Anyone about CANADA for dinner/drinks in July?

jimjung · Post by **jimjung** » 03 Jul 2014 07:34

mikey1327 wrote:I will have a sign and look up as I am 6ft 4 in.

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 03 Jul 2014 08:56

Nah .... all he needs is look out for this lovely lady!

I suspect about .1% of Canadians, maximum, have been to Whitehorse!

And where else in Canada do you have rutting Caribous on the baggage carousels?!

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 03 Jul 2014 09:21

https://www.fm96.com/2014/07/01/50-insane-canadian-facts/

OMG .. a SB member just emailed me this - will the Mounties grab us in Ontario for moving wine illegally across Province borders, and more to the point you lot do not DRINK wine it looks like?! 8) 8) 8)

dwhopper · Post by **dwhopper** » 03 Jul 2014 09:34

Mounties could care less about a bottle or two for personal consumption.

JaceStamps · Post by **JaceStamps** » 03 Jul 2014 09:36

will the Mounties grab us in Ontario for moving wine illegally across Province borders

You should be OK with a few bottles. The law is meant to control commercial liquor sales between provinces. As some provinces have significant differences in tax rates on alcohol. (meant to stop Ontario Bar owners from buying stock in Quebec and reselling in Ontario).

Also, sorry Annette and I won't be able to make it out for the BBQ. We would love to, just way too much going on right now.

Glen and Margo Enjoy your Canadian adventure! And everyone else enjoy the BBQ and thank you for the invitation.

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 03 Jul 2014 09:37

David ... I will give them your number, and say you forced us to smuggle them in.

Canadian Jails, even in Summer, are not recommended in my Lonely Planet Guide.

Greg .... shame we can't hook up this trip .. they will always be a next time! 8)

Philanthropist · Post by **Philanthropist** » 03 Jul 2014 11:40

I regret that I will not be in attendance at the meal, drinks and stories,
as my flight ticket has not arrived

But I look for to the arrival of my Newfoundland post card

Disposable Canadian dongles are often available at the bottom of Niagra Falls

Canada stamper · Post by **Canada stamper** » 03 Jul 2014 14:31

Just made this...

Will be delivered tomorrow along with David's Machins.

Jean

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 03 Jul 2014 15:07

Jean ... that looks truly amazing.

See everyone in less than 24 hours.

After 9pm here and still bright sunlight .. how does anyone get to sleep here? We have a 5.55am plane and seems like we could stay up for hours.

Still lots of snow about as this shot from downtown shows -

aethelwulf · Post by **aethelwulf** » 03 Jul 2014 16:49

Good thing you chose Whitehorse and not Iqualuit, the latter has had the local dump burning for a few months now...they call it "dumpcano".

jimjung · Post by **jimjung** » 03 Jul 2014 22:09

I'm sure you'll thaw out when you come to Toronto. But you might want to look out for Hurricane Arthur this weekend. The weather reports say it is likely to cross thru Nova Scotia, and then onwards, thru Newfoundland this weekend. It will be quite weak in Newfoundland but still rainy and windy.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/tropical ... -1.2693767

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 03 Jul 2014 23:21

The things we do for Stampboards gatherings.

We have this large box all strapped up like Fort Knox, with the “Stamps Of Australia” branded booze assortment for the dinner tonight.

What we did not realise, was that at 4.30 AM when going from our airport Hotel, to the tiny airport terminal in Whitehorse for our 5.50 am flights to YVR/YYZ it was too early for the shuttle bus.

So we needed to schlep it all across icy fields to the terminal!

Whist walking across the fields and car park, I mused that this car registration plate would not be seen too often around Ontario!

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 04 Jul 2014 02:44

I just ozzie schmoozed the Air Canada staff here in Vancouver, to alter our totally non changeable, non alterable, non amendable, non touchable business award tickets to get on the earlier flight to Toronto. 8)

No difference to anyone really, other than had the original flight been delayed for whatever reason, everyone's evening got messed around. An hour delay when firm plans are in place messes it all up, and that has happened plenty of times.

