Real Talk!

Cottage values in Quebec are falling as warnings have been issued on some 80 waterways in the Province that are infested with green-blue algae called Cyanobacteria. Releasing toxins that may cause serious headache, sore throat, abdominal pain, itchy eyes, skin rash, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, Cyanobacteria can adversely affect the liver and central nervous system.

High levels of phosphates and other nutrients are being blamed for the infestation. Poor farming practices, out-dated sewage systems, certain soaps, hot temperatures and deforestation have also contributed to the outbreak.

Cyanobacteria are actually a “prokaryotes”, a division of bacteria that obtain energy via photosynthesis- not really algae. Fossil traces of this critter have been discovered from almost 4 billion years back. A substantial biomass of Cyanobacteria is called a bloom and when the massive bloom can be seen floating at the surface, we call it surface-scum or pond-scum.

A single-celled species, Cyanobacteria form in colonies. Colonies may survive in almost any habitat, from lakes to rock or soil. They may appear as hollow balls, filaments or sheets and parts of the biomass can break away and travel to form new colonies. Just because you can’t see Cyanobacteria, it doesn’t mean it isn’t present in the water.

Some researchers suggest that between 30% and 50% of blooms are harmless and some are concerned that the Quebec frenzy is unnecessary. However, officials with Quebec’s Environment Dept say that the spread of blue-green algae is at crisis proportion.

In a press release, dated September of 2006, the Quebec S.O.S. Water Coalition- Eau Secours! said that two out of three watersheds in the Saint-Laurence Valley had “higher than normal levels of phosphates” and in some cases, “up to five times higher”.

In October of 2006, Andre Bouthillier (of the Coalition) told CBC news that “the Government has known the problem for the last thirty years and has been paying for studies on the issue”. Bouthillier called for a Government plan of action and predicted the outbreak would worsen and attempts to manage it would prove more difficult over time.

In 2000, the Environment Canada conducted a study of three southwestern Quebec watersheds to detect the presence of blue-green algae and their toxins. Water samples were taken at four main sites, from July through September of that year. Their results revealed that the concentration of toxins did not pose a “significant risk”. The report, available online (Primarily in French) does mention that results could “vary from year to year depending on climatic and environmental conditions”.

Unfortunately, without laboratory analysis, you cannot differentiate which blooms are toxic and which are not. You cannot detect the presence of toxins by way of colour or odour or taste and boiling contaminated water will not remove the toxins. In some areas of Quebec, there has been an urgent demand for bottled water.

Early in 2007, the Quebec Government announced a $12 million dollar plan to fight blue-green algae while a University of Honolulu professor believes we may be able to convert the algae into ethanol, an alternative source of power. Blue-green algae has been studied in Scotland, Germany, Israel, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, the United States, Sweden and many, many other countries- as well as the World Health Organization.

From August 5 to 10th, 2007, the 7th Annual International Conference on Toxic Cyanobacteria will be held in Brazil.

Freshwater aquarium enthusiasts use erythromycin to treat Cyanobacteria slime…

Hey… wait a minute…this is beginning to sound an awful lot like the description we were given at a recent informational seminar with speakers from the MNR, Ocean and Fisheries and others, all about “water frontage”… they spoke of a virulent and invasive plant that was choking waterways and mentioned that it was suspected that it may have originated in aquarium contents being tossed into the water.

Unfortunately, the world didn’t come with instructions. What we may think is appropriate at one point, seems silly and ridiculous at another. And then what? Some of us want the government to fix it all… that’s us… we’re the government. People have choices to make, governments have choices to make and… hopefully, as we learn, we make the best decision available… and tweak it as new information emerges.

You can’t erase the past. We must learn to live with the legacy of decisions made by parents, grandparents and their grandparents… Sure, there are things we may question but ultimately, we have little alternative. We must forgive past errors and make our own best choices to manage the results or those decisions… heaven knows that we’ll be passing along a few goof-ups, ourselves.

Sure… nobody wants to swim in pond-scum… but this has become more of a make lemonade kind of rant.

