October 11th - For all of you wondering if we ever got home...we did!! And we still are, home, that is! Why so long to finish this chapter of our on-the-road adventures? Technology!!! Home we came to no internet. And it took nearly two weeks of effort on the part of yours truly to get it finally straightened around. Calls to our local provider, and to our DLink router people, and finally a techie was sent out, who took an hour of exploration to figure out it was an incoming cable problem.

Gail still has trouble connecting on her ipad, but I'm back in business. Aren't you glad? Anyway, to finish off the last chapter of this edition of LerGail Rambles, we decided to leave Holland, Michigan, without staying an extra day, and headed across the state and into Canada. It's funny, but when you get close to home, the urge to stop and explore fades away, and all you really want to do is get back to kith and kin. So we had an uneventful drive across the state, some roads okay and some not, and got to the border by mid-afternoon.

"What have we got left in the fridge, Gail?"
"Only a couple of apples. But what if they check our 'drinks' cupboard?"
"They never do, so don't worry." But we worry anyway.

Turned out there was no Duty Free we could spot at the Sarnia cross-over, so all we had were the considerable leftovers from our travels. There was a substantial mass of vehicles waiting to go through, and just as it was our turn, there was a staff change, which involved a lengthy conversation between the outgoing and the incoming officer. No doubt exchanging critical information about possible terrorist intrusion. More likely talking about where to go for a beer later.

Our guy asked if we had purchased anything in the States. "Only essentials," I replied, firm of voice and confident of manner. "Have a nice day," was the reply. Didn't even ask about booze. No fun at all!!

On we went to Strathroy, where we found a park that caters to trout fishermen. Quite a little enclave, with mostly permanents who looked at us like we were from Mars. The gal in charge is clearly in charge. Don't mess with her, we learned, as she assured us the camp is mostly very quiet. "Threw one guy out last night," she said, "but mostly it's quiet here." And it was. People can come to the camp to fish in their pond, which is stocked with trout, and if they catch one, they pay the proprietor 6 bucks, and she'll clean it for you. Take it home to the pan, just like that!

Next morning we went to town to have a Sunday breakfast, as it was our last day on the road. We walked up and down the main street, and found nothing open. Along came a young couple with two kids, out for a walk, so we asked them where we might find breakfast. The young guy answered with a distinct Australian accent that there was the old post office that had been converted into a restaurant, and it might be open. "What are you doing here in Strathroy, of all places?" I asked him. "I have no idea," was the reply. "I married a Canadian girl, and here I am." She only smiled, looking quite content to be home in Strathroy, Ontario, ultimate farm community with God knows what for a young man from Sydney to do. Hopefully it works out.

The converted post office was great, a really neat venue, well worth a visit, as it has a real upscale pub feel, if you're ever caught in Strathroy. After that, we made our way home through reasonably calm Toronto traffic, and were welcomed by the MacKays, who had us over for dinner. Great way to end this 6,200 km trip. Glad to be home, for sure! But soon itching to go again.

Thanks for listening. Stay tuned, as we will be on the road again before long.