Himself's brother and his wife moved from the Big Smoke to our corner of Paradise yesterday, after months of stressful preparation, and their arrival represents the beginning of a new phase of our life here. Up till now, we have been much on our own, as any family visit required somebody to saddle up and drive half across our very large province.

We hosted their elderly cat for the day while tumult and shouting prevailed at their new place, and gave them dinner. They were the first guests to cross our doorstep since the 13th of March. (The plumber and the HVAC guy don't count.)

Perth County is now in Stage 2 of opening, with hair-cutting establishments back in business (with shields and masks) and restaurants setting up out-door patios. Much to their credit, the town council voted to give up large expanses of street-side parking to allow the use of curb lanes for umbrella tables; squint hard, and you could be in France. Alas, it's raining today, so we won't be patronizing even our favourite joints quite yet; if I have to get wet while eating outside, I want army food and a Field Service Allowance.