This way we arrive into Toronto on AC 116 at 5.25pm, an hour earlier than plan 'A'.

They managed to get our bags off the original flight, so in theory they will arrive with us at 5.25pm, containing the booze and stamp goodies for several members.

I'll touch base with Mikey to see how he is placed, but with any luck we might get away from Pearson a little earlier than in Plan A.

Glen

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 04 Jul 2014 02:56

I think the sight of Jean's magnificent dessert was what spurred Glen to to get an earlier flight

dwhopper · Post by **dwhopper** » 04 Jul 2014 03:02

I would think that host should get the first bite? or two or three or .....

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 04 Jul 2014 03:09

David hope it would be OK if we are a bit earlier than expected depending on Mikey's availability ?

mikey1327 · Post by **mikey1327** » 04 Jul 2014 03:27

Global Administrator wrote:I just ozzie schmoozed the Air Canada staff here in Vancouver, to alter our totally non changeable, non alterable, non amendable, non touchable business award tickets to get on the earlier flight to Toronto. 8)

No difference to anyone really, other than had the original flight been delayed for whatever reason, everyone's evening got messed around. An hour delay when firm plans are in place messes it all up, and that has happened plenty of times.

This way we arrive into Toronto on AC 116 at 5.25pm, an hour earlier than plan 'A'.

They managed to get our bags off the original flight, so in theory they will arrive with us at 5.25pm, containing the booze and stamp goodies for several members.

I'll touch base with Mikey to see how he is placed, but with any luck we might get away from Pearson a little earlier than in Plan A.

Glen

Glen message received and understood.

Canada stamper · Post by **Canada stamper** » 04 Jul 2014 03:28

MargoZ wrote:I think the sight of Jean's magnificent dessert was what spurred Glen to to get an earlier flight

I hope it lives up to taste expectations!

Bringing a lemon tart too since I couldn't decide which one to make - so made both!

See everyone soon!

mikey1327 · Post by **mikey1327** » 04 Jul 2014 03:29

Canada stamper wrote:Just made this...

Will be delivered tomorrow along with David's Machins.

Jean

Yes David beat me to those Machins

But that does look like a single serving size

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 04 Jul 2014 03:33

mikey1327 wrote: Glen message received and understood.

Going to gate now Mikey so what time suits you now?

mikey1327 · Post by **mikey1327** » 04 Jul 2014 03:38

Global Administrator wrote:
mikey1327 wrote: Glen message received and understood.

Going to gate now Mikey so what time suits you now?

Glen I sent an email but you never seem to get them

I will depart a little earlier than planned and will call Margo's cell if we arrive after you land for which post you are waiting at. Will try to get there before you.

Mike

Canada stamper · Post by **Canada stamper** » 04 Jul 2014 09:12

Dessert Part II:

See everyone soon!!

Jean

AMark · Post by **AMark** » 04 Jul 2014 09:24

Hi Guys,

This is really last minute but, I will not be able to attend the BBQ at David's.

My wife's health has not been the greatest lately. I was hoping that I would be able to meet everyone at the BBQ but, I don't have anyone to look after my kids.

My apologies.

Wish you all a wonderful evening.

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 04 Jul 2014 16:39

Sorry we missed you Mark .... hope all worked out at home.

===========

Many thanks to Mikey and Linda for the wonderful transport arrangements to and from, and us getting in a bit earlier worked well it seems - thanks so much for fitting that in.

And most special thanks to David and Irene for hosting it all so wonderfully and with such a spread and delightful Barbecue. I counted a dozen of us there, which is a large stampboard gathering by any standard, and thanks for all for getting along. 8)

And to Jean to the enormous Desserts - the Berry one was the size of a football field it looked like! (The remnants of which is shown above next to Jacob!)

Wrestling with photo chip from other camera as the SD chip is not reading direct, and we did not pack the USB lead to download some great group shots we took etc, but if anyone else took any, please add them here in the meantime!

