Most Romantic Place in Canada: Bauline East

When I travel, I don't really think about the romance of a place. Sure I've been to Florence and Venice, Quebec City and Paris, which according to some travel websites are v. romantic places. Usually when I book a trip someplace it's usually from a pure desire to see something new and experience life in a different space. Also with an eye on the cultural food.

So last summer when a good friend and I decided to meet in St. John's, Newfoundland (a half way point between Toronto and the UK). We spent a few days in the city doing a whistle-stop tour of the major tourist sites and some more hidden spots (totally fell in love with this place). As an added treat after spending time in the big city, I booked us into an Airbnb off the Irish Loop in an area called the Bauline East. We rented a vehicle and hit the road, taking a leisurely ride to our one night jaunt.

We knew we were staying in an old Newfoundland barn, a structure big enough to store supplies, hay and a cow for the winter, now renovated to comfortably sleep two with a seating area and small kitchenette. But when we arrived we were both hit with the romanticism of the colourful structures on the property, the proximity to the private cove, and the general setting and peacefulness of it all.

As we cooked our moose meat burgers, steak, scallops and roasted veggie meal--a veritable feast--on the barbecue provided, we kept turning to each other and asking, "Can you believe this?"

After our gourmet dinner overlooking the cove, we sauntered down to the beach where George (the super friendly host) had arranged a fire pit for us. It started to lightly rain, but we persisted and out lasted the weather as the moody clouds rolled in but rained no more. We made friends with our bunky neighbours and sipped Newfoundland blueberry-partridgeberry wine (I wouldn't even change this detail of our night if I could relive this experience). Eventually the fire died down and we slipped back to our barn for a deep slumber.

The next morning we awoke to gorgeous bright light and sounds of sea birds and waves hitting the rocky shore. For breakfast we sipped warm hugs of tea and munched on fresh summer fruit on our tiny porch facing the water and the August morning sun. It was here that I declared, "I've found it! This is where I'm going to come when I write my novel."

We were slow to pack our bags and did it quite begrudgingly, I might add. We drove further along the Irish Loop and did some sight seeing in the area while seriously discussing cancelling our flight back to Toronto and spending the rest of our lives in this precious barn. I would have done it too, if we weren't heading to the wedding of a dear friend back in Ontario.

Given an opportunity I would return here any day, just looking for an excuse...hang on, let me grab a pen and get started on that book!

At the beginning of each month, I like to take part in the monthly travel link up hosted on the incredible blogs by Angie, Emma, Polly and guest host Bejal at Be-Lavie. You can join in too by leaving a comment below, checking out other posts on the link up, or adding your own post to the widget now until August 7th.

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Cottage Weekend

Guaranteed, if you don't have your own cottage, you know someone who does. Since I grew up heading down to Vermont each summer, I didn't spend too much time in cottage country.

Now that I'm older, I've had a few more opportunities to head up north and enjoy a weekend with the mosquitoes and bonfires. In Ontario, it's a right of passage to spend a weekend at a cottage, and you can't get more Canadian than a weekend cottaging. (Yes, my English friends, I do know this term has a different meaning in your neck of the woods, but on Canadian soil it refers to a simple, innocent time eating s'mores, rocking a bbq, and swimming in a cold lake.)

Tetris that car load in, using every available space. That includes the back window, the foot wells in the back seat and that hump between. *Bonus points for including a dog.*

Muskoka chairs are a must. No better way to kick back and relax after a swim and gather around the fire pit.

Forget about a beach while at the cottage, you can get your dock life on because much of Northern Ontario although filled with thousands of lakes (like seriously, it's surprising how many) is v. rocky--YAY Canadian Shield!--That means rocking up with water shoes and floaties, if so inclined.

Cottage games are a given. I played for the first time, Ladder Ball (pictured below with the lovely @qkristen2) Bocci Ball, Horse Shoes, Lawn Darts, pretty much anything played out of doors, is acceptable.

When the sun is setting it's time to light the fire. Gather round and settle in as hours will be spent around this pit. The flames are mesmerizing no matter who you are. Roasting marshmallows is a given, but it's even better if someone provides graham crackers and chocolate. (Spider dogs are also a favourite of mine and the only time I'll ever be caught eating a hot dog). *Bonus points for sparklers*

Now your time at the cottage has come to an end. Tetris that car again and be sure to capture a pouty selfie with all the things first. And head to the dump with your garbage before hitting the highways home with everyone else in Canada and their mothers.

