Jul 18 - bats, minnows, crappie

First off, there seemed to be only one spot where bats still either entered or exited -- cannot tell which. I put some more cotton in that hole and will check it again this morning. The holes have to go a week or so without any action before I'd consider them unused.

I took the minnow traps out, one to the usual spot and the other two to a spot west on 522 about a mile. I picked them up later, getting a few minnows from each location. The new location is probably not one that I'll try again, since it has a fairly clear run to open water and I think that I saw a bigger fish in the water, which would chase any congregation of smaller fry away.

After dinner I went out after crappie again and brought back nine -- another meal. They seemed to be biting well, more so than the last time out but not exactly "non stop action".

Sandy went into town with the girls, showing them the sights (that didn't take long) and picking up a few things at the General Store. I went in later and picked up a Toronto Star for us and Bonnie, stopping at Bonnie's on the way home to drop it off. Jim has a heavy cold, which is great with his athsma, and of course Pauline is there with her three small ones. Pam arrives tomorrow and then the place will really be hopping !

Speaking of action on the lake, it has turned out to be a quiet weekend. Troups have already left; no action at Brooks; no Davies; Donnie didn't show up, contrary to rumour; what do you expect in the rain ?

I did something that I've been meaning to do for a long time -- built a small wooden box/crate whatever for the back of the 3-wheeler. You can buy things like this but of course mine cost me zilch.

What else ... oh, today's prediction of sun has changed to showers. It's supposed to be dry for the next three days and then rain into the weekend. That figures ... I'll get rained upon on the 600km ride next weekend. Speaking of that, it looks like it will be a select group -- remember the 400km ride with 4 riders ? Yup, looks the same. The makeup will be similar too -- Glen, Fred, me and one other. That is of course unless someone else decides to go in the meantime. I'm unsure at this point whether or not I'll sleep along the way. I've got emails into people to see what might work.

Today is a big TdF day so I'll do a few things this morning while keeping an eye on the race until the last 7 or so miles when the action really takes place on the mountain climb. I went through a lot of minnows yesterday so I might head out shortly and put a trap or two in the small pond that Bob Simms to which Bob Simms had cleared a path.

I did see Uncle Phil, Aunt Ruth, Christine/Morris, Paul/Denise and lots of kids at Mass yesterday. We chatted for a bit after Mass but it was raining ... of course.

Jeffrey has mostly set his travel, driving here with Emma leaving either Friday night or Saturday, arriving Saturday or Sunday morning. Sara couldn't get much time off and will be flying in on the 4th to Toronto. Flights are amazingly cheap -- $158 including tax for that one-way flight. I assume that he'll leave here Saturday evening for the trip back ... but am not 100% sure. He likes to drive at night with Emma because she sleeps almost the entire way. Sooner or later she'll have to get used to day-time travel ...

I think that Stef et al will be coming up on Saturday morning Aug 1st. Arlene will be here already, arriving on Friday; Philip will arrive Friday night; David, Kim and Meagan will already be in Ontario, not sure what plans they have in Toronto before coming up -- at the latest Saturday morning. Sheryl is coming the following weekend after Arlene leaves (nothing personal, just coincidence / availability of beds); Philip & Olivia (his Meagan couldn't get any time off) will only be here for the weekend, leaving on Monday morning. I know that this is all muddy, but that's the way it goes ! We're looking forward to the hubbub.

That's it ...