From the other camera we have David's far too neat stamp den, a large carton from Australia with stamps plastered on EVERY side, Musician Jacob with his next Million Making idea - Cuban Cigar Box Guitars, and Greg and David with the SA and NT cancellations huge 3 volume set they helped assemble.

aethelwulf · Post by **aethelwulf** » 04 Jul 2014 16:48

One of my several residences in Toronto was near Main Street...I forget the name of the road now, just remember it was a block over through a small park from the Main Street subway station...and despite the name, "Main Street" sits out in the residential east end...maybe decades ago it was the main street of a separate town that was absorbed by the expanding city?

That's an amazing stamp room David has...maybe after another couple of decades' buying I'll end up like that.

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 04 Jul 2014 21:14

Thanks again to everyone for their company last night and specially to our wonderful hosts, the Hoppers and to Mikey and Linda for kindly collecting us and dripping us back to the airport.

So disappointed about the glitch with our group pictures - Jim took a nice couple of group pictures on our excursion to the Bluffs. Hope you had more success than we did?

Great if you could pop them on the thread.

jimjung · Post by **jimjung** » 04 Jul 2014 22:47

There was a who showed up at David's BBQ out on the Scarborough Bluffs walk. Thanks to Irene for cooking while we were sightseeing.

jimjung · Post by **jimjung** » 04 Jul 2014 22:50

And this is the sign at the top of the Bluffs warning you that you shouldn't walk close to the edge like we did !

Canada stamper · Post by **Canada stamper** » 05 Jul 2014 00:28

It was great to meet everyone last night - sorry to miss you Mark! Thanks to David and Irene for hosting the wonderful BBQ. I've lived in or around Toronto for over 40 years, and have never seen the amazing views from those bluffs!

Have to get out more!

Jean

MJ Scorthorne · Post by **MJ Scorthorne** » 05 Jul 2014 00:34

Thank you for the lovely evening.

Margaret

dwhopper · Post by **dwhopper** » 05 Jul 2014 01:14

It was a great pleasure to host the Stampboards gang (mob, whatever) last night. Good to put names to faces. And not too much philatelic talk so the drag alongs had some good conversation as well. Thank you all for attending.

aethelwulf · Post by **aethelwulf** » 05 Jul 2014 01:47

Canada stamper wrote:I've lived in or around Toronto for over 40 years, and have never seen the amazing views from those bluffs! Have to get out more!

That was my first thought when I saw the yacht club pic too--I lived in Toronto about 10 years, and don't remember ever visiting the Bluffs. Apparently no public transportation takes you close to it. Probably the closest I've gotten to there is the East End Beaches/Beach neighbourhood. The water sanitation plant is really worth visiting on a Doors Open Toronto event (to see inside), to any other day (to see the facade).

jimjung · Post by **jimjung** » 05 Jul 2014 02:29

aethelwulf wrote:
Canada stamper wrote:I've lived in or around Toronto for over 40 years, and have never seen the amazing views from those bluffs! Have to get out more!
That was my first thought when I saw the yacht club pic too--I lived in Toronto about 10 years, and don't remember ever visiting the Bluffs. Apparently no public transportation takes you close to it. Probably the closest I've gotten to there is the East End Beaches/Beach neighbourhood. The water sanitation plant is really worth visiting on a Doors Open Toronto event (to see inside), to any other day (to see the facade).

The Scarborough Bluffs is about a kilometer east of the east end of the beach and goes on for about 15 km.

Greg Ioannou · Post by **Greg Ioannou** » 05 Jul 2014 02:40

I had a great time -- even the anxiety-inducing clamber through the wilds. It was lovely to meet you all. Let's do it again sometime (with or without Glen and Margo).

Greg

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 05 Jul 2014 02:44

Great pix Jim .. the wonder of modern cellphones!

We are sitting in the Maple Leaf Lounge in St. Johns', waiting for our Air Pierre flight in a few hours, to Saint Pierre et Miquelon.

