The Accident - shaken, rattled, but NOT rolled.

During the last week of our vacation at Riverwood, I was enjoying my morning coffee and toasted English muffin when AC asked me what I would like to do that day. 

MMMM, everything tastes better at the farm.

I pondered the question as I munched and sipped.  Hmmm, what would I like to do today?  Riverwood is located about half hour north of  our old family cottage, and when I am at Riverwood I am often reminded of fun family times at the old cottage on Eel's Creek.  On this particular morning I remembered a little Wayside Chapel that my mom used to talk about, and loved to visit.  I thought I might like to take a walk down  memory lane, and snap some pictures of the little chapel in the beautiful autumn surroundings.

So that afternoon we set off along the winding country roads to find the Chapel.

We knew the drive along the country roads would be as beautiful as the destination.

We came around a  bend in the road, and there it was...as quaint as I remembered it. This picture was taken about an hour after the accident, as we had to wait that length of time for the police to arrive to make an accident report.  I thought I might as well take the pictures I had come for in the first place.

In the picture below, you can see the bend in the road we came around when we saw the flag out front of the Chapel.  We slowed down and prepared to make a left turn into the lane when we heard squealing brakes and before we knew it, we were hit from behind, sent across the oncoming lane of traffic, spun around and ended up on the edge of a ditch on the other side of the road facing in the opposite direction.

It is difficult to see from this picture, but the ditch was quite deep, and we landed precariously close to rolling over in it.  By the time we took this picture, we had moved the car forward a few feet so we could access the back of the car and assess damage.

The other car was a Caddy, and it was a crumpled mess.  The nose of this car went under our rear bumper.

The outside of our car didn't look bad,  We had one broken reflector light, a dropping muffler, and scratches on the bumper, but we couldn't see other damage until we opened the back door.

The underside was a crumpled mess, and the muffler was dragging down on the road.

We found a bungee cord and lifted the muffler up off the road so we could limp back to the farmhouse, as we weren't far away  when the accident happened. 

We didn't know what structural damage was done to the car, so we didn't want to drive it very far.  Calls to the insurance company were made, and we asked to be towed home, a distance of 213k's.  The towing company would only take us 200k's, and there was a closer repair shop in Peterborough, so it had to be towed to Peterborough instead of Ottawa.  Sigh.

Early the next morning a tow truck arrive at the farmhouse, and our little car was placed on the truck-bed for the long trip down to Peterborough.

All set and ready to go. We rode down to Peterborough in the cab of the truck so we could pick up a rental car.  It was a rather bumpy ride, but the driver was a very pleasant fellow, and he made the ride enjoyable with all his stories.

After a very long and wearying day spent in the car repair shop, car rental place, and walk-in clinic, we arrived back at the farmhouse around suppertime on Friday, with a rental vehicle that looked much like our car.   It wasn't as roomy though, and the ride just wasn't the same as a Honda.

Jeep Patriot, our rental car.

We spent the weekend at the farm wondering if we could get all our camping gear and luggage in the rental car and head home to Ottawa, or if we should stay in the area for a few more days to see if our car could be repaired.   I was really shaken up in the crash, and my neck and back were seizing up, so we decided to rest at the farm for a few days, and let my body unwind before trying to head home. 

Thanksgiving weekend was fast approaching, and we wanted to be home to share the festivities with family, but all our plans had to be put on hold.  We made a trip down to Peterborough to visit family on Monday, and make a stop at the car repair place to inquire about the car.  We then got the bad news that our car was a write-off, and we had to start the process of making claims with the insurance company and begin looking for a replacement vehicle. Groan!

We returned to the farmhouse, packed up what we could, and set off for home the next day.  We have been on a merry-go-round of insurance claims, new car searches, doctor's appts and myriad other things related to the accident ever since.

I am happy to report that we had a nice Thanksgiving weekend with family when we returned home, and we are now about to get off the merry-go-round, as we got a payout figure for our old car on Friday, and we found the perfect replacement car - another CRV - on Saturday.  We pick it up next Friday when we return the rental car.   I start physio this week for my neck and back pain, so we are moving forward.

More TG pics

I found these pics waiting in my file, and they are too cute not to be used, so here they are even if a bit late.

We went over to the kid's place for the TG feast, and it was such a nice day, the kids were outside playing while the turkey cooked.  We sat out in the sunshine with them, and watched while they biked.

