Sunday, May 31, 2009

This morning, May 31, we woke up to cool temps, and then it snowed.

We nor the plants were impressed, then the power went out for 2 hours.

For the briefest of moments we thought we were living in Calgary, the land of 4 season days.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

The next bunch of photos, today and the next few days, were taken in Habana, Cuba, pretty much off the beaten path and the tourist district. Out here is where the real Habanans live.

This mural at the "V" of the start of a street is a sinister face.

If there are now windows or doors, just paint 'em on the building.


Cinco Heroes - Cinco Voces. Not sure who the five are, but it looks like a mural depicting gymnastic sports.

Friday, May 29, 2009

I took this shot of the College Education Center, Nipissing University and Canadore College, as we were on our approach to land.

The grey house in the middle with the "L" shaped dock belongs to the Butcher and his lovely wife Karen.

The Ice Marshal's boat and dock are in plain view, and so is the spot for the "future" house.

I took this shot of the Manitou Islands on Lake Nipissing as our flight home from Cuba neared the airport.

This is another photo taken as we returned to North Bay from Cuba. This is the North Bay waterfront on Lake Nipissing.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Here's an overview of North Bay and Trout Lake in the distance to the east as we headed back to the airport to land.

This is another overhead shot of "the compound".

This is an original cottage and boat house, very little visible new upgrades. The underwater structures are really clear from the air.

McCoy's Tavern, the former Portage Hotel, is shown here with a recently departed boat from its dock cruising out of One Mile Bay.

This a look towards the east as Trout Lake drains into the Mattawa River System, including Turtle Lake, Lake Talon and then the Mattawa and its little lakes along the way to the town of Mattawa and the Ottawa River.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Yesterday evening, the Butcher took me for an aerial spin over Trout Lake. He handles the "stick" with way more control than he does on the ice.
Looking eastward over Trout Lake.

Looking westward over the lake.

The Aardvark Ranch and detox center.

This is an overhead view of our house looking northward. Marsha is standing on the deck at the railing to the side of the chimney.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Today we look at some of the modes of transportation in Cuba.

Trucks are used as taxis and buses.



On highways, there are many folks hitchhiking. They are often picked up by truck drivers.

Monday, May 25, 2009

I finally enclosed the wood shed. I started last fall and did all the sides except the front. Over the past couple of days I made the doors and finished the front side.

Here's a "before" photo of the garden shed, just after it was built, and the wood shed on the right - huge difference.

Sunday, May 24, 2009


These two photos are of the bar Hemingway used to frequent in downtown Habana. It was pretty jammed inside, so we just cruised on by.

This is the mango tree in our hosts back yard. It will be a month or two before they are ripe.

Another "classic" old car at the pumps. It probably has an old Lada engine or diesel engine under the hood by now.

Sports fields are great place for propaganda murals on the surrounding walls and fences.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Cristal - our beverage of choice while in Cuba.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Here we are driving along the coast from Habana to Varadero.

Alternate mode of transportation.

This electricity generating plant on the coast uses the gulf water to cool its turbines.


Che still lives on in Cuba.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

As always, vehicles break down, and probably none quicker than cars older that 50 years old in Cuba; although, I'm pretty sure the Cubans are pretty good at keeping the old "bombs" on the road as there are a lot of them out there. This one was getting major work right at an intersection of a main street in Habana on the waterfront.

The cars may be ancient antiques, but the stereo systems in some of them are relatively new.

Very nice condition old Buick.

As Fred Eaglesmith sang, "It's a Pontiac!"

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I'm taking a break from Cuba today, and showing you the damage caused by high winds and waves last week on the Calander docks. The docks were built before WWII, so they have seen a lot of damaging winds and waves in their time. Estimates to make repairs are ridiculous - millions!!




This island once had a lighthouse until the winds blew it down. The moored houseboat now looks like it's in trouble, too.