Culture! Culture!! Culture!!! Coast???

Plans of an impending bushwalk to Centennial Ridge in Algonquin Park for Julie were very much up in the air as we lept into the CuRVy and headed off in the wind and rain to the Gravenhurst Opera House. The first concert of the Muskoka Concert Association www.muskokaconcertassociation.com featured the guitar duo Strings Attached http://www.gravenhurstoperahouse.com/henderson-kolk-duo-no-strings-attached-friday-october-14th-8-pm%20to%201738 and while listening to classical guitar duos has never been high on my bucket list, going to every possible event in 2011 has.

I was surprised. They were great! Note to Four Winds Festival.... www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB5HG2Qdmck


When we arrived home there was a message that the Saturday hike was cancelled due to the inclement weather so plan B went into action. Websites, books and magazines were perused and tickets and accommodation was booked. Nothing like intricate, detailed planning!!! 

Following a good nights sleep, a hearty breakfast and some schoolwork we punched Festival Theatre, Stratford, Ontario into Mrs Garmin and headed into the light rain on our way to the mystical Court of Camelot. Of course we fortified ourselves with the mythical McDonald's coffee and muffins meal which has been a favourite travelling companion throughout our Canadian Odysseys in both 2007 & 2011. Although it was overcast the driving was easy and the autumn scenery was nice.

Arriving a little early for the matinee performance of Camelot http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/OnStage/productions.aspx?id=11117&utm_source=Homepage&utm_medium=billboardlink&utm_campaign=hp-billboard&prodid=36298 gave us the opportunity of heading to an Iconic Canadian  Restaurant for a quick lunch.

Yes, it was to Tim Horton's, but this was a "Timmy's" with a difference. Hockey shirts, jeans and caps had been replaced by gentlemen in suits and well dressed ladies. Tim Horton's does cater to all Canadians after all! Just a pity the coffee isn't to my taste.

Early arrival at the theatre also allowed me to take a quick photo of the stage, although I did get castigated by the very pleasant usher. Never mind.




The production was excellent and we left with the tunes and images of Camelot replaying again and again in our minds. There could be worse things to happen in your mind.


Not being prepared to fork out the $200 being asked for a night in Stratford we had booked accommodation in nearby London and arrived at the Knight's Inn (ironic choice) at around 6pm. Offering all we needed (bed and breakfast) the Knight's Choice had one real bonus with a bar/restaurant right next door. 

"Players" http://www.playerslondon.ca/ offered good basic food. Julie chose an Angus Burger with fries, I chose Pulled Pork on a Kaiser with salad. Maybe not totally Jelinek friendly but tasted good and there was plenty to eat and with the 4 different Hockey games, the 2 football games (NFL & CFL), soccer and Ultimate Fighting Challenge there was no shortage of things to watch on the TV. And if we had a few days we may have been able to take in the total amount of the memorabillia on show including a whole wall of Wayne Gretzky. Amazing look at a totally different type of culture! I was right at home!!!

Great bed made for a good night's sleep and special mention should go to the Knight's Inn decore which included a colourful bathroom. The interesting choices continued when we went over to the breakfast room/ lobby/ office, no reason to waste a good space. The breakfast choices were sweet, sweeter or sweetest but they were plentiful and the coffee was never ending and hot.

Amazing just how good very sweet syrup and a healthy appetite can make waffles taste!!!

Our plan was to head to Lake Huron and we travelled there through constant drizzling rain with the wind blowing hard enough to shake the CuRVy. Maybe not a beach day but we were both Far South Coast Branch Surf Lifesavers so you never, never know.


Grand Bend was just like a beach town on the south coast of NSW except for no waves, no salt water and no people. BUT, it is heading towards winter and many south coast towns look just like this in May, June, July, August and September so maybe it wasn't too far from home after all!  And - of course there were surf shops !!!!


Another interesting thing was just how productive and prosperous the farmland looked in the area, even though the production season  was well and truly over.

And there was even a business opportunity.........

Next stop was Goderich which is known as Canada's Prettiest Town. http://www.goderich.ca/en/ Well that title may be in a bit of jeopardy due to the town being devastated by the tornado that hit the town on August 21st this year. The signs of the destructive winds were easy to see but so was the effort to clean up the mess, rebuild and get on with life.

Let's hope Goderich returns to the way it was on August 20. The town was so unlucky, if the tornado hit 5 km (3 miles) either side it would have only destroyed  corn. Fate is freaky...........

Heading further north to Owen Sound we decided to head back to 460 Sarah via Flesherton (interesting name) and the grey Highlands arriving home weary but satisfied after another interesting weekend.

Giving thanks for a grand Gravenhurst year

Having survived our first bear encounter we decided that we should give thanks and as this weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving this was the perfect time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(Canada)

Gravenhurst and Gravenhurstians have been very welcoming to us and the weekend included not only one but two scrumptious meals. Memorable company made for a memorable Thanksgiving!!!

