Welcome back everyone! So grateful you've returned to share in my Canadian adventures over the past two weeks. I'm almost back into the timely posting of my weekly blog - almost! Thanks for your patience and continuing interest!
I'm blessed to be immersed in the autumn colours that appear in the fall season. The locals I have spoken with mention the leaves are turning colour earlier than in previous years. We are being treated to a fantastic range of colours this year unlike any other year in my recent memory.
Cottage life has been very agreeable. My friend Dave has afforded me the most precious gift of time in a beautiful setting. I'm blessed with absolute solitude for most of my stay. There is the very occasional boat on the lake throughout the day, but that is about all for man made noises. I've had time to watch the daily sunrise (or sit and enjoy an overcast sky), dive into the two John O'Donoghue books I bought in Galway and revisit Embers - One Ojibway's Meditations by Richard Wagamese.
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| Evening colors as dusk approaches on the lake |
The aspiration to become a freelance travel writer has surfaced through my conversations with Dave at his cottage. Dave has been instrumental by introducing the idea along with highlighting the fit with my interests. My good friend Janet has graciously agreed to my request for her help to apply her literary gifts in reviewing my drafts. Here's how Janet responded to my idea of pursuing the dream of becoming a freelance writer and my request for her help:
'This seems to marry your curiosity about people, your deep listening skills to pull out what's lurking below the words and your amazing knack for revealing all that is truly good in others.
Sign me up! I feel we all ache for the uplifting, the encouraging, the welcoming stories that shine a positive light on humanity.'
Thank you Janet for your incredibly kind words and generous support. I trust I can live you to these expectations. Stay tuned! The journey to being a writer starts next week.
One final thought. I'm quickly forsaking future trips to large cities unless they are unavoidable. My time at the cottage is highlighting how spending time in large cities is sucking the life out of my soul. Time for a serious course correction...
BTW - please have patience with me as I get accustomed to being a tourist in my own country. I find I am forgetting to take photos in my travels so I need to backtrack to 'fill in the gaps'. The challenge with taking so much for granted!
May the universe bring endless blessings (blessings in disguise) and moments of magic 🦄 to you and your loved ones in the week ahead. 🙏
Travel update: I leave my friend Dave's cottage/cabin on Sunday, September 28. Then it's back to The Waterside Inn in Port Credit until Friday, October 3 when I fly to Minneapolis on my way back to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. I now plan to return to Canada from Wisconsin on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Travel Administration
Simple one this week. Cottage vs. cabin - what's the difference? The only difference in my world is geography, meaning in western Canada/USA a summer home in the woods/on a lake is called a cabin. The same accommodation in central Canada is referred to as a cottage.
Travel Maps
I've captured my travel within Ontario since returning to Canada. The map includes a trip to Moxie's Restaurant for an amazing lunch with my dear friend Mike. We've been in regular FaceTime/WhatsApp video contact throughout my travels. I'm so deeply grateful for Mike's support, encouragement and pearls of wisdom throughout our friendship which spans decades.
Canada (Ontario): September 7 to September 20, 2025
Welcome to my go-to location when I'm in the greater Toronto area. Port Credit is a small community within Mississauga, a city of about 800,000 people that borders on the City of Toronto. My temporary home is the
Waterside Inn, the only hotel in the area that is located on Lake Ontario. A big plus for this hotel is its proximity to multiple walks along Lake Ontario. It is an ideal location for getting up early to witness the sunrise.
Sunrise Over Lake Ontario
I had the chance to meet up with friends I've made in my early morning walks. Rosemary and Steve are a couple regulars who enjoy taking sunrise photos. Steve has a Facebook page where he posts his photos. I also met up with two other regulars whose names I have forgotten. One friend emigrated to Canada from South Africa years ago. She returns to South Africa for six months each year. She is leaving on October 3. The other friend is a retired university professor who continues to teach one class a semester at a Scottish university. She is out every morning with her two faithful companions.
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| Blessed to witness the start of a new day |
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| My version of photographic artistry! |
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| Sunrise over Port Credit Marina |
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| Toronto skyline in the background |
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| Blessed with a magnificent display of clouds |
There is this beautiful backyard that I walk by on my morning sunrise adventure. My transition to being a tourist in my own country meant taking the time to learn more about this garden and its owner through the website posted on the fence. This garden is brought to you by Kittie Wensley. Click on the link to learn more, just like I did!
On Lake Ontario
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| Got this photo in the nick of time |
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| Trumpeter swans nest in the vicinity |
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| Sadly, there is some trash along the shoreline |
Belated Birthday Celebration
My penultimate birthday cake is a poppyseed chiffon cake - sans icing. My mother used to make this cake for my birthday for as long as I can remember. I would be blessed with this cake if I happened to return home on or near my birthday. I am so blessed that the baker at the local Cousins Market store has agreed to make 'my' birthday cake for the last four years. While my 'official' birthday is in June, I live with the belief I can celebrate my birthday whenever I want and for as long as I want. So there....
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| Poppyseed bunt cake |
Storage Locker Update
Here is the last of my worldly possessions. The only item missing from this photo is a suitcase and a carry-on. I do need to dispose of the remaining items as this little space is costly!
Big Hawk Lake
Around the Lake
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| Welcome to the Marina and Boat Launch |
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| Fall colours have come early to greet me |
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| Looking right from cottage |
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| Cottage dock |
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My friend Dave's cottage is in the shade
on the right |
Sunrise
The cottage has a deck facing to the east. What a blessing! I'm up for the sunrise around 6 am. I love to watch the progression of advancing daylight leading to the actual sunrise. My friend Dave is up and about earlier than me which means the coffee is ready to enjoy while waiting for the earth to rotate and the sun appears (just after 7 am EDT). Every sunrise is unique. The overcast days are equally interesting as the daylight opens the day with its own array of colours. Enjoy the sunrise experience!
