Monday, May 21, 2012

Glorious Long Weekend/Our World

 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

Click  HERE to see tons more photos about Our World.
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39 comments:

  1. KateMay 21, 2012 at 6:44 AM

    The sky is all of your photos is glorious...what a beautiful summer!

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  2. JillMay 21, 2012 at 6:54 AM

    Such a stunning sky. Love all of those lovely colors!

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  3. MadSnapperMay 21, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    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.

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  4. ShammickiteMay 21, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    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.

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  5. Valladolid Daily PhotoMay 21, 2012 at 8:50 AM

    Awesome shots, I´d like to be there watching this marvellous show. Well done and thank you for sharing with us.

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  6. Lois EvensenMay 21, 2012 at 9:38 AM

    Just incredible red sunset! Wonderful images.

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  7. DarlaMay 21, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    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

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  8. LornaMay 21, 2012 at 9:53 AM

    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?

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  9. Penelope NotesMay 21, 2012 at 10:27 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. :))

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  10. TexWisGirlMay 21, 2012 at 10:39 AM

    Two-four. :)

    Lovely pics!

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  11. Paul in Powell RiverMay 21, 2012 at 11:17 AM

    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!

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  12. KathyMay 21, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    I see the queen of sunsets has been very busy!

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  13. AnonymousMay 21, 2012 at 12:21 PM

    Wow wow wow! Glorious light!

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  14. CarverMay 21, 2012 at 2:16 PM

    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.

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  15. RedPatMay 21, 2012 at 3:31 PM

    Fabulous shots! I've been planting all weekend and am due for a beer now!

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  16. Sylvia KMay 21, 2012 at 3:33 PM

    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!

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  17. B i r g i t t aMay 21, 2012 at 3:37 PM

    Yes glorious is the right word :)

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  18. UnknownMay 21, 2012 at 3:39 PM

    Beautiful sequence!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  19. cieldequimperMay 21, 2012 at 3:58 PM

    I'll skip the beer, lol! I envy you this beautiful weather, the first shot is incredible!

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  20. MichelleMay 21, 2012 at 4:02 PM

    A great series of shots. Also really vibrant color!

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  21. LONDONLULUMay 21, 2012 at 4:48 PM

    Gosh, how I would really, really love to be in that glorious technicolor! (It's just been gloomy rain here).

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  22. Ruth HiebertMay 21, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    Stunning images.

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  23. JoyfulMay 21, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    Fantastic photos! It's raining at my end.

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  24. DianneMay 21, 2012 at 5:40 PM

    Glorious indeed ... Wonderful sunset colours.

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  25. eileeninmdMay 21, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    Happy Victoria Day. Gorgeous skies and beautiful images.

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  26. SnapMay 21, 2012 at 6:10 PM

    Amazing skies and gorgeous color. Happy Victoria Day!

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  27. JudyMay 21, 2012 at 7:30 PM

    Love those vibrant skies!! Unbelievable they could really be that orange!

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  28. RandyMay 21, 2012 at 10:30 PM

    Amazing colors. It looks very peaceful.

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  29. JackMay 21, 2012 at 10:39 PM

    Just look at that color! You get beautiful sunsets up there, EG.

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  30. GeorgeMay 21, 2012 at 10:57 PM

    Long weekends are a great way to begin and end summer. The color in all of your photos is fantastic.

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  31. Grandma Barb's This and ThatMay 22, 2012 at 12:03 AM

    Gorgeous photos and a great way to start out the summer.

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  32. Pat TillettMay 22, 2012 at 2:14 AM

    Wow! Those are some amazing photos! That sunset is fantastic...

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  33. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪May 22, 2012 at 7:06 AM

    we celebrate the queens birthday in June. After that, there will be no public holiday until Oct.

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  34. Kim, USAMay 22, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    Oh my it's gorgeous!

    Kim, MI

    Inviting you to join Water World Wednesday

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  35. AnonymousMay 22, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    What stunning captures of color, vibrancy and scenes.

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  36. KarenMay 22, 2012 at 10:56 AM

    Awesome!

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  37. StephanieMay 22, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    Magnificent shots!

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  38. ZosiaMay 25, 2012 at 11:24 AM

    Hwy 400 to the Cottage Country must have been packed :-)

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  39. RoseJune 7, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    These are just wonderful...love the intense color.

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