Exterior renovations

The castle has seen some drastic, necessary and positive improvements during the past year.

The exterior renovations included removal of the awnings, parging the chimney, painting the stucco (thanks dad) and wood siding, restoring two rose bushes and adding another, expanding the front flower bed from 12" to a5' kidney shaped bed with a stepping stone pathway meandering beside it. The front door is often mistaken for a new wood door but is a steel door painted with Potter's Clay colour. We also have time to water the lawn. The porch will be completed in August -stay tuned.

At the rear, a new lower deck was added off the covered porch. Here are the contractors!






























A contractor from back home also helped us out.






In early July, we were able to enjoy our labours and new lounge furniture with our dear friends Michael and Deani and their children (that's Gideon not Kenton:)

Soccer

Peter's Youth Soccer team mates.

Sir Gideon charmed the soccer coaches during his week long soccer camp in June.Thick in the action!


Knight Peter joined the Italian forces for the final game at his Soccer Camp. Thanks to Vince's tips in years past he did well.Peter's team mates and coaches who kept saying "Good job, mate!"

White Sturgeon Release

White Sturgeon Fish release into Kootenay River, April28th. The fish were marked with a laser chip, then registered prior to release. Peter and Gideon received a card to be able to track the fish and its growth in future years.
Peter releasing his white sturgeon.

Great to be Eight!

The morning of the birthday party, we awoke to snow! Military weaponry from his brother quickly changed the focus before breakfast.

Excitement pre-party is evident.

The race car was the requested birthday cake and mom raced through this creation with help from Playmobil! (no sleep lost over this creation:)

Birthday celebration with (L to R) Noah, mom, Jake, Marcus, Peter, Briggs, Gideon

Stress free entertainment - Bowling!
Cheered on by his friends and family. On Peter's birthday, he was delighted to receive many gifts to his liking. "A hundred thank you's for the rollerblades" was heard. (where's the tape recorder!) The two biographies (Jim Elliot and William Wilberforce) have already been read, but we haven't replaced the batteries on the remote control car yet :) Plans are underway for 'The Drawing Studio".

Renovations........

Knights preparing a salad in the makeshift castle kitchen while the tiling is being completed.
The tile man is floored.

Moving up in the world to tiling the bathtub walls ; the brown tiles coordinate beautifully with the peach/salmon tub colour; the blue is a waterproof sealant.Following a trip out of town, the Lord of the manor returned to the Town to the added position of interim (stress interim) manager of the public works and engineering department....moving up from tiling floors eh!

Winter activities

Skiing at 57meters and then up the quad chair to a height of 640m with mom and coasted down green level slopes and level runs.
The spectacular view from the slopes!

A late winter hike resulted in limited hiking but a good nature study of moss growing in March!. Knights were given medals for their accomplishment in the Skate program.
Skating finale demonstration. The younger knight (lt.) took off with skating, literally, while the elder knight (rt.) progressed.

Passages through history

Knights celebrating the completion of "Ancient Times" in togas and eating a Roman feast.
Roman feast of chicken, avocado and feta salad, fruit and salad -typical Roman food of the time
( 300AD).In Britain, Celtic doubled-headed war axe wielding painted warriors, with greased hair so that it sticks up in points all over their heads, attacking an unsuspecting Romans... or lord of the manor!
Survived!
St. Augustine brought Christianity to Britain and medieval monks began copying the Scriptures. They dressed modestly and ate simple meals and wore a cross necklace.