The Toronto Trip

As I write I am on a flight back to Hong Kong from Toronto, after what seems like a "Hit and Run" trip. (H & R means the whole thing was a blur and hardly long enough!) Definitely a transformational trip, though... there was discussion amongst the family members as to what defined a good holiday. One person explained that food was the mark of a good holiday. For me, it is not wanting the holiday to end and feeling it linger in my mind's eye for days, weeks, even months. That's what July 8 to 17 was like for me... despite being hit and run, those nine days came packed with a punch that still has me spinning. Read on to find out why and come back in a few days to learn more.

After landing in Toronto, the kids were remarkably good about adjusting to the jet lag. We had a few incidents of wee hour wake-ups but were able to get everyone back to sleep until 5 AM the first night, 6 AM the second night, and then 7:30 AM the third night. After that point everyone pretty much slept right through. We did have some strange moments two nights in a row, though. The first night Sebastian's Leapfrog Leapster kept turning itself on. Eventually it ended up in the hallway table outside Sebastian's room... not sure how that happened but presumably Seb out it there after being annoyed by the educational toy repeatedly turning itself on. The second night Tess and I awoke to the sound of triplets rousing themselves in their cribs down the hall. "This is it," I thought, "they'll be up forever."

I walked into their room to discover the light on... a feat impossible for either of them to have done due to them being securely imprisoned in their cribs. I looked at Sela and asked. "What's going on? Who turned the light on?" Sebbie, she replied. I turned off the light and settled them back to sleep. It was about 3 AM.

Walking back to bed I checked in on Sebastian, who was sprawled perpendicular across his bed. It's possible he had been sleep walking... or was the light and the Leapster part of the unexplained as Alan Spragett would have described. Hmmmm...

As far as jet lag was concrned, middle of the day was a different story. 24 hours after landing we forced the triplets out of their afternon nap. Even I felt ugly and crappy - the trips whined and cried full blast for about an hour post-nap. Determined to get them adjusted to the Toronto time zone, we bribed them awake with apple juice and sweeties, and took them down to the Royal Canadian Yacht Club for a walk and play. This included a boat ride that they loved. By the time we finished a McD's dinner afterwards all were ready for a big sleep.

Saturday, July 8 my family kindly hosted a BBQ for Toronto friends and family. About 50 people floated through my dad's backyard during the course of the afternoon and early evening. It was a very special afternoon with family we hadn't seen for years and friends I hadn't seen for even longer. There were a few appearances from people previously written about on this blog, too...

"Got Joy" James, the wingman who I wrote about in "No Joy." James and his wife Lorraine brought "bubbles" for the triplets that were incredibly popular and helped fight off jet lag for several hours, too. See Sela at left trying her hand at the bubbles! At one point during the afternoon the kids were so whingey from jet lag that we had to take them inside to watch The Wiggles. (And of course, The Wiggles make the adults whingey... can't win!)

Friends from Trent University including Dan (at right in picture) who was instrumental in summoning the 1982 calling I wrote about in The Dedication. Years had passed since I last saw these friends… and probably nineteen years since I last saw Dan!

Friends Julie, Ellen and Donna who I hadn't seen in over ten years. I know them through Alison who passed away this past March. Everyone looked terrific, as if they hadn't aged at all and were still capable of having more fun than humanly possible!

Last but not least was Lauren from “Lalaland,” a blog friend Tess and I have known for a few years but have never met in person. Lauren, her baby and a friend drove six hours from Ottawa to attend the BBQ. A huge effort and we are so pleased to have met her… full of life and passion – truly wonderful person. Tertia... we hope you are insanely jealous that we've now met Lalaland but YOU haven't... nah nah nah nah nah!

There were also lots of friends from the BC Yachts days - a marine maintenance company I ran in Toronto from 1979 to 1992. During the afternoon we joked about the BBQ being a BC Yachts reunion! It was a fun time that passed all too quickly.

Sunday morning my sister Carolyn arranged for a professional photographer to take pictures of the family (the six of us at left, taken on our Nikon by the photographer - official photos have not yet arrived) after which we all headed up north to cottage country. Tess drove with my dad, Sela and Carys. I drove with Lita, De and Jasper. Sebastian drove with his cousin Galen and family. Penny and family drove the fourth car.

