Don's Travels: Canada, Sonja, and The Keg

by Jane

[Friday, 28th September] Yesterday (as I am writing this at 6.06 am) we travelled from Howell to Hamilton - Howell in the US and Hamilton in Canada. Driving from one to the other was just a matter of showing our passports and answering a few questions - like do we have weapons in the car.

We dropped our bags at the motel and headed over to visit Gary's cousin, Sonja, with (of all things) our washing tucked under our arms. Sonja had kindly suggested we do our laundry at her place and since we are in the second motel in a row without guest laundry facilities we were exceedingly keen to take her up on her offer. (We now have that most important thing in travelling - lots of clean clothes in reserve!)

Gary and Sonja have only met once, when she visited New Zealand a few years ago so it was a great time for them to get to know each other and for him to meet her family; husband Ken and two children.

Nibbles at Sonja's

Washing done and Ken home we all went out to tea (dinner) together to The Keg in Burlington. The restaurant was a huge place, very busy, and Sonja and Ken introduced us to (nearly) everybody there. With the staff being so friendly and the manager, Rick, being so knowledgeable about New Zealand wines Gary was in his element and even received a wine list from the restaurant to take home as a souvenir. (Please Note: I am taking home books, Gary is taking home a wine list!)

Sonja and Gary at The Keg

It was a wonderful evening - excellent meals, super company - which ended up with plans for Ken and Sonja to visit us in New Zealand.

Sonja with the rewarewa pen

After dinner the Billy Miner Pie arrived. (From the menu: Mocha ice cream on a chocolate crust with hot fudge, caramel and almonds.) This dessert is particularly noteworthy not only because it was very, very good, but because Gary hogged most of it. Unheard of!