The Tomlinsons in the Carolinas

We didn't give our friends the Tomlinson's much notice of timing for our visit, but of course, we were welcomed with open arms into their 'new' home Fort Mill South Carolina (even though they've been here for 3 years). Fantastic to see them and great to hear that they are enjoying their 'new' vocations - marketing for John with Western Star and horticulture for Trish. The weekend was relaxed  with plain old catching up with their lives, eating Trish's delicious gourmet cuisine, getting a private tour of the Botanical Gardens where Trish works, and a great-value nine holes of golf at Tega Kaye Golf Course. Because we move pretty much from campground on to campground every day, we rarely have time to 'clean house' so we spent a highly  constructive morning clearing out the tent and camping gear, overhauling the 'kitchen' and doing and laundry. John, never one to sit around twiddling his thumbs, pulled out the shop-vac and promptly valeted the inside of the car from head to toe! Star! We reluctantly left two days later, but what a feeling of rejuvenation - from the gourmet pampering to the spring clean of our home on wheels! You rock Trish and John! * Mush

Thanksgiving in Ottawa, Ontario

Sacha and Mush at Canadian Parliament Buildings

Oct 9th
Time to hit the road again moving on to Ottawa via Kingston where Martin went to Queen’s University. Nostalgia hit as Martin showed me all his old hang-outs and recounted all the stories of his time at Queen’s. The student part of town, called the ‘ghetto’, was unusually quiet and we finally remembered that it was Canadian Thanksgiving so students would be at home for the weekend.

Leaving Kingston we headed to Ottawa passed Fort Henry for great views over the city and Wolfe island, and along the Thousand Island Parkway – a lovely drive along the Lawrence river between Canada and the US. A very pretty, scenic area with a number of small islands with homes built on them… What a great idea: to own your own island and live on it! Cool!

Thanksgiving at the Singh/Wiseman's

In Ottawa we landed on Sacha, one of Martin’s high school buddies, and his wife Andie. Great to see them and their kids Rhianna and Callum, and Andie’s Mum and Dad and sister who were there for Thanksgiving. Sunday morning was bright and beautiful and we went hiking in Gatineau park across the river into Quebec to appreciate the last of the great autumn colours. It was pretty spectacular still.

We caught up with Martin’s roommate/ housemate of five years at Queen’s, Dan, also in town for Thanksgiving. Martin said ‘Same old Dan’ as they reminisced on old times, with some that they weren’t allowed to repeat! Then we hurried off to Andie’s amazing Thanksgiving dinner  - a monster sized 8lb chicken! Phew!

Monday 11th
Sacha and Andie live in a beautiful renovated townhouse in the centre of town and Sacha took us on a walking tour of Ottawa of this beautiful capital of Canada. The Rideau canal runs through the city and I discovered that in winter it freezes and people skate to work! The city maintains and keeps a short 5km stretch frozen. At the Rideau locks we watched a 70ft working boat practically fill the whole length of each lock as it slowly made its way to the Ottawa river. We walked along the river for a while and up onto parliament hill admiring its beautiful architecture. Into town and around the market area, we discovered lots of hidden alleyways and courtyards. Tin roofs of Notre Dame. The spider at National Gallery to name a few.   *Mush

Brampton (near Toronto), Ontario, Sept 29 to Oct 9

 To see our Ontario photos, click here.

Great to hang out seeing family and friends here. Spencer,  Martin’s nephew, had his 10th birthday. Martin's Mum and Dad had flown over too. And while Martin reunited with his high school buddies at his friend’s cottage near Huntsville, I went to Peterborough to see Kelowna friends, Aaron and Katherine, who moved here about a year ago. Fantastic to catch up and hang out with them and the kids. Being on the road after what feels like a long time, it felt nice and fuzzy to do normal stuff like the farmers’ market, Sunday brunch or the zoo ...including dressing up in wigs to family and friends' places!

The big 4 - 0 for Martin fast approached and back at Martin's  sister's his birthday meal of choice was delicious roast turkey which his mum had cooked. Together with his family and their friends Jim and Cheryl, crazy games ensued. 

Over the next few days we hung out at Lorraine’s, as well as caught up with a few old friends: Kevin (and his girlfriend, Fiona) who we’d met in China back in 2005, and  Andrew Parker who Martin traveled with in 2001/02.

By the end of the week we headed over to Peterborough: Martin hadn’t seen Aaron and Katherine yet. For me, it was great to see them all again so soon. We celebrated Martin’s birthday with Sushi - which we hadn’t had since we’d left Kelowna. It seems waaaay longer, but five weeks is definitely a long time to go without Sushi for us!  *Mush

The Big 4 0 - Birthday reunion, Baysville Oct 1 – 4

 To see our Ontario photos, click here!

7 of the 6-Pack in the Muskokas

 This is the reason we traveled across country.  2 years ago, six of my best friends from high school, had a reunion up in Revelstoke and we decided that we would do another for our 40th birthday’s.  It was decided to head East this time, to where it all began (at least close to Brampton).  I met up with Sacha for the first time since his accident (he broke his neck mountain biking in early July), and his parents.  Great to see Tage and Viv again, and even better to see how well Sacha was doing after the accident.  It’s a strange thing to hear that one of your best friends’ is seriously injured and you can’t do anything about it.  Sacha is in great spirits and recovering more everyday!!

Rob celebrating my 40th birthday with Ripps

Mark, Sacha and I picked up Colin on the way up to the Muskokas to the Stella and Steve’s cottage/house on Dickie Lake up in beautiful cottage country, Ontario.  Stella and Steve had graciously ‘loaned’ us the house for the weekend and taken off camping themselves – how nice is that!  The following day, Rob, Jeff and Greg arrived and we met at the local pub – The Pav.  Always a good laugh when we all get together.  Only Mike was missing, but not to worry, we had a life size cardboard cutout and Mike’s photo mounted on it.  Mike traveled with us everywhere.
Of course, the first night is a big celebration, with plenty of single malts drank, and cigars smoked.  And the next morning is filled with hangover’s from our 40 year old bodies.
You might ask, what did we do all weekend, and the answer is ……nothing really.  Unless you include drunken swims in the lake, late night canoes, and Frisbee golf with Tupperware lids.  We sure had our quota of laughs though – very healthy.  I don’t think I ever laugh as much as when I am with these characters. *Stub