Algonquin Park - Autumn 2019

My husband and I belong to an antique British Car Club.  One of our members had been very generous with his time and organized a 'Fall Colour Tour' to Algonquin Provincial Park.  It was a meandering car trip, that took 3 days and 2 nights.

Here are some of the highlights of the trip!

Our car is the burgundy E type Jag

Local artists capturing the beauty of the area

If you have never been to Canada in Autumn,

 you certainly are missing one of the wonders of the world

Reminiscing 5

Staying with the theme of our family getting together to celebrate, in 2014, many family members gathered in Montreal for a momentous surprise birthday party for Belinda,

 organized by her daughter, Mackenzie.

After the initial surprise for Belinda by walking into the party, 'surprise' people were brought out to her one by one, which included me and Ken, Trish and her daughter Clementine,

 and Nica with her family, Mark & Meredith.

The moment that brought tears to everyone's eyes 

was when my Dad came into the room!

There were enough tears to fill the St. Lawrence river.

The party started and everyone had a super time.

Belinda, Clementine & Trish

Mackenzie also did a fantastic job with the wonderful food

Dad, Trish & Clem

As the party took place in October, those of us who were still in town,
went to visit the Atwater Market the next day,
where all of Mum's girls remember going shopping with her!

My niece, Madison

We were also able to spend a lovely afternoon
 with my mother's sister, Francine

(all the way from Belgium).

The family event was capped off the last day
with brunch at a local eatery. 

Of course, everyone ordered fruit salad...NOT!

(Isn't that lettuce under those strawberries??)

The crowning glory was a family photo for all of us to remember this wonderful time together!

Happy Easter everyone....enjoy your family, and make memories!

Reminiscing 4

Still in the old vault, I thought it would be fun to share a momentous event in the Dale family...the 30th wedding anniversary of my sister Trish & her husband Francois.

Pretty much the whole family from many countries gathered in the south of France to celebrate.

My paternal grandmother had lived in Najac, in the Averyron, where Trish & Francois met, married and still live nearby.

Trish thought it would be the perfect place to have a party, so found a huge house in a nearby village for us to gather.

Uncle Andy giving us a history lesson about the castle that guarded Najac in the 1300's

A house big enough for 20...

Sister Belinda (Trish, background)  and me deciding what to make for dinner for the crowd

Niece Mackenzie looking at the village from the top of the Chateau

A gathering of cousins

Granny's house (at the foot of the castle)

Dad and Belinda hamming it up

The gang gathers outside the church where the wedding ceremony took place

Uncle Andy and me having a moment

My aunt Nicole (who is my Paris hostess) and me

The happy family being feted

On our way back to Toulouse, 

we stopped to admire another medieval town Carcassonne

It was wonderful to see the whole family again!

Reminiscing 3

I decided to dig deep into the vault today

 to share my trip to France from 2006.

That was a long time ago, 

and I am sure you will agree that we haven't changed a bit!

The fun started with my birthday celebration 

at my favourite French restaurant, L'Entrecote

All they serve is Salad, Steak & Frites! (and their secret sauce) Yummo!

After a few days in Toulouse,

 we then headed to Cap d'Agde on the Mediterranean.

En route, we stopped in Trebes for lunch 

and I had to get my Cassoulet fix!

I shared a room with my lovely nieces 

Now this is what I call a Fish Platter!!

It was so fresh!!

Back in Toulouse, another favourite eatery 

was the local pizza restaurant; 

no longer in business :(

Best ever pizza!

I just love the narrow, little back streets of Toulouse

More memories coming up!

Reminiscing 2

More memories to share with you

My family tries to see each other as often as we can, but with Dad & his 4 girls being spread around the world, 

over 2 continents and 3 countries, 

it is not always easy.

We succeeded in November 2012 (missing sister taking the picture)

(Miss you Dad!)

England, September 2013

In keeping with family visits, my hubby and 

I try to get over to England annually 

to visit with Aunt Shirley

Lunch in the garden

Our preparations for meals

 always include a stop at the local cheese shop!

One outing took us to Barrington Court, a 16th century house that was restored in the 1920's, by Colonel Lyle, whose family was part of the famous Lyle & Tate sugar refining company.

The Stables

 The gardens were magnificent

A lovely outing was followed by a healthy dinner

Stay tuned for more...

Reminiscing 1

 During this tough time of self-isolation and uncertainly, I was reminded by my Uncle Andy that since I am not likely to take any trips this year, he missed reading about all my adventures through my blog.

That gave me an idea....I started looking through all my pictures and though it would be nice to share some of my past adventures.  It will be mainly pictorial, so I hope you enjoy taking a walk down memory lane with me.

2011 Cruise to the Caribbean 

Swimming with the Stingrays

Visit to the Isle of Man 2013

On to the south of England 2013

West Bay, Dorset

the Jurasic Coast

Tasting Somerset Cider!

I hope you enjoyed my memories...more to follow!