Travel, hiking, milestones and other reasons to wag your tail.
Saturday March 16th, 2019- 8 km We began our Bruce Trail End-to-End quest almost one full year ago on Saturday March 17th, 2018. We ambitiously thought that we might be further along at this point, yet we are pleased to report that we have now completed 130 km. Over the winter, Paul and I have…
In July 2006, our family travelled to Newfoundland for an adventurous family holiday. Little did we know at the time, soon Newfoundland would become a place of business and regular visits for Paul for the next ten years and an annual destination for me. In our travels to Newfoundland, we have visited only a small…
Our airport limo bobbed and weaved around horse drawn carriages, scooters, pedestrians, donkey carts and yellow cabs, as we made our way to our hotel, just outside the Medina in Marrakech. We felt a rush of excitement at arriving in this exotic and magical place. We arrived at La Mamounia, a stunningly elegant hotel that…
Paul and I love to hike and we love to travel. We make a point of going on the iconic hikes in the countries we visit. Some of our most memorable faraway hikes include: the Inca Trail in Peru; Cinque Terre in Italy; Mount Meru in Tanzania; Pulpit Rock in Norway and The Narrows…
I first heard about the Camino de Santiago when I saw the Martin Sheen movie, The Way a few years ago. While it was a sad story about loss, it showcased a beautiful part of the world where people from all over have walked since the Middle Ages. What could be better than a hiking…
Congratulations Jack! Dear Jack, You have always been a “just-do-it” kind of guy. You observe and learn, you think about it and then you just-do-it. Well, you have done it again! You have successfully completed your 4-year Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Acadia University. You have done it in 4 years and in the…
They arrived on Thursday July 21st, 2016 on Egypt Air after a perilous journey that began in Damascus, Syria. After living in Jordan for 3 ½ years as refugees, my adopted Syrian family was given a glimmer of hope with notification that they were on the list of Syrian refugees being welcomed into Canada in…
There is nothing like a week in the sun in the midst of the long, cold Canadian winter. For the third time in six months we convinced the kids to join us for a family holiday. I know that these family holidays are fleeting, as the kids get older and busier. We look forward to…
Paul and I were married on August 8th, 1992 in Toronto, 25 years ago. To celebrate we travelled to the “Ends of the Earth” for a hiking expedition holiday with Butterfield and Robinson, in panoramic Pategonia. It was spectacular. Our journey began with an overnight flight from Toronto to Santiago, Chile, a brief layover and…
A few years ago my Dad sent me an email with a picture of a spectacular scene and jokingly said, “I have found the hike for you!” It was part of a collection of the “Best Hikes in the World” and the picture was of Pulpit Rock, a rocky cliff overlooking a fjord in Norway.…
It is said that it takes a community to raise a child. It also takes a community to welcome a refugee family. On July 21st, 2016, a team from St. Gregory’s Church welcomed the Ziyadeh family with open arms and open hearts. Here is their remarkable story: In February 2016, after living in Jordan for…
In May 2016, I was asked by my friend Jennifer Keenan, a Royal St. George’s College Board Member, to write a letter to nominate Chris D’Arcy for the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Chris D’Arcy was one of the best teachers to teach my sons at RSGC, so without hesitation, I said yes. My…
Paul and I knew that we wanted to take a special trip to celebrate our 50th birthdays. We chose California (believe it or not, a place I had never been) and booked the trip to fall between our two big days. As my birthday loomed (I am the older woman by 3 months and 2…
Dear Friends and Family, It is time for a quick update on the Ziyadeh family and how they are making out, 9 months after arriving in Canada as Syrian refugees. Their first Christmas in Canada was magical. Generous donations poured in, including a cash donation from employees at DisclosureNet (see my thank-you note below), enab…
Dear Certent/DisclosureNet Team, I am writing to you to thank-you for your generous donation to the Ziyadeh family’s Christmas gift fund. In 2016, people across Canada opened their hearts and their wallets to help Syrian refugees. Thank you for joining this initiative and being a part of a tremendous movement. It is said that it…
Colin Roy Freel was born in Hamilton, Ontario at 9 am, on Wednesday March 5, 1937, the first and only child of Margery and Elmer Freel. He was their pride and joy. My grandmother kept a detailed journal of my Dad’s early years, including: recipes for his formula, his sleeping patterns, his mobility accomplishments, his…
Our dog Lucy was born on June 26, 2001 at Amaranth Kennel near Shelbourne, Ontario. A purebred black Labrador Retriever, Lucy’s full official name was Amaranth’s Lucy in the Sky. We named her Lucille, after a character in the Junie B. Jones book series that Lexi was reading at the time. It also seemed fitting…
Dear Friends, The Ziyadeh family arrived in Canada on July 21st with just four suitcases containing all that they owned. Now, over two months later, they are happily settled in a fully furnished apartment. Thanks to you and many other individuals, the family has received so many donations, all of which have made their transition…
In the last few years, Iceland has become the “hot” place to visit. Maybe it is the name, suggesting a very cold, remote place. Maybe, it was the stories about erupting volcanoes disrupting air travel in Europe. Maybe it was the result of a very successful marketing campaign by Icelandic Air. For whatever reason, I…
Costa Rica’s unofficial slogan is Pura Vida, meaning pure life. After spending two weeks there in March, I understand the meaning and why the Ticos (Costa Ricans) say it so often. Life in Costa Rica is simple and beautiful. It was Ross’ final high school March Break, so we decided to change things up and…