Summer's arrived !

Hello from a sunny, sultry Toronto. Our visitors flew away last Wednesday (and we could actually see their plane pass over us here) so now it feels like we're here for real. Although there was quite a lot of rain while Gemma and Andy were here I think they had a good time; they certainly got to know their way round some of the pubs in town! But we also had some more cultural outings and we even tried a trip out of town to a beach resort on Georgian Bay, about an hour and a half from here, but it was just an empty beach. The few shops there were mostly closed, we couldn't have bought a bucket and spade even if we wanted to! Plus it was windy and cold - so apologies to the 'guinea pig' visitors. By the time anyone else comes we'll have done a bit more research! 

Wasaga Beach

We had a good day at Niagara, riding the Maid of the Mist of course, which was fun even though we'd all done it before. The day started cloudy but while we had a good 'Hard Rock' lunch the rain came down. The car was a long walk away and as 2 of us had not kept our blue plastic coveralls that meant 2 of us got very wet. By the time we began to leave Niagara, steaming in the car, the fog had come down so low we could hardly see across the street! But as we drove up the valley we found ourselves in glorious sunshine so we enjoyed lovely views of the Niagara River.

Alcona Beach

Although we thought we had left in plenty of time we got into terrible Bank Holiday traffic and we were trying to get back for the baseball match. It looked as though we were going to be very late to meet Marian and Phil. Instead of getting back in time to relax with a cup of tea we just had time to pick up our tickets from the apartment and jump in the subway. But all was well and it was great fun seeing Marian and Phil. I even had the obligatory hot dog and beer. We sat and chatted while trying to take in the finer (!) points of rounders - oops - I mean baseball. Andy had to show ID at the beer stall to prove he was old enough to buy it - Gemma had no ID on her so couldn't prove she was over 25! Lucky her. No drunken yobs here. Anyway the Blue Jays lost to the Houston Astros so the crowd just left in droves before the end. Of course there aren't away fans as such because the distances the teams travel are just too big for them to follow. 

On Saturday the weather was lovely so we went down to the lakeshore and found everyone else had the same idea. This was a real holiday weekend and there were crowds everywhere but it was a pleasant atmosphere. It seemed that between the crowds who left for their country cottages and those who were on the lakeshore there could be no one left in the city. Sunday was a relaxed day with lunch out again. We left Gemma and Andy in town with Orla and Harvey touring the local hostelries. Needless to say that was a late night!

Monday was Victoria Day - named so in gratitude to Her Majesty for starting Canada on the road to independence, apparently. Almost everything was shut so it was a peaceful day. Just as well, as there were one or two hangovers in the apartment. We were eventually able to celebrate Gemma's birthday, quietly. On Tuesday Gemma and Andy took us for dinner to the local Baton Rouge which was fabulous. They really know how to cook meat here. As far as eating out's concerned here we have really enjoyed the food and it's good value. On Wednesday I went to the Islands with them and we could see that the beaches there would attract great crowds. It's odd being on beaches here because of course you don't get smells associated with salt spray or seaweed so it's not as energising as being by tidal, salt water. That evening we took them to the airport and had to say goodbye again.

Since then I've been on a Toronto Newcomers' Walk around a part of town where they've managed to keep their Victorian streets intact. So refreshing. On Saturday, Eamonn and I went into town to visit some buildings as part of the Doors Open weekend. We saw some very interesting things and the camera was working overtime! 

'Waterfall' by Derek Besant

One tile of the waterfall

I am now completely up to date with Corrie and The Apprentice and we're dipping into other goodies from home. We have also made our 8th trip to Ikea and it won't be the last!

Canada Life and South African War Memorial

Outside Children's Hospital

I'm beginning to think that the dandelion could be the state flower. They certainly have a terrible problem with them  here. Someone told me that weedkiller was banned in the city 2 years ago so their main way of controlling them is just by mowing them. In a year like this there was very little time between the snow disappearing and the growing season so there's not much time to get rid of them I suppose. 

Canadian sayings about the Family:

The gene pool around here could use a little chlorine (applies to Jeremy Kyle show participants).

My grandfather's dog ran through your grandmother's yard once ( we're distantly related).

The front of our building facing east

'The 12th Juror' outside the Law Courts

 Do let us know if you fancy coming to stay - don't be shy! I know the airfare and jetlag don't help but there'll be a warm welcome!

<---------------  Our apartment on the west face.