Monday, October 4, 2010

The Royal Visit

I finally had the honour and privilege of meeting renowned #fridayflasher Cathy Olliffe Webster and her much publicized hubby Dave. I noted to him that there are probably more photos of him on the Internet than anyone else in the world, aside from Barack Obama. He disagreed, insisting that Lindsay Lohan and David Hasselhoff had more face-time than he. I had to concede the point.

I booked the day off Friday and drove them in a stretch limo my Dodge Caravan to the more popular places in the St. John's area: Cape Spear, Petty Harbour, Bay Bulls, Portugal Cove and Laurita Miller's place (yes, that Laurita Miller of Brain Droppings fame). For the 1st of October it was damn hot and humid here and my van was very toasty. And the A/C wasn't working. I normally would have driven about town wearing only my fez and a thong, but since it was my first time meeting the Websters I didn't want to give them a bad impression of Newfoundlanders. My fashion decorum was rewarded as Cathy & Dave presented Laurita and myself each with some lovely Lindgren pottery: A bowl and plate that were replicas of part of the dinnerware used at the G8 summit at the Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville this past summer. That was very sweet of them, V and I really love the pieces.

That evening, the Websters and Laurita (thanks, Laurita, for bringing along the spiced, red wine and the loaf of soda bread...they were great!) came to our place for a BBQ to help celebrate Cathy and Dave's wedding that had taken place six days earlier. We also invited Charles and Camilla but they graciously declined because of another engagement in India. Dinner was followed by cheesecake and writing gossip (wouldn't you #fridayflash folks like to have been a bug on the wall for that conversation).

For me, the cheesecake is always the highlight of any civilized gathering (sorry Cathy & Dave...you're nice folks 'n all, but you don't outrank the chocolate cheesecake with amaretto). I am only allowed the delicacy once a year, on my birthday, as it's loaded with stuff that's bad for me and it costs so f&%$ing much to make. This one was pretty much same as the cheesecake we usually take to the annual cheesecake party. For those really obsessed with cheesecake, you can link to that blog post here. Sometimes I fantasize about cheesecake...a darkened room, soft music, candles and a plastic sheet on the bed with me alone frolicking with my favourite cheesecake...er, sorry, digressed there for a moment. Did I really say that? Apologies, only meant to think it.

*Coughs*

But enough about me. The highlight of the weekend was the time spent with Cathy, Dave and Laurita on Friday. It was fantastic and I'll remember it for a long time. I'll post a few photos below, but you can link to a much better account of the day, and nicer photos, at Cathy's blog Life on the Muskoka River.

On a side note. I'm sure that at least one reader will be interested to know the outcome of the recent accidental husband-bear shooting incident court case that has been ongoing here in Newfoundland for almost three weeks now. The judge passed a verdict of 'not guilty' on the charge of criminal negligence causing death in the 2006 shooting of the Pennsylvania man. Justice LeBlanc noted that the Crown did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. You can link to the full CBC article here.

Cathy Webster at Cape Spear. Looking up the hillside, wondering why there are two light houses...


Dave returning from taking photos near water's edge (I caught Cathy glancing over their life insurance policy...specifically the 'rogue wave, sweeping loved-one to sea' clause).


No. Cathy hasn't had too much to drink. She is trying to line up Dave for a photo with a ship beyond so that it appears that it's sitting on his head. Nice.


Dave, just fussing lovingly with Cathy's hair. In the top right corner you can just make out 'the narrows'...the entrance to St. John's harbour.
Laurita, Cathy and myself. This is my favourite picture. I have my arms about two lovely women, so I can't explain why I'm not smiling. Perhaps I was thinking about cheesecake...

