TUEDAY 12th JULY 2016 - NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO

After meeting 'Jeffrey the Frog' (true story) we enjoyed a leisurely and relaxing breakfast on the front deck.  Dorien took Paul for a drive in his 1948 Bristol 400 which Paul just loved.  I stayed home as the back seat only had half-an-inch of spare leg-room and after hearing stories of Dorien's racing escapades I thought he might drive faster than I would be comfortable with.  Turns out I was wrong about Dorien's driving but it gave him and Paul a good chance to chat one-on-one.

The boys returned much later than expected.  Ann had prepared a lovely lunch, after which we all got our bikes ready to head out on the road.   Dorien led the way on his V700.  I'm sure he didn't  trust us to find our way south after turning up at his place so late yesterday.   We were, however, grateful to be put on the right road towards Niagara.   Thanks Dorien and Ann for your time and interest.  Our meeting was far too short as evidenced by our good-byes on the side of the road.

We rode off, full of anticipation of arriving at Dan & Bev's within a few hours.  Imagine our disappointment when we hit the Queen Elizabeth Way Expressway out of Toronto and found ourselves in grid-locked traffic in extremely hot and humid conditions.   Nothing for it but to inch our way to St. Catherines.

We'd rung ahead to Dan's and he was out on the footpath waving us in.  It was such a relief to finally be off the road and 'home'.  We immediately began talking non-stop (well I was!) which didn't go unnoticed by Dan!  Apparently Bev and I can give each other a run for our money.

We enjoyed the most delicious meal which Dan told us he'd been busy preparing all day.  Of course I believed him...!!!  After that we drove off to Niagara where Paul and I got dropped off to make our way through the maddening crowd to see the falls.   It was just on dusk so a nice time of the evening to see Niagara Falls.   And they didn't disappoint.   It was mind-blowing watching the sheer volume of water going over the edge.  We were seeing it but couldn't quite believe it.  A spectacle to behold that's for sure.

What we were taken back with was the circus built along the river banks.  We had no idea there was an imitation Las Vegas built on the shores of  the Niagara River.   No photograph we'd ever seen showed the urban side of the falls so it came as a shock to see the bright lights and ferris wheel and every tacky shop you could name all bunched in together.   But, guess the general populace love it...!!!  Personally I thought it detracted from the falls but truth be known it's probably a crowd-puller.

Dan and Bev drove us around to see the sights before arriving back home quite late.  Bev was off to bed as she had to start work early the following morning.  Paul & Dan chatted in the shed for a while before calling it a day.

MONDAY 11th JULY 2016 - HOP, SKIP & JUMP ACROSS ONTARIO

We woke to find a Police Car parked next to Ellie.  I thought it strange that Police would stay at the Inn but we soon learnt that they were there for the award winning breakfasts they serve!  We were a little sad to be leaving Picton Harbour Inn.  We were beginning to really relax there.  But the miles await and they're not going to happen unless we get moving.

We traveled as far as Madoc where we had our first rest stop.  Nothing really kept us there so it was onwards and upwards.   We did, however, put the brakes on when we came across the High Spring Trading Post along the Trans Canada Highway.   The only thing worth seeing though was the outside!

We continued along on what we expected to be back country roads so we couldn't understand why they were so heavily trafficked.   The volume of traffic never let up the whole afternoon as we made our way to Dorien and Ann's home.

It was much further than we thought (in time anyway) and we rolled in to their driveway a couple of hours late.  We got reprimanded by Dorien for being late and then immediately carted off to the toy shed for a look see before joining them for a wonderful meal and some more chatter before turning in for the night.  Dorien is a very fascinating man and we felt we could spend many hours just listening and learning from him.

SUNDAY 10th JULY 2016 - QUIET DAY

We decided to stay at Picton one more day and just chill out.  It was such a beautiful place to stay on the waterfront.   Late morning we rode back to Prinyers Cove to have brunch with Tom & Abby and their families.  It was a nice way to wind down after yesterday and a better chance to chat with others that were there.  Tom's parents got into the 'Ellie Act' too.  They are also Guzzi riders so appreciated her fine qualities.

Following on from brunch we explored the Cove and ended up at the County Cider Company where we relaxed and chatted half the afternoon away.

There was a fellow there who drove an immaculate 1959 Triumph.  He bought it in 1964 for $190.

We then visited an area called Lake on the Mountain.  We sat by the lake for ages and Paul even saw a snake swimming along the shoreline.  That was fortuitous as a noisy family came along to play in 'our' area and I quietly mentioned to the parents that the kids might like to catch the snake.  They were out of there in no time!

We then stopped at the 'Diamond J Ranch' to check out the horses and donkey.   I've always had a weakness for donkeys.

Once back at the Picton Harbour Inn we kicked back and relaxed and just enjoyed the quietness of the afternoon.

SATURDAY 9th JULY 2016 - TOM & ABBY's WEDDING

We had a very relaxed morning at the Picton Harbour Inn.  We had our breakfast overlooking the harbour and the quaint little steam boat 'ROSEBUD'.

A short walk into town to visit the various retro and second-hand shops.   Paul was on the hunt for a 'special' part for Ellie.  And he found it...

The Inn had several other Aussie's staying and we were all there for Tom & Abby's wedding.  Soon enough it was time to tog up and ride out to Prinyers Cove.  It was a beautiful day. We were a bit concerned about our outfits as we couldn't fit an extra pair of shoes each in our luggage.  I figured we could wear our bike boots and pass them off as next years fashion statement.  I think it worked!

The wedding was, more so than most weddings, romantic and special.  The guests were sitting at the picturesque Cove and watched Tom bring his bride-to-be downstream in a lovely little sail boat.  There was hardly a dry eye in the place.   A perfect start to married life.

