We were away for a week. Two days driving each way from Paradise to Peterborough. Three days in Peterborough, enjoying activities with grandchildren, Fraser and Logan. Total distance travelled 3878 kilometers.
While in Peterborough, we watched speed skating practice and training for soccer. We managed to find time to visit By the Books, Thoughtfully curated used books on Water Street.
I found Peterborough, Land of Shining Waters, a centennial volume published by the City and County of Peterborough 1967. Also, The Wilderness Companion. Reflections for the Back-Country Traveler.
From the Preface:
”Sigurd Olsen once wrote that a long standing habit of his canoe trips was to take little scraps of paper on which he’d copied brief passages taken from writings of poets, saints and other spiritual seekers. He would gather these bits of prose and poetry in what he called his ‘medicine bag’ and now and then, while he was in the canoe he’d pick one out, put it on the pack in front of him, anchor with a stone, and slowly read it.” P4.
Heather found three books:
Taming the Ox
Zen Lessons: the Art of Leadership
Daily OM
What were the highlights of the trip ?
We visited the British store, outside of Peterborough. I picked up winter supplies of Branston pickle. The other highlight, we picked up our Swift canoe to bring it home to Nova Scotia.
In terms of travel, we enjoyed our best night at the Quality Inn in Levis on the way home. We also enjoyed the fabulous colours, as we followed Highway 20E through Quebec province.
The greatest challenge was the final day of driving. Levis- Rivière de Loup- Fredericton – Moncton – Amherst – Truro – Paradise.
Mistakenly, at the end of the last day, we took the route through the Rawdon Hills.
The roads were dark, and it started to rain. We took our time and thankfully arrived safely, with the canoe.
PS. Peterborough is certainly ‘Canoe Country’.
Acknowledgements
Patrick, Emily and the boys looked after us well for the three rest days in Peterborough. Patrick gave the driver, a rest after two days on the road. Heather shared the journey. Edward added the links and graphics.
References
Peterborough: Land of Shining Waters, 1967, An Anthology. U of T Press.
David Backes,1999, The Wilderness Companion: Reflections for the Back-Country Traveller, NorthWord Press.
Madisyn Taylor, 2008, Daily OM: Inspirational thoughts for a happy, healthy and fulfilling day, Hay House.
Zen Lessons, 2004, The Art of Leadership, Translated by T. Cleary, Shambhala Classics
Charles Johnson, 2014, Taming the Ox: Buddhist Stories and Reflections on Politics, Race, Culture and Spiritual Practice, Shambhala Publications
Ernest Blair Experiment 