I didn’t have much oomph in Canada to write but now there are a few things I want to say from my vantage point of Belgium.  The experiences aren’t fresh anymore but I’ll do my best to recreate them.

***

Gent is home.  My street the Oudburg is home.  But Robin Ridge Drive in Belmont, Ontario, Canada was home. 

Early in my visit, I spent a lovely few hours in the home of my Robin Ridge neighbours Elaine and Mario Corvaro.  But I knew there was more to do on my home street.  So a week later I returned.

Robin Ridge is a cul-de-sac of about twenty homes.  I decided to walk its length, ringing doorbells.  I wanted to say “Hi” to those with whom I’d shared many conversations over our six years together.  In effect, “I see you.”

Sladja and Chris weren’t home.

The next door was number 12, my former home.  I’d heard that there was a brand new owner – Terry Kerr.  Nice name.

After Karan and Sarah D’Souza moved into my/their home in 2022, I was afraid to visit them.  They had repainted all my colourful walls into an off-white … and I didn’t have the strength to see that.  A week ago, I was stronger.

Terry opened the door, found out who I was, and welcomed me inside.  And so was revealed the beigeing of my previous world.  It was fine.  It was Terry’s home.  I re-saw the beauty of the living room, with its view out to the farmer’s field.  The floor was still the rich dark wood of my memory.

And then a surprise.  A small cabinet I’d had installed on the wall of the laundry room had fallen down.  Et voilà!  A patch of my brilliant blue!

Terry and I enjoyed our time together.  As I walked out the door, a familiar sight:

I did that!

Sharon and John weren’t home.

John Card wasn’t home.

No answer at Marilyn’s door.

Then from across the street here comes Dan.  “Marilyn died last year.”  (Sigh)

“John Card moved to St. Thomas.”

And now a delightful conversation with Dan and Ann.

Across the street, a car pulls into Sharon and John’s driveway.

A delightful conversation with Sharon and John.

A delightful conversation with Roger and Pat.

A delightful conversation with Mary-Ann and Len.

A delightful conversation with Les.  Sadly, Sonya was sick in bed.

A delightful conversation with Jack.  Jill died last year.

Steve and Anne-Marie were away in Florida.

Bill had moved away.

Another delightful conversation with Elaine and Mario.

No answer at Eileen’s door.

***

And that was it for wandering on Robin Ridge

I’m glad I went