Summer Weekends

DJ & Oona playing on the bars at Murray Corner

The taste of salt on my lips; Beach hair; tan lines; sun-kissed cheeks & freckles; red sand; tides; playing on sandbars; humming birds; collecting beach glass; boys out kayaking; bonfires; sunsets over the water; no traffic noise, just the sound of the waves lapping against the shore as I sit on the deck in the early morning . . . Ahh, Summer weekends at The Cottage.

At Cousin Christina's cottage  

No, we still don't have a cottage of our own but we have been really lucky this year to have had 2 such weekends; both on the Northumberland Shore. Most recently with The Greens who have a cottage which is about the size of our old house in Prospect, situated on PEI, right across from Toney River where the Archibalds are hanging out. The previous cottage weekend was on the NB Shore at Murray Corner with Cousin Christina and her hubby DJ, a little more rustic but that's what I think of when I think of cottage life!

Each weekend was different to the other, both involved early afternoon drinks on the beach but we only managed one bonfire. Red sand on both sides but the view was the reverse to the other and we could only see the bridge from one side. Kids on both occasions, girl at one, boy at the other. DJ is equally comfortable with both sexes but may have more impressed with Spencer's range of toys than Oona's! 

And they don't charge you money to leave NB!

NB: quote of the weekend "My husband *is* a good man"! As said by Christina as she & I sat on the front deck, sipping a cold one and watching Darryll as he entertained the kids on the sandbars. yes, he is C! 

DJ Berger - world's best husband/father!

Highlights included DJ & Oona trying to sleep in the same room and a magnificent sunrise. The kids just wouldn't let each other settle down and sleep so we had to split them up. Hence I ended up on the comfy futon and had a fantastic view of the sunrise over the water without even getting out of bed. 

Looking from the Island back toward Murray Corner

PEI: Quote of the weekend "Take a load off, you're on vacation." (Todd)

PEI highlights: Irish Cobblers potatoes - never heard of them before but they were so good that we picked up a bag from one of the roadside kiosks to bring home. Jonathan was surprised that they operate the honesty system over here. As I said to him, it's not Dublin! Also, the view from the Green's cottage, the peace & quiet, the 5k run Terri & I did on Sunday morning after a skinful the night before. And watching the kids play for hours on the bars. 

DJ & Spencer building, wrecking, rebuilding

DJ had a great item on both occasions, hanging out with Oona in NB and his buddy Spencer on PEI. What a treat is was to watch the kids playing with their imaginations, chasing hermit crabs, building sand castles, sitting in the water and/or on the bars, just playing, without a care in the world. Until they realise that they are hungry or thirsty and come looking for snacks.

My memories of Cottage life involve lobster, dressing up, board games, birthday parties and wondering how to play cribbage. That was the 80s and we hung out with Cousins Deb, Catherine & Christina. We were young and carefree (except for the annual lobster allergy check) and now we are the parents of a new generation who have TVs and iPads at the cottage and while they may never play cribbage they still enjoy many of the same things I did when I was young and will have stories to tell their kids when they grow up.

Out for a stroll - I can't remember if it was cold or just if hoodies were the fashion! 

Technology may have moved many things forward and the sea has eroded many feet of people's yards but it is comforting to know that kids can still be carefree and have alot of fun with sea and sand and that bunk beds are still awesome, especially if you get to sleep on the top one!

DJ on P*D*I (as he liked to call it) 

But no jellyfish this year, two years running I believe. Not sure why or where the jellies are, maybe Mother Nature knows.