14 comments:

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

HAR!
You are too funny, Grey Fox, too funny! Hey, I have to admit it, I'm having erotic dreams about V's cheesecake, too.
I love that photo of my flying hair. I kinda look like a promotional photo for the Science Centre. And they say Chicago is windy - holy moly Newfoundland is windy!
Man, that was a hot day. I'm sweating just thinking about. Last night we were in Gros Morne National Park (what a beautiful, beautiful place) and it was finally cooling off. I actually put a jacket on last night and cranked up the heat in our hotel room... it wasn't far off the freezing mark. Now that's MY kind of weather!
Alan, it was so wonderful meeting you and and your family, and Laurita and hers. Really, really special.
Now, you really must start planning that #fridayflash convention. I'm sure there'll be a big turn-out!

Laurita said...

V's cheesecake is the stuff of dreams. Mmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

The pictures are gorgeous! Looks like you guys had a grand day. I'm glad I got to share a little piece of it. And V's cheesecake.

Laura Eno said...

As I told Cathy on her blog, I'm jealous! What a wonderful event! It's too bad you thought to forego the fez and thong though...would have made nice pictures. ;)

Karen from Mentor said...

All the blood left my head and my vision blurred when I got to the part about driving around in a fez and a thong.....it cleared just as I got to the part about cheesecake.

Just a heads up...you're going to be receiving a bill from the ER for the stitches required to close the head wound from where I hit my head on my desk laughing.....

Happy belated birthday Mr. Cheesecake fancier

Mark Kerstetter said...

Wish I could have had some of that cheesecake and gossip- I mean conversation.

Aaron Polson said...

Cheesecake...Fez...thong...

You, sir, know how to party.

Unknown said...

Wish I was there, peeps!!!

Alan W. Davidson said...

Cathy- I guess I'll have to accept Grey Fox because Silver Fox is already taken...

Glad that you've gotten a taste of our traditionally coolish weather. Hmmm...conventions....

Laurita- I loves a bit of cheesecake!

Laura- I think any thong photo of me would permanently lose what's left of my readers...

Lou- You said it, sister!

Karen- You are correct...me+thong=vision problems, nausea...etc. Can I pay that bill in Canadain Tire money?

Mark- There was plenty of cheesecake to go around, sorry we didn't give advance warning.

Aaron- We were thinking of bringing out a cod for the guests to kiss to make them 'honourary Newfoundlanders' but they are so hard to find these days!

Ant- We wish you could have been here too!

Danielle Birch said...

I love the opportunity to catch up with other writer friends.

John Wiswell said...

Gosh, it just looks like such a nice place. Even when it's raining shorelines are beautiful.

kathryn said...

Lovely photo there, mister. Aren't we bloggers an attractive-looking bunch? Sounds like everyone had a lovely visit and I'm so glad. And now Cathy knows where you live, so you'd better watch your p's and q's, if you know what I mean.

I'd like to replace my cheesecake with key lime pie, please. On second thought, just fly me to the Florida keys and I'll get it myself.

Is that cheesecake I smell on your breath?

Alan W. Davidson said...

Daniell-Agreed. It was a fantastic opportunity. I hope I get the chance to meet more of my virtual writing friends.

John- One doesn't have to drive far around here for great scenery. The rain? That's part of the package, I suppose...though I hear NY is getting more than it's share these days!

Kathryn- It was a great day. It is a bit concerning that Cathy knows where I live...if she ever sends someone after me, it'll cost a bundle to front the operation coz the ferry costs a lot to get on...and the 10 hour drive after that is pretty, but mind numbing.

...and I am guilty as charged...cheesecake and soda bread are all that I've thought of since last weekend. I'm a weak man...

Pamila Payne said...

I've said it before, but it's so great to see you guys together. Proof that we, (at least some of us) are real people off the net. The scenery is stunning. I don't know why so many people flock to my grubby little town when there's so much unspoiled beauty to be seen out your way.

Alan W. Davidson said...

Thanks, Pamila. Yep, we're real enough. Hope that you can make it up to the NE coast for a visit one day. I've been to LA 3 or 4 times over the years (my best friend from childhood is a lawyer there). I don't like driving there, but there's lots to see and do. And my pal's wedding reception was held at Palos Verdes and the view there was stunning...