Tag: Canada

Canadian views

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16 October 2015

Our last evening in Gravenhurst was another wonderful family affair, sharing pizzas, memories and stories with Maggie, Alan, Jen and Marina. Although Katie wasn’t well enough to join us we did get to spend some quality time with her in her little room of happy things. She was in better spirits than she had been the day before, still frail but less tired, and she joked with Commando about doing a trathalon, as she had herself some time ago.
“It’s the swimming that puts me off,” Commando laughed. “I’ve never been a strong swimmer. Maybe one triathlete in the family is enough.” Continue reading Canadian views

The Hahne farm trail, rocks, fallen trees and hidden markers

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15 October 2015

We’d had a great evening with Maggie, Alan and Marina, reminiscing until long after dark. Sadly, Katie wasn’t well enough to join us but we did get a few moments to visit with her. She was frail and tired, so we didn’t stay too long but there were hugs and she seemed in remarkably good spirits, surrounded by beautiful things to make her smile. It seems she’s a girl after my own heart in that respect. The sky was filled with stars when we left and Alan explained Gravenhurst is a dark sky area. The street lights here face downwards, not out or up allowing a fantastic starry view. Continue reading The Hahne farm trail, rocks, fallen trees and hidden markers

A family outing, Port Carling, Huckleberry Rock and Bracebridge

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14 October 2015

When we got back to the chalet we found a note from Alan saying he and Maggie would be round to pick us up in about an hour so we made ourselves a coffee and waited. We had both fallen asleep by the time they arrived. Maybe it was the jet lag catching up with us or all the fresh air.
“We thought we’d take you out to see some trails,” Maggie said.
“Not far, just about an hour’s drive there and back,” Alan added.
This was when I realised that not far has a completely different meaning in Canada. In England, not far means a mile down the road, in Canada, if it’s less than an hour’s drive it’s nearby. Suddenly I began to wonder just how long these trails were. Continue reading A family outing, Port Carling, Huckleberry Rock and Bracebridge

Are there bears in these woods?

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14 October 2015

Now we had some breakfast inside us and supplies in the fridge Commando decided to go for a short run leaving me to my own devices. As I was itching to get out and explore the lake I didn’t mind one bit. Beside the row of chalets, some steep wooden steps led down a grass bank, turned to gold by the covering of pine needles, to the lake shore. At the bottom of the bank, below our balcony window, upturned canoes rested on a rough stone wall and some weathered boards. The tall pines turned the ground to a patchwork of light and shade and the air was clean and fresh. Continue reading Are there bears in these woods?

Foraging in Gravenhurst

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14 October 2015

We reached our motel in Gravenhurst in darkness so it wasn’t until the next morning that we had any idea about the view. At about six thirty I opened my eyes and saw what looked like trees outside the large window. Trying hard not to wake Commando I grabbed my padded jacket, pulled on yesterday’s leggings and jumper and crept out the back door to investigate. What I found was a high balcony looking out onto glimmering water and the tops of trees. The sun was just beginning to come up so I pulled on my hat against the cold and sat watching the light reveal more. Slowly colours began to appear. There was grass far below and blue sky. Then, as it got lighter still, houses on the far shore and trees in colours so bright it brought tears to my eyes. When I got too cold to carry on sitting there Commando was awake, staring out of the window with a look of wonder in his eyes.
“This has to be the best view we have ever had from a hotel room,” he said. Continue reading Foraging in Gravenhurst