Girl Guides 100th Birthday Rally Day

On Saturday, I went to the 100th Anniversary Celebration for Girl Guides of Canada. It was an all day celebration at Ontario Place. There were approximately 11,000 girls and women attending. The Molson Amphitheatre was packed. But to start at the beginning, Detta and I woke very early and Hugh drove us to meet the bus for 7:20am. It was a bit disorganized as no one knew what bus they were supposed to be on. Luckily we happened to be dropped off right where our bus was sitting. I had a cooler full of drinks and snacks and Detta and I certainly didn't want to be lugging that around. The drinks and snacks were for the journey home.

Well off we went about 25 minutes late but the organizers had staggered the arrival of buses so it was no a problem. After receiving our welcome package we all got our tickets and wrist bands. Since we were early we walked over to the Cinesphere where we were supposed to see a short movie on Girl Guides. I guess they were not quite ready for us since we saw 'North of Superior'. I probably saw this myself when I was little since it was made in 1971.

After we left there we made our way to the Amphitheatre for the opening ceremonies. We had to wait quite some time as some buses were late due to the Gardener being closed. The opening went well and once it was finished, we made our way to our first station. The whole process of moving from station to station was interesting to say the least. There were so many people there, that at times it was difficult to move especially with 23 people and one wheelchair. Some of the girls didn't want to take part in the events and only wanted to go on the rides. We should have just let them go about on their own or broken into smaller groups. It was a long day.

By the time the closing started it was getting much cooler. I wish I had had mittens with me. They called the buses numbers out so getting out of the Amphitheatre was much quicker than in the morning. We were back to the pickup site by about 7:30pm. I was exhausted and my feet were killing me.

Lavenders

Well I had to finally get those lavenders I bought planted. They only cost $1.00 each. In fact, Hugh had to pop out to the grocery store so I had him buy 6 more. So in total, my front bed has 15 lavender plants in it. They are all French Lavender but 3 different varieties: Mulberry Ruffles, BoysenBerry Ruffles and Blueberry Ruffles. They look very nice. I just hope they all last being planted so late in the year. When I saw the lavenders on sale, it reminded me of when I was in England and Detta and I were visiting Ham House. The lavender gardens there were beautiful.

Well I haven't heard about the Environment Canada job. But I have an interview with Clarington Public Library. This position is only a part-time 16 hours a week but with 20 hours at Seneca, it may just be perfect.

Anne arrives home tomorrow. She has been in Italy for the past 2 weeks, touring around with a bunch of her girlfriends. Sounds like they had lots of fun. Kath and her husband are in New Zealand until December. They seem to have been having lots of rain and 2 tsunami warnings but then it is spring. Check out her blog - Kath's Blog.

I am off this weekend to camp with the Pathfinders. We are sleeping indoors, thank goodness. I am supposed to have set up some games, but this past two weeks have been crazy and I am not going to get around to it. I haven't even started to pack, well I guess that's what I am going to head off and do now. I still have to finish painting Detta's room. Just the last coat of the orange but that may have to wait till next week, I am running out of time.

Stonehenge

Detta and I had a great day out. We did a day trip with Anderson Tours, it was the' Stonehenge Private Viewing Late Evening'. We went through Victoria station, I though we might have time to go and see Buckingham Palace, but it was cutting it too close to have lunch. I made Detta stop at the Girl Guide shop and we bought a few pins.

We left London at 1:30pm and went to Avebury. We had a great tour guide, he really knew his stuff. I had 1/2 a pint of Old Speckled Hen, it was lovely.


We then went to West Kennet Long Barrow which is one of the largest Neolithic burial bombs in Britain. Detta of course left her imprint, at least it is in chalk (from the barrow). It was incredibly windy and on the opposite field, there was some crop circles with yin-yang symbols.


We stopped for some dinner which had to be really quick. So Detta and I opted for fish and chips, they were very good. We arrived at Stonehenge about 7:00pm which is when it closes. After everyone finished their food we headed up to the stones. It was very exciting. The tour guide had lots of information to tell us. He told us about the ley lines so I had a go with the rods and it worked. I was very surprised.


The weather was on and off raining all day, torrential down pour in fact. We seemed to miss most of the down pours and the sun came out for us during our walk around Stonehenge. This was one thing I have always wanted to do so I couldn't miss the opportunity of visiting Stonehenge. I think Detta enjoyed herself also. Just before we left it started to down pour!!! We had a good time, and there were a lot of nice people on the trip.

Baby Blanket and Pathfinders

Yes, I am still working on the baby blanket. I had to work today and then there was Pathfinders this evening. I can't believe it is almost 8:30 and it is still light out. We went for a walk with the Pathfinders from Rotary Park to Harwood. It was really nice to walk along the lake. But coming back the bugs!!! There were swarms of those tiny little midges(?!) which were getting in hair, mouths and eyes. I need to do this every night.

I must get the kit list from Detta. We are going camping this weekend with the Pathfinders. She was given it last week (I wasn't feeling well and didn't go) and I still have not received it! We aren't actually camping in tents, much to Detta's relief. I would prefer tents but I do like somewhere dry to sit. The past two years when I went camping (in tents) with the Girl Guides, it rained the entire weekend. Last year we all go soaked, very unpleasant. And an experienced Guide leader like myself had all her clothes soaked!