A few hours later we landed halfway between Minden and Dorset where we took a boat to Comak: an island where a family friend has several cottages nestled into gorgeous Ontario Cottage Country. Words couldn't possibly describe this wonderful and picturesque place, but perhaps the pictures in the attached album might help.

Fun in the sun included:

Scrumptuous dinners cooked on the BBQ

Lots of swimming off the dock. Sebastian was in heaven and of course, completely fearless. We even managed to get all the trips in the water, too. Carys was shyest, though, preferring to sit on the rocks or dock to watch the activities. At one point Carys decided she was ready to jump in the water. I didn't bother changing her - she went in clothes and all.

Catching a few fish that Lita and De steamed up Hong Kong style with onions, ginger and peppers. The small ones were spared. Somehow the kids managed to catch a snapping turtle, too, also released a few hours later back into the water.

I was generally bagged by the end of each day but on the Thursday night managed to stay awake long enough for some camp songs and a cigar! We had Dave's guitar, Dad's banjo, me picking on the tub vile and lots of wonderful voices. We didn't sing for too long and for that Ii am sure the neighbours were grateful.

Of course, no holiday would be complete without yours truly building a boat! In 1978 I built "Galileo" from scratch, modeled after the Canadian Cup racer "Manitou" and first launched on the Marblehill pond. For 28 years the model boat sat in my parent's basement. Last week I chose to put the model through a "functional re-fit." In other words, back into sailing condition but not necessarily meticulously beautiful. Here you can see Manitou sailing in 1978 and Manitou from last week. Since the name never really sat that well with me, we re-Christened the model after the design namesake "Manitou." Dad supplied the champagne.

For more pictures please click here to be taken to the photo album.

Comments

[Louise M]

Sounds like you had an absolutely fabulous time with your family and friends. Maybe the lights and Leapster were your Mom's way of saying she's there as well and watching over the kids.... We get signs all the time that David is with us...

As my daughter says (she's 21) "mmmm bubbles, I love bubbles"

[laura]

Thanks for the e-mail Charles!

I was checking off and on to see if there was an update. I appreciate you letting me know.

I had the exact same thought about the lights and leapster. Perhaps your mother was making her presence known.

The photos are wonderful, as always! Can't wait to see the professional ones as well:)

I know everyone will have fun out West here!

[knobody]

mmmmm, barbeque (or some days lately, ewwww, puke, barbeque ;). i love that feeling of just floating inside the memory, all warm and content like a cat lying in a sunny window. i'm sorry your trip had to be so short, but close your eyes and you are there again. thank you for the pictures and the time to update.

[Lala]

oh Charles, a sweeter compliment was never given! It was a really great weekend for both my cousin and I because after leaving your party we went to visit my great aunt(81 and lucid as the day is long) and she invited us to stay the night. It was a wonderful treat for my cousin who got to hear lots of stories about her grandmother and other family members she never knew. I have not yet posted my account of the bbq but I will!

[Auntie Pammie]

Thank-you for the pics,,,, so nice to see you all.
I am getting SO EXCITED knowing that my turn to see you all is only a few weeks away.
Love to you all.
Auntie P xo

[SheilaC]

Wonderful pictures, and commentary! Looks like the family portrait will be delightful. And you have so many beautiful ones of each of the children, and Tess, and yourself. Somebody is a fine portrait photographer.

I didn't realise you were all going to Toronto this summer. We're on our way there next week, to spend most of the time at the family cottage on Georgian Bay (north of Parry Sound). I will share many of the same sorts of memories and special activities with my kids. So much fun!

I know what you mean about the strangeness of taking your young children to play at your former primary school. It's weird, and such a great blessing.

Hope the rest of your trip is just as magical! Best wishes to you all,

[tertia]

Divine post, divine pics!

Taking AGES to download though, getting so impatient.

[michelle]

WOW! my head is spinning! looks like a very good time was had by all though and that's what counts most.:)

[Sol]

Oh, what wonderful picture of your family and sounds like a fab vacation. We are still a year away from being able to go venture out in the world on our own without nurses, oxygen, etc. but it´s so encouraging to read about the triplets and Seb traveling around the world with you and behaving so well.

I dream of a vacations like that!

[joeinvegas]

Looking at that top photo, I can't see how you are able to leave any of them behind.