Sir Douglas aka Knight Gideon is 4!

The knights of the castle now have the assistance of canine in pursuit of any barbarians! One of the many gifts Knight Gideon received on his birthday.


Thomas, the Canucks and Playmobil rate high in the life and times of this Knight. He can practice enemy attacks with this Playmobil castle, canon and knights!






Lots of steam to get those four candles out (note Peter's assistance).

Opening the gift from his friend Manny.....Hot Wheels Motorcycle racers! The Lord and Lady of the Castle are fretting for the future, what with the recent new mode of transportation and a virtual child size one in hand!

Knights new mode of transportation!

The knights have been introduced to a new form of "horsepower"!

Knight Peter here smiling after a jaunt around the town on the Honda motorcycle owned by Tom the carpenter.

Knight Gideon patiently waited for his turn in the "saddle" and was all smiles at the end. Our friend, Simon started something last year....(yikes!).

Fun times with Opa and Oma

Knight Peter and Gideon watching the repair to the kitchen walls where the heater was removed in order to install cabinets. Opa is capable of many trades.

Oma and Peter displaying the painting he made.

An outing after two weeks of labour! Fall and winter in one day at 5600ft.!

One hour drive to have Oma & Gideon's taste buds satisfied. Oma seems to be taking on another a new habit!

Actually, that's a chocolate filled cookie from the closest Dutch Shop one hour away.

Another outing after a week of work....ferry across the lake....

Playing "peek-a-boo" with Knight Gideon.

Relaxing and enjoying the scenery......

Oma walked a mountain trail to see this beautiful Falls.

On the return home we entered a winter wonderland....sure makes Narnia come alive!

Peter's first snowball on October 6th!

One of the last days, Oma taught Knight Peter to do mending...always a necessary art in medieval times!

The second last day was not wasted as the Lady of the Manor followed Painter Opa around the castle painting the stucco. Next spring, the wood siding needs painting.... Alan...Henry...Bernice..how about an all inclusive holiday?

The last day we spent a the local museum, shopping for souveniers and enjoying a delicious meal together that the Lady of the Manor cooked (gave the chief cook a night off!). We enjoyed this time as can be seen....

Two men trying to finish off books before nodding off........

We are grateful for all that Opa and Oma did and meant to us during their "vacation" here. Thanks again!

Kitchen renovation!

Here is the kitchen before the renovation. Opening on left to diningroom.



Opening on right is from main hallway. Sink faces a wall and the dishwasher opens opposite the stove with no room to walk through!

This is the wall on the left side of the opening to the diningroom. That exterior door and window are removed and filled in to accommodate new kitchen. Through that window you see the covered porch (to be replaced next spring as it is rotting badly!)

Tom (our reno-carpenter) and Knights Peter and Gideon filling in the window and doorway openings.

The lady of the manor displays another talent -removal of countertop brackets from inside the cabinet!

Knight Peter and Knight Gideon being instructed by Tom in the ways of securing wood as the plumber looks on.

The lady of the manor delighted that her own, brand new refrigerator, which travelled all the way from Ontario, now resides in the castle's new kitchen.

The new kitchen!

This area previously was an open space for a table.

Now we can see the mountains from the working triangle in the kitchen!

This wall had the exterior door and window.

Ceramic flooring is next and demolition of the wall between the kitchen and dining room.

Knight Grandparents "Work Holiday!"

Day One (September 15) -arrival by bus from Calgary. Knights Peter and Gideon were big helpers.The manor as it looked before the hard working painter/labourer began his work.

After one day of rest, the work began -pruing six mature maple/pine trees... Knight Peter assists in gathering up the brush.
Next, spraying ceilings -livingroom, diningroom, hallway/foyer. Opa's motto -"always return things to where you found them, even in better condition -hence the cleaning of the spray gun" .

-awnings are gone, trees are pruned, sheers taken down = house is much brighter inside.

Escaping the work and relaxing at the end of the day...

The manor had an in-house cook, bottle washer, launderer, ironer, children's book reader for the duration of the "work holiday". What a delight to not have too cook supper after a hard day of work painting, hauling brush....

Following a wonderful feast, energy was at a high point and the knights wrestled one last time on the pink carpet.

Knight Gideon prepared to work with tape measure on belt, pencil behind ear and a patch on the forehead to prove he's "Gideon the strong!" (the result of hurting the brick fireplace when his head hit it requiring a visit to the local ER for stiches -he's recovered well).

The manor of the house, the builder knight, Gideon, and Opa preparing the livingroom floor for laminate.

The beautiful manor livingroom, following the lord's hard work one Saturday morning.

Break time - opening one of the two birthday gift packages sent by the Lady's sisters. The knights proceeded to pop bubble wrap for the next days........

Kitchen reno next blog.