Tom and Abby spent the best part of  a year traveling the far reaches of our planet on a motorcycle so it was appropriate that Ellie be part of their special day.  The meal was superb, the speeches hilarious, followed by dancing, fireworks and more dancing.  A wonderful day for everyone.

FRIDAY 8th JULY 2016 - RIDEAU CANAL & FAREWELL to NICK & CHRIS

Following a leisurely breakfast (starting to get used to this holiday thing!) Nick, Chris, Paul & I all bundled in the car to head off in to the wilds (well, with Nick we could of ended up ANYWHERE).  We drove some of Nick's favourite local roads and at each stop we learnt something.  Sometimes there are things happening right in front of our noses but until they are pointed out we don't see them!  We stopped at lagoons and lakes, saw our first bullfrog, turtle nests, an abandoned beaver dam and many colourful dragon flies.  Chris gave me a botanical lesson along the way.   Chris, I still think of you every time I see Sumac!

We drove a little further on and pulled up in a car park.  We thought we were going for a little wander in the bush but a couple of hours later we returned to the car after seeing an amazing array of structures, all part of the Rideau Canal system.   But first, our little jaunt through the forest revealed poison ivy, a rather large black rat snake (we dashed in closer for a better look but the snake had other ideas!) and a couple of hairy woodpeckers (these thrilled us, they are the funniest little critter).  We then got to see Chaffey's Locke and bore witness to a boat coming through the lower and upper stages of passing through the locke system.

From here our walk took us past the Stone Arch Dam.  It was the third highest dam in the world at it's completion in 1831 and the (familiar-to-us) woodstave pipes generating power from the water flow.   We have remnants of woodstave pipes in Tasmania. 

The grounds surrounding the Jones Falls Locke Station were in perfect order.  So very British.

We'd spent quite some time in the locke system and we all decided it was time for some eats.   We were taken to Battersea and had lunch at the Creekside Bar & Grill.   We were greeted by a Canadian bear before being seated and tucking in to lunch.  But before we could begin Chis made us try the Canadian National dish of poutine (fries with cheese and gravy on top). YUK is all we could say (sorry Chris).

Back at Nick & Chris' house we sat around and enjoyed a good afternoon of  chatter and laughs.  Sadly, the time came for us to pack the bike and head towards Prince Edward County.   We didn't want to leave, it was so comfortable and easy to stay, not to mention the left-over birthday cake from yesterday!

We bade our farewell to Chris and then Nick on his Eldo and us on Ellie departed.  Nick took us the back way out to the Adolphus Reach where we said our goodbyes.  It was only a few kilometers up the road before we caught the Glenora Ferry to Prince Edward County.

We arrived at the Picton Harbour Inn a short time later and settled in to our room that overlooks the harbour.  We were thrilled. What a lovely place to stay.

We walked up to the main street to get orientated.  We got a few groceries for our breakfasts for the next few days.   We had our evening meal at the Country Canteen.  The place was chocka-block full of people and noise.  We couldn't get a table until 9.45pm which was okay as it's just getting dark at that time.   A guitarist-singer was performing and I caught glimpses of a delightful voice through the din of the restaurant.   When she finished a set she came and chatted with us for a few moments.  Imagine our surprise when she said her name was Astrid YOUNG (half-sister to Neil YOUNG).

THURSDAY 7th JULY 2016 - WOLFE ISLAND to INVERARY

It's my birthday today.  Mac promised to spank me but he never delivered...!!!   We were back on the road with Mac in the lead.  Mac certainly has no problem with doing thousands of miles at the drop of a hat.  We rode past Lake Placid where previous winter Olympics have been held.  We observed Olympic horse training in full swing.   I guess the season for training is short due to the amount of snow on the ground in winter.
Along the road we got a surprise (and a thrill) when two deer jumped out on the road in front of us.  They were far enough away not be a danger but it made us be a little more aware of wildlife.
We stopped at a diner in Harrisville for lunch.  They had tables and seats out the back and in the shade so we took advantage of that.  

We had to keep pushing on as still quite a few miles to cover on our way to Cape Vincent where we were going to catch the ferry to Wolfe Island.   When we arrived I was getting off the bike to say our farewells to Mac.   He pushed me back on and said, "Quick, you've got to go now".  I didn't quite get it but it turns out the ferry was in dock and about to leave.  We didn't even get to say a proper farewell and thank Mac for all his guidance the last couple of days!   We lined up to get on the ferry but were stopped.  Ferry not due to leave for another 10 minutes.  We turned around to tell Mac but he was gone, along with Ellie's spare parts and incidentals in Mac's pannier!   Now we know how Mac has accumulated a shed full of Guzzi spares...!!! 

We eventually got on the tiniest ferry in the world.   The crossing to Wolf Island was a little rough and it was a concern when the cars started rolling back and forward.  I had visions of Paul and Ellie being pinned between cars!

We disembarked at Point Alexandria on Wolfe Island and we had to go through the Customs process as we are now back on Canadian soil.   We then rode the short distance across the Island to catch the next ferry to Kingston, Ontario.

We were met by Nick at the Kingston end of the ferry ride.  I was giving him a big wave but he would not have seen me in the crowd.  It wasn't hard to spot his well-used and loved Eldorado on the wharf.

After the greetings Nick took us to Lower Brewers Locke which is part of the Rideau Canal system.

We arrived at Nicks place, met his wife Chris, son Sam and his girlfriend but special mention has to be made about four-legged Fenton.

Chris cooked up a wonderful Italian meal.  It was just perfect.  Lots of chatter and laughter and then, to my surprise, a BIG chocolate birthday cake came out.  WOW.  What an unexpected surprise.  Best chocolate cake I've ever had.   Thanks Nick & Chris.