Back to muggy Montreal. North Hatley was hot (exceptionally so this past week by all accounts) but it wasn't as humid as Montreal is at the moment.

What can I say about North Hatley that could possibly do the pictures I've included justice? And if the setting weren't enough then a week filled with events arranged by arguably the most energetic couple I've ever met. These events led up to their wedding (the raison d’être for the trip to North Hatley) which can only be described as epic. 170 people from all over the world (Bali, Cambodia, Scotland, England, South Africa, Italy, and half a dozen different cities within the US itself: Boston, Washington DC, Atlanta, New York) with every intention of saving the world (Fiona and Jared are both quite involved in something socially oriented). We had people from the US State Department, the UN, and a large contingent from Seeds of Peace. Never before have I felt so much like a capitalist pig-dog. Fiona (and Jared), being their "enthusiastic" selves, have managed to collect like-minded people from all over the world. CPD or not, everyone got along famously and we've come away with invites to numerous far and exotic locations (Cambodia topping the list both because of where it is and who lives there) in exchange for a plethora of invitations for people to come and abuse our spare room. After all, that's why it's there.

North Hatley seems to be a popular biking destination. Mostly cruisers but the occasional Goldwing (or equivalent) rolled into town. I'm certainly looking forward to Summer in Cape Town. Marc and Wes (and maybe even Ben) just need to get their acts together. (Andy, kick their asses into gear. Even if they haven't decided to get their bikes get them to book their license or there won't be space before Summer departs.)

Saying goodbye to North Hatley was hard. I think that's more to do with having to say goodbye to new friends, knowing how hard it will be to see all of them any time soon (money and available leave being the two biggest impediments), but it certainly wasn't made any easier by the setting. We'll catch up with the Brits in London on our way back, and I really hope we can get it together to catch up with Lilly and Baz, and Amanda (Cambodia and Italy respectively).

It's such a pity South Africa is so far from everywhere. The old relocate-for-a-few-years bug has resurfaced (though I'm not sure much will come of it, one decision at a time thanks). It's been a week of reading, swimming, meeting new people, eating, more eating, more swimming and more reading. In between all of this I've done some thinking. I'd like to say I was now in possession of fresh insight and sudden wisdom, but it wouldn't be true. I have a little bit more personal insight to work with but that's about it.

It's been truly refreshing to be so isolated, even if it was only for a week (although it feels like a month). We only heard about the thwarted second "attack" on London indirectly, and even that had a lag of a day or so. It's been somewhat surreal being so distant from my day-to-day world. Refreshing, but surreal. And North Hatley has that particular small town feel to it that makes unwinding so much easier. It was particularly nice staying there for so long. Pretty soon we were wandering into town feeling like locals (helped by the fact that you recognize so many people, which in turn is a result of the size of the wedding guest list).

So now we have a week to explore Montreal properly. We'll probably try to get up to Quebec City too. Then, early next week, we fly back to London where we'll stay for just under a week before heading home. I've taken hundreds of photos so far and will endeavour to continue this trend. When I get back I'll sort through them and dump them here for the world to largely ignore.