06 AUG 2010

Today we got up to a very relaxing and enjoyable breakfast in the solarium. I am feeling 100% good, but Wes has a slight headache – not sure why.

After breakfast we took a tour of the back yard that Clint and Robb have been developing since they purchased the house years ago.

 I of course had to take some pictures of the garden and as I am doing that I realized that I had done that the last time I was there (I am thinking about 2003) so will hunt up the pictures of that year to compare the changes. They have some incredible plants and flowers in bloom as well as a nicely laid out sitting areas and paths.

We were encouraged to stop over at the Bird Kingdom for a viewing of birds. I had a blast with my camera. There was the reptiles area with an opportunity for Wes to pet one – not the man eating ones fortunately. We walked around the small bird cage with the birds flying around use and posing for pictures. I had to take a picture of the bird descriptions so hopefully I can identify the birds in the pictures. From there we wandered through the nocturnal bird section (no pictures since it was dark) and finally a huge area of tropical birds. We spent an hour and half wandering and enjoying ourselves. Thank you Clint and Robb for the suggestion.

 

From there we headed to Niagara on the Lake for lunch. Clint had recommended we stop in at a place called REST and even gave us a business card. Needless to say I lost the card but we were able to call Clint for the name. He could not remember the address but knew that the Red Rooster was across the street so armed with that knowledge and my blackberry we were able to locate the sandwich shop. Well worth the effort.

Now we are off to Mississauga to meet Paula and put her address in the GPS. All is good. We are on the road and suddenly realize that the GPS is taking us towards a toll expressway – which I am thinking NO WAY!!! I know we can get there without paying a toll, but how? I am driving and Wes is trying to sort out the complex road structures. I am saying it is the 401 or the QEW (right on both accounts btw) and we have to divert from the toll road before getting there but have already left the QEW so decide to go over the 401 and come in that way.

Naturally this was a decision that added many extra KM to the drive. What should have been a 60 minute drive became 2 hours of scenic country side roads and a very busy 401 when we got onto it. Paula called us wondering what happened when we were about 5 minutes away from her house, but we made it.

Now Paula and Mario are Rick’s cousins, also met during the infamous 2001 drive. We consider Rick and Cleve to be part of our family so by extension are Paula and Mario. What a great time we had visiting. We were served a BBQ dinner that would be considered a feast. I learned that Paula had Rick and Cleve’s blackberry PIN and wondered why I never thought to add them to mine. We took care of that right away. And then set up a conference Blackberry Messenger session.

I cannot describe the context of the 4 way conversation other than to say our sides hurt from all the laughter we enjoyed. One point in particular that will be part of my memory for life will be the question that Paula asked (Rick has a tattoo of a cock (rooster) a symbol for his Portuguese heritage and a beaver for his Canadian heritage). Paula wanted to know what happens when you cross these two and we decided you end up with a Cleaver. ( I know it may sound corny in the light of the day but we thought it was so funny last night.) I think that during the conversation we really noted how much we all enjoy and care for each other and it was fun to be able to spend that little chat time in such distance locations but at the same time together.

I learned so much from Paula about the history of Portugal that I did not know. I am really looking forward now to visiting next spring and hope to especially visit their heritage town (Nazareen?). It will be on my list for sure.

We finished the evening at a coffee shop by the harbour after a driving tour of the city. Wes and I are staying at Paula’s parent’s house since they are in Portugal at the time so that is a great blessing for us. We got back to the house at 12:30 and both ready for bed.

I think it is wonderful to have such good friends and how close the friendship can become in a very short period of time with long spans of time between visits. Rick and Cleve are family to us, Paula and Mario; Clint and Robb; are friends that span distance and time in the friendships and I am so pleased to be able to call them friends. We look forward to hosting any and all back home in BC at some time.