I never finished blogging about our motorcycle trip. Suffice it to say, that I was too busy getting from here to there... and then trying to rest my weary bones... and yes, it was interesting but WET.

I must say, I was quite a trooper and didn’t complain about it to anyone- after all, what good would that have been? When we got back we traded Fabian’s bad-boy Yamaha for a civilized Honda Gold Wing… we get it the end of this week… and I’m looking forward to that! 2000 kms and 900 of them pouring rain, but I’m hooked.

Meantime, this week has already proven crazy and cottage sales are brisk! The phones have been ringing like mad! Properties are being shown… and the weather has gotten steaming hot, again.

I love to watch the cottagers. I have such amazing memories of my own cottage days and I can tell which cottagers are at the beginning of their vacations and which are nearing the end. It’s lovely to see people relax… unwind… and have fun with their friends and families.

There is nothing finer than sitting by a campfire, feeling a hint of the earlier sun on your shoulders and cheeks. Listening to the natural sound of evening… watching the lake go still and the way the stars and other lights reflect in it…

There’s never enough cottage time.

Things were a little sombre last night, as we regrouped in the hotel lobby, looking for word on yesterday's accident. Of course, the story had gotten even more confusing... we weren't sure if there had been one or two accidents... and we felt very ill thinking that anyone might've been hurt...

Several people wanted to turn back to Burlington Vermont but we knew that there were at least three people with the person who had been admitted to the hospital there. It was with mixed feelings that we came to the realization that most adults do... we would only be in the way... we had to push on- as safely as possible.

This morning, the fog obscured the views of the mountains in New Hampshire... it was very disappointing, but seeing as it wasn't yet raining... Brian Walker (the OREA prez) and his wife Cassaundra had decided to join us on the leg again... and were kind enough to take our luggage in their van... so we were much lighter and more comfortable when we took off about 8 a.m.

We stopped at a very homey cafe for a delicious breakfast and watch the fog give way to patches of blue sky. We tried to remain optimistic but in spite of our most wishful thinking, the sky began to darken and at our first gas-stop, the skies opened.

We waited out the worst downpour... and we donned our rain gear... it was harder rain than yesterday, but more intermittent... not nice.

Fabian and I are the slow ones. He is very cautious, which I fully support. I always figure that the driver has to be comfortable. I'm sure it annoys some of the more experienced bikers... but a very nice couple (Lisa and Scott) kept us company again today, ensuring that we didn't get lost.

We passed some very strange things along the way... and I snapped more pictures. The open mines were pretty amazing... but no stopping because the temperature had dropped 10 degrees in about 1/2 hour... it got pretty cold and the rain refused to let up... we were done.

Driving down Rene Levesque Blvd a van pulled up and we were greeted by the Walker's smiling faces! It was very nice to see a familiar face!

We were really happy to see the big HILTON sign in the sky. The comforting thought of a hot shower and a comfy bed... Stephanie at the "tourist information" booth promised us that there was only 10% chance of rain tomorrow....

We've started to think that we have been following the storm or that the storm has been following us...

I got a big hug from Bob Kinnear in the hotel lobby... he said he'd felt so bad for me, being rained on so much during my first bike ride... he is a dear man... and his son Ian is a delight... Ian's wife is home with their son... and they're expecting another baby in a couple of months... he showed me photos the first night, in Lake Placid... he is a very happy, proud father and husband... it is nice to see.

Actually, we have a great group of folk on the trip. Really good people.

Tomorrow Lisa and Scott head off to Gaspe... we're scheduled with most of the group to go on to Cornwall... Ron Abraham's home town... that will put us within a comfortable distance of home sweet home.

In a crazy way, I'm looking forward to Cornwall... when I was very very young, my father spent a lot of time on the road for business reasons... and he used to meet up with his pals in Cornwall... I didn't know that at the time... I just remember that when he was away, he frequently seemed to call from Cornwall... I used to think... if that's where my dad is, it must be a fabulous place.

Tomorrow at this time, we will be that much closer to home... We miss our children and pets... family and friendly co-workers.