Sunday started slowly with discussions on various options for the coming days, weeks, months and years. If you're going to have a talk you might as well have plenty to talk about! Then to more mundane things i.e.shopping! After the weekly visit to the shops we made time for a cup of coffee in the sun. Went for a bike ride to look at the ever changing autumn colours and in preparation for the evening, we enjoyed a light lunch.

Muldrew Lake and Hank & Barb Smith's cottage was the  destination we headed towards for the afternoon and evening. Thanksgiving is a very important celebration and we were very happy to share a family celebration with Hank and Barb, their daughter Kim and her husband Peter along with their daughters Abbie  and Katie.

Lounging on the deck was the most strenuous activity during the afternoon and with the temperature hovering around 22C (70F) the pleasant, interesting and ever varying conversation continued throughout the Autumn afternoon until....

 until we were summoned by Barb for dinner.

Following the singing of the "Johnnie Appleseed Grace" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_IrdS-zu48 

we sat down to a dinner of mashed potatoes, mashed turnip, beans, coleslaw, cranberry sauce and an enormous turkey. This was followed by pumpkin pie and blueberry pie.... mmmmm!!!!! Following this feast (thanks Barb) the wide ranging discussions continued for some time.




And despite the occasional sprinkling of  bee tales & chalkdust it was a great day and evening!!!







On arrival that night at 460 Sarah we were intrigued by Elaine's suggestion for Julie to wear "bright colours" for the hike tomorrow. The reason for the "bright colours" was so Julie couldn't be confused by hunters who maybe in the area. Hmmmmm!!!!

Monday dawned with the prospect of another clear, calm and sunny day. Julie was going to start the day with a vigorous 5 hour walk. I had much less activity planned.

My most pressing activity was to select the wine and to be ready for Bryan and Marsha to collect me. I passed both tests!!! And more importantly Julie survived the walk and was able to walk around to Peter and Lesley's place to get a lift to the venue for Thanksgiving Dinner #2. 

Bryan and Marsha's Cottage is on Morrison Lake and like the Smith's, the cottage has been owned by the family (Marsha's) for a long time. This cottage was rebuilt recently due to a lightning caused fire a few years ago. In both cases the view of the front, as nice as it is, is overshadowed by the unbelievable vista out the back......

 And as the sun set on another marvellous Muskoka day

we sat down to more tasty Thanksgiving cheer and frivolity with good friends and we sure have been blessed with an abundance of good friends all throughout 2011!!!

Not an average start to the weekend

Collected Julie from Beechgrove Muskoka and left for Whitney with at least one of us wondering why Canadians would name a town after a left handed quick. The real reason for staying at Whitney was that we were heading to Algonquin Park for an epic canoe journey on Saturday.
After getting our Algonquin Visitor's Permit we headed on Highway 60 and after stopping with me taking a few photos and Julie walking on the Lookout Trail. Interesting gear worn by some of the hikers but a nice view for Julie and great autumn colours.

Next stop was at the Algonquin Logging Museum. Australians who may be reading this Blog may be as surprised as I was to see a Museum dedicated to the Logging Industry in the middle of an iconic Provincial Park. But the truth is without the logging industry I don't think Algonquin Provincial Park would exist.


Although the museum was closed Julie was able to walk around the 2km outdoor exhibit in about 45 minutes (took me 2 hours when I was there in the summer) and I sat and sketched. Good for both of us!!http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/locations/algonquin-logging-museum.php 

Whitney and the Dreamcatcher Motel were nice, interesting, and necessary. Nice room, interesting BBQing in the dark, and necessary because it had been a long, long day.

Early start as we headed back into Algonquin Park, looked at another ho-hum lake 

and then to Opeongo Lake to pick up our rental canoe from the Opeongo Store. We needed to be on time for the water taxi that would be ferrying us to Hailstorm Creek where we'd planned to spend the day exploring the creek, the central part of the Lake and hopefully find either a moose or a bear. No luck with either of those animals but we had a great day of paddling in a pristine, peaceful place.

Stopped for Julie to look through the Algonquin Visitors Centre http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/visit/locations/algonquin_visitor_centre.php
before heading back through Huntsville where guess what the CuRVy's pilot spotted

They are real after all!!!!!

While the teacher's away....

Gravenhurst autumn colours are amazing

Unfortunately all good things seem to come to an end and.....

Some people are left at home to cook, clean and tidy. Sooooooo

A beekeeper's gotta do what a beekeeper's gotta do

Not that exciting but hey I ended up with

MORE than a SIXPACK!!!!!!!!!!

Another quiet weekend

We had decided to spend a weekend close to home, with our feet up, reading a good book. Sounds relaxing doesn't it???? Hmmmmm. Did it happen?????

Relaxing weekend close to home and 2011 aren't in the same ball park!!!!!!!

