May 14, 2025
On May 14th the group had a pleasant stroll through Rattray Marsh, enjoying the glorious signs of spring. We stopped frequently to admire the abundance of trillium, marsh marigolds, forsythia and some blood root just peeking through. Some were so enthusiastic in their botanical observations that they wandered off on their own. We managed to track them down with the help of some bemused bird watchers ("If you're looking for the rest of your group, they went that way"). At the end of our walk, most then moved over to the Pump and Patio for a hearty lunch.
May 1, 2025
Well, our May 1st walk was quite the adventure. We headed out from Erindale Park along the Culham Trail, blithely ignoring fencing and gates on the path.. This was until we got further along and realized , in fact, the trail was a work zone. Tractors and bulldozers were transporting and laying screening and grit to repair the trail after the spring flooding damage. However, they workers would kindly stop to allow us to pass. As one worker said, "Well you're not supposed to be here, but you seem to be having a lot of fun, so go ahead". He did warn us that the bridges across the streams feeding into the Credit were not safe but suggested we could find spots to ford the stream. So, we kept going. Some (perhaps wisely?) decided that it was time to wander back to the parking lot, but the more intrepid forged ahead. Sure enough, we came to a barricaded bridge, but undeterred headed onto a side trail which seemed to offer some promise. We came to a spot where the stream was shallower, and rocks and tree stumps seemed to offer a ford to cross. With trepidation, encouragement and a lot of helping hands the group navigated the crossing and pressed on , frankly at this point with no idea where they were heading. A few hundred meters after navigating a narrowing path we burst out onto a street. This was possibly Burnbrae Drive in the Credit Woodlands but we didn't tarry to find out as the clouds were threatening. And as we retraced our steps, they delivered on their promise. Although somewhat sheltered by the tree cover, we were still, to use an old Scottish expression "drookit" by the time we got back to the parking lot. However, the cheery warmth of Keenan's Irish Pub (formerly the Pump and Patio) beckoned, so most adjourned there to dry out, enjoy the food and recount and embellish our adventure.
April 3, 2025
April 3rd; finally, a very pleasant day for a walk; the sun shone, the sky was blue, and the temperature comfortable. So, the twelve of us grouped ourselves in front of the giant Massey Ferguson tractor, still outfitted with its snow plough, for our photo before heading out. After the walk, the group headed to Swiss Chalet for lunch to solve the tariff crisis, but some just had to drown their sorrows in the free dessert.
