A Little Piece of Heaven

Tuesday, 2 September 2014

A Little Piece of Heaven

A Little Piece of Heaven

At least twice every year, Mark and I trip down to the little township of Wilberforce, Ontario where our dear friend, Pat (affectionately known as Patsy Watsy), has a cottage on a Lake.

This year, we missed out on the annual July weekend gathering of a dozen people or more because I had strained my back the day before we were due to travel. Bummer! - It was the first time in 17 years that we had not been present and it has been calling to us all summer.

This Labour Day Weekend, we were able to take in a flying visit to this 'little piece of heaven' that Pat has carved out for herself, and which she generously shares with those in her circle of friends and beyond.

Nestled on the edge of a beautiful lake, the cottage boasts of 300' water frontage. (See slideshow for more pics).

Built in the 1930's, the log home is accompanied by three other buildings - a wash-house, a bunkie, and a boathouse, along with the customary woodshed.

We were occupied in the woodshed for a couple of hours stacking wood that we had collected from a supplier just 15 minutes away from the cottage - making this a true 'labour' day! It was so much fun, working as a team, and accomplishing a task that brought back memories of our years living on the Holland Marsh.

The time went quickly as the bawdy remarks, jokes, and hilarious conversation among the participant 'workers' were shared with gusto. During that time, we also solved all of the world's problems!

After working up an honest sweat, the lake was supremely welcome and, at 19 degrees Celsius, it was a good 3 degrees warmer than our local beach in Elliot Lake. What a difference a degree or two makes!

Good food, beautiful surroundings, great memories, and wonderful company made this brief weekend rendezvous special. Pat is the first friend I made when I arrived in Canada, back in 1989, and we have been fast friends ever since. If you can visualize loyalty, fun, joie-de-vivre, and variety - you have captured an image of Pat, who is an awesome representation of these wonderful traits!