Traffic Cat on Duty: Drive with Care

Friends dropped by today (the purpose of the trip was ostensibly to do some Christmas shopping, loading up on Napster cards!).

They sent along this great shot of Achmed, surveying his 'beat' and keeping his world in order.

It's almost 3 years since Achmed arrived, storming through the cat-flap into the house at 3 a.m. to get in a scuffle with resident cat Napster. The two now get on quite well, with just the occasional scuffle over who gets the couch.

But Achmed hasn't lost his taste for high places, and he takes his duties as Surveillance Cat very seriously indeed.

Seen from On High

Brian sent us this photo, taken from 10,000 feet up, on one of his last flights in his Piper Cub PA11 last month.

That's us in the middle... Bondi is the horseshoe shaped bay just right of centre. Fire Island is clearly visible, as is the long L-shape of Haystack Bay that leads to us.

Dwight Bay is just above our bay. In the top left hand you can just see Peninsula Lake, across the narrow divide of the Portage where the little Portage Flyer train used to run.















This photo, taken from a lower altitude, looks the other way. That's Ten Mile Bay in the background, and the Narrows leading into Dorset at the top right edge of the picture.

Even with the leaves down ad the forest carpet looking almost ghostly, Lake of Bays is a jewel in the landscape.

We think that one of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of this area takes place when we look at it from this high perspective. Brian, as a pilot, couldn't agree more.

More Dog Agility Pics!

Gerry was here on the weekend with his family and their two dogs. He was also here with his camera, which is WAY better than my own!

He sent these pictures along -- one is taken in our arena: Lowell and his 'northern rescue dog' acing it through the weave poles. The rest are taken last summer, outside in the sunshine.

We post them, because they are just so darn beautiful, full of life and, well, agility...

The expressions on the dogs' faces are marvellous!

Thanks Gerry! And by the by, your dog Hogan is looking pretty intense on the 'catwalk!

Caution: Viewer Discretion is Advised

This post comes from Brian, who has been tromping about in the woods lately getting the ski trails ready for winter. Which by the by started to arrive tonight. Readers should be advised that the photo (at the bottom of the post) is not very PRETTY... for reasons that become obvious as you read the post.

"Well here is the story, and I am not kidding... I never kid you guys on things like this.

I was out on the trails this aftenoon clearing off the fallen trees from the late fall storms so that they would be ready to groom when the snow arrives.

Back in the swamp trail, I came around a corner and there in a sunny patch was a big wolf.

We eyed each other for a bit, he looked well fed and I had a chainsaw so having watched the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" movie I felt I had the upper hand here.

Anyway, I wondered why Mr. Wolf did not want to run away like they usually do. Well a little investigation showed that he was busy eating a dead deer about 30 feet off the side of the trail and I was disturbing his lunch it seemed.

It was (and was is the operative word here) a good size 6 point buck. The rack was about all that was any good to me so the wolf and I did a little negotiating. I pointed out that I had the chainsaw and he agreed to let me have the head with rack if I promised to move on and let him eat the rest of his meal.

I thought this was a good arrangement, so I sawed the head off and brought it home with me and I assume the wolf is full by now and snoozing somewhere.

I had no camera to take pictures of the wolf, but once home I took a picture of the deer head. A bit gnarly but a few months outside in the sun and all the meat should be gone. I'll mount the rack somewhere in the spring I suppose."

To which we add that it seems a waste to just leave the antlers lying in the woods... and keeping in mind that we do co-habit with a pack of Algonquin timber wolves, we do from time to time, find "left-overs" so we are not perhaps as squeamish as some about this.

Going to the Dogs

Today the Muskoka Agility Dogs were here, in the indoor arena. It worked out well for the group -- outside it was rainy and cold. Even the chickens gave today a 'wings down' and hung out in the stable most of the day. Inside it was temperate, bright, busy, and barking.

Dogs of all sizes, shapes, breeds and experience were there, from the Northern Rescue Dog from north of Mattawa to the aristocratic Gordon Setter, the "all ears" Papillon, to the "all eyes" tiny beagle cross who never once took her attention off her handler.

Dog agility is growing in popularity -- and it's easy to see why. Dogs need to be socialized, well trained, and active, just to be happy and popular in general life. Agility hands them all of that, keeps them active in mind and body, and allows their people to interact with their dogs at a whole new level from sedately parading once around the block. The dogs work from voice and hand signals, and learn how to negotiate series of obstacles that include teeter-totters, A-frame climbing walls, tire jumps, regular jumps, straight and curved tunnels, and weave poles. In competition it gets fast and furious... in training, it's all fun and games, repetition and rewards.

When Lance wanted to stop on top of the A-frame and survey the scene, or when Bandit the Tunnel specialist decided to put on a cheeky demonstration of how quickly he could avoid the tunnel today, nobody minded at all. When dogs of handlers 'got it tangled', they quietly went back and repeated the exercise, made it simpler, made it slower, sorted it out, and then stepped it up again.

The MAD plan to be here once a month this winter, allowing the enthusiasts the chance to keep their dogs working on the equipment. For some, it will be stepping stone to competition -- both Club Matches, Fun Matches and more serious high level competitions. For others, it's just for the fun of working with their dogs. For the dogs, it's all about the game.

The horses can relate to that!

Once a Year, the Country goes to the City

That, of course, is the tag-line for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Truly, the country comes pouring into the city -- and from the reaction of the crowds, it really needs to happen more often. Of course, that can be easily remedied, by taking the city OUT to the country...

And take note that it's the country that arrives, not the wilderness... so be sure to get the family up to this part of the world, out into the provincial parks such as Algonquin, so they know more about their world than just concrete and video feed.

The cows are one of my favourite parts of this wonderful exhibition. This lovely lady will have a tiny calf at foot before she goes home from the show...

The horse show is always exciting, and you can do all your Christmas shopping in the trade stalls, but be sure to get out to the rest of the Royal, to see the chickens, rabbits, ducks, sheep, goats, cows... to listen to some of the auctioneers in action, to meander through the displays of vegetables, and farm equipment, say 'thanks' to a farmer, sample the foods of the world, and just be happy that we have this magnificent diverse "country" that can pack up and visit the City each November!

Getting to Know You...

Tuesday, Brian and I were at Deerhurst Resort, meeting with the travel counsellors for Ontario Travel and Tourism, the good folks that greet people at the tourism centres throughout the province.

OTIC (Ontario Travel Information Centres) was well represented, along with OTMPC (Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation) and the Ontario Accommodation Association.

We had the chance to introduce them to Bondi -- what we are, who we are, where we are. Some were old friends, who have visited us on Fam Tours to familiarize them with area properties. Some were new friends. There were a lot of Ontario Attractions there as well, including the CN Tower, Niagara, Science Centre and the R.S. McLaughlin historic home, Parkwood. Other resorts were there with us, and it was good to interact with them, as well as with the travel professionals.

Ontario truly does have plenty for everyone, and we're proud to be part of that!

And there really is No Place Like This!