More Great Advice from Big Pete

Like so many of Peter's friends, I too got lots of advice from the big guy. Like panning for gold, there were more than a few golden nuggets over the years.

One of the best decisions I've ever made was to pack up and move to Wakefield, Quebec, a move inspired by Peter on a drive to the country on a cold, bright winter day more than 25 years ago.

At the time I was living in a one room flat in the Sandy Hill area of Ottawa and not really thinking about moving. Heck, right around the corner at Nates on Rideau Street I could get the Double Burger special for five bucks and then slip into a games arcade a few doors down and play Space Invaders anytime I felt like it.

Although I had been to the Wakefield area north of Ottawa many times to ski, I had never done any sightseeing in the area until Peter and I decided to go for a drive on that long-ago day.

This time I turned off the highway to Wakefield early and, for the first time, headed along the scenic River Road leading into the tiny village on the Gatineau River.

About three kilometres south of town, we drove by a little bungalow facing the river with a "For Rent" sign rising out of a snowbank.

Can't remember if we stopped or not, but Peter immediately proposed the idea of me living in the little bungalow. "Why don't YOU rent it," he said. "It's a whole lot better than where you're living now."

I had honestly never contemplated living outside of a city until that moment. But by the time we headed back to Ottawa later that day, I had already made the decision to ditch the downtown digs and move to Wakefield.

Peter, canny fellow that he was, nailed it. He knew instinctively that the laid-back lifestyle would suit me perfectly. A quarter of a century later that decision still resonates powerfully for me, my partner Anne and my kids Evan and Mariel.

Beers on me Pete next time we meet!

Ron Scammell