24Aug
Friday morning, the plan is to head west for the weekend and we’ve agreed to be on the road between 10 and 10:30. This offers us the best window of least traffic opportunity - commuters will be at work by now and the noon rush won’t have started.
Matt plans to head to the gym first thing, help me load everything in the Tiguan and then we’ll head in opposite directions down the 401. Carman packed his gear last night and will just have to add his meds and he’ll be ready to go.
I’m up early - although I’ve noticed that the sun is no longer up before me these days :o( which means only one thing...school starts soon! Packed my bag, the food and supplements bag for Carman, a snack bag for Matt to take on his trip home to Ottawa, assemble the equipment and now (at 9:40) all that’s left to do is...wake up two sleeping men! Filling a liquid stroller should do that quite well, but just to be kind, I wish them each a “Good morning, time to rise and shine!” in turn, and tell them departure is in 20 minutes (as if).
Coffee all around and the action starts...oops! Carman has overlooked his various masks in the packing process (we’ll just take the physio backpack). Vehicles are loaded and we’re exchanging hugs goodbye by 11:00. About 50 minutes later we complete the 30 minute drive to the junction of 427 and 401 (yes, the noon rush had started) and are officially on our way!
Our first stop in London is Starbucks - yes, you already know what Carman ordered - to meet with our friend Gerry for a quick coffee. He shares details of his recent family trip to Disney with Kristin (expecting their next child) and son Blake, aka mini-Gerry; and we bring him up to speed on our adventures, beyond what he’s read in the blog, of course.
Next we head to our residence for the weekend (Lee & Mary’s) in the south end of town - . We have time for a delicious barbeque and visit before heading north again, to Jill & Tony’s for an evening with our former neighbours on Carmen Crescent - yes, seriously...spelled differently, but our street and my husband have the same name - he’ll tell you it was named for him!
We arrive to find the gang (almost) all there...Janet and Andrea missed the evening and ironically, stayed at our home in NB on Tuesday (and picked up Andrea’s gear that we store for her each summer) on their way to Wolfville, NS - delivering Andrea to Acadia University for the 3rd year of her program.
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| F: Judy, Kristin, Sheila, Janet, Karen, Jill & Bev B: Pamela, Betty, Carman, Ted, Tony, Jeff & Don |
Tony had a little extra surprise in store for us...shortly after everyone was assembled on the deck, the gate opened once again and in walked his sister Karen (from Barrie) accompanied by their other sister Bev - who lives across the street from us in NB! With former and current neighbours both in attendance we really felt at home!
Saturday morning was a hair raising experience - literally! We spent the morning and early afternoon with Elisa and Tony. Elisa has been my friend and stylist for about 30 years and not only did she do our hair for us, but was determined to help Carman gain back the 5 lbs he has lost in the last 2 months...in one sitting. Her cannoli is amazing and Tony makes a perfect correto to go with it! After our salon treatments we enjoyed a wonderful antipasto lunch al fresco - thanks so much - baci e abbracci bella! |
| Holy Moly 5 Cannoli! |
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| Tony, Elisa, Pamela & Carman |
We arrived back at Lee & Mary’s in time for Carman to have a nap before dinner (our International Dinner group is getting together). Afraid of missing something and in spite of 3 reminders from Lee that he should be napping, Carman keeps on visiting until the rest of the gang arrives and then there’s no nap to be had! Barb & Randy brought some appies and a layered salad, Mary & Lee did a beautiful pork tenderloin (thanks go to their son-in-law, Jeff, chef at the local Hunt Club, for the marinade tips) with french beans and baked potatoes, then Linda & Terry presented a sponge cake with fresh berries and mousse for dessert. Thanks also got to Elisa for the cannoli she sent home with us for the gang. This wonderful menu was accompanied by an outrageous amount of ribbing, teasing and laughter...Delicious, delightful and I think I’ve gained back Carman’s 5lbs for him along with a few for myself this weekend!
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| Pamela, Carman, Lee, Mary, Terry, Linda, Barb & Randy |
Thanks so much to all of you for a wonderful weekend of R&R, excellent meals, lots of love and laughter - we treasure your friendship beyond words!
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