Hello again! This blog is a record of the 2 weeks Eileen spent with us. I enjoyed ticking off the days on the calendar until she arrived and it was so exciting when she stepped through the doors at Arrivals on 31st March.
Palm Sunday was spent visiting her relatives and it was the only day it rained while she was here! Eileen kindly brought our M&S order over with her along with 5 kg of chocolate to be shared between us and her family! That was a quarter of her luggage allowance!
Seeing the sunshine, we went straight to the Toronto Islands. The ferry runs a limited service at this time of year so we did a circular walk to return to the ferry. We had a lovely walk along the lakeshore; it was very quiet, knowing that most people were at work! We had the beach almost to ourselves. I managed to get sunburnt of course so I did get some suncream after that.
The Islands have their own Fire Station too which must be a quiet posting on the whole but essential obviously, especially in the summer when there are so many people here.
St. Andrew's Church
The Islands have their own Fire Station too which must be a quiet posting on the whole but essential obviously, especially in the summer when there are so many people here.
There is a community of people who live on the Islands, many in houses and some in houseboats like this. There are very strict rules governing property transfers here. When a property becomes available, it can’t be put on the free market. Instead, it’s offered for a fixed price to the first hundred people on a
five-hundred-person waiting list. The list is ranked, so if there are
multiple interested buyers, the property goes to the person closest to
the top of the list. If none of the first hundred people are
interested, the property is offered to people further down on the list,
but this is rare. About 50 properties have been sold since the
system began in 1994. On a bright 
spring day it could seem like an attractive prospect but it will often be an exposed, chilling place. I suppose many residents have warmer boltholes for the winter! Back on the mainland we had lunch at Queen's Quay and
treated ourselves to an ice cream, 2 scoops in Eileen's case - which was
a bad idea, as she couldn't finish it! But they did say it was the best ice cream in Toronto! We
walked back to City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square.
spring day it could seem like an attractive prospect but it will often be an exposed, chilling place. I suppose many residents have warmer boltholes for the winter! Back on the mainland we had lunch at Queen's Quay and
treated ourselves to an ice cream, 2 scoops in Eileen's case - which was
a bad idea, as she couldn't finish it! But they did say it was the best ice cream in Toronto! We
walked back to City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square.
A very typical Toronto image - dogs and bikes. Bikes appear all over town (as above) sometimes as decoration but other times as memorials to cyclists lost in road accidents. These dogs are doing a good job as guard dogs!
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| Home of the first Mayor of Toronto |
Tuesday 3rd April
We tried to go to the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral but most of the seats were reserved for the priests (!) and we weren't interested in standing for 2 hours so we went for a coffee in The Bay, the flagship department store here. We passed this house, one of the few old buildings left, the well restored home of William Lyon Mackenzie. We had a browse in the Eaton Centre and once home I gave Eileen a little tour of our local area here. While I was out at choir that night Eamonn took her on another local walk! Poor Eileen!
Spotted in the supermarket: Dog and Cat chocolate 'eggs' ???
Waiting for the bus at Dundas Square. It always seems funny to me to see someone looking down a hole!
We booked ourselves on the Hop On Hop Off City Tour, which I'd never done before. We didn't get out as early as we planned so by the time we got on the bus at 11am it was packed. It was an old London Routemaster so as we stood downstairs admiring the pavements of Toronto it reminded me of so many times I chugged around London in the old days! Eventually a crowd got off and we got a seat. We had a break at St. Lawrence Market which is one of my favourite places here and if you're a foodie it's heaven. Many local people shop here so it has a very authentic feel unlike some markets in London which have a more touristy feel.
Did this man know how he was mirroring the pose of Glenn Gould, the concert pianist?
A jolly lunch in the Market!
After lunch we walked to the Distillery district and then picked up the bus again. This time we could sit upstairs in the open (brr!) and Eileen liked it so much we stayed on and did another complete lap! We certainly got our money's worth although the commentary was not worth paying for! We finally got off at 5pm and I took Eileen into Tim Horton's for a hot drink. Tim's is an institution here: you can always get a drink and a high calorie bun and a toilet break. It doesn't matter where you are you'll always find one. Great for middle-aged bladders.
