Friday, July 02, 2010

Canada Day: Trafalgar Square

There are a lot of Canadians in London And on Canada Day they put on a big bash. A big hockey rink and entire tournament with at least 8 teams played until the championships (mixed teams). Most teams were sponsored by a Canadian company (ie: TD Bank). The stands. The Tim Hortons Stand had a long line up. Buffalo wings, poutine, and bison burgers all for consumption. First Nations dancing. Everything was always interspersed with hockey. Have your picture taken with a Mountie (and fake horse). More hockey. In fact, hockey dominated the centre stage while I was there. I realised being in a crowd of Canadians that a lot of them are beer drinking, hockey watching party-ers. They even brought a skytrain. One of the only places for shade in the square. The fake horse gets moved by a group of volunteers. It makes you think a real horse might have been a bit easier. Totem pole carving. And of course the main stage. Sarah Harmer was one of the musicians. The fountains seems to have a mist setting that sprayed over the crowds. Back to the stage.

Thursday, July 01, 2010

The Extension is Now Enclosed

I don't post every day, because not always enough happens in one day. Here are several days accumulated... The roof was framed and we had ordered natural Spanish slate which will last a life time...or at least 100 years we are told. And what should we do after the 100 years, I ask? And finally it is finished. The roofers will have to come back to fit a few vents in the roof at some point...for the kitchen extractor and the bathroom fan. The skylights have been put in too...they all open! A close up of the character slate. The other option was man made slate, which is very plain (and lasts 10 years). From the inside it looks pretty good. The ends of the walls just have to built up to enclose it. Our brickie fixed my window sill gaff. Above is the before picture. And here is the finished cement sill. We love it better than if I had ordered the plastic sill with the window. Now the wall is built up to the roof line. And the other side. The view from the far wall. And to give you a before and after...Here is the before... And here is the after. The only thing that will change on the outside is the guttering and a few vents. Yay, we love it! Next...the plumber and electrician are starting their work and then the whole thing will be plastered.