Emma

Emma stayed with us last week. She came to visit all the way from the UK. This past summer she volunteered with an HIV/AIDS organization in Ghana, travelled around Italy, and then made a final stop in Canada. I must say I enjoyed every minute of her time with us, pretty much just because it was spent with her. Let me record my favourite day of the visit: a day in the Gatineaus with Emma and Kate.

Unfortunately the day didn't begin so well because after Kate kindly agreed to drive, she got a speeding ticket, right on our way out of Ottawa! Dear me. This didn't phase us for long though, and we went on to Wakefield, what a cute town. The shops are absolutely the best - alternative bookstores, shops full of blankets and teapots and cottage paraphernelia (my favourite, I think), and cute little cafés. We had lunch at Café Molo. I would highly recommend it - they give you heaps of fruit with whatever you get. After that we went up to a used clothing store on top of Café Molo only to discover that no one was there and we had pretty much broken in. Oops.

Next was canoeing on Lac Phillippe. Emma's first time canoeing! She was amazing. We followed some loons and at one point we found ourselves on top of a beaver lodge. When we got to the farthest point on the other side of the lake it started raining... caneoing in the nice, warm autumn rain. Finally, on our way out of Lac Phillippe three deer came out of the forest and started playing and prancing and chasing each other right beside the van. They weren't afraid at all! It was amazing!

Alas, Emma has gone home. We do miss her.

-Maryann

(photos to come)