It"s been a long time since the snow out front has been piled up past the bottom of the window. But this year we are there. I had to shovel out the back and front doors this morning just to get into the place.

I got that six o'clock call from the cook saying that she couldn't come in today because of bad weather.   This is payday so it must have been really bad or she would have been here. I helped out at the Arlington last night and didn't get home until after midnight so I was a little groggy this morning. Good thing I wasn't enjoying frosty beverages last night or it wouldn't be a pretty sight this morning.

I could see that the groomer had gone over the Papineau way last night. I don't know any more than that about the grooming. I know a lot if other stuff but most of it is useless information or idle gossip.

Well I'd better get stared as not only is the cook off but so is the server so I'm the best anyone will be getting this morning. I can't imagine being run off my feet but you never know.

Kudos to my trusty snow  plough guy. He has been here every snowy morning by 6:30 to have the lot cleared and is doing a great job.  Thanks Darren.

Have a very Merry Christmas and safe travels over the next few days. Here's hoping that some of those miles are on a sled

Back in a few days
Cheers
Nancy

The snow continues to fall, the groomers continue to groom and the sledders continue to whine!!!  Will it ever stop?

Yes there are stones on the trail.  You do realize that you are out in the bush don't you?  If you don't like the stones showing through the snow stop and move them or wait until the end of January to go sledding.  Better still come up in the summer when the days are warmer and MOVE THEM ALL. It should keep you busy most of the summer. Sheesh people lighten up.

I have had the lot ploughed three days this week so that has added a substantial amount of snow to what we already had.

We have had sledders in everyday this week and I am hoping for a busy weekend. 

That's it for today and not because it's busy.  It is kind of spooky quiet.  But I have had my rant and have nothing more to say.

Back next week.
Cheers
Nancy

By this time next week it will almost be over.  Sigh!!!!!! Then on to some serious sledding.

The groomers have been out getting everything into shape.  It has been so cold and the trails so quiet that this week they are grooming during the day.

I've had two sledders in for breakfast the last two days.  They went to Harcourt yesterday and had a great ride.  Today they are heading over Papineau way.  They are very pleased with the trails so far.

I'm told that one jerk has been driving his truck on the trails even the groomed ones.  Some people are just stupid, ignorant boars.  Don't get me started.  If you pass this guy on the trail let the air out of his tires so he has to walk miles home and freeze his ass off!!!

No more news yet.  I hope that some of you can get an early ride in before the big day.

As always I'm closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and opening up at 10 am on Boxing Day.

I will be back later in the week.

Cheers
Nancy

It's still bloody cold and yet it still snows. I can't figure that out.

I had six sledders in yesterday. They had ridden over from Harcourt. Said that the Harcourt end was a bit bumpy but our end was good. The trail to Bancroft is open and groomed as is Whitney to Barry's  Bay.

More snow is expected later today.  A far amount I'm told

The new owners of the general store are keeping late hours, lots of gas and supplies. They will be selling Shell gas. Not a Shell station just Shell gas with diesel  to follow later.

Have a good weekend.

Cheers
Nancy

It's bloody cold. I had icicles on my eyebrows when I got home from my walk this morning.  -minus 27 does not feel as nice as +27.
The good news is the groomers were out today.  The better news is the sleds were out also.

Haven't had anyone in yet to check on the conditions. Did I mention that it is bloody freezing and snowing again.

To anonymous who wants the web cam and measure stick. If I promised that last year I was either humouring you or drunk or possibly both.

If you want a web cam then buy one, mount it and maintain it.  I am so sick of electronics screwing that I am about to resort to a crayon, paper and a rotary dial phone!!!  As for the measuring stick no problem.  No problem taking the pictures but if I hold the phone up to the computer screen will you see the pics because I'm no hell at trying to load them either. You may just have to take me at my word forever.  Have I let you down yet. I THINK NOT.

That's it for now. Frankly I think that I have outdone myself this week.

Hope you can get an early season ride in soon.

Back sooner than later :)
Cheers Nancy

The groomers went out today.  Don't know where they went or if it was just a test drive but grooming has commenced. Yea again!!!!!

