A wonderful annual nod to the beginnings of Soccer...

A wonderful annual nod to the beginnings of Soccer

My oldest friend, Alan, sent this article to me today. He and his lovely wife live in Ashbourne, in Derbyshire, and we'll be visiting them in April when we start our 3 month trip to the U.K. He shared it because there is a wonderful tradition that is held every year on Shove Tuesday, in Ashbourne. 

When I was teaching soccer skills, I would mention to the students that the game of soccer started off in the middle ages, and that it was totally different from the game we know today. Having no rules, the goals would be placed at the opposite ends of the town, and the game would be played through the streets of the town, with everyone joining in. These events would often end in brawls and bloodshed, which probably accounts for the gradual introduction of rules and defining a  more limited space in which to play. 

I found this article so interesting that I felt it warranted a sharing with our followers. Hope you enjoy it: https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/ashbourne-royal-shrovetide-2020-3861795

I particularly had to chuckle at this quote from the article: 

"There's an infamous quote attached to Shrovetide that "there's only one rule - no murder". And it's a complete nonsense.

Of course, murder is frowned upon, but it's very important players and followers adhere to strict rules to ensure the game can be played by future generations."

My friend made sure that I understood that he would be there as an observer only! 

If only we had been going to the UK a couple of months earlier, we could have joined him!

Friday Night Routine - Nostalgic Memories of my Youth!

Friday Night Routine - Nostalgic Memories of my Youth!

At the risk of writing two nostalgic blogs in a row, but having just seen a picture on Facebook which precipitated a flooding of memories of my youth, I just had to share this glimpse into my past. 

Every school student looks forward to Friday afternoons - when the final bell went and you'd be free for two whole days, not including that delicious first evening. My anticipation and excitement would start to grow during that very last lesson, as I knew exactly what I would be doing after school. It had become an established routine.

After getting the bus home from school, I would get changed as quickly as I could and grab my bicycle (a cheap jalopy that my dad got from the rag and bone man - and how I LOVED that bike!)

Back in the day, we would set up a playing card with a clothes pin (peg) so that it would catch the spikes to create a rhythmic ride!

I would cycle for a couple of miles to a variety store (newsagent, in the U.K.) to buy the latest D.C. comics for that week, which had been imported from America. 

Martin's Newsagents (Variety Store) was one of my favourite shops. It's still in the same place, but looks very different now.

I'd probably buy about 10 comics, which would significantly deplete my weekly allowance (spending money), for sure. 

From there, I would cycle for a couple of blocks to the nearest fish and chip shop, where I would by a small order of chips (fries), watching them wrap them in plain newsprint paper ready for the journey home. 

The old fish and chip shop is now an Indian Restaurant

Once home, I would place the chips in the oven while I fried a couple of eggs. Sometimes, I would help myself to a serving of peas, or baked beans, but usually would opt for egg and chips. 

I perfected my timing so that, once the meal was ready, I could add a slab of buttered bread, grab a fizzy drink and disappear into the front room, set up a little table, and turn on the TV ready to watch a half hour of my very favourite cartoons, while thoroughly enjoying my little repast. 

Atom Ant

Precious Pup (my absolute favourite)

The Billhilly Bears

(For those who wish to see the brief intros to these three cartoons, here are some link: 

Atom Ant                     Precious Pup               The Hillbilly Bears

Program over, dishes washed and put away, I would look forward to the next couple of hours installed on the couch and devouring the next stories in the series of each of my comic books. When done, I would add them to the pile, sorted by title and issue number, and maybe reread some of the older issues - just for fun. (There were a few that had become my favourites!)

It's amazing how, while writing this blog, I have found myself reliving some of that excitement from years ago, with all the nostalgia it invokes. 

All in all, over the years, I had collected over 400 comic books, which were neatly sorted and stored in my bedroom. 

When the time came for me to leave home, in the early 70's, my mom persuaded me to sell the whole shebang at the local market in town. I think I may have gotten something around 5 GBP (which would be the equivalent of $90 today!). Today, on e-bay, they can sometimes go for around $10-$20 per comic - and I've even seen one that is on sale for nearly $43!!!

At the end of the each Friday, I would look forward to going to the Saturday Morning Pictures (movie theatre), and finish up the weekend by listening to the Top 40 countdown on my transistor radio on Sunday afternoon.

These were great days - and great memories which stir up fond emotions whenever they surface.
It's always good to cherish the memories, so long as we don't find ourselves wanting to live in the past!

Return to Saint-Sauveur, Quebec

Return to Saint-Sauveur, Quebec

Friday, February 14th

We just finished our last house sit in Manotick, near Ottawa, and had a few days before beginning our next one, in Midland. So we decided to revisit the lovely town of Saint-Sauveur, just over a 2 hour drive away. 

