Blame Canada

Yes, yes, I know, it's been ages. But I have good excuses, really. Like the fact that it's summer and I have far better things to do than sit in front of the computer (more on that later). And the 2 other blogs I now have going, which also demand constant input (links are on the right - one reflects my humanitarian impulses, the other reflects my lets-get-out-of-here-and-explore-the-other-side-of-the-world impulses). So, summer activities...

Port Dover

This is a fun seaside town about 45 minutes drive away from us. It's on Lake Erie, which is clean and sparkling, as opposed to Lake Ontario which is a sewer. I went with my friends Lindsay, Tammy and Steve (L-R in photo) and we had the biggest laugh ever. Day trips in Canada are so fun - no traffic, no rain, spots on even the most popular beaches, warm water to swim in, and the really popular ice cream joints still offer really quick service at reasonable prices. I love this place!

Hanging with the hippies

Joe and I went to a conference held on an organic farm (which doubles as a Christian commune - dude. Here's a photo, complete with solar panels on the roof). All the seminars were on organic farming (funny that) as well as fair trade, eco-tourism, sustainable living, stuff like that. Not only was it gorgeous weather and brilliant fun, we also met quite a few characters that weren't all hippies. Some of them were Amish. Or Goth. Yes, it was quite a collection of people.

Plus we stayed in a beautiful B&B that was on a lovely sparkling river, incredibly comfy beds, friendly hosts, and a massive slap-up breakfast for only 40 pounds a night (for both of us)! Did I mention that I love this place?

(Right: the owners of the B&B standing by their garden shed. They were definitely hippies).

AIDS-mania hits Toronto

Well, I guess it's a bit tasteless to describe it as 'AIDS-mania', but HIV/AIDS is definitely the humanitarian concern of the moment. There's an international conference going on right now (I'm hoping it's been in the news over there in England - otherwise someone's not doing their job on the PR front), and World Vision has reconstructed an African village (left) in the middle of the city, which you can tour and find out the stories of AIDS orphans. I went to the World Vision thing (tickets to the conference were sold out months ago) and it was definitely worth it. More on my AIDS Africa blog.

I'm a mad cow

I tried being especially worthy and going to donate blood, but I hit a little obstacle. Well, a big one actually - I can never ever donate blood in Canada. Ever. Guess why??

Because I lived in England between 1980 and 1996, I may have become infected with Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease, or the human version of BSE. So my blood might be tainted.

I guess they have a point (if an infinitesimally small one), but honestly - I try and do my bit for Canada, and I'm told my blood's tainted because I lived in England. Joe said he already knew I was a mad cow (thanks hubby).

Anyway, I still took a biscuit on the way out because (a) that's half the reason I went (you give blood, you get biscuits - everyone knows that), and (b) I deserved it. After all, I am Napoleon. Moo.