Easter (Yes - they're all relatives!)

Coming from Australia where my relatives are scarce Canada has been quite a revelation. Here, I'm related to half of Toronto and Oshawa and even have a distant relative in Barry's Bay!!

We went to Oshawa on Holy Thursday, at the start of Easter break, to meet some more relatives. We met and stayed with my dad's cousin, Iva and her husband, Frank . There we also met their four boys and their families over the course of the next few days. We also met dad's other cousin, Ivan and his wife Ljilja, and three of their six children and a host of their spouses and children. With my head starting to spin we were then introduced to Iva's brother, mother and family. Iva's mother was amazing. At 94 she's still spritely and imbued with the fine Croatian work ethic. She takes it upon herself to make herself useful. Her special talent now is knitting intricately patterned slippers and Mar was given a couple of pairs to take home with her.

We stayed two nights with Iva and Frank in Ottawa and were treated to the typical Croatian hospitality which involved copious quantities of delicious food, drink and good company. This was probably a perfect lead up for the next couple of days in Toronto with Lenka and Veselko where we were treated to the typical Croatian hospitality which involved copious quantities of delicious food, drink and good company. The only downside of all this was that I came down with a cold and wasn't much company, especially when I had to go off in the afternooon for a lie down.

The upside, though, was meeting so many friendly, welcoming people. We can hardly wait till a few of them take us up on the offer to visit Australia.