APOLOGIES, RUNNING OUT OF TIME, THINK I MAY HAVE SOME PICS OUT OF ORDER!
July 28 Monday, Conservation Dept Park, Durham, ON
Woke to a very clear sunny morning, a change from yesterday when it was hazy all day. We were on the road soon after 9, and stopped at Sauble Falls…. watched a chap take his Canadian canoe down them…all with a fag in his mouth! Passed through the town of Sauble Beach which is quite a tourist area, and following the Lonely Planets guide, stopped in Southampton..proved to be a very good call. Headed to the wharf, which was at the Saugeen river mouth, on the shores of Huron. The lake had small waves and white sand, just like a NZ beach, probably the best swimming beach we had seen. We parked in the center of town and I hooked onto a wifi spot to get emails…seem to be getting good at this! Coffee and a Danish pastry at a nice café, then wandered the town. Ian found a very good hardware store that seemed to carry everything, and I found a very good gallery that was attached to a vibrant art school.. always seem to get inspired wandering around these places. Found an optometrist that was able to replace the arms of Ian’s glasses, one of which had broke several days ago, and had been held together with grey tape! I also found a pair of very smart clip on sunglasses for my prescription lenses, have never been able to get anything like it in NZ, so all in all a very worthwhile few hours.
Had a late lunch stop at Inverhuron still on the shores of Huron, then decided to start heading east, having noted a park at Durham that looked quite good. It was a very good drive across farming country, with some much bigger feed lots, and crops. The roads all run either north/south or east/west and are in 1 mile blocks. Passing through a very small village of Pinkerton spotted an antique shop….a real character of a chap owned in, enjoyed quite a chat with him, hearing about winter in the area….snow everywhere.
It was 5 by the time we reached the riverside camp, and got Ian out for a 5km walk to some falls, felt we deserved a beer when we got back.
July 29 Tuesday, Elora Gorge Conservation Park, ON
A later start, and got chatting to the couple in the next camp, who have a book store in town, about 5 mins away, but get away to their on-site caravan 3 nights a week during the summer. Very interesting couple to talk to, especially re local knowledge. Finally got going about 11, and headed North again, to the Welbeck Sawmill….a toy world for Ian with every imaginable tool and piece of woodworking equipment…and then more! I was very happy to sit in the RV and read while he wandered around…noticed a parcel came out with him!
Went back into Hanover to stock up on groceries, and had a lunch in a family restaurant, fairly ordinary. On the outskirt of town were able to get a “rogue” wifi, and Skyped Craig and the family.
Took the back roads south, really rich high producing farmland, with many barns with dairy cows, and growing barley, lucerne, hay and corn. Everything so neatly kept and buildings really well maintained – a great drive.
Came around the corner, and discovered the “cutest” little town, Neustadt, it reminded me of photos I have seen in Europe. The street was lined with baskets of pink and purple petunias, and there was a antique shop and a small boutique brewery….so had to stop! Ian investigated the antiques, while I walked down the street taking photos. Then a visit to the brewery where we discovered they use hops from Nelson, NZ….. had to buy a dozen (very good beer). I called into a little craft fabric shop and bought a “giant” French knitting stick…using ripped fabric, made into lengths which can be joined up to make table mats etc. Might be fun to do on the road.
It was getting onto 5, so took a more direct route to clock up some miles, and ended up at Elora Gorge.
Chris, the chap next door, arrived in after us, to set up camp ready for his family to arrive tomorrow, and he came over to have a few “Coffees” with us…yes it is another alcohol free camp! He was a policeman for 12 years, and now works for Siemens in security. Somehow we never get lonely, there always seems to be someone to talk with.
