Our Anniversary Getaway

We celebrated 32 years of marriage this past weekend with an overnight stay at the Breadalbane Inn (pronounced "bruh-DAHL-bun") in Fergus. We drove there after work on Friday taking our Z4 convertible since the weather promised to be clear and sunny.

We started our evening with a complimentary glass of Prosecco. It was lovely sitting by the fire pit on the patio sipping on 'champagne' whilst contemplating 32 years together. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner of bruschetta and pizza with red wine. After dinner, we returned to the fire pit with our wine where we chatted with a nice young couple enjoying an evening out while their 1-yr old stayed home with Grandma.

The next morning we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the Inn while reading the weekend newspapers. Actually I read the comics, it's my husband who reads newspapers. 

After breakfast, we checked out of the Inn before strolling along the main street (St. Andrew St. W) in Fergus and along the river to see the sights. I was hoping to find a dairy free matcha tea latte - my brew of choice now that I no longer drink coffee. There were plenty of quaint little shops worth exploring but no matcha tea lattes. 

 

 

 

  

Our next stop was Elora where we found two shops serving matcha tea lattes. Elora is more touristy and popular so I wasn't surprised. We spent the afternoon happily wandering around town shopping plus relaxing with lattes and free wi-fi in cafes.

We were pleased to find these cool new squashy hats made of kangaroo leather and mesh. These hats are comfy, cool, sun protective and squash down for easy packing ... perfect for travel.

We also bought a beautiful round glass art piece similar to, but smaller than, the one in the photo below at Hanscomb Glass Studio. We hoped to hang it in the opening between our kitchen and family room and were thrilled to discover it fit perfectly. It makes me smile every time I look at it hanging there ... such a treasure.

After scoping out all the restaurants in town, we made reservations at the Elora Brewing Company where we met our son for dinner. It turned out to be a good choice - the food was delicious. My husband took this snapshot at the restaurant. He claimed I looked like an Argentine cow herder ... funny I don't see it.

We thoroughly enjoyed Our Anniversary Getaway ... so totally relaxing and rejuvenating.

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Biddulph '77 Grade 8 Grads Reunion

It has been 40 years since we graduated from Biddulph Public School near Lucan. Three years ago, we attended a reunion at Teresa and Jeff's place. If you missed it, I wrote all about that event here.  Everybody had such a good time, it was decided we should try to get together every couple of years. Tentative plans were made for a gathering in 2016, but then it was decided to wait until 2017 to make it a 40th Anniversary celebration. 

Rob and Sandi offered to host, word went out to mark our calendars and hold the date. It was planned for June 10th, 2017 starting around 3 p.m. 

The 40th Anniversary of Biddulph '77 Grade 8 Grads Reunion took place this past Saturday. With a flurry of last minute cancellations, our class photo was smaller ... almost half the number from three years ago. We would have enjoyed seeing all those who could not make it, but were happy to see everybody who did. 

The party was a success. Like last time, we thoroughly enjoyed a good time spent with old friends. The venue, food and, most of all, the camaraderie were truly outstanding. A huge thanks to Sandi and Rob for hosting and to Ferlin for helping organize and sharing his fabulous photos.

Back: Mrs. Garrett (teacher gr 1), Joanne, Laura, Beth, Kathy, Ethel-Lori, Heather, Diane, Barbara, Sherry
Front: Rob (host), Gord, Tracy, Ferlin

We were so busy socializing, we didn't think to stop for photos until after dinner. Eric and his wife Annette left shortly after eating to babysit their adorable granddaughter, so missed the photo shoot (sorry Eric). 

Mrs. Garrett taught grade one at Biddulph all those years ago. We thought she should stand at the end "where teachers stand" ... perfect.

Diane and her Mom share a laugh with Kathy

I moved to Lucan and started at Biddulph in grade 5, so never had Mrs. Garrett as a teacher. I enjoyed chatting about her upcoming travel plans to Iceland... such a nice lady. I imagine she was a fun teacher too.

Diane and her Mom (gr 1 teacher from Biddulph)

When I moved to Lucan in 1973, I made friends with the neighbourhood kids ... so many happy memories from those years.

Part of Langford Drive 'gang' - Laura, Ethel, Ferlin, Beth

My husband lived in Ilderton and did not go to Biddulph, but we both went to the same high school. Fun Fact - Although we went to the same high school, we're not "High School Sweethearts" because we did not know each other or spend time together until he asked me out on the very last day of classes in grade 13. Timing really is everything.

Beth and Lee

Laura was one of my best friends through grade school and high school. We share many happy memories together. Fun fact - Laura went back to school and became a teacher eleven years ago. She loves teaching.

Brad and Laura

Thanks again to Sandi and Rob for hosting. They have a lovely home and perfect backyard for parties. 

Fun Fact - You can see Ferlin and Julie's house from Rob and Sandi's back yard. They were pleasantly surprised to discover they were moving on the same day into the same neighbourhood quite a few years ago now. 

Sandi (host), Julie (Ferlin's wife) and Ethel

Tracy and I both started at Biddulph in grade 5. I have always loved her laugh and bubbly personality ... so much fun. 

