Tuesday 22nd February 2011….at last caught him in the act!!!!!

The casa here is located on a very quiet cul-de-sac and two blocks from the lake

and the rail road track is before the lake so about 100 yards away!!

It is a single line track and used for transporting goods..the trains pass by both ways about 15 a day and sometimes early in the morning or late at night.  One of the drivers I have named Pedro and he suffers from a strange disease called ”sounding the bell so loud syndrome”…he leans on that horn and it is so loud and then it sets the dogs off barking   BUT  by now I am used to it and I just laugh when I hear him and say…”There goes Pedro”.

Today I caught him in the act……

These was about 20 men on different cars…

I cannot pass up a train photo without thinking of my Dad and his Dad…both made a living and worked on the railways my Dad started his career there as a fireman before moving into the insurance business but my Grand Dad was a guard on the railways and spent his whole career there….

This morning after two hours of energetic tennis I went down town and used some of the tips I learned yesterday…

You may not want to hear this but I had an afternoon of sunbathing, reading, sleeping and eating…..

Then worked on Ramona and BBQ”d a nice steak….. now hockey, tea and cookies…..

Good luck with your tests tomorrow Guy!!

Monday 21st February 2011…at last an easy going day!!!

Woke up again to beautiful hot and sunn……ooppps   I have strict instructions and even orders not to mention the weather here in SMA….

I saw a notice on the local advertising list about a free photo workshop being held at one of the newer developments about 8 miles outside of town and I decided to go and boy was I glad I did.  The presenter, Tim Poly, was a wonderful speaker and the course very useful..what I liked best was that he had no notes and never once spoke about F stops, shutter speeds and pixels…he talked about photography as a passion, a way to communicate..his advice keep it simple, get closer and have fun!!!!

He talked about lines, depth and borders and keeping things off centre…it really was time well spent.  We then went outside for 45 minutes and put our new instructions to use here are a few of my shots…

It really was a worthwhile workshop….

Came home and of course went outside for the usual…

Now a quiet evening at home….

Best wishes to Linda and Guy!!!

Sunday 20th February 2011….Sunday musings!!!

Woke up to a brilliant warm and sunny day and was playing tennis at 10am for two hours.  Went into town and bought some fresh vegetables and came back to the casa and just had to go outside and read and sunbathe and sleep…..then it was time to cook my dinner and have it ready for later in the evening.

At 5pm I went to Casa Hogar as the girls were entertained for a short while by my friend Rae…..when I got there the girls were engrossed in a movie..

Rae was going to tell a fable about animals in Africa and here he is setting the stage…

Paola was taking video..

Rae and the young lady he brought with him to translate were awesome and the girls were loving this..

It was a lovely time and the girls enjoyed something different…so kind of Rae to come and perform especially when he has to under go surgery tomorrow……

I came home in time to watch a live hockey game from Calgary

but with a difference this was a rare outdoor game with over 40,000 fans freezing in the stands!!!

Time for that delicious dinner..

Looks pretty good and all fresh!!!

The owners of the house Linda and Guy were due to be coming home in the next few days but sad to say Guy has taken sick and is in the hospital in Tucson…I want to wish him a speedy recovery and Linda I hope you take care of yourself……I have told them I will stay here till they return…best wishes to them!!

Saturday 19th February 2011…a step back in time!!

Boring I know but I started my morning watching live soccer…yeah i know you read this every Saturday…..

Today was my little outing about 15 miles out of town to

This site just opened last week and I have asked around but so far no explanation about the name Canada…

The site was extremely well organised you turn off the main highway into a parking lot pay 30 pesos for a ticket and then you are taken on a mini bus about 7km along this road

then you are dropped off and have to walk about 1 km to the site entrance…this is the welcome committee..

Our guide, Natalie, explains the features of the site.  It is not as majestic as the bigger pyramids further south but still pretty impressive and so close to town.  Also Natalie made sure that we stayed together as a group and we were not allowed to wonder off on our own.  Sit back and enjoy this step back in time…

 

 

The view looking back towards the lake and town and the house!!!

It was a very good morning and I was impressed with every aspect of the tour and the site!!!

Back into town and you just don’t know what will happen around the next corner!!

I could tell you at this point of the day I did my usual 2 hour sunbathe but it would not be true……all I am saying is I spent two hours figuring out how to get back into the house after I left without the front door key……phone calls…. taxi rides…. and eventually located the spare key,,,,enough said!!!

Tonight not one but two live hockey games…..the first game here in Toronto

It is Armed Forces Appreciation night and those incredible fans…450 season ticket holders donate their seats to members of the Forces as a thank you….gotta love em!!!!!!!!

Friday 18th February 2011…a bit of a working day!!

I want to wish my special friend Karen a very Happy Birthday today!!!

I spent this morning starting to get Ramona ready moving things in and cleaning.

It was so warm and lovely again I just had spend some time sun bathing and reading then at 3pm went to Casa Hogar to get my girls.  The little girls were having their lunch

Look at their eyes…all are happy, the little one on the left is such a beauty!!!

Paola and Daniela were waiting for me and we went to the restaurant where they let us ride bikes.

Paola is gone like a flash and Daniela is just about ready to ride on her own…

They like to go to the stables and check out the horses..

Gave them a choice for an early supper but guess what they wanted to do?  Come to the house have cup of noodles and watch TV….so we did!!

These two young ladies never cease to amaze me after they ate I started to clean up and the told me no…they took the dishes to the sink and they both washed and cleaned their own dishes…amazing!!!

They had about 45 minutes before I had to take them to their English classes so they watched TV but it was just too much for Paola…

Dropped them off at their class and they both hugged and thanked me…what gems they are!!!!

Tonight is a TV night and a big outing planned for tomorrow…stay tuned!!