The Lakehouse at Sypher Cove, N.B.

Despite all the R&R during our stay at Grand Lake, Pat and I were actually pretty occupied most days with the construction of our retirement home at Sypher Cove. First there was the actual address to determine through the Minto Post Office, then two lots had to be consolidated into one before the plot plan could proceed and before any building could begin. We met may times with our builder, Dwight, who lives in Douglas Harbour and who came highly recommended to us. We liked his work and visited other projects he has done in the past. We came to an agreement and work began around Labour Day weekend with clearing of the lot followed by the surveyors who pinned the many corners. We spent many days in and out of Fredericton with the various sub-contractors in order to settle on windows, doors, flooring, paint colours, roof style, lights, fireplace insert, kitchen design, etc. The house is slated to be completed on April 30th, 2010 in order for us to move our worldly goods out of three storage areas and into the house! This gives us over three full months to fine-tune any aspects which need work prior to Steph and Lou's wedding next August! There will be lots of bedrooms now that we have a walk-out basement, so please drop by for a visit sometime!

The lot overlooking Grand Lake prior to clearing















The driveway ending on what will be the two-car garage and family suite















The Big Dig begins















The footings go in















In his spare time, Pat cut a wood pile and cleaned up the pines in front of the house















The walk-out basement walls are complete















View from the corner of our Master Bedroom towards the Lake















The garage















The muddy road after October's rains















The basement floor is finally poured
















Completing the walk-out basement in early November















Stay tuned for more in a soon-to-come new blog!

A New Brunswick Summer August-October 2009

We left Barcelona on July 30th on one of the nicest Delta Airlines flights we've been on in years, flying direct to Atlanta then on to New Orleans. We spent a week with Steph and Lou for all the important things like a visit to our favourite dentist and hygienist, my favourite hairdresser, Robert, a successful fishing trip out into the Gulf (Pat and Steph), beignets at Cafe du Monde with a friend from St. Cat's Guild at Church and a great dinner at Bayona! Pat found out he had to apply for his work visa in Spain at the Consulate in NOLA so set up an appointment for the end of August, which gave him time to gather all the paperwork and photos together. On August 7th, we set off in the 4Runner for New Brunswick. Four long days and 2100 miles later we arrived at the Calais-St. Stephen border and proceeded to import our worldly wealth back into Canada. This took two tries as we forgot all about our storage items in Houston since 2005! We decided it's not so easy coming home...

Finally we arrived at Grand Lake and made our home in sister Denise's cottage for the next two months. We were lucky with the weather for almost the whole time we were there. It got quite hot and humid for several days and we were glad of the fans! There was boating in Peter's Baja, swimming, playing ball with Anna off the dock, sharing of meals and stories every day. We saw Erika, Uncle Donnie and Aunt Monica, Jen and Ben and all the Colter clan. There was lobster, salmon, bonfires on the beach, a birthday bash for three of us on August 15th then a 60th party for Peter the following weekend. Then there were bears on Labour Day weekend at Serge's camp next door-a Mama bear and her two cubs! They were spotted on several occasions after that!

Denise and Brian's little cottage where we spent the summer facing the Back Lake















The view from the front steps of the Back Lake















Grand Lake as seen from Peter and Georgie's beach















Triple birthday celebration on August 15th: Kathie, Serge and Georgie at Elaine's camp















A boat trip to Gagetown for dinner on the patio at The Boot Pub















The best homemade ice cream sandwiches ever!















Ben and Jen arrived in time to party with Uncle Peter on August 22nd















Pat's famous sushi platter for Ashley's birthday at Morgan Lake















Saturday morning at the Boyce Farmer's Market, downtown Fredericton-memories of years gone by!













































Highlights from Grand Lake walking from our lots in The Pines back to The Strip (3 miles)















A view of Sypher Cove in the distance





























The strip with Grand Lake on the left and Back Lake on the right-there are some 75 cottages, camps and trailers in this two-mile "strip"!















A quiet place for the neighbours to watch the sun set on the Back Lake




















The Back Lake as Fall approaches and everyone is gone home















Thanksgiving Sunday-my last day at the cottage















Fall fog rolls onto the Back Lake as the days get cooler
















Pat left for his new job in Spain with Coty Perfumes on October 9th. I spent Thanksgiving Day in Rothesay, N.B. with the Shermans then moved into the O'Connor's house in Fredericton for another few days in order to tie up loose ends with the Sypher Cove house building and the plans for Steph and Lou's wedding next August 21st. I left for Montreal and New Orleans for one last visit with the girls on October 16th then joined Pat in Granollers, Spain on October 29th. A new blog, Bourques in Barcelona will soon follow...keep tuned!

Jumpa lagi...

Homeward Bound via Barcelona July 24-30, 2009

Pat and I left Kuantan and Kuala Lumpur on July 23rd, arriving in Barcelona via Amsterdam the following morning. It was a sunny and dry 26C or so, which was the highlight of our week-long visit. NO humidity and NO rain! We stayed at the modern and centrally-located AC Diplomatic Hotel on Pau Claris. As breakfast was not included in our room rate, we checked out the best neighbourhood cafes for our "cafe amb liet y pasta" (cafe au lait and pastry), and determined that the best place around was across from the hotel! The waiters there got to know us! We spent most days wandering around, checking out the city's beautiful landmarks and incredible architecture, exploring the Metro and enjoying tapas for dinner! One day we rented a car and drove along the coastal area up into the mountains, wondering where we will hang our hat next?

Downtown Barcelona-typical wide boulevard with impressive buildings

































Placa de Catalunya, main square in the city















Pat at entrance to the Placa de Catalunya




















A typical summer street scene















The colourful and lively downtown market, La Boqueria















Olives, anyone?















How about seafood?















Anton Gaudi's La Pedrera (Casa Mila) on Passeig de Gracia, restored in 1996 with one apartment refurbished to its early 20th Century style.




















The spectacular rooftop where summer jazz and flamenco concerts are held















A sign in the official language of the area, Catalan, more like ancient French than modern Spanish!















La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's incomplete masterpiece, begun in 1882 and still under construction today. Four towers reach 100 m. Estimated date of completion is 2026, funded entirely by visitors and private donations.




















The Passion Facade, the work of Josep M. Subirachs, a Catalan sculptor, begun in 1952.















Inside the basic design of a Gothic Church with transepts, aisles and a central nave, a work in progress.















A view of the Nativity Facade on the Carrer Marina





















A Catalan coffee menu-as extensive as Starbuck's!




















The port of Barcelona as seen from the hill at Montjuic















View over the city from Montjuic with La Sagrada Familia rising in the background















Gardens at the castle at Montjuic




















Olympic Stadium used in the 1992 Games