last night in Waupoos. I watched a beautiful moonrise there, as I had on the first night at the dock. All things must end.

Time to go home.

Summer In the City

Took a vacation from our vacation and drove back to Toronto from Waupoos for 10 days of summer in the city.

We both had medical appointments but also wanted to be there to celebrate Nora's birthday on the day. Then there was her birthday party a few days later. Also, Amita's birthday. So lots of cake!

Our visit was timed with Bluffers Park Basin Party. That afternoon Alex and Nora came and saw the firetruck - always a big hit with the kids. In the evening there was a live band and I danced for hours. 

Dim Sum lunch and a game of Mah Jong. An afternoon sanding Muskoka deck chairs at the club to get in a few work hours. 

Great entertainment and catching up with friends. Watching the Odyssey film at the VIP theatre in big comfy reclining chairs. A three hour spectacle. Dinner at The Nose and Our Town live theatre with Mike, Kaarina, Mike, and Lyn. Dinner at Liz and Darcy's. Dinner in Greektown with Irene, Christina and Sophie.  

Oh - a morning nature walk at Rosetta Maclean gardens with Friends of Miles, and a Toronto Master Gardener lecture at Bridlewood Library.

Also checked on the progress of my ring with Chris at Platinum. There was to be 3D printer design, but we seem to have jumped that step. The ring was cast but the gems not yet set. It seems a bit chunky without the diamonds, but  I'm sure added sparkle will make a difference.

And lots and lots of time in my garden.

Had to get back to Waupoos for a rest!

Summer Garden

One of the reasons I plant this Eastern Prickly Pear is to enjoy the blooms. They last only one day over the course of a short week. Both last summer and this summer I've missed the display, but people have been sending photos so at least I could enjoy remotely. This year they put on quite the show, starting July 4.

We came back from Yondering to Toronto on July 20, and the first thing I did was tear into the garden to weed and water. Ended up getting stung by some bees when I was removing seed heads from the lambs ears. Ouch! I learned the hard way that our native bees have smooth stingers and can sting again and again. So when I staked the sea holly I wore full body protection (gloves, boots, mosquito netting hat, long sleeves etc.). So many different kinds of  bees, wasps, hornets and flies feeding on one plant. The 'common' European blue butterfly, so called because it's open wings are such a beautiful blue. The Great Golden Digger Wasp looks like a sting could really hurt, but they don't bother humans so much as grasshoppers, which they paralyze to feed their young. 

We were back to Yondering July 31, so I had  ten days in the July garden. Hours spent tending or enjoying the view. 

In other notes:

• I was happy to see the Tulip Tree and Grey Dogwood I'd planted in the ravine were still growing strong. Hopefully the rains continue into August. 
• A wet season brought some mushrooms that seemed to like the shelter of pots. iNaturalist identified as a species of mica cap.
• I'm trying to get the primrose to grow all in a row in front of the bench, so transplanted a few. They didn't seem to like it, hopefully their roots will find their way. Would like to create a space where we can enjoy watching them pop open.
• My brother Dave gave me a watering system that we're trying out in August in the back garden, set to water twice a week. We'll see how it goes. Most of these plants were chosen because they could withstand summer neglect and periods of drought, and it's been a wet summer.  Anyway, an experiment. Meanwhile we still rely on family to drop by and water the planters and the front in dry spells.
  
  
  
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Yondering in July 2026

We - almost - bought another boat in June, so spent a lot of time checking out the Prospect and getting Yondering ready to sell. After a full inspection and getting a good look at our Prospect's bottom, we cancelled the deal. Let's just say the owner had spent more effort in buffing up the wood than tending to damage on the underside.  What an emotional roller coaster! I already had a new boat name picked out and had visions of entertaining guests and sailing the Catalina 320 to Waupoos. But it was not to be. 

Yondering was looking pretty good after being spiffed up. Our 30' boat actually seemed to have more storage and sitting area in the salon than the 32',  but then again, there's no second cabin.

Anyway, aside from one very brief shake down sail on June 8, we'd spent more time thinking about buying and selling boats than we had sailing.

We departed for our summer adventures on June 28 and set sail motored to Cobourg Harbour. The next day we made Waupoos Marina in time to enjoy the moonrise in our slip. 

We were already calling the slip home. 

 

Lots of afternoon sails in Prince Edward Bay, and five nights anchored out at Little Bluffs, Van Deuson, or Waupoos Island. Weather was highly variable. Hot, cool, rainy, grey, sunny, windy, windless, stormy. 

When conditions were right for sailing, that's what we did; when not ideal, we explored the area by car. After we arrived, Rob took the train back to Toronto and then drove the car to Waupoos so we'd have it to provision. There's also no laundry facilities at the marina. Having a car is essential for any long term stay.

One rainy day we decided to venture to Kingston Marine Museum and check out the historic cruise ship Keewatin. When we were visiting the Murney Martello Tower, there was an unexpected Haiku Canada exhibit, with poems fluttering from stone walls and dangling from the ceiling.

We had the County at our doorstep. Time to check out the Lavender Farm, wineries, and enjoy a fine meal at Stella's Eatery. Great galleries as well - Mad Dog and Oeno - well worth the visit.

Forest fires brought an apocalyptic sky for a few days. We explored the County and a few different restaurants and galleries to gulp in some clean indoor air.

When we first arrived the water was 65 degrees, quickly climbed to 75 and then dropped again to "refreshing" temperatures. I love being able to jump from the boat or the dock for a swim.

Alex and Penny visited for three nights, timed with a celebration in Wellington for our nephew Ryan's 40th birthday. 

Griskit's fur was free of mats in early June so we didn't take her for a lion cut. We'd underestimated how much fur she'd shed in the boat. Long hair everywhere!  And by the end of June, her fur was clumping and pulling again. So a grooming appointment was made. Hopefully less fur flying when we return in August.

Three weeks in Waupoos before heading back in to Toronto. We had planned to stay a bit longer, but the weather was looking ugly. Besides, we wanted to be there to celebrate Nora's second birthday.