Fun Fact - When we were in school, Tracy and her family lived on the same property where the Black Donnellys lived and tragically died.

Cheers Tracy!

Getting a shot of us 'girls'

Us 'girls' - Laura, Joanne, Tracy, Beth

As it got dark and started to cool down (just slightly), a fire was lit adding to the backyard party ambiance... ahhh a perfectly wonderful evening. 

My husband likes to enjoy a Cuban cigar once in a while. In all these years, I have never tried one ... not even a puff. 

I sent this photo to my kids. My son said "Congrats on the cigar". My daughter said "Why?" My answer - "Because I'd never done it and to see what it was like of course." Thanks Ferlin for capturing this little bit of 'wild-and-crazy-for-me" moment.

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To respect the privacy of my friends, I have used first names only. Biddulph '77 Grads are welcome to share this post and these photos with family and friends.

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Niagara Weekend

We loved our weekend away in Niagara celebrating our 30th Wedding Anniversary. Our room at A La Gallarie b&b was charming and comfy. Breakfasts were delicious. We felt right at home with Diane, the owner. She and her friends were interesting and fun. We enjoyed chatting by the pool and late into the night on her back patio sipping wine.

After checking in and unpacking, we headed into town for lunch. Niagara-on-the-Lake is packed on Saturday afternoons in the summer, but we finally found parking and made our way to Grill on King where we devoured our delicious, but late lunch.

After lunch we shopped. My husband admired this car as it followed us into town and took a photo when he found it parked on the street. 

After shopping, we stopped at Balzac's for coffee. Our cups are sitting on one of our purchases, an oak turntable made from keg tops.

Next up, wine tasting at Reif Estate Winery then back to our B&B for a rest by the pool followed by dinner on the front porch overlooking the Niagara River - ahhh so comfortable and relaxing.

On Sunday, we were more ambitious heading out after breakfast to explore on our bikes. We rode the bike trails along the Niagara Parkway past Niagara Falls towards Fort Erie stopping for photos along the way.

We ended our day of riding with wine tasting and peach Sangria at Pond View Winery then headed back to our B&B for a swim before dinner.

After riding 95 km, our "swim" consisted of standing in the pool and snacking on cheese, salami and crackers leftover from Saturday. 

After snacks, we changed and headed into town for a proper dinner at Charles Inn HobNob Restaurant. We sat on the back patio with a lovely garden view and a cool metal sculpture - guessing it's a bearded collie. 

Since this was our 30th Wedding Anniversary, I wore my pearl earrings and necklace - the exact same set I wore at our wedding. You can see them in our wedding photos here if you look closely.

We ate duck for dinner and it was delicious. Afterwards, we wandered around town before buying freshly baked tarts and eccles cakes to share with Diane and her friends at our B&B. 

On Monday, we packed up after breakfast and headed back into town for a bit more shopping. The weekend crowds were gone, so shopping was much more pleasant. We also visited a couple wineries; Konzelmann Estate Winery and Creekside Estate Winery for tasting and buying.

We enjoyed the lunch special at Creekside - smoked honey garlic sausage. It was delicious and the ambiance on the patio was perfect.

What a great way to celebrate. Cheers to many more happy years. 

After our weekend in Niagara, we can easily imagine moving to Niagara-on-the-Lake and loving it. Who knows, maybe someday.

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Our 30th Wedding Anniversary

This year, my husband and I are celebrating our 30th Wedding Anniversary with a weekend at A La Gallarie b&b on the Niagara River Parkway. I love the photos and the Welcome page description for this Bed & Breakfast. 

"A La Gallarie is an 1880's historic Georgian Manor. Our luxurious accommodations are located on the scenic Niagara River Parkway overlooking the Niagara River. This grand old estate is a perfect blend of then and now. Beautiful gardens, patios, porches and poolside lounging areas are so inviting for a cup of tea or a glass of wine. A perfect location no matter what your interests are. If it be dinner and theatre, shopping, wine or cycling tours or just plain relaxation, this is your place."

We're so looking forward to a relaxing weekend full of fun with biking, hiking, swimming, window shopping, good food and wine - so many of our favourite things. A fabulous time is pretty much guaranteed.

My husband and I married August 24th, 1985 at Huron College Chapel. I had just graduated with a Certificate in Science Lab Technology from Fanshawe College and was looking for a job. My husband was a full-time Engineering student at UWO and had worked all summer for London Public Utilities Commission (PUC) as a Groundskeeper/ Gardener at Storybook Gardens. We were in love and ready to commit to a lifelong journey together. Without really knowing what we were getting into or how our lives would unfold, we went ahead with our plans. 

When I look at these pictures, I see how very young and happy we look. We thoroughly enjoyed our wedding day. We felt all grown up and definitely ready. I wonder if our parents worried? 

Somehow we managed to work out our differences over the years and stay strong together. Our lives have been an adventure and never, ever boring. I'm so happy to be celebrating such a special occasion with the man I fell in love with all those years ago. 

I wish my husband a Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary with much love. Our adventure continues getting better and better. Life is Good. 

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