Tuesday 9th July 2024
G’day!
Another hot one, but we are hearing we could get major rain soon, so we are enjoying what weather we can.
Some of the students got off to an early start to watch the sun rise down at the boat dock. For once I was not up bright and early (being in nature makes me tired) so missed it, but Blue had them all sorted and enjoying the moment. Then it was off for an early morning paddle (or back to bed) before breakfast.
Prior to lunch we had a special session with Dr. Gerald Walton from Lakehead. A Queen’s alum, it was great to have him here to share his stories of his time as a grad student, but also to help us all remember that something that might have been scary, we got through it none the less.
I am a big believer, and profess lots of times, that we need to reach out for help and support, but, we can also change the direction things are heading, by making the choice ourselves to do so. So thank you Dr. Walton, for that session.
After lunch of course it was a trip to Chaffey’s Lock for ice cream. Well several trips really so we had a bit of a shuttle going on. Luckily I parked the car each time this side of the lock, as the road did get closed to let boats through.
The afternoon was also an opportunity for some students to have a one to one consultation with one of colleagues from Student Academic Success Services. Great to have this service and not surprisingly the schedule was full.
After dinner for some it was dip in the lake or another canoe trip. All I could hear was lots of laughter which was awesome. To finish the night off, we gathered around the well maintained fire by Peter. Marshmallows, smores and then hotdogs were cooked over the fire. There were some great conversations going on and then came the snake! Yep a black one, not too big, but it was on the deck of the cottage and making its way towards us. So I packed my bag, grabbed my lantern and went back to my cottage. But despite my phobia of snakes, the rest continued to chat and laugh.
Animal count:
1 black snake, sort of cute from a distance.
1 beautiful but wish I didn’t really see it, garter snake
1 Blue Heron
Several brown frogs of all sizes
1 hawk