Ready to Head South Again

A very special reunion has been on the books for almost a year, so exactly a week after the eye surgery, we were once again air-borne - with the surgeon's approval of course! It was the latest in a series of get-togethers with CUSO friends from Sharon's days in Winnipeg thirty years ago. This time it was being hosted by Margie in Halifax, with Lissie-Anna and her husband Raymond flying in from Winnipeg. Unfortunately, Ken and Katya were still too busy on their pick-your-own fruit and veggie farm up in Bracebridge to make it out to this one. We spent a fantastic extended weekend reminiscing and catching up on each others news, and generally enjoying wonderful company.

01 Blow us some bubbles, Oli!

Food was particularly high on the agenda, of course, so we had several walks down through the Public Gardens into the historic centre of this friendly maritime city to look for local seafood and produce - especially to the busy Farmers' Market on Saturday morning. Hurricane Ophelia only materialized as a couple of rainy days - which gave us plenty of opportunities for leisurely sessions of bed-tea, and playing games of Farkle, Target word puzzles and Sudoku. Besides some memorable meals, our treasured highlights included sharing the video of Lissie's 'Spirit's Call Choir', and some particularly tender and evocative moments remembering Mike, as well as Larry, Margie's husband who died in a tragic kayaking accident nine years ago. A terrific weekend, guys - can't wait until Winnipeg, 2007!

02 Imposing entrance

The week also included good times with Gerry's brother Geoff, and his wife Angie, checking out their new house and hearing all their latest news. A walk in Point Pleasant Park showed the extensive damage still very evident from Hurricane Juan two years ago - hopefully the rejuvenation process will restore this valued resource to its former natural state. A trip down to their cottage on Gifford's Island near Mahone Bay was a good opportunity to spend a little time on the water and enjoy the beautiful Nova Scotia coastline - not to mention an amazing gourmet picnic! Despite their busy schedules we were also able to spend an evening with our niece and nephew, Karen and Greg, and find out what is happening in their lives and careers - accompanied by another delicious roast lamb supper prepared by Angie and Geoff.

03 Halifax Public Gardens

Later in the week we met up with Doris and Hugh from our university days in Guelph - another chance to enjoy the valued company of good friends, and stroll again in the beautifully maintained Public Gardens on a quiet sunny afternoon. Finally it was time to bid farewell to Halifax and head back for our last few days in Ottawa. You'll be pleased to hear that our return trip was quite uneventful- and Air Canada managed to keep us united with our luggage for two consecutive flights!

We had scheduled almost nothing for our final week in Ottawa, purposely leaving the time free to catch our breath and attend to last minute chores before heading back to Argentina. Ya, right!! A constant flux of lunch, afternoon coffee and gourmet dinner engagements, together with several 'overnight specials' ensured that we were once again able to say goodbye to all of our friends in fine fashion. We owe a debt of gratitude to so many of our friends and family for a wonderful summer back in Canada. For fear of leaving anyone out, we hesitate to list everybody, but you all know who you are - the most wonderful people in the world!!

04 Bandstand grandeur

Buenos Aires, here we come.

(Credit for Photos 06, 07, 08, 09, & 10: Liesbet-Anna Loewen)

05 Waiting for the concert to begin

06 Rainy day visit to the Farmers' Market

07 Bed-tea crew

08 What decadence!!

09 Lissie's podiatric creation!

10 Luscious local lamb

11 Definitely a maritime town

12 Tranquil Indian Point

13 Gourmet picnic

14 Shimmering Mahone Bay

15 Aquatic queen for the day

16 Newspaper wallah

17 Good friends, good cheer