Wonderful Wanakita!

Welcome to Wanakita Camp - the sign said boldly!!! This weekend, Kiwi, Kate and myself participated in an event for all the "wonderful" Aussies, Kiwis and Poms that are on a teaching exchange. About 4 hours from Ottawa, we were lucky enough (thanks Paddy) to get off work early to make the trek down there. Snow was forecast and came rather heavily about 100km out of Haliburton, a town of around 10,000 (near the camp site). Wanakita is a year round campsite that hosts people of all ages and backgrounds.

Arriving at 6:00 sharp, we headed for our cabins - being the first there, Kate and I took the enclosed room within the cabin (as she's been a tad crook) and set up, leaving her Crows scarf out for John and Tracy to spot (Rowville PS, Vic, mates). We all then headed back into town for a quick bite to eat, before enjoying a few brews with the 50 odd people staying with us.

We awoke early Sat morning for a hearty meal - bacon and eggs of course -before embarking on a day filled with "winter activities". Beginning with snow-shoes (old school ones of course - see pics), we blazed a trail -ok, maybe walked awkwardly, but still fun, taking in the sights of the mini forest, looking at a variety of animal tracks, trees and observing a beaver dam up close.

Realising time was passing quickly, we headed to the cross-country skiing practise area, where we enjoyed our first taste of it! Sliding, gliding (and sometimes slipping) the "trainer" decided it was time to climb the ant hill nearby and ride down. After seeing John spill early, I made my way up there and in good Aussie spirit, fell on my ass as well, right in front of Kate with the "movie function" running. It was pretty much the same fall as John's - monkey see, monkey do!

Moving on again in order to cover as many activities as humanly possible, we made our way to the toboggan hills......using matresses, plastic biscuits, sleds and anything else that would make us go fast down the hill to great effect. After smashing our bodies hard on the "smaller", but faster hill, John, Tracy, Kate and myself headed to the top of the big hill. John and I raced down, before he crashed into the side, planting his face hard into the snow on the side. There were some big stacks by the other Aussies, one almost flying into the nearby lake.....which could have been really funny!!!!

Lastly for the day (after much begging) we got to go ice-fishing.....hard work drilling the hole on the lake, then setting up the pole....only problem......the beers were back in the cabin......it's a very "patient" sport!!!

Evening soon arrived and we had the option of either walking or cross-country skiing across the lake (with candles lighting a path for us) - which was great. Kate, Michelle and myself took the walking option, which proved the wiser one, as the skiing traffic was kept slow by those who fell, which would have definitely been us if we'd taken that path!!!

Sunday morning came quickly (after another "couple of drinks" the night before). We headed for the lake again, this time for a dog-sled ride. Pulled by 5 of the most beautiful huskies, Kate and I took it in turn driving and sitting in the basket. Both of us adored the dogs (even though we only had a short time, but a memory that will be with us for a long time!!!). Calling out "Hike" to go and "Whoa" to stop, we had some energetic pups that went no matter what we called out!!!

Just to stir people up I wore my Pies jumper and was teased by the Freo Shockers, i mean Dockers, supporters, who asked if they could stage a photo (strangling me of course) to send back....all in good fun. We had a blast there and hope to get back late Sep for the "summer version.