Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Souvenirs from Home


R and I can scarcely believe that almost five months have passed since The Heiress packed her bags and boarded a flight bound for Heathrow.  As the plane left the tarmac she said good-bye to the land of moose and the maple leaf for goodness knows how long.  Despite being a born and bred Canuck she was raised on everything from Jane Austen to Wallace and Gromit so assimilating into English culture was never going to present any major issues but still, it was a gutsy move.

The community in Canterbury has welcomed our daughter with open arms and warm hearts.  Three days after her arrival she opened her first English bank account.  The teller made her laugh when taking her details she said "You have such a lovely name, tell your Mum I said so".  An impromptu Thanksgiving dinner for 'The Canadian' less than a month after she had arrived brought tears to my eyes.  It was also the first time she tried parsnips.  When she was invited along to Bonfire Night with some of her new friends she was expecting something akin to a campfire.  "Mum!  The fire was the size of our house, you should have seen it!" she told us full of excitement the next day on Skype.  And Pimms has a new and very loyal customer in my daughter.  There are many days when she can't quite believe the number of shouts of "Hi" she gets from across the halls or grassy fields.  Not that she's the only Canadian walking around campus though.  A few weeks ago, whilst touching up her lippy in the ladies room, a voice minus the English accent was heard from behind.  Asking the young woman where she was from the reply came "Oh, just this little place in Ontario called Burlington".  The Heiress dropped her lippy into the sink and said "Me too!".  Much hugging, laughter and exchanging of email addresses took place and twenty minutes later they emerged from the ladies room.  A new friendship forged.

The Heiress couldn't be more pleased with her program and professors.  She laughed last weekend when as a student mentor she opened up her dorm room to prospective students for viewing.  Looking at her shelf of books on criminology and serial killers made one young man question whether or not they should be hanging around.  I have to admit to being somewhat entertained by watching my daughter's face light up at the mention of surveillance, incarceration and terrorism.  Disney's vault full of princesses have apparently left no mark.  Some of her professors are legends in their field which both fascinates and terrify all at the same time but even the scary ones can't resist a pint and a curry after a late lecture.  Who knows where it all may lead but one thing is for sure, she is very happy and more sure of herself than ever.

R will be heading to Canterbury shortly, it's his turn to see everything I did last September when I dropped her off, and he will be bearing gifts of Canadiana in appreciation  We've never decorated in Hudson Bay point stripes and we would have laughed at the idea of a cookie tin decorated with coureur des bois.  Well, Tim Horton's coffee is the lifeblood of just about everyone here despite what  the people at Starbucks may think.  And a bottle of maple syrup will christen the pancakes R is going to make for any dorm residents who make their way to the kitchen the morning after his arrival. 

We can't thank the lovely citizens of Canterbury enough for what they have given The Heiress.  Such a bounty of warmth and fascinating cultural landscape to explore as far as her bus pass will take her has probably cost us our daughter.  She is already hoping to find a job and a flat once her program is finished.  But R and I would rather have her far away and fulfilled than close to home and wanting.  Anything but that.

I'll be keeping the home fires burning and occupying Deacon while I count the days until my beloved's return.  His suitcase won't make it far into the hallway before I'll be rooting my way through it looking for jam from The Duchy of Cornwall...and books...and newspapers...and tea...and Cath Kidston.  Unfeminine behaviour I know, but true!

19 comments:

  1. SO glad that she's having such a good time. And hope that R enjoys his trip and manages to bring back all of the things that you want :) Enjoy having the house to yourself for a few days x

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  2. That's a lovely post, Darlene, and I'm glad that all's going well here for your daughter.

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  3. Bet I'm not the only one who had to google 'coureur des bois'!
    Darlene, you're dreadful ... Fancy sending that poor man over here with a shopping list for Cath Kidston.

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  4. What an excellent care package! It's wonderful to hear what a good time she's having there.

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  5. No one will go far wrong for being raised on Wallace and Gromit!

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  6. Lovely to hear due is getting on so well and positively thriving.

    Hope R enjoys his time and I hope he will share his thoughts on his return, providing he brings back the Cath Kidston of course!

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  7. You capture the experience she is having so well, Darlene. It must be such a consolation to know what a rich experience it is. She is fortunate in her choice of parents. Both wise AND generous.

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  8. This post made me really proud to be from Canterbury. So pleased your daughter is having a good time.

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  9. Verity, Ha! That little four-legged beast of ours is counting the minutes until he can monopolize all of my time. Let the games begin!

    Cornflower, Oh thank you, Karen. It's such a relief to know that her decisions have been the right ones, it all could have been so different. And I'm really hoping to include meeting you one day during my travels over!

    mary, I burst out laughing when I read both of your comments! Hope you enjoyed your history lesson and as for that poor man, he'll have the ladies at CK in stitches! Poor them, more like. Actually, I'm laughing all over again at the image of him dragging a CK shopping bag into the nearest pub, and he will too!

    Claire, My husband was wondering about packing a load of timbits. Good luck with the sniffer dogs I say!

    Rob, You are so right! I remember asking for some wensleydale cheese just to find out what Wallace liked so much about it. Fabulous show, and thanks for the laugh.

    Jo, Ooh, wouldn't that be a good post? I'll have to run that idea by my husband. One thing is for sure, he's planning on a fair bit of 'pub research'. But if anyone could make it entertaining it would be him.

    Martina, Oh aren't you lovely! Who knows what her future holds but no matter what, when she looks back at this time I'm sure her memories will be fond ones. I can't even begin to imagine what I would have made of it all at her age!

    Joan, Really, the heaps of praise from that child...choosing your fine city was the best decision we made. You are so very lucky to have it all on your doorstep and then London just a train ride away! I'm green with envy.

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  10. In Louise Penny's books, the detectives have a ritual of stopping for Tim Horton's before they delve into the murder. Now I know why! :)

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  11. Audrey, Mystery solved! So often a stop at TH comes before any major, or minor, trip out in your car or is a destination during a walk. Although I wouldn't consider myself a worshipper. I'm a tea granny and like my pot and cosy at home.

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  12. What a wonderful experience your daughter is having. My daughters both went away for college and our visits to their colleges were always so much fun. And their visits home were great events. Your care package sounds delightful.

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  13. So glad to hear the Heiress is having a great experience in Canterbury. I bet she'll be ecstatic to see R! It's a little scary how quickly the time goes.

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  14. This is Sarah! You remember me, right? Your Austen girl? I'm doing great over here. I just wanted to let you know I've started a blog as well. http://blueskywish.blogspot.com/
    :D

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  15. Sunday Taylor, Such lucky girls...and I can just imagine the get-togethers!

    Danielle, His pancake breakfast was a hit, he was surprised at just how many servings these itty-bitty ladies were putting away!

    bluesky, Well hello there stranger!!! I'll definitely be popping by, lovely to hear from you!

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  16. Such a beautiful post. It sounds like she's having the most wonderful experience. Is R here now? Hope he brings back lots of great goodies!

    K x

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  17. kristina, He is! After a couple of days in Canterbury, both are in London having a super time! I've certainly been spoilt by the sounds of things so far and there's still a trip to Waitrose for jams to go. I lost my jam in September to a customs officer, very sad.

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  18. Did you know that Tim Horton has made his way south of the border? My good friend Ron introduced me to Tim in 2009 in Vancouver and now I see them in New York and in other places here in the US. Best donut holes anywhere.

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  19. Thomas, Timbits! Six of them equal a whole donut but who's counting.

    Wow, I knew they were in Buffalo but not New York...that's incredible!

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