Long Lake Camp

Max and Simon spent a week at Long Lake Church Camp near Bridgewater. Tim and Lisa attended this camp as children and later worked at the camp as counsellors, lifeguard, and nurse. This was Max and Simon's first summer camping experience. It was a first for Mom too!

The boys had an awesome week of activities -- Macaroni Game, nightly Campfire complete with singing and skits, crafts, Wilderness adventures, swimming, Safari. Simon's dirty feet are a testament to how much fun (and how few showers) they had!

Every evening there was a Vespers service at "Angel Point". The camp Missions project this year was to build weirs in ..... KENYA! The campers learned about Kenya and the water shortage. The weirs will help to hold water when it rains so that there is a supply of water during times of drought. Each camper was encouraged to donate some of their "Tuck money" toward the project.

strawberry season

One of the tastes of Nova Scotia that we have missed is fresh strawberries. Kenya does grow local strawberries but they have neither the size nor the flavour that we love.

So we have been been eating strawberry shortcake daily (or more often). We have also tried chocolate dipped strawberries.We have also had fun picking the strawberries in the large U-Pick farms. The berries have been large and sweet despite the lack of sun these past couple weeks. Just a short time left in the season now so we will be freezing berries and making jam to help us save the taste long after they are gone.

Beach Fun

Nova Scotia license plates boast "Canada's Ocean Playground". We are taking advantage of that playground while we are here. We have visited the beach on several occasions to make castles in the sand, ride the waves crashing to shore, feel the salty wind on our faces. This week we have spent most time at Risser's Beach near Bridgewater.

The drive to the beach is dotted with many quirky and colourful homes along the ocean, all with a variety of sailing memorabilia on the lawn. As a child, I was fascinated by two homes built out of beach stones. They are still beautiful today.The South Shore of the province has white sand beaches and cool water. Today the air temperature was 21 degrees Celsius and the water temperature was 13 degrees. The boys stayed in the water for an hour! The beaches on the north shore of the province have warmer water temperatures (and more jellyfish) and the sand is reddish in colour.

cabin adventure

For 48 years Lisa's parents have owned a "cabin in the woods" -- literally. It continues to have the charm of a rustic hideaway with no electricity, no running water, no indoor bathroom. Except for a new cell tower which means phone access, the cabin continues to be a retreat from the world.

We recently had a few days of sun (rare in NS this summer) so enjoyed swimming, fishing and eating at the lake. We watched a turtle lay eggs on the shore, caught a few white perch, and ate s'mores by the fire.