Issue 38 NEWEST BEST FRIENDS ARE EVERYWHERE

News of week 21st September

P&J's Weekly Diary has been published weekly since 2001

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Hi All: What a fantastic week we have had. We met so many neat people. I frequently relay to RVers that we meet so many ‘Newest Best Friends’ mainly because we RVers have so much in common. Well this past week we met a different group of ‘Newest Best Friends’. The common thread in this relationship was – over the years all the Ex-sailors at the HURON Reunion served in the Cdn Navy on one of the three HURON ships. We had a super time from start to finish. I am not sure when this Diary will actually reach everyone. I started it on Friday but for the next 5 days we are parking in driveways of friends and family – of course that mean a lot of socializing. Soooo I am not sure if I will even get my Dish up at every stop. Just know I’m thinking of you whenever I get this out.
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OUR WEEK in Review

Sunday 16th we left London for an overnight stop at the new Flying J in Napanee, Ontario. What a quiet spacious stopping spot. Traffic is low in that area and the RV parking spaces are long – although fuel/propane in that part of Ontario was higher than it is in London. After a peaceful sleep we headed to one of our favourite stamping grounds - the Ottawa Municipal Campground on Highway 417 at exit 138 for a 5-day stop. I grew up in Ottawa and we used to come here often when my sister Shirley was alive, but I forget there was so many trees in this city. Thankfully the office accommodated us with a site where both our Dishes (roof TV and Internet Tri-pod) reached the satellite.

This park is on the outskirts of this busy city but the office provides info on driving to the above ground Bus Transpo Pick-up Centre or to the nearby Lincoln Fields Shopping Centre to board the bus to downtown. Ottawa has a special dedicated above ground bus lane that guarantees rapid transport to city centre – this is an alternate to a city subway system. Those without a car can take a taxi to bus Transpo Centre for $8.00. Only problem with this great stop is the sites are only 2-way hook-ups. Cost is $32.00 per night. Taking transit is a good idea because rush hour travel to city centre is very slow going.
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FANTASTIC REUNION - this gathering was for Canadian Navy personal that served aboard the HURON http://www.hmcshuronassociation.com but many branches of all Cdn/USA Forces host similar events – search Google.com for your association.

Events got off to a great start with registration and Meet and Greet - our Goodie Bag was jam packed with numerous neat things. Early Tuesday morning everyone gathered for an official wreath laying Memorial Service at the Cenotaph complete with a Ships Company Muster, a piper and bugler – dress was the wearing of Medals that adorned their blazers. Official officer dignitaries from the Embassies of France, Korea, Russia, United Kingdom, USA and the National Defence Headquarters participated in the wreath laying. These are all countries that the HURON intertwined with – a very moving ceremony. Got some great pictures but since I forgot my digital I had to resort to a throwaway camera – I again forgot how inconvenient it is to go back to print film. Hope to get them scanned and uploaded soon.

Following the Memorial Service our buses took us to the modern expansive Canadian National War Museum. (819-776-8600). This Museum is an amazing place. The museum sections are laid out in chronological order in four separate sections beginning with Canadian battlegrounds of earlier times to 1885; the South African and First World War 1885-1831; The Second World War of 1931-1945 and the last was the Cold War/Korean War and Peacekeeping from 1945 to present. This entire museum was a very informative, spacious and beautifully laid out presentation. I was extremely impressed with the moving and emotional V-E and V-J displays highlighting the wars end. After lunch in the cafeteria the bus dropped us back at the hotel. We then headed to the park, but the crew ventured off to dinner and the SLOTS. Gag gift exchanges and door prizes brought that evening to a close.

An early Wednesday morning Meeting informed members of what is happening plus a tasty evening DINNER/DANCE kept everyone in an upbeat mood. Our Breakfast Thursday morning brought this fun filled 4-day event to a close. We met so many wonderful ‘Newest Best Friends’ that we really look forward to next year’s event in Woodstock. We expect to be in that community next summer so it will be fun to participate in planning events that are not RV Related. (Those who served on the HURON Destroyers – why not join us. Check out the website above).
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MORE GOOD FRIENDS & Final Thoughts

After breakfast, Auld Lang Sine and fond farewells we took the scenic route west to the park, past my childhood home. That drive brought back a flood of pleasant memories. We even drove past my childhood home – took a picture of course.

Friday we drove to the popular interesting PJ’s Restaurant in Arnprior to lunch with several high-school chums. No matter how much time passes, it is always a joy to play catch-up with these friends who made our days in school so much fun. Thanks so much Gayle for making it happen and to Bob, Ruth, Penny and Shirley for joining us. Several of us also worked at Woolworth’s in the days before Wal*Mart became popular.

Saturday we departed for Arnprior to niece Cathy & Rick’s driveway. Saturday afternoon these two participated in a community Horseshoe play-offs and Cathy’s FINAL RINGER won her and her partner the Championship trophy. Congratulations kid!!! After a fantastic day of socializing – daughter Kayla and friend Jason came over for dinner – it was time to turn in. Soooo here it is Sunday morning and I am still trying to get this Diary out. Daughter Shaundra and friend Russell will be joining us for supper tonight and we head out on Monday for the Trenton area. Thanks so much for the hospitality Cathy & Rick – it has been a great visit. Life is good in the McD house – hope it is the same in yours. Happy Travel all. P&J

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