It's been a while since I've reported on my quest to find the best British afternoon tea here in Canada. Today I will be sharing my time at The Boathouse Tea Room and Ice Cream in Guelph, Ontario. (I visited there back in November before they closed for the season).
I used to frequent this place when I lived in the city, but only ever for their ice cream, so this place was on my radar but this was my first time here for their afternoon tea. I went for the town's special blend McCrae House Blend. And it was goooood.
We ordered the High Tea for Two and weren't disappointed with the beautiful presentation. Look at those flowers! The assorted finger sandwiches were simple and trad.: tuna, egg salad, and cucumber with cream cheese.
These scones were heavenly. Nice with the cream (would have been better with actual clotted cream, but then again would have been better to have been enjoyed in Devon) and fruit jam.
And just look at these petite sweets! They were just darling and delicious.
This afternoon tea was fun, the atmos. splendid with the pastel colour palette and mismatched tea cups, and the food simple and perfect. I'd certainly go back when they open again for the season in April. And I'm sure my regular tea date would be willing to do so as well.
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My visit to the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada back in May had be taking many, many photographs. So many that they just didn't all fit into one post. I hope you don't mind if I share a few more pics from the day of all the lovely, fuzzy creatures that have found a new, safe home at the sanctuary.
On the open house day, there was also an adorable pig in a hat completing the dog obstacle course along with the puppies.
'Peace, Freedom, Protection' for the donkey can be found at the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada and you can be part of it with sponsorship, donations, and educated awareness.
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Donkey Day at the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada is a annual fundraiser that takes place each summer to help raise money and awareness for donkeys, mules, and hinnies in need.
Missed Donkey Day? No worries, they have open days every Sunday 10-3pm throughout the year and Wednesdays 10-3pm in July and August.
Although, located just outside of Guelph, my Alma Mater, I had yet to visit the sanctuary. This year I made arrangements for my mum and our family friend to make a day of it heading over as soon as they opened on Donkey Day.
On this day there were lots to see and do; starting with the Donkey Marketplace. Selling gift shop items and artisan crafts.
We attended a few talks about the history of the sanctuary, the behaviour of donkeys, proper foot care, and the background of these beasts of burden.
When I mentioned to people that I was heading to Donkey Day so many of them were surprised there was such a need for a place like this. Tbh I was too, but didn't question it as long as it meant I got to pat a soft animal.
I learned however, that these animals, although similar looking to horses, have very different needs. They are desert animals that do better in drier, warmer climates. Most often today, farms get the donkeys because they make great guard animals of herds, and are good companion animals. But sometimes due to circumstance, they are unable to do what they were acquired to do and they are sold off, mistreated or ill cared for. This is where the DSC steps in and is currently the home of over 80 donkeys, mules (donkey father, horse mother), and hinnies (donkey mother and horse father).
After having been there for a few hours, we started to get hungry. There were a few food trucks there and interestingly enough they were all vegetarian/vegan. I had myself a vegan dog with maple 'bacon' from Rescue Dogs and guess what? It was delicious.
Looking for a different kind of gift for someone this year? Why not sponsor a donkey! For only $50 your sponsorship will cover the costs of the animal's care and help the day to day operations of the Sanctuary. Look at that little face, how could you not?
I would love to visit the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada again on a regular day to get more donkey attention and pats. But I am glad to have finally made it to a Donkey Day, it was very educational and the animals were precious.
Now when people are surprised that a Donkey Sanctuary exists in Ontario, I can inform them that there is indeed a need here.
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This is a purely selfish, narcissistic, self-indulgent post. I know this. I'm okay with this.
You've been warned.
The other weekend my alma mater had a reunion weekend for its Alumni. There were special events planned for the whole weekend, what interested me most was taking part in the Guelph Race and Craft Beer Tasting.
I found out this weekend that it's been 10 years since I graduated from my undergrad here and just as long since I had last had a proper visit of the campus. #foreveragryphon.
We ran around campus completing a scavenger hunt and checking out what had changed and what had comfortingly stayed the same.
The day ended with a nice dinner from a restaurant downtown which cooked pizza in wood burning ovens and served them on white linen clad tables. You know, a place we could never have afforded back in uni days.
I certainly had fun at this event. Please enjoy a few photos I took on the day exploring my old home away from home.
You must paint the canon at some point in your university career
The "who's your daddy" bear aka the Begging Bear
It was called The Keg in my day, not because the name has changed but rather because of a cartoon of a man wearing a keg at the entrance.
