Shortly after arriving in London back in 2005, I found that I had a spare week of time to kill before starting my new job. Michelle had already started work, so I thought I should go make the most of my time and go on a backpacking tour of Scotland.

I enjoyed one of the best weeks of my life that week, driving around Scotland with a bus load of travellers all listening to the wonderful commentary of our tour guide and bus driver. We stayed up all night drinking, and spent each day hungover but enjoying the wonderful sights on offer. What made the trip even more special was the group of people on the tour. We all got on very well and enjoyed some wonderful times together. I was on my own so I attached myself to a friendly young couple from Canada – Karin and Brendan. I only knew them for a week, but I knew they were the kind of people that were my kind of people. As we all went our separate ways at the end of the week I said to them that if they ever came to Australia to look me up and we could hang out.

Almost seven years later, they did just that. I was super excited to receive the contact email from Brendan asking if I remembered them – how could I forget. They were the buff gymnasts from Canada who taught me their national anthem.

As it turns out they too now have a baby – a five month old girl called Isla (a potential g/f for Ted?). We invited the three of them around to stay the night at ours and we have had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Isla is the happiest, smiliest bubba I have ever met and her parents are still the same friendly, gentle people I remember.

With two babies to supervise we spent the evening at home and enjoyed a roast chicken dinner and some drinks before retiring early ready for the inevitable early wake up the next morning. After breakfast – French toast made on the BBQ with real Canadian maple syrup – our friends were off to explore Byron Bay.

We had a great time but it was all to quick. Hopefully, we’ll see them again sooner than the seven years it took this time.