Miss CuRVy and I transported Julie to school as it was her turn to provide treats for the staff. What, you may ask, was on the menu? Try this - ANZAC biscuits, Fairy Bread, Lamingtons, Tim Tams, and oh Vegemite Sandwiches. For those non Australians reading this blog I could summarise it with the following words sweet, Sweet, SWEET, SWEET and salty!!!!!!

Grace and Speed Volunteer Coordinator, Louise had organised an excursion for volunteers and I was off on an adventure to look at the historic steame the Bigwin http://www.myriadinc.com/bigwin/bigwinplan.htm ,the Dorset Museum and Robinson's General Store. Nice drive, good company and great fun!!!  And wouldn't Grumbles love the fire engine!!!!!!

The only real problem was the weather. It rained and rained and rained AND RAINED! 

But it didn't stop the enthusiasts

  

It was fun although I couldn't really say, "haven't we been lucky with the weather"!




Was home early enough to pick Julie up from Beechgrove-Muskoka and save her from the drenching that would have occurred should she have attempted the fast walk home. Cup of coffee and some cake, (not Lamingtons and ANZAC biscuits again) before heading towards Bracebridge and the Griffin Gastropub  http://www.thegriffinpub.ca/

Fellow Grace and Speed volunteer Verne, his wife Mervis and Studebakers http://www.ontariosdc.ca/component/option,com_easygallery/task,view/cid,721/Itemid,36/
were the reason we were here on this rainy night. We had been invited by a friend who is a Studebaker driver to come on a drive with their club. Unfortunately we weren't able to make the Saturday drive but we were able to make the PUB!!!

Interestingly Mrs Garmin wasn't able to locate the pub but we went to alternative technology opened our eyes and followed a .............Studebaker!!! 

Great food (Bison Burger) good conversation and very nice beer made for a fun night. Home to watch some of the Montreal Canadiens v Winnipeg Jets (yes the Jets are back) game. Pam "the apiarist's" review was accurate and this visit won't be our last.


The next morning saw two unusual occurrances. I  didn't get up until 8am. And Julie didn't rise until after 9.30!! Maybe it was the Canadian Facial provided by the students. All for a good cause - the "Terry Fox Run"!!!!!



Saturday morning eggs and bacon were prepared and eaten and we packed the necessities for the 12 km (7 1/2 mile) Save Otter Lake walk. Although it was cool (actually cold) we were  pleasantly surprised that the weather it was bleak and windy but it was cloudless and dry a quantum shift in the last 12 hours. Besides colder weather improves my body and stamina immeasurably so at least I may make it 1500 metres. lol...

Hank and Barb Smith picked us up and we were on our way to the 48th annual "South Muskoka Memorial Walking, Marching, Cycling, Swimming, Paddling, Chowder & Save White Lake Society" outing. If you thought that sounded like a long name for a big day then you are right, It was a big day. Pine Crest Camp was an ideal place to start and finish the  walk. In fact Pine Crest Camp was a nice place, FULL STOP.

What was the SMMWMCSPCSWLS outing all about. If you were an Australian (and I am) it started as a walk home from the pub 48 years ago. It continued and continues to grow and grow and grow with children, and grandchildren, family, friends and the occassional international visitors making up the hundreds that have done the walk over the years. A wonderful way to enjoy the company and scenery of the Muskoka.

By the way I did the walk, sort of, as they had a very good driver and big van who picked up those who had done enough walking and transported them back to the camp. For the record Julie did the full distance and actually did an extra 500 metres when she missed the turn around point while she was talking. Now that's a surprise!!

SMMWMCSPCSWLS finished with a great meal and a couple of "glasses" to restore the liquids lost through perpiration. A nice ending to a wonderful day.

Thanks John, Barbara and all who were a part of 2011 SMMWMCSPCSWLS.

Sunday started with pancakes and maple syrup but with only 2 litres 2 go we'd better get into it before Greg arrives. Over the breakfast table we discussed the options for the day as unfortunately the weather had made it impossible to go sailing with Leslie and Peter. Amazingly none of the options included having a nice rest. One day maybe...............

After our disjointed summer we decided to take the chance to catch up on some of the things we had planned to see earlier in the year. Pope John Paul II had made a visit to a place within an hour of home in 1984 and we we thought it would be interesting to see what would bring the Pontiff in rural Ontario. St Marie among the Hurons
http://www.saintemarieamongthehurons.on.ca/sm/en/Home/index.htm is a great recreation of the first white settlement in Ontario.

Cool weather and the occassional shower seemed to be the order of the day as we drank the obligatory Macca's coffee on our way to Midland but luckily the showers dodged us as we walked around what is a great piece of history. Saint Marie amongst the Hurons is the way historical stories should be told. A very moving place and ironically the inclement weather only added to the display.

Across the road frrom the Saint Marie Amongst the Hurons site is the Canadian Matyrs' Shrine. We had an amazing and educational day. http://www.martyrs-shrine.com/

All that education and led to what else....... Home to watch our Muskoka Shield!!!!!