Fishing on Lake Simcoe
Ontario's summer begins and ends unofficially with two long weekends: Victoria Day in May and Labour Day in September. The weather this year has been fantastic!
Most Canadians don't consciously think about it any more, but May 24 was Queen Victoria's birthday. All countries in the British Empire celebrated her special day, and let's face it, it IS a great time of year to have a party!
I guess Canada's Parliament thought so too because after Queen Victoria's death in 1901, it declared May 24 the official day to celebrate the birthdays of all reigning British monarchs.
Boating
Unfortunately, May 24 does not always occur on a weekend! So in 1952, the date was changed to the last Monday before May 25, creating a long May weekend every year.
This weekend many Ontarians are opening their cottages, planting their gardens (risk of frost is pretty much past for this spring), spending time with family, or escaping routine by doing something special.
Picnicking
Here's a bit of trivia for non-Canadians: Many party-lovers call this holiday May Two-Four, a double entendre that refers to Queen Victoria's actual birthday and to Canadian slang for a case of 24 beers, a popular drink during long weekends.
Glorious start to summer 2012
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39 comments:
The sky is all of your photos is glorious...what a beautiful summer!
Such a stunning sky. Love all of those lovely colors!
i really really like the two photos with the picnic table. stunning colors and views. they did the same thing here, we used to celebrate George Washingon and Abe Lincolns birthdays, then they made it one Monday and call it Presidents day.
Happy Victoria Day to everyone. The weather certainly has been super. Lets hope that it will continue and we;ll have a lovely summer. Did you see any fireworks? There were lots of bangs and flashes in my neighbourhood yesterday evening. And Charles and Camilla are going to see the T.O. fireworks tonight.
Awesome shots, I´d like to be there watching this marvellous show. Well done and thank you for sharing with us.
Just incredible red sunset! Wonderful images.
Our long weekend that officially announces summer is coming up. Loved the May Two-Four reference. Isn't it great the little things you learn on blogs?
Darla
Those are stunning photos! It makes me want to stay up past 6 pm or does it make me want to get up before 6 am?
What an incredible sunset gift for the holidays! I am one Canadian, however, that had no idea about the “beer” connection to the two-four date. It is never too late to live or learn. :))
Two-four. :)
Lovely pics!
Here on the coast the weather isn't cooperating as well as your's is, darn it! And the Queen's b-day is very well known in Victoria BC!
I see the queen of sunsets has been very busy!
Wow wow wow! Glorious light!
Fantastic shots. The sunsets are gorgeous. We have a long weekend at the end of May for our Memorial Day weekend so your holiday is a week or so ahead of ours.
Fabulous shots! I've been planting all weekend and am due for a beer now!
These are SO AWESOME, EG!! Glorious skies and colors and what a weekend you did have!!! Doesn't get any better or more beautiful than this!! Thanks for sharing the beauty and the fun! Hope you have a great week!
Yes glorious is the right word :)
Beautiful sequence!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
I'll skip the beer, lol! I envy you this beautiful weather, the first shot is incredible!
A great series of shots. Also really vibrant color!
Gosh, how I would really, really love to be in that glorious technicolor! (It's just been gloomy rain here).
Stunning images.
Fantastic photos! It's raining at my end.
Glorious indeed ... Wonderful sunset colours.
Happy Victoria Day. Gorgeous skies and beautiful images.
Amazing skies and gorgeous color. Happy Victoria Day!
Love those vibrant skies!! Unbelievable they could really be that orange!
Amazing colors. It looks very peaceful.
Just look at that color! You get beautiful sunsets up there, EG.
Long weekends are a great way to begin and end summer. The color in all of your photos is fantastic.
Gorgeous photos and a great way to start out the summer.
Wow! Those are some amazing photos! That sunset is fantastic...
we celebrate the queens birthday in June. After that, there will be no public holiday until Oct.
Oh my it's gorgeous!
Kim, MI
Inviting you to join Water World Wednesday
What stunning captures of color, vibrancy and scenes.
Awesome!
Magnificent shots!
Hwy 400 to the Cottage Country must have been packed :-)
These are just wonderful...love the intense color.
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