This town is home to one of the many ski resorts in Quebec, and being a long weekend, and with temperatures around -20 degrees Celsius, we knew that it would be very busy. (It did warm up to a balmy -8 by the middle of the afternoon).

Clear blue skies and splendid sunshine accompanied us along the way and we enjoyed the scenery while listening to some of our old favourites using our Spotify app.

Mark had booked us in to an Air BnB for two nights, and we were delighted with the apartment, which was comfortable, practical, and well-equipped for all we would need. 

The apartment is well situated and just a short walk into the main thoroughfare. Overlooking the ski hills, it affords panoramic views, with a few chalets and an assortment of buildings in the valley. 

The ski hills look spectacular at night time, too!

Being Valentine's Day, we reheated some leftovers from our meal out the night before, and enjoyed a cozy evening in front of the fire. 

Saturday, February 15th

Last May, when we were staying at our friends' cottage in the Laurentians, not far from here, we treated ourselves to a visit to the Amerispa - just a ten minute drive away in the smaller town of Morin Heights. We vowed, then, that we would return, and this was a great opportunity to do just that. The last time we were there, it was a weekday, so we were lucky to have the place almost to ourselves. Today, being a Saturday, it was a different tale. 

There is a nice trail from the parking lot up to the spa entrance and, although covered with snow, it had been shoveled and salted making the passage fairly easy, though a little slick in places. 

It's a beautiful spa, surrounded by a wooded area. Several outside baths, both hot and cold, are available for patrons to use for as long as they like. Services offered include manicures, pedicures, facial treatments, and massages, which all have to be booked in advance. There are also saunas and steam rooms, and a couple of relaxation rooms where quiet music envelops your senses sending you into a deep sense of peace and contentment. 

Courtesy of: https://images.app.goo.gl/yywByWNT1Qmc3RCV9

We had each booked a relaxing massage and, after collecting our robes and towels, we headed into the treatment area. Emerging in an almost jello-like state, we availed ourselves of the various thermal experiences for a further hour or so, finally returning to the car for our drive back into Saint-Sauveur for lunch. 

The province of Quebec is very reminiscent of France, and their creperies are the best! This is what we had decided upon, the night before, and we were not disappointed. The Creperie Bretonne can be thoroughly recommended. 

The snow has made this normal entrance to the creperie impassible 

A delicious French Onion Soup, followed by dessert crepes and a cafe-au-lait, all disappeared while each mouthful was being relished! (They do have a variety of savoury crepes, too, but we are going to leave that for another visit). 

Mark studies the menu in anticipation

Delicious French Onion Soup

Watching the chef making a savoury crepe

Mark had a mixed fruit crepe (apple, strawberry, raspberry, and banana)

Mine was a wonderful pineapple crepe

Dig in, Mark!

We love drinking our cafe-au-lait from a bowl

After lunch, we agreed to do a walkabout town to help digest our delicious meal. 

There is a profusion of beautiful buildings in the town - both commercial and residential. Splendid in colour and style, the small shops are seasonally decorated, and many were still displaying their Christmas adornments! 

The snow is piled up like this all over the town

Icicles adorn many of the eaves on the buildings

Clock repair shop - something seldom seen these days

WOUFF - a store just for dogs!

I really liked the yellow lamp that fronts this yellow house

As mentioned above, being a ski resort (and a long weekend to boot), the town was very busy, with people milling around and cars interweaving through the streets. Nevertheless, it was fairly easy to navigate our way to the end of the main street. 

We were delighted to hear the church bells pealing out over the town. Although not particularly religious, I do love to hear real church bells ringing as it reminds me of my childhood growing up in the U.K. A little bit of nostalgia is good for the soul!

No visit to Saint Sauveur would be complete without a visit to the S. Bourassa, a distinctive supermarket in the Tanger Outlet area of the town. 

Part of the Tanger outlet, with its distinctive multi coloured stores

S. Bourassa - a landmark in this town

It has a variety of specialized groceries and the fruits and vegetables are all organic.

However, it is probably best known for having over 400 varieties of cheese. 

Finally, we headed to the foot of the ski hills to see bravery in action! 

Mark used to enjoy downhill skiing in his younger days, but it's not something that I would have ever been courageous enough to do. (I did try my hand at cross-country skiing when I first came to Canada, but success was not in my grasp!!! lol). Our skiing friends will most likely (and correctly) think of me as a wimp, (except I have done a tandem jump out of a plane a few years ago - and I do enjoy tubing, so maybe I'm not a total chicken!!!) It never ceases to amaze me how young some of these skiers are - as well as the little kids who enjoy snowboarding on the slopes! 

To finish the day, we are sitting by the fire enjoying a glass of port that was made by our friend, Sharron, in Blind Bay (B.C.). Cheers, Sharron!

Nothing like a glass of home made port

All in all, this has been a most enjoyable visit, and we feel that Saint Sauveur has not seen the last of us!