Rockwood

At last I have my new computer from brunorepublic running and loaded with the essential software plus some fun things. It's set up on the living room floor until I finish transferring files from the old one, but new stuff keeps distracting me. For the first time ever I have a fast enough connection and enough memory space to download music, so I'm happily indulging my eclectic tastes: so far Aimee Mann, Dolly Parton, Arvo Pärt, The Human League and Durude.

Finally today I could clear the Thanksgiving weekend photos off the memory card, so I have use of the Canon PowerShot again. And I used it!

This afternoon Sylvie and I escaped to explore Rockwood Conservation Area and a woollen mill, which operated alongside the Eramosa River from 1867 to 1925 and gave rise to the village of Rockwood. We found ourselves unexpectedly in the middle of a movie set. The windows of the ruined mill had been specially refitted for the purpose. These fixtures had been set on fire and were still smouldering when we visited.

Penetrating deeper into the park, we found noisy choruses of geese circling the small lake. What a heart-bursting sound. It reminds me of childhood, growing up within a few miles of Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary. Jack, considered the father of North American conservationism, was the first person to band ducks in 1909. His sanctuary used to attract Canada geese by the thousands during autumn migration. They would fly over our house several times a day. The sound of a large flock still puts a lump in my throat.

Unfortunately the arthritis in my left hip became intense, so I had to beg off going out for a snack after our walk. The pain may be less a consequence of hiking than sitting on the futon with new computer components spread around. The sooner I can move it to the desk, the better. For now I'm going to soak in a warm bath.

I'm delighted with the better detail visible in my photos on the Samsung LCD monitor.

Tonight I need to write about 4,000 words to catch up on NaNoWriMo. I'll work here for a while. When I have filled 12 pages, I'll head to the -bar for a treat and more writing, provided I'm not too sore.

Another image is posted in doorwindowwall, and my favourite is in rural_ruin.