Monday 23rd August

Up not as early as we’d thought (bit of a pattern here), but we managed to make some lovely blueberry pancakes for breakfast.  Left the cottage at 10.45 and headed north, then west towards Bracebridge.  Here we had an early light lunch in Marty’s World Famous Coffee Shop – a surprisingly small place given it’s name, but with great coffee, world class butter tarts (although none of us had any) and Kawartha ice cream (see Saturday).  

Found some pressies in main street Bracebridge, then headed on to Gravenhurst where we saw Lake Muskoka and where the steamship Segwun would have been.  Then had a run of 90 minutes to Wasaga beach.  Found our hotel quite easily and booked in.  

Luau Resort is a combination of hotel, motel and holiday park, set on the Nottawasaga river which runs parallel to the beach for the whole of Wasaga Beach.  Our chalet  has a private porch with a view straight onto the river, shower, 2 bedrooms, kitchenette and a TV.  Just right. 

While Helen and the kids settle in, I head off to the Walmart store we passed coming into town for beer and breakfast.  I also get the disposable camera from Toronto developed.  On the way back, I stop at the LCBO – the only place where you can buy beer and wine, but it’s closed.  No worries, there is a sign on the door pointing to another one, further down the same street which is open late.  I set off looking for it.  Four bloody miles later, I find it.  I forgot how long streets can be here!!  Still, although I’m back late, I’m not back empty handed.  The LCBO also had Speckled Hen and Boddingtons in cans!

Helen has reaslised that she left her hanging (i.e. best) clothes at the cottage.  I think about going back the next day, but she says she can mange without (she did have a very big pile of clothes!), so we’ll ask Ken and Alison to send them on later.

We then go out looking for somewhere to eat.  There are loads of motels, and a few camping grounds, but very few eating places.  We end up nearly back to Walmart, where the choice is KFC, Taco Bell, a Chinese or Boston Pizza.  We opt for the latter.

The night is hot and I can’t sleep at first so I turn on the A/C to cool down.  Bodes well for the next day.