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
I tried to capture the mist rising from the water in the two video clips below. An amazing sunrise experience!
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| Moonbeam on water with Venus nearby |
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| Trying to capture the mist rising from the water |
Day 7
New Cottage Friends
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Meet Howard - he can retrieve a stick
ALL DAY LONG! |
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Meet Lady Gaga - attempts to rename
our friend, a rescue, have been unsuccessful |
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| Meet Woody the Woodpecker |
Country Bakery
Carnarvon is a series of buildings near (well, somewhat near) the intersection of Hwys 118 and 35. The Country Bakery, colocated with an antique store in a former church, was an extraordinary find. I met my first three locals during my initial bakery visit. I was on a mission to buy a loaf of bread. Truth be told, I had driven right by the bakery sign on my first day (the previous day) without even noticing the sign or the bakery.
I had the most interesting and amazing welcome. When I approached the counter to pay for my loaf, a woman appeared in the threshold and called out 'Annabelle'. This was my introduction to Dulce, a bakery employee and her daughter Annabelle who also works at the bakery. I made a funny comment about my willingness to change my name to Annabelle if that was part of the store's purchase policy. Fortunately Dulce and Annabelle saw humour in my comment. In subsequent bakery visits, Dulce has referred to me as Annabelle 2.0. For me, this is an example of what I love about small village life. Personable and homey.
I also indirectly met Sue, the owner, as she was walking through the customer area on her way to the bakery's back area. I have had a subsequent convo with Sue where I broached the idea of writing an article about the bakery. After some initial uncertainty, she has agreed to meeting with me. Helen Litt, the property owner/antique shop owner, is expected to participate in the meeting scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, September 24.
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| Church of Zion was closed sometime ago |
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Bakery is located straight ahead, then turn left
once inside the building |
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| Awesome Strawberry Rhubarb Pie |
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Date square - it's good (my mom's version was
much better though!) |
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Raspberry White Chocolate Scone - so good!
Sue's secret recipte |
I received an unexpected and most welcome gift in meeting the Haliburton Highlands Quilt Guild during the week. I entered an open door to the Stanhope Community Centre in search of a toilet when I encountered a large group of women busy on sewing machines. I was at the community centre filling some large water bottles for the cottage as the lake water is unsafe to drink. My curiosity overtook my toilet quest, at least temporarily. By the end of my visit I had the email contact for Pat Stiver, the current Guild president, an invitation to return the following Wednesday, September 24 to pursue my suggestion of writing an article about the Guild for the Highlander, the local weekly paper. I also got the tip on where I should go to get my hair cut in Minden. I eventually did get my potty break before resuming my travels.
Click the link above to learn more about why you might want to visit Minden Hills Township.
Kawartha Dairy
Yes, I've found a little part of ice cream paradise in Minden. Conveniently located just off Hwy 35 that runs through/by Minden. So many flavours to choose from. I took Dave's advice and ordered a 'baby' sized cup of ice cream. Admittedly, the 'baby' serving was enough for two people. I also must confess to powering through the entire cup. Like the saying goes, 'where there is a will, there is a way'. My expanding waistline is most appreciative, not!
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Ice cream serving window. If the people corral
is any indication, this is a busy place in summer! |
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All these flavours are in stock.
I chose the Muskoka Mocha. |
Unisex Hairstyling by Sandra
I had a reliable referral from a Quilt Guild member that this hairstylist cuts men's hair. Her husband had his hair cut by Sandra. I was further advised that the only other person cutting men's hair in Minden had much more variable hours; seemed like he opened his establishment when the mood struck him or, perhaps, when the financial need arose. The shop is located in an abandoned petrol station just off Hwy 35 bypass. An instance where having 'insider' info was helpful. And I received a good haircut!
Farmers Market
The Minden Farmers Market runs from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturdays over the summer, with October 4th being the final day of business in 2025. Dave had given me the heads up on the market should I want to make any food purchases. What I did buy was a couple tacos from the Taco Mami kiosk. The kiosk was run by Dulce and her daughter Annabelle, the same two women who I met working in the Country Bakery. Amazing tacos. My plan is to revisit the stand next Saturday for more tacos and try the Mexican hot chocolate.
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| Dulce and Annabelle |
Gull River
The picturesque Gull River runs through the village. Donning the tourist perspective has helped me with a better appreciation for the local beauty I find myself in as part of my cottage visit. The fall colours add so much natural appeal to an already scenic setting.
Village Centre
Welcome to the Central Business District (CBD) in small village Ontario. A few stores, a few cafes, pub; all the necessities for a small village. There are a couple grocery stores, a Canadian Tire store, a Tim Horton's coffee/donut shop, a Pioneer petrol station, liquor AND beer store.
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| Main street |
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| Post office |
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| Main village intersection |
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| Main street - looking towards the river |
Next Week
Busy week ahead planned - well relatively busy in a cottage lifestyle way. I have some cottage duties Dave has assigned for me to complete like stacking firewood, cleaning the boat and general clean-up in the cottage. I also two interviews on Wednesday for the articles I want to write for submission to the Highlander, a local weekly publication (previously mentioned in the blog). Finally, I have a road trip planned to go in a northernly direction through Dorset (Andrew's suggestion) on my way to
The Screaming Heads of Burk's Falls (Andrew' suggestion again). I will likely stop to visit Andrew's friend Rusty (Eric is his given name) as well as stop at Katrine's Canteen, a roadside food truck. I return to Port Credit on Sunday, September 28.
Stay happy and healthy!
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