Let's Part-ay!

 The Ridge

On Tuesday, July 29th I could tell Bill was truly enjoying his time off already. Today, he didn't have to do 'anything' and I'm happy about that. 

Good morning!

I was up before 7 and on my way to Durham within minutes.

A foggy start to the day.

It was a very foggy morning, looking terrible from our vantage point but never as bad once you are  out there on the road. The Mat was empty when I arrived and remained that way for the whole hour. I loved that. 

Within a couple of minutes,
I could see the sky change 
from foggy gray to blue.

I headed straight home and Bill was sitting eating breakfast, ready to make a coffee. 💘 My head was buzzing as today we were expecting Suzie and Pat to join us for a visit. Kim and I discussed the plan for the day and decided to make it a meal as well.

Knowing they wanted to see my sisters et al, and visa versa, I messaged Donna and Gayle with an invite. All 4 were free, willing and happy to be included and a plan was formed. It was that easy!

Bella and Gibbs did the
play tag thing a few times during
the day.
So cute!

At 10, I took M into town and while there, picked up burgers and buns, plus a dessert. I started doing a birthday card with my quilling before lunch and carried on after until I finished it. Woops! I forgot to get a picture.

Our guests had all arrived by 3 and the afternoon played out perfectly. Bill grilled 12 burgers and I set the condiments, plates, napkins etc. up inside on the the island. Donna contributed a salad, Gayle brought chips and salsa and Kim put together a very nice charcuterie board. Perfect!

Group participation made it a
great day and a great meal.
There he is, my chef, ready to serve.

We ate outside on our tables, like a family, which in a way, we all are. 💕 With the exception of Donna and Gerry, we are/were all rv'ing friends. It was a very hot day but my concern over whether our guests were comfortable and could find shade was for naught, everyone seemed to be perfectly fine. 

Simple plans that
paid off. 

Supper was delicious and after a little Happy Birthday presentation and a song for Ken (and Rob) we enjoyed our messy cupcakes. Everyone had gone on their way by 6:30 and Ken, Kim, Bill and I sat outside, pleased with how it turned out.

Happy Birthday, Ken!
(ps if you don't want that cupcake, Gibbs is
standing by)

The flies were trying to eat us alive so we said our goodnights and came indoors. We had a high of 29C/85F with the occasional breeze under mostly sunny skies. 

What a great day! I know Rob, my Buddy, would have appreciated the cupcakes. 💕

The sunset was so much prettier than this.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping by. 

A New Adventure, Peter’s Place for a Party

The Ridge

On Friday, Sept. 9^th we were up by 7 and before 7:30 I drove to town to clean. We’d decided to just take our time and pull out when we were ready. We had a 3 ½ hour drive to Bill’s cousins for the weekend. I was in and out of the Mat in the hour and back home soon after 8:30.

Packed up ready to leave
"We're bringing our house?"

Bill had dumped our black tank and brought a bladder full of water from the Acreage to top up the fresh. 45 gallons is more than we usually travel with but for this weekend, it was going to be good for us. We would be dry camping on the property with who knows how many others. Peter retired on Wed. Sept. 7^th from working for Hydro One for 30+ years and Katie and Linda were hosting his party.♥

Some of these towns, I've heard of and driven through
but others were new to me (or at least to my memory!)

We Googled the best route because our GPS would take us on major highways, which we wanted to avoid on a Friday. Our friend, Duncan, helped us out by giving us a trip suggestion and it was a wonderful drive! Lots of small towns that I’ve never heard of but thoroughly enjoyed touring through. We arrived at Peter and Linda’s beautiful home up on the highest point in the county. That was obvious when we saw the views all around!

I was watching the instructions but managed to capture
a few of the beautiful sights along the way

we're assuming this is Lake Simcoe
Water skiing anyone?

Peter gave us options of where to park our 40’ Suite and we chose one in front of the shops with a 15-amp hookup. 😉 We weren’t expecting any plug-ins at all so this was a real bonus. The greetings we received from Peter, Linda and their daughter, Katie, were the icing on the cake, telling us we made the absolute right decision in coming for the party. Peter is one of ‘our’ favourite cousins, with a lot in common, so we were thrilled to be in attendance.

We noticed trees changing colour along the way

Wedding Chapel and long winding roads

The rest of the afternoon was just relaxing, catching up and enjoying the surroundings. Gibbs was in his glory with new doggy friends. Two large Sheep-a-doodles (we were looking at minis of these before we found Gibbs) and two Shit-zus (?) and they all got along wonderfully. It was so nice to just let them wander, no leashes required. 😊

The pooches followed Bill and Gibbs inside
so they all got a treat

Standing on Peter and Linda's deck
looking to the south
Such a gorgeous view!