IT'S STILL SNOWING!!!!!!!!  YEA

We've had our first slender in. Yea

It's beginning to look a lot like snowmobile season. We got our second big dump last night. I am having the driveway ploughed now. Even with our one day melt down we didn't loose our snow.

There were couple of riders out not last weekend  but the weekend before.  There were even a couple of crazies on Mink Lake and Lake St Peter. Now that is just too soon.  The lake had only been frozen over for about 10 minutes!!!  Those guys should all wear orange hunting jackets so that they will be easier to see in the spring time when they surface because no one should have to go look for them at this time of the year.

We are expecting snow each day for the rest of the year. So I will be back later in the week with an update. Our one mild day did help the lake. It melted everything and then froze up again right away before more snow came so earlier you could have skated on it.   It is nice and smooth no ruts, now the fresh snow shouldn't turn to slush.

Well I walk every day at 7:30. I'm such a sport. I just love it. (As if).  So I had better end and get in gear and get my woollies on.  It's more of a challenge walking when it's snowed and no one has been out on the road yet. But if I want to keep this svelte girlish figure of mine I had better move it. Ok stop laughing and get to work.

Back later.
Cheers
Nancy

Holy crap.  It's December already. 

Winter may not have officially arrived on the calendar but it has officially arrived at the diner.  The cook Stu has finally changed from shorts to long pants and I had to give up my sandals and put on shoes.  It was either that or try to find little snow plows for them and I didn't have any luck with the plows. 

But even more exciting is that we even got out first call about snow conditions today. 

The snow that came last week is still here the trails are well covered but not enough to do any riding.  If you had some acreage and  wanted to ride around a little that would be okay but there isn't enough to venture out. Things have been pretty quiet around the old diner these days.  With the cottagers gone and the locals all out of town shopping and stuff there isn't much action.

Trail permits are available at the diner and the general store. 

The general store has new owners now.  Really nice people with great ideas.  There will be lots of changes including longer hours and GAS all the time. Just imagine. They may even be putting in pumps that you can access 24 hours a day if need be.

The annual Santa Claus parade takes place on December 14 at 5:00 pm  preceded by a farmers market in the gym and other events at the old community centre.  If you are planning a weekend up north before Christmas you might consider that one.  It is always a great time.

I'm not sure what the weather is going to be like for the rest of the week.  I am getting conflicting reports from the old boys coffee club so we will just have to wait and see what mother nature brings for the rest of the week.

I will be back more often now as the winter gets closer.  The big guy just got a plow for his ATV so now he has something to play with all winter.  That should keep him happy and a better path for the staff to get around.

Get those Christmas chores  done so that you can head up north for a rest.

Back soon.
Cheers
Nancy

It's hard to believe that summer has come and gone.  Well gone for sure I'm not so sure about coming!!

I have been very remiss about blogging this summer but there just didn't seem to be much to yak about and I kind of lost my spunk.  Hopefully it will return soon.

It's not hard to tell that it is fall.  The trees seemed to have changed colour overnight.  They look beautiful.  If we don't get too much rain and wind they should hang on until Thanksgiving.  It is great walking weather and the view is awesome.

We have said goodbye to a number of summer people that had to close up early for one reason or another.  We have met a lot of new summer people as quite a few cottages changed hands this summer.

We have a huge turkey population trotting around the neighbourhood.  Some are not as good crossing the road as others so keep an eye open.

Since the passing of Sherman (the big white duck in the pond beside the diner) it's looked empty over there but not any more.  Bonna has purchased 6 or 8 more white ducks so there is more wildlife around.  Don't know how the geese feel about the new addition but I'm sure they'll get over it.

The music continues on Saturday nights until the beginning of November.  Drop in and join us if you are not busy.

We will be serving a Turkey dinner on both Saturday and Sunday night on Thanksgiving weekend.

Sadly there will not be a hunters supper in the community this year.  After many, many years of the successful fund raiser for the community centre there is no one that will run it this year.  Let's hope that this is just a blip for this year only.

Well that's all I can think of for now.   It's pretty quite around the neighbourhood this week.

Back later----much later!!!
Cheers
Nancy