We hope Groundhog Day celebrations were especially exciting this year.

Typically we do not travel to Wiarton on odd numbered years.  Since we went to Punxsutawney last year, I was tempted to break with tradition and head on up; ultimately we chose to have a family celebration instead.

Speaking of tradition … we met Star and April in Wiarton some years ago, they travel to a different Groundhog Day celebration every year.  This year they joined Potomac Phil in Washington, D.C.  Check their report out here.

Wiarton Willie predicts an early Spring.

This year, Martin and Moira joined us for the traditional pancake breakfast.  We proceeded to Oak Run Farms South of Hamilton; we get a kick out of shopping in the little retail bakery there. We knocked an appointment in Hamilton off then it was off to collect Sam at York, followed by Trevor in Mississauga.  Dinner was at  Tuckers’ Marketplace; the mood was festive indeed.

Next year we will report from Wiarton; we are expecting to mount a larger expedition that usual, at least Sam and Trevor will be with us, perhaps others.

Groundhog Day is the beginning of a heavy calendar of holidays: next up is 14/Feb, a minor observance, mainly beginning a one month countdown to Pi Day, which is a major holiday on 14/March.  We don’t celebrate Dyngus Day which is on 17/April this year; but, I like to take note of it.  30/April is International Jazz Day, which has a bit to do with work.  Star Wars Day on 4/May is a major holiday followed by the minor observance on 5/May (Revenge of the Fifth).

This will be the busiest winter in years.  I’m expecting travel to Europe and Florida in February then Alberta in March.  The work front is full of exciting projects.  I will report on some major changes on flying front in the coming weeks.