There is a riverside country road that reminds me of home in the Old Country. Not a real home I ever lived in, but that ethereal Home of childhood dreams and memory, where it's always Summer (or at least Vacation), where you know you belong, where you don't need company to feel loved. The winding road is full of more or less patched pot holes, with joggers, dog walkers, stroller-pushing Moms and Dads and hand-holding retirees. I drive slowly, enjoying the gray-blue river, the forest-covered mountains and the lack of tailgaiting Audis. My friend Reena is drinking-in the view. Although she's been in the region for a few years it's her first time visiting Wakefield and she is impressed. I am pleased that I can share the ride with her, and as always miss the turn-off as I'm distracted by yet another stroll down memory lane. As if it wasn't the third time I come here this year.

Next time I will remember the road is hidden just behind the Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield's flagship institution of rock, folk and anything in between... We ride up the cul-de-sac, along another lively river, and park in front of a gorgeous turn of the XIXth century stone building... the mill. Afterwards we head back down to my favorite Molo cafe (never mind the name...). I am pleased to see it's relocated from a hole-in-the-wall just beside the aforementioned Mouton Noir into a larger locale, which used to house another good restaurant - the Earle House. Most importantly, the cafe still offers its simple soups and sandwiches with a touch of greatness - isn't it amazing what truly fresh produce can do or how a table changes when set with real flowers?

There are craft stores to browse and river views to take-in but we head back early, this time taking the highway. The luxury of an extended Friday lunch in the doorsteps of Canada's capital.  Suddenly it doesn't matter that there is traffic on the way back, that the mechanics still haven't fixed the car, that the weather forecast calls for rain over the weekend.

For a virtual tour visit:

http://molos.ca/

http://www.theblacksheepinn.com/

http://www.wakefieldmill.com

 "Disclaimer: the author has no association whatsoever with the businesses mentioned in this post, except for being a satisfied client."