Six+ months at Bayfield Mews

Boating season is underway

Now that we've been in our new digs for over 6 months, I thought I'd do an update on how things are going. Overall just great!

This has been a major change for us, moving from a rural property of almost 5 acres,  secluded enough we only had window coverings for sunshade reasons, to a densely populated 55-unit development. While we still miss our old surroundings, we enjoy the benefits of being closer to things we regularly need, like groceries and socialization. Our only major disappointment has been the current restrictions on travel, since travel freedom was one the the attractions for the move. 

Our new house is solidly built, with no structural problems or leaks etc to date. We've been through some significant wind and rain storms and all is good. There is no basement, so the floor coverings (about half tile and half vinyl flooring) are right on the concrete, very solid. The floors are usually cool in the summer and, thanks to full in-floor heating, warm in winter. 

We both do miss our old place sometimes. It was great having all that elbow room, with gardening for Cathie and yard toys for me.  We're also both still convinced it was a timely move for us though.

June and summer came at last.

Patio plantings began to grow

Lake Huron views from Pioneer Park were lovely:

This kingfisher on the birdhouse didn't look real. It likes to hunt in the Mews pond, usually when the fountain isn't running:

The eaglets we have followed this year were growing and flying, but still living at the nest in July:

The marina near the mouth of the Bayfield River started to get busier:

We needed some morning shade on our patio, so added an umbrella and a small table:

On a day trip north along the Lake Huron shores, we had a good view of Chantry Island near Southampton. The Island is a bird sanctuary, with tours run from the Southampton docks:

As Canada Day drew near, decorations appeared:

JULY

We had some discreet Canada Day celebrations at the Mews:

Strawberry social

Fireworks in the common area:

Cathie's 1-pot tomato garden grew well. Unfortunately the tomatoes didn't taste nearly as good as they looked when ripe:

A new pedestrian bridge was added across a drainage ditch. This community project will make it easier to access the woodsy trail nearby:

That's our van parked in the background

 

The main Bayfield beach is not too large to begin with, but the sand was stripped away by winter and spring weather and high water levels this year. It's being repaired now:

It didn't stop people from enjoying the shore and the lake waters though:

The marina boat slips quickly filled up