Wow, that IS a crowd

At last week's marathon swim, we had 24 swimmers to the Point and Back, and 10 from the Island!  

That fills up a lake!

some like the 'water start'

some prefer to take the plunge

away they go! It's 500 m each way!

we couldn't do it without support from canoes and kayaks!

half of the Islanders

and more of the Islanders.  These guys were like otter puppies

more support

Arlene coming home, with escort... she hasn't missed an Island swim in 47 years...

three generations (Lisa is missing from the picture, but we promise you she swam!)
Arlene with her grandsons Tim, Nate, and Marty

Water and toys

The water toys are hugely popular.  We have two trampolines, and two different climbing apparatus (apparati?)  (Whatever you call them, they're great fun)

Chowder Bowl, the afterglow

David and Brian get up close and personal with the distances

Clamologists carefully measure how far each clam raced.  This happens just before the Marathon Swim - clams race overnight (it is an endurance, rather than a sprint, race)

Clam measuring is an art and a science...

Medals are awarded.  It's a big deal...

 Isabella won, at 8'10" with her clam Clamabella









Henry was second, but has to wait to get his medal in the mail.

 Nora was third.  (her sister has her beat, she was second last year)
















Gavin made grandpa proud, in fourth place.

The Chowder Bowl - tradition continues

54 clams came to the post, at the Gathering of the Clams, last Wednesday.

Led to the start by the Pipes and Drums of the Camerons of Lochiel, serenaded by the Muskoka Music Men, and spiced up with hats worthy of a royal wedding...

Here are some photos of the start.

Marching the Chowder Bowl to the start

Registration.  Best name this year, The Oyster Bunny

The Music Men barbershop quartet -- proudly sporting their medal from a previous year

did I see you at Megan and Harry's wedding????

 Piper, the youngest drummer...

another hat suitable for Ascot

a pensive Piper, overlooking the clams as they speed on their way

will that hat fly?

it's a garden party!

kids, snacks and trophy

Babies, we have babies!

Our shallow beach warms us quickly and is ideal for tiny toes... (and other body parts)  :Piper is happy to demonstrate

It's also perfect for just hanging out. (at any age)

 and for making new friends...  this is Michael meeting Piper

We've got a whole crew of new Bondi babies this year!

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Different strokes...

Emiliano demonstrates a slightly less conventional use of a hammock...

Yellows and golds

So many monarchs this year, it makes my heart sing! This was at the garden, sipping its morning nectar.  We're starting to find chrysalis too... and lots of caterpillars!

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