Thanks to Artoush the Armenian autobody guy (Art's Collision Services [no kidding], corner Heron Road and Kaladar Avenue, Ottawa), the Ducks are winging down the 417 to Ormestown and Beer. Nobody slept very soundly last night -- too much tension yesterday -- but despite the continuing rain today's omens look good.

The Ottawa police were their usual sweet, efficient selves. Constable Jason Savoury was responding to a complaint about grafitti when he found two of the four stolen Duck suitcases in the schoolyard where the thieves had dumped them. He delivered them to our front door on his way back to the station at the end of his patrol shift. Geoff and the kids recovered a few more items during two sweeps of the neighbourhood; Mollie is very proud of having found her sock. Best of all, nothing of significance was lost -- except, of course, a good night's sleep and a day in Ormestown with Beer and family.

What were the good things that happened? Let's see: Edmund leading the flock down Parliament Hill with a twin by each hand, birdlike voices reaching us on the damp breeze. Maddy in the Peace Tower: "Is there a reason why that clock looks so much like Big Ben?" Chocolate ice cream at three meals. Fuller's London Pride (voted Britain's best ale) at The Royal Oak, and several rounds of "Who Am I? 20 Questions". Try to imagine Maddy as Hitler ... Rowan as David Beckham is a little more likely.

By the way: You will know your day has taken a sharp left turn if you ever find yourself calling the police dressed only in a towel and a light coating of bathwater.