The week that was!

30.06.12
I finally have a couple of quiet moments to reflect on the week that was and, oh boy, what a week it's been! Saturday stared off with a charity walk for muscular dystrophy with Don & Linda and some of their friends. Despite the heat and humidity, there was a creditable turnout and we managed quite a few laps of the Holy Cross Football Field. Afterwards, Don & Linda hosted BBQ and I was lucky enough to be able to get to know their friends and family a little more.
Sunday dawned and Linda and I took a run up to Kilborns near Westport. This country store is a must for serious shoe shoppers everywhere. I even managed to swag myself a pair of swanky summer sandals which I'm already wearing in.
Monday - oh boy, the fun continues- saw me invited to Michele's house for lunch with theHCSS crew. Fun fun fun. Great food, a few good wines and convivial company made for a pleasant afternoon.
Tuesday saw me dining with the Check-Drumm family. Again, the warm weather saw us sipping cocktails on the deck. I'm loving the long days. Winter back home will be a little gloomy when I return. There was much reminiscing about my time at HCSS. Thanks Jon & Stacy for your hospitality.
Wednesday saw me hit the road to Ottawa. I picked up a little Toyota Yaris and headed up the 401 towards Ottawa to visit John & Judy Whiting. We met up with some Aussie exchangees and old friends, Bill & Jeanette Avery at a Chinese Banquet Enforce heading over to the RCMP parade ground for the famous sunset ride. Even though I had been there before, it was still spectacular. After drinks back at Judy's place I fell into bed past 1.00 am.
Thursday saw me sleep in before getting up to explore the Rideau Canal first hand on a bike. Fortunately, John Whiting knows his way around and readily pointed out some interesting landmarks. After a quick trip back down the 401, I returned to HCSS for graduation. I felt honored to be giving an award at this ceremony. Of course, the traditional get together at Minos afterwards was the best part of the night. I'm not overly sure how it happened but Liz & I staggered back to Micheles at 3.00am . That's two late nights in a row for me. Don't know if I can stand the pace.
Friday saw me rise a little worse for wear and i headed back to Ottawa. (I'm getting used to this trip and am enjoying the luxury of a gps in the car!) after a little nap, I headed out with John, Judy & Ellen to a Tapas Bar in little Italy. Dinner was followed by gelato (the dark chocolate flavour was exquisite) and a beer at Pub Italia. Not too shabby either!

Partying on the patio!

22.06.12.
Postscript
Dinner tonight was downtown on a patio at an Italian restaurant - Casa. I relished the opportunity to sample my second ever Caesar. There were plenty of laughs as I caught up with some of the girls from Holy Cross. Patio dining is all the go in summer here in this
Part of Canada. The photo below shows my self and Michele enjoying our Caesars as well as the girls who came that night. I know why I love Canada so much!

Beaver Dams & Bald Eagles

22.06.12
Beaver Dams & Bald Eagles!
I venture onto a lake and try kayaking!
Today Don took me to a fantastic lake not far out of Kingston for my first kayaking experience. I was not the first member of my family to venture here - John went with Don in 2009 when we were last here. A perfect summer's day with temps in the mid 20's made things seem comparatively cool. Canada's freshwater lake system is truly amazing. Australia is truly a dry continent when you think about it. We put in at Lower Rock and traversed through a creek replete with several Beaver Dams (one of which had to be cleared -by Don- before we could continue our passage. Upper 4
Rock Lake was quite deserted apart from a couple of Bald Eagles and several Loons who were quick to make themselves know. I even managed to get up relatively close and personal for a quick snap. The return trip was just as adventurous since I was entrusted to lead the way. The responsibility of having to locate the connecting creek weighed heavily on my mind as I attempted to remember and negotiate an array of notable landmarks. I quickly learnt the value of traveling rapidly upstream in order to successfully negotiate the Beaver Dam. After two goes at this tricky enterprise I enjoyed success! What a fun day.
The photos below give a panoramic viewpoint of the lake as well as the lovely Loon.

Downtown Kingston

21.06.12
Downtown Kingston.
Temperatures spiraling out of control.
One great thing about returning to Canada is the opportunity to catch up with old friends and enjoy summer in the Limestone city. Last night I caught up with Pat and Diane who were celebrating their last ever day of teaching. After a brief sojourn around their pool, we ordered Greek takeout before making our way down town for gelato to die for. As an added bonus I got to enjoy the summer solstice with many other like minded Kingstonians out for an evening by the lake.
The following day, Don and Linda also took me downtown to lunch at Woodenheads - a busy pizza joint. Again, we took every opportunity to escape the searing heat whilst still exploring the city. Being National Aborigines Day, there was entertainment (Aboriginal style) in the city hall amphitheater.
Back home , my gracious hosts and I sojourned to the back deck for drinks and dinner. It sure is nice to experience a little piece of summer!
The photo below shows the Kingston Town Hall lit up at night!

Return to Canada!

Canada 2012

17.06.12.
Two days of what seemed like interminable travel came to an end at 5.30 yesterday when I touched down at Toronto's Easton Pearson Airport. Friday was spent lugging my suitcases between the bus, train and cab to make it to The Airport Hotel in Arncliffe. An early start the following morning saw me dropping my luggage off at the Air Canada check in counter before breakfasting at various airport amenities. Naturally, I didn't sleep on the plane and nineteen hours later touched down in Toronto. Murray and Ashley were there to greet me with a box of Timbits! Yeh. I'm back in Canada!
On the way home Murray took us on a bit of a tour of the Beaches area where they are living for the year. Dinner saw us dining at Murphy's Law, an Irish themed pub near the Walpoles house. Naturally, I obligingly sampled some of their boutique beer. Needless to say it went down a treat after my long haul flight.

Some 27 hours after I last slept, I fell into bed and slept the sleep of the unconscious.

This morning saw me feeling vaguely refreshed and out of bed at 6. I was keen to have a look at the Beaches and took myself on a long walk. Wakefulness at last and feeling minimal effects from jet lag, I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with Pam and Murray.

Shortly afterwards, we headed down town to the Rogers Centre to take in a baseball match between the Phillies and the Blue Jays. Needless to say, this was a unique cultural experience subtly enhanced by the ubiquitous hot dog replete with mustard, relish and tomato sauce (sorry - ketchup). Oh, yes, and Blue Jays were victorious.
Dinner saw us exploring Little India and consuming to die for butter chicken and naan bread from plastic plates on plastic chairs. Ambience aside, the food was highly recommended and did not disappoint.here is a photo of the Rogers Centre and also one of me consuming one of life's little joys: the traditional hot dog!