Up The Creek . . .

We trekked the Niagara Escarpment a few miles out of town this afternoon to Black Creek, where we found the site of an old wood mill (the arch and wall is all that's left). I staggered down a steep slope littered with old pipes stones to get close to the water to get a good shot. But the last few feet were really treacherous . . .

In fact, so treacherous that I slipped and fell into the water. Jools, high above, slithered down the slope, grabbed my flailing arm, lost her footing and fell headlong into the stream. She was swept under the bridge and only saved when an about-to-hibernate bear heard her screams, dragged her from the water and gave her the kiss of life. I found her breathless but uninjured after dragging myself back to shore. The bear left before I could say thanks . . .

Er, well, that's what I told Cameron later. And he had no trouble believing my story, although at five, there's a tendency to believe anything your grandad says, especially if he plays soccer . . .

Well, the slope was steep and a bit treacherous, but I didn't fall in and Jools didn't rescue me and there was no bear. However, if I'd taken another step . .

Here's a picture from the other side of that bridge. If you look very closely, you might just see a bear . . .