Half a Century
May 14th 2016, 1:39 pm
#1
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Half a Century
Two weeks ago I filed my 50th Canadian ITR.
I, accompanied by my wife (and she still is), flew on a brand new Boeing 707 into Toronto Malton Airport (now Pearson International) on Sunday May 15th, 1966.
I had a job to come to and my wife was working within 4 days. Things were much different then and finding work was easier.
I enjoyed a good career of 35 years which allowed me to travel quite extensively and do well overall. There were ups and downs naturally including a personal tragedy which left us devastated. We remain that way and always will.
I've visited 74 countries, every state in the US and every Province and Territory in Canada. I've made many good friends and Canada is my home. I have visited the UK many times over the years and not having family there has allowed me to visit every nook and crannie from Lands End to John O'Groats and almost all the offshore islands. I would say I've probably seen more of the UK than most people on here or in the UK. Would I go back? I think not, although it's a fascinating country, historically and landscape wise.
Personal health issues have precluded any more serious travel but that's okay. I've done enough to last a lifetime, lol.
I, accompanied by my wife (and she still is), flew on a brand new Boeing 707 into Toronto Malton Airport (now Pearson International) on Sunday May 15th, 1966.
I had a job to come to and my wife was working within 4 days. Things were much different then and finding work was easier.
I enjoyed a good career of 35 years which allowed me to travel quite extensively and do well overall. There were ups and downs naturally including a personal tragedy which left us devastated. We remain that way and always will.
I've visited 74 countries, every state in the US and every Province and Territory in Canada. I've made many good friends and Canada is my home. I have visited the UK many times over the years and not having family there has allowed me to visit every nook and crannie from Lands End to John O'Groats and almost all the offshore islands. I would say I've probably seen more of the UK than most people on here or in the UK. Would I go back? I think not, although it's a fascinating country, historically and landscape wise.
Personal health issues have precluded any more serious travel but that's okay. I've done enough to last a lifetime, lol.
May 14th 2016, 1:55 pm
#3
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,851
Re: Half a Century
Was this meant for the Canniversary section?
May 14th 2016, 2:04 pm
#5
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Re: Half a Century
Unfortunately I always owe money so must file or pay penalties, but won't pay the barstewards until the last minute. As a multi-millionaire client of mine would say "it's a nice problem to have".
May 14th 2016, 10:36 pm
#6
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Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Half a Century
Congratulations on both 50 years in Canada and being still married to the same person!
You must have some fantastic memories of all those countries..
You must have some fantastic memories of all those countries..
May 16th 2016, 4:06 am
#8
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,613
Re: Half a Century
Oh wow.
There is something rather special about your update , even if you don't realise it.
A life well lived and long may that continue for you both.
Congrats.
There is something rather special about your update , even if you don't realise it.
A life well lived and long may that continue for you both.
Congrats.
May 16th 2016, 5:14 am
#9
I need a walk
Joined: Mar 2014
Location: Okanagan
Posts: 4,899
Re: Half a Century
The whole damn lot is really impressive 
That travel history particularly is amazing. Just one brief, kind of associated question... what was your favourite destination?
That travel history particularly is amazing. Just one brief, kind of associated question... what was your favourite destination?
May 16th 2016, 9:42 pm
#10
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Re: Half a Century
I think of a place and why I enjoyed it so much, then another spot enters my mind and takes over from the previous thought.
I have visited the WWl and WWll battlefields and military cemeteries of Europe a number of times and never failed to be touched by the solemnity there and what those men and women did to ensure we have the lifestyles enjoyed today. I would have willingly given up visiting the other countries provided I was permitted to go there. I choke up even now when I think about it.
May 17th 2016, 12:13 pm
#11
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Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Half a Century
It's a question asked of me many times over the years and the more I travelled the more difficult answering the question became.
I think of a place and why I enjoyed it so much, then another spot enters my mind and takes over from the previous thought.
I have visited the WWl and WWll battlefields and military cemeteries of Europe a number of times and never failed to be touched by the solemnity there and what those men and women did to ensure we have the lifestyles enjoyed today. I would have willingly given up visiting the other countries provided I was permitted to go there. I choke up even now when I think about it.
I think of a place and why I enjoyed it so much, then another spot enters my mind and takes over from the previous thought.
I have visited the WWl and WWll battlefields and military cemeteries of Europe a number of times and never failed to be touched by the solemnity there and what those men and women did to ensure we have the lifestyles enjoyed today. I would have willingly given up visiting the other countries provided I was permitted to go there. I choke up even now when I think about it.
May 17th 2016, 4:42 pm
#12
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,363
Re: Half a Century
Two weeks ago I filed my 50th Canadian ITR.
I, accompanied by my wife (and she still is), flew on a brand new Boeing 707 into Toronto Malton Airport (now Pearson International) on Sunday May 15th, 1966.
I had a job to come to and my wife was working within 4 days. Things were much different then and finding work was easier.
I enjoyed a good career of 35 years which allowed me to travel quite extensively and do well overall. There were ups and downs naturally including a personal tragedy which left us devastated. We remain that way and always will.
I've visited 74 countries, every state in the US and every Province and Territory in Canada. I've made many good friends and Canada is my home. I have visited the UK many times over the years and not having family there has allowed me to visit every nook and crannie from Lands End to John O'Groats and almost all the offshore islands. I would say I've probably seen more of the UK than most people on here or in the UK. Would I go back? I think not, although it's a fascinating country, historically and landscape wise.
Personal health issues have precluded any more serious travel but that's okay. I've done enough to last a lifetime, lol.
I, accompanied by my wife (and she still is), flew on a brand new Boeing 707 into Toronto Malton Airport (now Pearson International) on Sunday May 15th, 1966.
I had a job to come to and my wife was working within 4 days. Things were much different then and finding work was easier.
I enjoyed a good career of 35 years which allowed me to travel quite extensively and do well overall. There were ups and downs naturally including a personal tragedy which left us devastated. We remain that way and always will.
I've visited 74 countries, every state in the US and every Province and Territory in Canada. I've made many good friends and Canada is my home. I have visited the UK many times over the years and not having family there has allowed me to visit every nook and crannie from Lands End to John O'Groats and almost all the offshore islands. I would say I've probably seen more of the UK than most people on here or in the UK. Would I go back? I think not, although it's a fascinating country, historically and landscape wise.
Personal health issues have precluded any more serious travel but that's okay. I've done enough to last a lifetime, lol.
Regarding the UK, I've lived here in Canada since age 17 and feel since that time I've been to more of the UK than cousins and other close relatives my age who remained in the UK.
Any reason no family left in the UK?
May 17th 2016, 5:28 pm
#13
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Re: Half a Century
I have been to Arlington twice and yes it did make me think of the military buried there as a result of dying in battle. It's a moving place to me but both times I was disappointed by those visitors with no real understanding of where they were.
Last edited by plasticcanuck; May 17th 2016 at 5:43 pm.
May 17th 2016, 5:42 pm
#14
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Re: Half a Century
I'm jealous of all of the places you have visited (74 countries). I'm only at 17 countries, all provinces, no territories and 35 states.
Regarding the UK, I've lived here in Canada since age 17 and feel since that time I've been to more of the UK than cousins and other close relatives my age who remained in the UK.
Any reason no family left in the UK?
Regarding the UK, I've lived here in Canada since age 17 and feel since that time I've been to more of the UK than cousins and other close relatives my age who remained in the UK.
Any reason no family left in the UK?
May 17th 2016, 5:59 pm
#15
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Re: Half a Century
Wow. Just wow! Love the 707 story as well, never ever got to fly in one of those.
Congrats!
Congrats!