Opening the Cottage and a Side Trip to Marks Point Park

May 31, 2026

Last week, our daughter, Andrea offered to drive with me to the cottage to open it up for the season. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.

We left Sunday morning and arrived at the ferry dock about an hour early. It was a beautiful day. The new ferry wasn’t up and running yet but it was the last day for the Sandy Graham. Starting today a barge is taking its place until the new boat passes inspection.

When we arrived at the cottage we went to see our neighbours and shared some tea before the work began. We heard stories about how bad the mouse infestation was for some of our other neighbours. Fingers crossed, we opened the cottage to find only one dead mouse and minimal evidence that mice had even been there. We wiped down all the counters, swept the floors, put the deck furniture back outside, unpacked all the cushions, set up the BBQ and racked the leaves off the pathways and the deck.

Not wanting to return on the barge the next day we decided to take the old ferry back to the mainland that evening and have dinner at Andrea’s cottage which was only 10 minutes away. Seeing we weren’t rushed for time we decided to explore a road that we don’t normally take. We took it as far as it went and ended up at a very small park called Marks Point. We parked the car and walked towards the water.

There wasn’t much to see so after 10 minutes we got back into the car and drove to Andrea’s cottage. The lot next to her place had recently sold and the new owners had cleared out quite a few trees. Hopefully that is all that they’re planning to take out. It certainly changes Andrea’s and Josie’s view but there is more sun on their deck.

What Londoners Do on a Sunny Saturday

….in Stoke Newington

Line up for ice-cream
Go for a Family Bike Ride
Head for the Park
Go for a Walk
Enjoy the Sun from a Bench
Have a Hen Party in the Park
Check out the Weekend Fun Fair
Enjoying a Slice of Pizza for Lunch
Sitting by the River
Enjoying a Drink Outside the Pub

A Visit to St. Dunstan in the East

in the heart of financial centre in the city of London

If you didn’t know about St. Dunstan you would probably never see it because it is surrounded by high rise buildings.

It was first built by St. Dunstan in 950 AD and rebuilt by Sir Christpher Wren after the Great Fire in 1697. During the blitz in World War II much of the church was destroyed but in the 60s gardens were created for the public to enjoy.

Spring is Officially Here

despite snow flurries

In the UK, Europe and many parts of the U.S. the tulips and daffodils are in full bloom. Here however, we are just starting to see these flowers breaking through the ground and the buds of future blossoms are just starting to appear on the shrubs and trees.