Someone is very pleased with herself that she can now ride a two-wheeler.

Future race care driver?

New way to ride.

Time for an equipment check.

Soon it was time to go inside and start the gravy.

Danica wanted to help, and I was more than happy to oblige.

She stirred like a pro, while I rested my back.

I helped add the stock while she stirred and stirred.

MMMM, just about perfect.  I think it was the best tasting gravy ever. 

After dinner the kids had a bedtime story with Buppa. 

Wonderful day full of warm memories. 

Ride like the wind

Look who is now flying like the wind on her two wheeler - the six year old wonder! 

And there she goes. 

She was working really hard though, and had to take a break to rest her sore hands and tired legs.

The helmet came off, muscles were relaxed...

...a cold drink of water and a hug from Amma were called for, then she was back on the bike again.

Although the newness of riding her bike was exciting, she also enjoyed spending some quiet time with her brother.

Good old fashioned building-blocks are a hit with both kids.

JJ built many villages and space stations with the blocks.  I think this gathering was on the moon.

I think JJ just destroyed the moon base in this picture. As you can see, Danica had given up on the building blocks and had gone over to pester Buppa.  He was getting the upper hand on the rascal.

The holiday was great, but it is nice to be home and enjoying a daily visit with the munchkins again.

Another side-trip on our holiday

As nice as the quiet-time is at Riverwood, we also enjoy a visit with family while we are in the area, so a side-trip to my brother and SIL's  place is put on the agenda if we can manage it.  They live on the edge of town, so it feels like we are in the country when at their house.  An absolutely beautiful spot.

We usually sit outside on the deck when we are there, but Mother Nature had decorated the area with wet colourful leaves that day, so we sat inside and enjoyed the view from the other side of the window.

The fabulous windows made it feel like we were outside though.  AC ventured out to take pics, but the rest of stayed warm and cozy inside.

My SIL has a flare for decorating, and I always enjoy her festive arrangements.  This one makes you want to smile doesn't it?

Pretty huh?

The dogs also play an important part in the decor.  They don't stay where they are put though, and like to share the couch  with my brother whenever they can.  All three look happy about the arrangement don't they?

Danica sent a box of Girl Guide cookies to Uncle Larry, and he generously shared them with us to munch on with our after dinner coffee. Yum!

Conversation...

...and good food is always plentiful when we visit.

When the guys thought it was time to check mail and other news...

...the dogs got a treat, and then the girls went shopping.

We stopped by another family member's house for a visit, and the dogs were thrilled to see Mary Anne.  She does love her furry friends, and they love her.

We then hopped in Mary Anne's spiffy new car, and went in search of some interesting shops.  Oh fun!

Thanks guys, it was a fun visit. 

Cute TG Turkeys

The kids came in to say hello after school on Thursday, and brought with them bright Thanksgiving smiles. 

Cute little turkeys huh?

Road Trip

We didn't spend all our time at Riverwood during this holiday.  We took a road trip or two and what glorious colour we were treated to.   I don't think words are needed.  Just enjoy the ride with me.

Thanksgiving

Home from the farm safe and sound and enjoying a visit with the munchkins.  Yes, I am very THANKFUL this weekend that it was only our car that cannot be repaired after our accident last week.  We were shaken and rattled, but we didn't roll, and when we were pushed into the oncoming lane of traffic, there was not another car heading down the highway at that time.   We walked away from the accident, but our car didn't.  I am sad about losing our little car, but it is only a car, and we are OK, so all is good.

What a heart-warming joy to greet the kids when the got off the bus and invite them in for hugs and an after- school snack on the day we got home.  JJ got off the bus with his hair all sweaty, and he looked very tired.  It is such a long day for a 4 year old.  After his milk and granola bar he revived a bit, and I am sure the hugs did him a world of good too.

Danica loves to go through Great-grandma Mary's silverware chest.  So after her snack, she set up shop near the patio door,  and looked at all the odds and ends in the silver chest.  Treasures indeed.

Many questions arise when she is sifting through the treasures found in the silver chest.  What's this Amma?  -  a salt spoon; a pickle fork; an apostle spoon; a sugar spoon; - on and on it goes.

The best treasure though, is a hug from Buppa after a long time away.

It is oh so good to be home.