Ever notice how the raindrops landing on puddles send out never ending and ever expanding ripples? Sometimes you come across some awesome experiences, great people and really good customer service. In today's blog, I want to share two such instances, because, you know... Ripples.

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"Hello, my name is Alexandra. I don't know if you remember me, but we've been writing back and forth all year, regarding my Canon camera?"

Last summer I dropped my camera off at Henry's. They took a boo at it, and told me that it would take up to 6 weeks, as they had to send it to the Big City.

Since we had a schedule of sorts, we left them with the camera (albeit a little hesitantly), anticipating that, once repaired, it could and would be sent to the BoatYard in Florida, and would in all probability be there by the time we got there.

For the first time, in a very long time, I was WITHOUT a camera in hand.

{{ GASP}}

I don't know if you've ever had that LOST feeling? I sure did. Felt like my right arm had nothing to carry. There was nothing to ZOOM in on. Not having a camera kind of cast a dreary shadow on everything. All our Adventures just seemed to pale without being able to snap the photos. Although we had a brand new iPhone, {{ which by the way has an insanely excellent camera }} it just somehow... wasn't.. the same.

I moaned my cameraless days away until one day, Andrew, the manager at Henry's, who'd been keeping in touch with me regularly, emailed.

"Your Camera is ready!" He wrote, and sure enough, within a week it arrived in Florida. It was like Christmas. I opened the box, and wait. What? There was a camera there. But it was Not.My.Camera.

I emailed Andrew and he quickly explained the mistake away. Turns out the repairs were taking longer than expected, and Canon didn't want me to be without, so sent me a refurbished {lesser quality one} for "in the meantime". Sigh.

By then, we were on a real schedule. Our Cruising Permit was about to expire, and we really had to leave the States. So the camera, in its box, sailed to the Bahamas with us, until months later when my sister visited us. And after a wonderful week of Vacationing with us (without many photos) we sent her home with Not.My.Camera so she could mail it back to Andrew @ Henry's.

And then in the spring, the InBox dinged once again.
"Your new camera is here" wrote Andrew's. "The SX720 is waiting for pickup."
I sighed.
The SX720 was Not.My.Camera. The SX710 was.
And new? It was only supposed to be refurbished?

Once again, Andrew quickly came to the answer when he replied that I'd been upgraded. Courtesy of Canon. For all my troubles.

Wow.

It was hard to wait out the next couple of months, and they passed in slow anticipation. As soon as we got back home, we unpacked the box, and there she was!



We immediately walked into Henry's and asked to speak to Andrew, the manager. Which is where this story started, about a year ago now.

I totally believe in spreading the good words of great customer service. And although this was a long experience, not anyone's fault, just our series of unusual circumstances, I would like to say that both Henry's and Canon, as well as Andrew, deserve a total double Thumbs UP. Very Very Satisfied Customers here.

And you know what, in a weird sort of way, I feel whole again, somewhat like a caterpillar that has morphed into a butterfly !! Everything feels and looks better and brighter.



With camera in Hand, I am now eagerly anticipating and planning, attending and experiencing, and best of all, photographing the memories of our many Adventures.

And speaking of New Adventures, you might've noticed that we've added some extra tires to our Six Wheels. We are the proud new owners of Giant Bicycles.

We shopped around the different bike stores in the Halifax area. Dave did his usual virtual research. Yet the one store we kept returning to was Giant. Barry helped us on several occasions, and his knowledgeable and informative chats, as well as our test drives around Citadel Hill, helped seal the deal and made the whole process of bike buying much simpler.

While we waited for the bikes to be shipped, we purchased the Swagman Hitch, and not one day after it arrived, so did the bikes.



Our current home in Shubie Campground has us right next to the trails by Shubenacadie Canal. We've been riding on the different terrains as we acclimatize to two wheels, the speeds and brakes, not to mention the sweaty heartbeats of a different type of exercise.



We're really pleased with the bikes. They're responsive. They're performing excellently on all terrains we've encountered so far, from asphalt roads and pathways, to dirt paths to compact gravel to wooden boardwalks and bridges.



We've skidded some on loose gravel, pushed our thighs hard as we challenged the uphills and let ourselves fly downhills, and the rainy Nova Scotia weather had us going through some muddy puddles. And all of it great riding!

Serious Fun, but a couple of hours each day for the last week has us with seriously ouchie sit bones. Back to Barry we went and told him how much we loved our bikes, but... have sore butts. His response?

"That's good. That means you're out there riding!" He immediately sent us home with some padded seats and two complimentary bike bells. "Whoa, thanks!"

We're totally thrilled with the experience and expertise of Barry (and his staff), the Giant store here in Halifax, and the great customer service we received from him each and every time we've gone in there.

It's pouring rain here today, which means we're NOT out there riding the trails or photographing our adventures. Instead we're indoors, sitting on comfy chairs ('cause you know, sore sit bones!), writing words of thanks.



Muchas Merci Barry @ Giant Halifax and Andrew @ Henry's @ Canon.



'Cause you know. Ripples.