Woke to a very clear sunny morning, a change from yesterday when it was hazy all day. We were on the road soon after 9, and stopped at Sauble Falls…. watched a chap take his Canadian canoe down them…all with a fag in his mouth! Passed through the town of Sauble Beach which is quite a tourist area, and following the Lonely Planets guide, stopped in Southampton..proved to be a very good call. Headed to the wharf, which was at the Saugeen river mouth, on the shores of Huron. The lake had small waves and white sand, just like a NZ beach, probably the best swimming beach we had seen. We parked in the center of town and I hooked onto a wifi spot to get emails…seem to be getting good at this! Coffee and a Danish pastry at a nice café, then wandered the town. Ian found a very good hardware store that seemed to carry everything, and I found a very good gallery that was attached to a vibrant art school.. always seem to get inspired wandering around these places. Found an optometrist that was able to replace the arms of Ian’s glasses, one of which had broke several days ago, and had been held together with grey tape! I also found a pair of very smart clip on sunglasses for my prescription lenses, have never been able to get anything like it in NZ, so all in all a very worthwhile few hours.
Had a late lunch stop at Inverhuron still on the shores of Huron, then decided to start heading east, having noted a park at Durham that looked quite good. It was a very good drive across farming country, with some much bigger feed lots, and crops. The roads all run either north/south or east/west and are in 1 mile blocks. Passing through a very small village of Pinkerton spotted an antique shop….a real character of a chap owned in, enjoyed quite a chat with him, hearing about winter in the area….snow everywhere.
It was 5 by the time we reached the riverside camp, and got Ian out for a 5km walk to some falls, felt we deserved a beer when we got back.
July 29 Tuesday, Elora Gorge Conservation Park, ON
A later start, and got chatting to the couple in the next camp, who have a book store in town, about 5 mins away, but get away to their on-site caravan 3 nights a week during the summer. Very interesting couple to talk to, especially re local knowledge. Finally got going about 11, and headed North again, to the Welbeck Sawmill….a toy world for Ian with every imaginable tool and piece of woodworking equipment…and then more! I was very happy to sit in the RV and read while he wandered around…noticed a parcel came out with him!
Went back into Hanover to stock up on groceries, and had a lunch in a family restaurant, fairly ordinary. On the outskirt of town were able to get a “rogue” wifi, and Skyped Craig and the family.
Took the back roads south, really rich high producing farmland, with many barns with dairy cows, and growing barley, lucerne, hay and corn. Everything so neatly kept and buildings really well maintained – a great drive.
Came around the corner, and discovered the “cutest” little town, Neustadt, it reminded me of photos I have seen in Europe. The street was lined with baskets of pink and purple petunias, and there was a antique shop and a small boutique brewery….so had to stop! Ian investigated the antiques, while I walked down the street taking photos. Then a visit to the brewery where we discovered they use hops from Nelson, NZ….. had to buy a dozen (very good beer). I called into a little craft fabric shop and bought a “giant” French knitting stick…using ripped fabric, made into lengths which can be joined up to make table mats etc. Might be fun to do on the road.
It was getting onto 5, so took a more direct route to clock up some miles, and ended up at Elora Gorge.
Chris, the chap next door, arrived in after us, to set up camp ready for his family to arrive tomorrow, and he came over to have a few “Coffees” with us…yes it is another alcohol free camp! He was a policeman for 12 years, and now works for Siemens in security. Somehow we never get lonely, there always seems to be someone to talk with.
Comments
Hey - just popped on to case and rich's computer to have a looksie at your travels... wow... knew your pics would be beautiful but wow!!! and Umpapa.. knew you were handsome... but WOW! heehee.
You sound like you are having one awesome trip.. and so much to go... so much time to make friends, memories, and wonderful times together!
We are having a wiked time here in Missoula.. beautiful scenery and amazing whanau time together. The girls are wiked.. Larni took a few days to get into the swing of things, but is now having a cool time. Stimp, Jax and the kids are coming down today, so we're all heading to the ortons whare for a bbq. That will be fun! Now only 3 days till we head out, sad but excited to be thinking of flying into auckland with the VERY excited grandparents waiting to see their mokopuna at the gates.
Well, i'll email you some pics soon. Awesome to see and read about your adventures.
Lots of aroha and awhi... please be careful. xoxoxoxoxox the ronakis and masseys in missoula. xo
Yes, we are really enjoying ourselves, having such a relaxed time, just enjoying whatever happens.
Wish I was a fly on the wall at Mangere when you arrive! Give our love to Mum and Dad...and to John and Lynn..sure you will be seeing them.
Love from the Ruakiwi's