October 2008

Heading up the hill with the dogs in the lead.

We were delightfully surprised to have the temperature rise to 21 C (72 F) today. Not that the recent weather has been so cold, but this was especially warm for this time of year. We decided to enjoy it by going for a walk with Katrina and Cleo.

Heading back the dogs are feeling the heat. The farm is off the road to the right, in the distance, where you can see some buildings.

Of course they were thrilled with the idea despite the fact that they thought it very warm indeed.

Wet dogs inviting Tim to enjoy some spray.

On the way home they both went for a swim in a slough, which to them was just a perfect way to beat the heat.

Wet, happy dogs (Cleo, left; Katrina, right).

Whenever I walk, I collect petrified wood; I can’t seem to help myself. We found a few more rocks to add to our ever growing collection. Some day we’re going to embed it in concrete with either an exposed-aggregate type method, or else polish it to really show off the rocks.

More petrified wood for our collection.

Me leaning on the wind.

Today there was a wild wind howling. It was so strong, that up on the highway I could lean into it with my whole body and it would hold me up. It felt strange to be able to lean so far over; if the wind stopped I would certainly fall over, and if it got any stronger it might have caught me up and away.

Tim clearing the fenceline.

The yard here is very sheltered, but only because the trees take the brunt of the assult and protect it. As usual, some of them succomb to the wind’s power.

So many limbs tore the fence right off the posts and brought it to the ground.

We checked the fenceline several times and discovered a number of fallen trees. About a 30 foot section of fence was brought right to the ground by the many fallen limbs. Again we were fortunate to have discovered the holes before the animals did.

Tim cutting more fallen trees so we can fix the fence.

Tim cut up the logs and we repaired the fence, but it has been hit so many times along this section that our efforts were more cosmetic than durable. We will have to replace this fence run next year.

Two spruce tree tops and a large poplar branch all brought down by the wind.

Still the wind blew and even dropped a few smaller branches as we were working on the fence. A couple big spruce tops blew down, too. The upside is that we now have plenty of firewood.