Had a rough night last night... probably over tired... and woke up before the alarm at about 6:30 a.m. Lake Placid was completely fogged in... by the 8 o'clock rendezvous time, one group had already left and the sun was trying to make an appearance... looked promising.

We drove around the lake and then stopped at a diner for breakfast... the coffee was great, breakfast was good and we set off to catch the ferry at Port Kent New York... we were about 40 minutes into the ride when we got stopped by flashing red light and a fireman... shortly followed by sirens and more emergency vehicles... we had to turn back... and take an alternate route...

It was extremely upsetting when the fireman mentioned that there had been a very bad accident between a motorcycle and a car... all we could do is push on... praying that it wasn't anyone from our "group" who had been hurt....

We were a solemn group when we reached the ferry... kind of quiet...

Watching them load up the ferry was pretty neat... a loaded log truck and a big truck with a honking big hook swinging in the breeze... several motorhomes and probably 15 or 20 motorcycles and a whack of cars... and a few pedestrians to boot... it started to spit rain so most of the gang put on their rain gear... Fabian and I grabbed jackets....

By the time we landed in Burlington Vermont, it was raining much harder and the ferry crew suggested that the three gals who were passengers (Lisa, Avi and I) should walk down the ramp... as it would be very slippery.... no problem....

After that, the day becomes a blurr of cold, wet, survival instinct. It was nasty... and made what might have been a short day much longer... it wasn't until 5 that we limped into White Plains New Hampshire- aching for something warm and dry....

Scott and his wife Lisa were wonderful, hanging back and going a speed we were comfortable with... and Bob Kinnear and his son, Ian, came catching up to us close to the end of the journey... most of the others had stopped for lunch... we didn't have time... too busy trying to watch the roads... through a wind-screen and pelting rain...

the mountains here are fogged in, too... but there is a hint of clearing... could all be another cruel hoax so that I won't throw in the towel! No kidding, although it was quite a stressful day for Fabian, trying to see and trying to maintain control on the greasy pavement... I was not afraid...

I admit that I have been looking longinly at the BMW that Lisa and Scott are driving and thinking of the Harleys that Lynn and Harry had yesterday... and I can see a little more comfort... much cushier passenger seats and foot paddles, not teeny pegs... and you know, even Fabian has mentioned, a few times... that he had bought his motorcycle for "looks" and "sound" and he's thinking that if I like riding and if we want to do any more trips, it is probably time to trade for something more of a family bike....
less flash, more comfort...

Well, the blackberry doesn't have reception here... and the laptop is a little slow... so, I've emailed my daughter... and now we're ready to put our feet up... we're a little hungry... we've had a hot shower and we're finally dry....

kind of out in the middle of nowhere... this resort has been here since the 20s... it's very charming... mind you, we likely won't see much of it... going to crash early, no doubt... and probably going to have to take off at 8 a.m. tomorrow... we bought maps today... and will try to get a handle on where it is we're going... it's been somewhat uneasy trying to keep up with the speed racers... and feeling like a burden to those nice people who try to stay back and give us direction....

We'll be back in Canada, tomorrow... which is great... while everyone has been very nice... we chatted to a fella from Texas on the ferry and another real American last night, at the hotel... and most of the people in most gas stations have been super nice, too...

but you know... I was looking down an awfully long, flat, wet bit of highway today... and I was thinking "there's no place like home".

We arrived at the Ontario Real Estate Association Offices at 7:15 this morning to find a large area of the parking lot roped off... for motorcycles. We were the first to arrive.

Shortly after, a blue enduro style bike pulled in... it was Bill Sheppard from OREA. He was due for a 7:30 meeting and then planned to ride with us to Kingston and then head back to OREA. He mentioned that he was taking his usual holidays in Combermere this year, at the Opeongo Trail resort.

We swapped tornado stories for a while and then he zipped into the office for his meeting.

