April 24: Attentive reader(s) will recall that I have a tradition of acknowledging the start of Spring by gauging the blossoming of a huge Saucer Magnolia at the end of the street. As you can see, the blossoming is well underway about two weeks earlier than in previous years. This seems to be consistent with the warmer-than-usual Winter season, and the very moderate weather over the last few weeks. There was very little snow and, until recently, minimal rain. I was very hopeful that I could be cottaging a few weeks ahead of the usual opening date during the first week of May.
However, we have endured several very wet days over the last few weeks and the anticipated trip north has been postponed several times. Last week, the docks at Allport Marina (where I store my boat) were underwater and flood conditions had been declared along the Muskoka River.
That said, the water level has dropped somewhat from that date, and the weather looks promising after another period of rainy days. Spring may be a bit early this year, but cottaging looks to be right on schedule, or perhaps even a bit delayed (with more rain forecast this coming week). So break out the shorts, the rosé, and celebrate the season. But maybe keep the rubber boots handy.