There were icebergs on either side of the plane in St. Johns harbour as we landed an hour back. Same as there were last time I was here 15 years back .... pretty amazing sight for Summer!

AMark · Post by **AMark** » 05 Jul 2014 05:22

Looks like everyone had a wonderful time. It's too bad I couldn't come.

MargoZ · Post by **MargoZ** » 05 Jul 2014 05:45

jimjung wrote:Here's the nice group who showed up at David's BBQ out on the Scarborough Bluffs walk. Thanks to Irene for cooking while we were sightseeing.

Image removed

In case you are wondering who is who, from left to right: (Margoz taking the photo!)

Canada Stamper and Mr CS, Mikey1327 and Mrs Mikey, Glen, JimJung, dwhopper, M J Scorthorne and Greg Ioannou

While we were out tramping in the wilds and searching for moose, Andrew (amfhf1) arrived in time to help Irene with the BBQ - unfortunately he missed the photo op.

jaywalker · Post by **jaywalker** » 05 Jul 2014 08:51

Out of idle curiosity, were all (less Glen and Margo?) from Toronto, or had people travelled a distance?

I've never been to Canada, but understand it is slightly bigger than Australia...

dwhopper · Post by **dwhopper** » 05 Jul 2014 09:00

Furthest away would have been about 150 km.

MJ Scorthorne · Post by **MJ Scorthorne** » 05 Jul 2014 09:00

I came 95 km from the north-east. Not bad, as the drive was mainly on the highway.

Margaret

jaywalker · Post by **jaywalker** » 05 Jul 2014 09:18

Well done Margaret - when I went to the Stampboards dinner in Canberra this year, I could have walked...

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 05 Jul 2014 10:08

jaywalker wrote:
Out of idle curiosity, were all (less Glen and Margo?) from Toronto, or had people travelled a distance?

I've never been to Canada, but understand it is slightly bigger than Australia...

Mikey and Linda who kindly met us at airport and got us back to Sheraton at midnight had a very long round trip.

But Mike likes to drive to Florida for fun, I might add.

Many thanks again to them.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 05 Jul 2014 10:14

Good to see a good time was had by all. Also nice to put faces to names.

KevinHedley · Post by **KevinHedley** » 05 Jul 2014 12:30

Now a little treat for Margo.

We saw both falls from the USA and Canada, from a cliff-face with the water pouring past and from a boat and it is still the most awesome thing I have ever seen.

MJ Scorthorne · Post by **MJ Scorthorne** » 05 Jul 2014 13:49

Jay Walker,

An event in walking distance would be great, then I could have more of that smuggled Oz vino.

Margaret

Greg Ioannou · Post by **Greg Ioannou** » 05 Jul 2014 13:56

More of the smuggled Oz vino sounds like a great idea.

Raz · Post by **Raz** » 05 Jul 2014 19:01

Looks like everyone had a good time. There doesn't look to be much lemon tart left either.

Great job on the desserts Canada Stamper!

Brummie · Post by **Brummie** » 05 Jul 2014 19:16

YUM! I would have flown over too if I had have seen those desserts before now.

jimjung · Post by **jimjung** » 05 Jul 2014 22:46

I'd like to say thanks to David and Irene for hosting the party. Great food. And thanks to Glen and Margoz for planning such a nice event for us here in Toronto. It kinda makes me feel closer to the board and its' members.

Global Admin · Post by **Global Admin** » 05 Jul 2014 23:21

Great to look back on the Toronto pix, and we are battening down the hatches for Hurricane Arthur here!

Weirdly at Hotel in St. Pierre Miquelon were a range magnificent hard back books produced by the world's great expert on Saint Pierre stamps. All of HIS collection! He has won over a dozen Large Gold medals for it. And only a 'youngish' guy in his 50s.

Jean-Jacques Tillard - https://www.spm-philatelie.com/expertises.php

We are having lunch with him in an hour! Small world indeed.