The End of an Era; or ....Turning Over a New Leaf

The Land (part 2)

 If Mary Ann looks pensive and perhaps a little sad, you're right, she is.  In August 2008 I visited this wonderful piece of property along the Saugeen River near Paisley that Mary Ann and her husband had purchased in 1993.  I did a short blog on it then and it is due some attention again.  Like pioneers the couple worked on their precious weekends and holidays to clear and cut paths, build an outhouse and upgrade the barn/cabin and make the property a peaceful retreat.  Now it is sold and a new era has begun. 

 This September Mary Ann and I met in Paisley and I had my last walk about on the trails they had worked so hard to maintain.  Picking up our sacks to collect apples, we headed out on a gorgeous day for a walk.  We stopped frequently to survey the views of the river and the surrounding farm land. We weren't really collecting apples; we were saying goodbye.   

Up on the bluff above the river you can see for miles.  Part of the 97 acres is rented by a farmer but Mary Ann and Ken have planted trees and nurtured the area surrounding their "barn" and down to the river as a natural retreat.

   Mary Ann is used to gathering wood along the way to feed the bonfire she hoped to have that night.  She thought she might not even use this piece since there was wood piled up already but old habits die hard.  

Here's where Ken had been marking trees where beavers have been working to take them down to their dam.  Surprisingly, to me, the dam was nowhere in sight but a few miles down the river.  Industrious!  Much like Ken and Mary Ann who poured so much of themselves into this property over the years.  

 Who says a couple of old ladies can't load bicycles into a car?  It was a bit of a squeeze but we did it! 

 From the balcony/deck of the barn the views are lovely.  

 You had to climb steep steps to get to the living area which has a couple of bedrooms, and a cozy and comfortable atmosphere despite having to lug water up stairs.  Hard work and love are evident since this is off the grid! 

Ah!  Here they are!  My favourite pink wine glasses.  

We returned to the best seat in the house to have a celebratory toast to the end of this era. The new owners are planning to keep the land as a natural retreat as well.  But new adventures are on the horizon for the old owners.  A new home to be made their own and more time to travel.  New leaves to be overturned!