After 124 days living out of my backpack it was heaven to step into a clean, cockroach-free, warm shower at Lorne Park. Absolute heaven. Not only was I clean, but I had fruit and vegetables, on crockery and with real cutlery. Not a paper plate or plastic fork in sight. Did I mention it was a little like heaven?

Whilst these experiences were quite enough to keep me happy Margaret and Daniel treated me to a belated birthday dinner at a French Bistro near their home. Whilst I did get attacked by the decorations we had a lovely time, Daniel had tongue, I had eel, and Margaret followed Julia Childs with boeuf bourguignon. Unfortunately the wait was a little longer than expected, but it all turned out okay as Oliver's band Make Your Exit (very good - I have CDs) weren't going to be on stage until 10.30 rather than the initial 9.30 Oliver had estimated.

It was a good job his set had been pushed back, as we ended up taking our own little tour of Guelph and all it has to offer. We did a circuit of Guelph's most well known car parks, followed by a long gaze across the tracks: we were literally on the wrong side of the tracks. Some map reading later and Margaret spotted the Albion hotel where they were playing. Result.

Up the stairs into a room that had been double booked with an office Christmas party. Who wouldn't like a Christmas party with free entertainment? I was introduced to Oliver's bandmates, all sporting moustaches for Movember (in aid of prostate cancer). One of the bandmates had a moustache extremely similar to Earl, but nobody had opted for the Hitler look loved by my great uncle Bruce. It'd be fine as long as they didn't wave with their right arms.

The band was amazing, as Margaret and I stood near the front like groupies I think my mouth was agape as I listened. Truly good music that wouldn't have been out of place on Radio 1. There were even people who had travelled from Toronto to see the group who knew the words. Amazing is all that springs to mind. On the ride home we listened to their CD. I think the fact that I stayed awake for the whole of their CD and then dropped off as soon as Coldplay came on says it all!