How things change!

It's amazing how life can take a sudden turn, how one moment you are moving along quite nicely, life is the same, everything is happening how you planned and then something can happen that changes everything in an instant.

Last time I updated this I was off to Ottawa for the weekend and then on to Niagara Falls. Well I still haven't left Ottawa. The whole reason being because of Anders, a guy that my friends from home introduced me to. I won't go into the details, but it seems that I just don't want to leave this place.

However, I should tell you about Kingston. I have to admit that for now I am not staying in hostels meaning I can't give you updates on the hostel life and I am being spoilt by having a place for just the two of us. So when we visited Kingston it was to stay in a hotel, a million miles away from any hostel. A room with an amazing view, one that looks out over the marina on to the water and a little balcony on which to relax with a drink in hand and take in the scenery; there's something almost magical looking about the water as it glistens in the suns rays.

Kingston is a cute town, has a gorgeous waterfront walk, old buildings that hold charming character and small streets that play home to a number of shops and bars. Being a university town, you are sure to find a bar or two to party in the evening and that we did with people from the hotel who we randomly met in the room a few doors down.

Nursing a slight hangover, the next day took us to Picton and a place called Sandbanks. Beaches that stretch out in front of you, soft sand beneath your feet, the ocean's waves lapping and huge sand dunes which give the most amazing view once you climb to the top of them.

Then back to Ottawa after being stuck in traffic for hours. Why is it that when you hit traffic you automatically need the toilet, it feels like you've just drunk five litres of water and it's bursting to escape? Also you suddenly become the hungriest you have ever been and topic of conversation becomes food and what delights, (not sure delights is the word), you can find to tuck into once you hit services.

Now my plans have changed. I will be heading to Toronto and Niagara next week, but then back here to Ottawa which seems to have become a home from home and I no longer feel like I'm travelling, just happily living. The next few weeks entails hockey (ice) games, the falls, discovering Toronto and just enjoying the time I have left before my trip home.

I'll update you soon!

A touch of relaxation...

This week has been a little different to the rest and I have had a welcome break from the backpacker life. Although when I got back into it I realised how much a have a love/hate relationship brewing with my backpack, (which is now fixed and back to full working order), and how I am becoming used to living out of this thing. Something I never thought I would say.

I got to spend the week in and around Morin Heights, north of Montreal and beautiful. My friends from home, Allan and Claire, scooped me up for the week and took me to Allan's family cottage up in the mountains. Well compared to the likes of Whistler and Banff these are hills, but big ones! The view from the decking stretches out for miles and there is an endless sea of teas and that gorgeous sound of silence.

We had BBQ's and fires, one of which to celebrate Claire's birthday. Fire obviously means marshmallows, you can't have a fire going and not have marshmallows, that would simply be criminal.

Out and about we swam in lakes and waterfalls making the most of the hot,hot weather and exploring towns which are little with charming character, far from the buzzing city life and town centres I've become accustomed to. No one is rushing past you, in fact no one is rushing, just relaxing and enjoying the life.

One of Allan's friends let us loose on his ATVs which is where I become Charlie's Angel Essex girl! OK I could pretend anway. So much fun to zoom around the dirt tracks looking hysterical I'm sure as I tried to get on in a lady like fashion in my frilly skirt.

Now as I write this I'm in Montreal. It's a gorgeous city with an easy to follow tube, sorry metro, making everything accessible. You can see everything from the Old Port, to cathedrals with lavish decor or shop,shop, shop - oh how I wish I could do the last option.

Last night myself and a few girls from the hostel decided to join the 'Bar Tour' or in English a pub crawl. Lots of drinks, giggles and dancing provided a good night and I even managed the task of getting onto the top bunk of a bed that sways every time you move or even just breathe.

One thing I must mention is that I have no flight now. Yes I booked Zoom and they've gone bankrupt. Typical. So I'm busying around trying to find another flight and apparently there are airlines offering half price tickets for Zoom costumers, but obviously when you try and call them you are stuck on hold for abut 20 minutes listening to some awful music that is on a loop, slowly driving you crazy and I'm sure I'll go to bed humming the tune like a mad woman with an airline obsession.

Tomorrow I'm back to Ottawa for the weekend; Ottawa part three as we went for an over night trip doing the week. Then off to Niagara Falls.

I'll speak to you from the falls.