Good News!

So, it looks like Amex is coming through with the coverage on the camera. So, we learned something new about the benefits of some credit cards. And because this was our first claim and it was for under $500, they were able to process it with less documentation than is normally required. Still waiting to hear back from my last email, but it looks like they simply send us a cheque for the amount of the claim. I don't even think they want the old camera back, which could be a bonus because we will now have a spare battery!

Next week, we'll go back to Future Shop (owned by Best Buy here in Canada) and see if they will match the same price they gave me on the original camera.

Yesterday morning Ruth and her sister Lesley went down to the Morris Island Conservation Area to take the dogs for a walk. Lesley is here visiting with her dog Tia.

Don't forget to click on the pictures to make them full sized!

Part of the Ottawa River at the Morris Island Conservation Area.

Ducks on a pond.

Tia and Ruth's sister Lesley.

Can you see this fellow well hidden in the bushes??

Visiting Ottawa this time around, we promised ourselves we would do some things that we've never done before. We both grew up in Ottawa area, so although we know the city very well, it's amazing how many opportunities there are to explore. 

One of them is the area around Shirleys Bay, about 20 kms (13 miles) west of the downtown core.

We parked the little blue car at the boat launch area, and headed out to the 7 kms (4 miles) of trails. 

Kevin on the shore of the Ottawa River at Shirley's Bay.

Ruth on the walking trail at Shirleys Bay. This is a cross country skiing trail in the winter.

Part of the trail goes through a cedar forest.

Ultimately, not the most exciting trail we've been on, but it was a nice afternoon for a walk. Most of the trail would probably have been nicer when there were still leaves on the trees and bushes. We expected more of it to follow the river but most of it heads inland and is fairly flat. Great place to take your dog for a walk.

From there, we drove further towards the city, stopping at Andrew Haydon Park. Really pretty spot along the Ottawa River.

Andrew Haydon park is really pretty.

Kevin and Ruth by the duck pond. Too bad this pic is slightly out of focus! Only one we took though so it will have to do.

Speaking of the "duck" pond, there aren't actually many ducks around. Unfortunately there ARE a lot of Canada Geese around. Rats with wings as our friend Mark in Saskatoon says! They really need to do something about these birds hanging around the park. It may be illegal to not pick up after your dog, but nobody picks up after these big nasty birds and you almost can't walk on the grass without stepping in their do-do! 

Ruth, looking at the sailboats. It was a calm day to try and go sailing!

Like I said, it's a pretty spot.

Heading further in to town, we made it to our dinner spot, the La Cabana restaurant on Merivale Rd. near Carling Ave. This is a Salvadorian restaurant with authentic food from the central American country of El Salvador. It is so authentic that you almost feel you're not in Canada anymore. If not for the prices, you would think you were in a restaurant in Latin America. Even the television was playing a Spanish language station.

We ordered and spoke entirely in Spanish to the people working there! 

Dinner! A filling plate of rice, beans, and a shredded meat and egg dish called "carne deshilada con huevos"!

From there, off to visit a friend for a couple of hours, and then my younger sister. Didn't make it back to Ruth's father's until midnight!

Today, I am off to a weekend away with the boys. A group of ten friends have rented a "cottage" for the weekend. The ten of us haven't been together all at the same time for over 30 years!!! I'm sure the beer will be flowing. Really looking forward to it. Pics tomorrow!