Trevor and I have just returned from a elightful trip to Ontario to visit my brother and his wife.
We rented a car in Syracuse and drove to Tweed, making the border crossing much easier. We also got to see a bit of upstate New York and Canadian countryside as the leaves began to turn. We had no rain the whole week we were there.
Jon is in good health, Sue is still recovering from a hip replacement but cooked us some of her wonderful pork ribs, and other goodies.
Jon cooks too, and made us English pancakes which I remember from childhood. They are very thin and eaten with lemon juice and sugar.
We visited some of their friends, and went to the O'Hara sawmill which Sue's grandfather homesteaded. It is now a museum and very worth a visit. He dammed the river above the mill which powered the saw, cutting beams, planks and boards for local builders. The Canadians are proud of their rugged heritage and gladly volunteer hours of time, money and expertise to preserve it.
Saturday afternoon we dropped into an outdoor bar for a beer and some excellent music, mostly guitar, harmonica and blues singing - regulars who drop in to perform for the pleasure of making music.
We visited two of their single women friends, both with their own farms, who live alone, but manage beautifully with the help of friends and neighbors.
Jon and Sue live on an isolated parcel of woods with a house of architectural quality sited by a river and rapids that make a delightful flowing water sound when you sit on the porch. Last year Jon built a sauna and hot tub and the year before a garage with an upstairs 'man cave' where he keeps tools etc. it is heated by a wood burning stove, as is the main house. Wood logs are piled everywhere, and he has a power log-splitter to make the firewood. Sue has her studio on the top floor with a view of the river. The whole place is spectacular.
I just got word that La Costa Glen has a villa for me! I have to work fast to move in at the end of the month. Lots to do!!
More later. Love to you all, Val
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