*Bonus points if you actually come across a bear at the dump.*

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Sign up for email posts (found on the sidebar), like my facebook page, or follow me on bloglovin'. You can also keep up with my instagram feed and I occasionally tweet.

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Favourite Canadian Things

This month's link up is about "Your Favourite Things" hosted by the lovelies; Kelly, Emma, and Rebecca and co-host Frankie, The Mischievous Mayfairy.

Last year, when I had first returned to Canada from living in England, I needed to remind myself of all the wonderful things that I had been missing out on. So today I thought I'd revisit my list of favourite Canadian things that still holds true a year later. These are the things I missed most about Canada (with the exception of the faces of my family and friends here)

1. Swiss Chalet

I know, I know. It's no gastropub, but damn that Chalet Sauce!

2. Wide open spaces

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Fields and fields not far from your door step where you can just imagine The Littlest Hobo trekking over, never settling for long.

3. my dog

Betty is my home girl.

helping me stretch after a run

4. proper seasons

There is a distinct change between each season. Winter has snow, fall has colour, spring has showers, summer has sun.

5. the familiar

It's good to be challenged. It's good to live outside of your comfort zone. It also can be tiring. Sometimes it's just good to know when I'm in need of hangers, antifreeze, paint and seasonal decor I can take my Canadian Tire money down to the local Canadian Tire and get all these things at once, including some street meat for lunch.

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6. driving

My mother was worried that I'd forget how to drive after having been gone for so long without a car. Thing is, driving a car "is like riding a bike". It's nice being able to hop in the car and drive myself, by myself from point A to point B. No transfers, no 'person on the track', no smelling the breath of others as we stand nose to nose (or in my case, nose to chest).

7. the quiet

In London I lived in a building off the A12. It was noisy. In Canada, I live in the suburbs. Ahh the quiet.

rainbow over the A12

8. fresh air

Take a deep breath. In. Out.
No odd smells. No black coating in my nose. No lung infections.

9. snow

I'm not super fond of the cold weather, but what I hate more than just cold weather, is cold weather with no snow. At least with the snow there is a point to the coldness. And with snow comes fun things too; skiing, skating, snow shoeing, snowmen, snow balls, snow angels ...

10. the politeness

Since returning, I've been getting out there. Running most days or taking Betty for a long walk. On this walk, people greeted me, smiled, and even said 'good morning'. And not in that creepy, I have an agenda kind of way or in a way that made me feel uncomfortable or threatened. Not that those people don't exist here, but we are generally a people that talk to strangers, make eye contact with unknowns, and even make small talk with passersby.  honestly, this has been the most difficult part of re-acclimating my self into Canadian society.

These are a few of my favourite Canadian things. What are yours?

How to Travel with a Brit

While traveling in Dover, I met a Canadian couple also staying at the same B&B. We got to talking, addressing topics of Canada (obvs), places we've travelled, and those quirky Brits. They pointed out to me that the qualities the British most appreciate in a thing, any thing at all, are: it's closeness, it's loveliness, and something about it is proper. They may not realize this to be true, but it's probably because they are too close to recognize it. So while I had a Brit visiting me in Canada I wanted to make sure he felt as comfortable as possible while still showing off the Canadian culture and it's history. (Sadly, no portaging was required during this trip)

Eat like the locals do and consume a (North) American styled brekkie at a greasy spoon.

Steak and eggs are a must

Do usual day things in really old buildings. 

A market structure has existed on this spot in Toronto since 1803. Today it's once again a vibrant market building servicing the local neighbourhood and tourists daily. Sadly, there's nothing else like it in Toronto, but was a big hit with the Brit.

Attend some sort of cultural pomp and circumstance with a history.

The goat is a descendant from a royal goat given to the Van Do's by Queen Victoria. He attends every changing of the guards and parades around the grounds of the Citadelle du Quebec.

Pretend that the old town buildings are super normal and we too put commercial stores in 16th century buildings.  But actually most of our "really" old buildings are only from the mid 19th century and we turn them into museums.

Place Royale, mostly reconstructed 17th century facades, but looks really, really old. 

Find a pub. It's probably going to be Irish 'cause all the best pubs in Canada are "Irish".  Drink like the locals and order a Canadian drink. Acceptable items include but are not limited to; a Caesar, Sleemans/Keiths, or Ontario grown wine.

I like eating in my drinking.