The boss... Ron Abraham had gone ahead last night to Kingston and had quite a head start. So we knew we wouldn't be seeing him in the OREA parking lot. All tolled there were 9 bikes and 10 riders, as I was the only passenger. It was a little tricky for Fabian what with a 40 pound gym bag strapped to his headlights and me on the back... and it was a near crisis when my i-pod decided to freeze up.

After the formalities and a brief speech from Ed Barissa the CEO, we were ready to ride. Brian Walker, the President of OREA apologized that he was far too stressed to actually ride his crotch rocket all the way to Lake Placid and he admitted that he was going to hop in the van with his wife, Cassaundra... and meet us there.

Lynn and Harry, veteran HOG riders were a god-send. Lynn led the parade and Harry stayed at the back to "sweep"... I'm sure it was difficult on them, they are accustomed to riding with people who respond to their hand signals and who plan their fill ups... we seemed to have people filling up hit and miss and we were stopping an awful lot.

We stopped at Port Hope and hooked up with Richard Hawkins (the NorthEastern Area director for OREA) and a couple of other fellas... nice guys... I'm so horrible with names, that I might have them figured out by tomorrow... except that there will be a whole whack of new people to sort out!

The border crossing was a breeze, after the first couple of riders had told the story of the organized charity ride, we pretty well got asked if we had any alcohol or tabacco and were told to have a great ride. Police, state troopers etc, waved at us many times along the route.

I have to say that whoever said it was going to be a long day of 563 kms was a great big fat liar... it was way more like 750kms... mind you, we did have a bit of a detour due to someone missing a turn... but nobody gets left behind.

We were a sorry lot arriving at the Crown Plaza, Lake Placid. I felt like the tin-man in the Wizard of Oz... my knees needed oiling... and my hoofies were sore... but it's amazing how one revives in the shower.

We had a nice dinner, the whole group... we took up two separate rooms in the Adirondak Steak House.... we were entertained by Jamie Edwards and Brian Walker who decided to switch shirts to see if anyone would notice... and Bob Kinnear explained that he constantly swerves his bike because he figures it evens out the wear on the tires.

While we walked down the hill to the restaurant, we did not have the steam to walk back up... and managed to hail a cab, just before the skies opened up. We are having a bit of a thunder storm, an interesting lightning show over the mountains.... it can rain all it wants at night, in my opinion.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Well... we had an office meeting at 8 this morning... Timmy's coffee was bitter and the muffins were crushed into a bag... certainly not how we provide service! The bike was packed but we left it at home, until we had taken care of business.

As always, we are in the midst of a number of deals but thanks to technology (the trusty blackberry and laptop with wireless)... we can can look after things with confidence. It sure helps having an excellent group back at the office... people we trust, people who share our vision and have pride in providing the very best possible service.

After a brief interview with Barry Hendry, the star reporter from the Bancroft Times, we were south bound. We made brief stops- first for a gas up, then at Wayne's World (the Polaris dealer and our fave local bike shop), then at the Trent Canal and at Peterborough- so we could get a better holder for the Blackberry, another quick stop for gas and we were ready for a nap. Hello Toronto, hello Prince Hotel... you have our reservation.

It was the longest trip that I have ever made on a motorcycle. About 250ish kms... and relatively comfortable... although, I have to admit that the posterior was getting a little sore and I was ready to stop by the time we reached our destination in Toronto. Fabian is a competent driver and I wasn't nervous for a moment. He was a little stressed by the traffic on the 401, but as a passenger, I was able to put that out of my mind and concentrate on the super tunes that my daughter and her boyfriend had programmed into my i-pod and also, to enjoy the scenery.

Although I have made the trip on countless occasions, it is somehow different from the perspective of the open air. I'm sure that it will be even more interesting to travel unfamiliar roads and visit unfamiliar places.

You know, I could actually get into this.... but I think I would rather be a passenger than the driver.

We have already had several business calls, an unexpected offer to present and a call from home- something about the sink being plugged up.... nothing that couldn't be handled.

My 27-year-old niece (Elizabeth)is tending to the children, pets and newly planted gardens... grandma, grandpa and my in-laws are handy... and the folks in the office are always ready to lend a hand!