When I was thinking about asking Peter for use of his bbq for our supper, he beat me to it by saying Linda was picking up pizzas for supper for everyone. Again, totally unexpected but gratefully accepted. We joined them on the patio with Katie, Jesse, 8 mth old Rebel, friends, Matt and Linda. The conversation and meal were great. What a treat! It was cooling down so I slipped into jeans and a hoody before we all gathered at the huge firepit.

Lots of dogs, big and small

Only one wee baby, Rebel
Left: Jesse Slack (Google him!), Rebel and Katie
Right: Guest of Honour aka Grandpa with Rebel

Our spot for 2 nights

The girls were busy with a surprise of some sort for Peter so after enjoying the heat, the company of one of the little dogs on my lap and the beautiful moon, I left the guys and went to bed with Gibbs. Because he wanders in the dark, he was put inside earlier. There are coyotes in the area so he was in a better place in the Suite. 😊 He may not have agreed!

One of those magnificent views looking to the
southeast

Taking time for a selfie
Linda's trellis of Morning Glories 💓💓💓

It was a beautiful night and a wonderful campfire

This was a great day from beginning to end. Not sure who else will arrive tomorrow, I know others came after I came to bed but I’ll meet them later.

The Harvest Moon (closest full moon to the autumn equinox) came up red and beautiful
but although remaining large, it faded to a bright pale yellow
We will see it again on Saturday night. 💖
Good night!

Thank you for stopping in.

Secrets and Lies Forgiven, Let's Partay!

The Ridge

When I woke on Saturday, Aug. 10^th I had a new batch of shingles – again. I’ve been fighting them off for the last 3 days but I think when last night Rob said that he was going in to see Aunt Mary this morning, that did it. We'll put the blame on Rob. 

😂

Beautiful day for a party!!

Loree and Ron left this on our step this morning
It is beautiful!
Thank you guys!

And this is why I freaked out when I drove by at 8 am

Here is what you don’t know. Ever since December, Bill and I have been holding a very special secret from our buddies. There was to be a surprise 70^th birthday for Rob and 50^th anniversary for Rob and Pat held today. This camping reunion, which we now call an ‘annual Ridge reunion’, usually happens a week earlier but we pushed it back a week this year so Rob and Pat’s friends will be here for the party. It has been something in the back of our minds all winter and so far all summer. Mums the word and apparently 'lying' is also the word.

And the nice tent was in the back yard behind the house

Their children, Sandra, Trace and spouses, Bill and Karen have planned this party at their parent's house in Durham. It was up to Bill and I to come up with a really good reason to keep them out here and get them into town today for 3:30. A port-a-pot was delivered and a big tent erected in their back yard late yesterday. So, when Rob said he was going into town to see his aunt, we fretted. Oh, my goodness! What if he goes to the house?

Biill and Rob were trying to figure how to fix our firepit
The screens are ruined and the base burnt out

Ken lent a hand and a foot
The main thing is that they were keeping Rob busy

Turns out, he didn’t and we got them (along with everyone else here) dressed up for a party. They believed it was a surprise party for my sister, Donna’s, 69^th birthday in Hanover. We left the Ridge behind George, Suzie, Ken, Kim, Ron and Loree and arrived toute suite at the Aljoe’s home in Durham. As we turned onto their street, Rob couldn’t help but see first the porta-pot and then the commotion around their home and exclaimed “What the heck is going on here?!!!”

This is the commotion he noticed

Bill reached his arm out to shake Rob’s hand “Happy Birthday, buddy”. Rob said something about skinning us when we got back to camp but we'd worry about his empty threat later. A large crowd was at the end of their driveway to greet them. Phew! Great job Sandra, Bill, Trace and Karen. My sister, Donna, Gerry, Gayle and John also arrived to celebrate with them, which I thought was wonderful. We had a great time. Good food was spread and a lovely cake, which I passed on. I was too full.

Pat announced thata she was going for a Spyder ride

50 years and there she goes with another man!

A group of us in the sun
Borrowed the picture from George

We followed the sun with our chairs until the winds died a bit, or was it the warming of my Pina Colada? We filtered home shortly after 7 and sat around a campfire until about 9:30, Bill, Ken and Kim being the last to say goodnight as usual. Such die-hards! The company is too great to leave! We do have a wonderful time with all of these guys. Pat and Rob returned around 11, Bill said, I was long ago into slumber so didn’t hear the cute little red GMC pull in. 

I’m sure they were trying to be quiet too. They brought their friend, Lynn, back with them to stay for a couple of days. That is terrific! I hope we don’t scare her off!

I was in bed right away and felt very peaceful. Nothing to worry about and my shingles will be gone in a day or two. Quoting Lawrence Welk "this was a wunnerful wunnerful day!"

A nice dance

Cutting the cake

And some expected Tom-foolery from my buddy
Happy Anniversary you two!

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