Now, that's team work!

To bed early, tonight... we have to re-pack the bike and be at the OREA offices tomorrow at 8 to meet the others... apparently 37 riders in all. I bet it will be even more fun, being with the group.

Fabian and I are registered participants in a motorcycle “ride for charity”. We will be leaving July 17th for Toronto and meeting with a group of Realtors ® at 8 am on the 18th. From there, we proceed to the Adirondack Mountains and on to New Hampshire and then Quebec. The total ride is some 1400 kms with riders from the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA).

Proceeds are raised by way of sponsorship and all proceeds go to the OREA: REALTORS CARE Foundation. Riders pay their own personal expenses (gas, hotel, food, refreshments etc).

As always, preparing to take time away from the office is difficult and we’re tangled in a flurry of activity & although we have an amazing support group in the office, we will carry a laptop and the beloved Blackberry. We’re never that far away from our customers and clients!

This is bound to be interesting. I have never been on a motorcycle for more than about a half hour! Reactions seem to vary from questioning my sanity- to remarking about how wonderful motorcycle trips can be… apparently; there is no better way to enjoy the scenery. Thank goodness, we seem to have gotten a break from the down pours…

As always, I’m trying to keep an open mind.

Ask anyone to describe why they like or what they like about their favourite colour; their favourite dessert or their “ideal cottage” and you will find that most of us have a very clear perspective of what we consider the best.

Often, when asked these questions, adults will connect with their fondest memories and then, imagining their favourite colour they might think of a shirt they wore in kindergarten… and a favourite dessert might conjure strong attachments to the sumptuous aroma that used to emanate from the kitchen at Auntie Jane’s farm.

The same can be said when asked to describe their “dream cottage”… the question stimulates certain attachments from within the person, as they search for an answer. & these emotional reflections are extremely hard to describe verbally. They are often very personal and private.

In one instance, I once met a guy who had searched and searched and searched and just couldn’t find the right place. He came to me, frustrated and ready to give up all hope of finding "it".

After some prodding and some serious soul searching, it turned out that he had a very specific “cottage” memory cue... which in this case was tied directly with the smell of those horrible old deodorant blocks that some people used to put in their outhouses...

We were able to move forward once we had determined that it was actually the pine needle lined pathway to the outhouse at his grandfather's cottage that this guy was pining for (pardon the pun). After that, it was easy to find the right spot.

By far, the most difficult aspect of a cottage search is trying to tap into those old files so that you can find something that fits the Buyer, emotionally… & with couples that often means coming to the right blend of two very different types of “cottage” memories and therefore cottage desires.

Also, a good Realtor ® needs to determine if the Buyers will be comfortable maintaining a specific property and if there will be children or elderly visitors with comfort & safety requirements… and other practical elements like that.

A good Realtor ® will advise the client if the purchase will likely be a good investment… and a good Realtor ® will respect those times when it is purely an emotional purchase- and understand that it is the Buyer’s right to make that choice.

Still, even when a Realtor ® “gets” what the client is after, it can be difficult to find the perfect, ready-made package... the right sort of cottage, on the right sort of property,at the right price. & with the price of building having escalated, it is less cost effective to start fresh. Not to mention the fact that there isn’t much available in the way of vacant waterfront these days and what’s out there is more expensive now, too.

So what to do?

The best advice is not new advice… it’s location, location, location. You can always alter a building, in fact, most of us like to put our personal touch into our surroundings… but you can’t do much, if anything, to change the distance from home, the shoreline, the view, topography, exposure, accessibility, neighbours, the size of the lake or river… and water qualities, nearby amenities, trees…stuff like that.

The important elements of cottaging are “fixed”, permanent and pretty well unchangeable & simply put, it’s all about the lot and the water. Yes, it’s the natural surroundings that matter most; when you really consider how you plan to make use of the property and amenities.

Put your money into the cake… the icing can come later… you can even choose your favourite flavours & colours… besides, what good is fancy icing if you don’t have a delicious cake?