Thursday 5th April
We had a leisurely day in the Art Gallery of Ontario. We had lunch in the Members' lounge which is in the remaining C19th part. We were given a tour of the original kitchens and library by a volunteer then after lunch we joined a tour on Portaits in the Gallery given by another volunteer. After a very pleasant saunter through the galleries we had another cup of tea!
Good Friday 6th April
We drove to Ottawa which took about 5 hours. Once settled into our Minto Suites Hotel we ate and then went to St. Patrick's Basilica around the corner for the Stations of the Cross. It was a very old-style service but very prayerful. Eileen pointed out that the statues were covered with purple cloths - something I've never seen before - something done in the past. After that we had a night walk around Parliament Hill.
Easter Saturday 7th April
We watched the disrupted Boat Race while we had breakfast then set off to Byward Market. Here were attractive stalls selling all sorts of things. Hanging above them was this sculpture called 'McClintock's Dream' of 1978. The character is shown dreaming of all the people working in the market.
We walked on to the other basilica in Ottawa, Notre Dame. This was a lovely place with impressive stained glass and a beautiful blue ceiling.
Parliament Hill
The US Embassy - meant to look like a submarine?
Colonel By, English engineer, builder of the Rideau Canal and founder of Ottawa
Thayendanegea, Mohawk warrior and statesman, led his people in support of the British.
National War Memorial
and Ottawa Parliament
and Ottawa Parliament
Terry Fox, a young Canadian hero, lost his leg through cancer. He ran across Canada, to raise funds for cancer research. He died in 1981. Events are held in his name every year.
Matron Georgina Pope was a pioneering nurse who served in World War Two.
We enjoyed this lovely sculpture of Oscar Peterson, born in Montreal.
Eileen was amused by the face she saw in this tower!
After a long walk in this beautiful sunshine we had dinner and went to the easter Vigil in St. Patrick's. All was fine until the homily which turned out to be a very long theological lecture. We realised that two of the priests, standing with their backs to the altar, were from Opus Dei.
We left the church 3 hours after we went in!
Easter Sunday 8th April
We brought a basket of little eggs and ducks with us for Easter Sunday - very nice with breakfast!
Today we walked to the National Art Gallery and had a pleasant time relaxing there.
'Maman' sculpture outside the Gallery
Notre Dame Basilica in the background
Gallery roof.
Next we went back to Parliament for a tour, including a trip up the Peace Tower.
Eileen has a charming habit in that she offers everywhere to take photos of groups of people! They are almost always delighted at her kindness.
In the evening we drove out to Gatineau on the Quebec side and enjoyed the countryside views.
Monday 9th April
It was a Bank Holiday here, so everything was quiet today. We watched a ceremony at the War memorial to
commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, where
many Canadian troops died.
Then we made our way to the Beaver Tails stall and had one each:
Eileen – chocolate and banana, Eamonn: chocolate and hazelnut, Mary: apple and cinnamon. The 'tail' is deep fried dough, spread flat like a beaver 
tail! Absolutely delicious!!!
tail! Absolutely delicious!!!
We did some
shopping in the market then walked over to Museum of Civilization.
This is one of the best museums in Canada and shows the development of
the country and its peoples. We started in the Great Hall looking at
totem poles and the Inuit displays. We visited most
of the Galleries and then staggered on to a bus back. We had a lovely dinner
in
Baton Rouge.
Tuesday 10th April
We left Ottawa, driving through the countryside, stopping at small towns on the way, taking in a nice brunch.
Wednesday 11th April
Eileen and I had a walk around upmarket Yorkville, enjoying a leisurely coffee.
Then we walked around the attractive University and Parliament areas. We came back for a swim and wallow in the jacuzzi. Eileen took us out for a lovely dinner that evening.
Thursday 12th April
Another sunny day! We joined a
coach tour to Niagara Falls. We joined a hotel tour group, sitting in the front row of a comfortable 20 seater coach. The driver
was very friendly although we were a bit unnerved by him eating apples and
doing little jobs while he drove! Our
first stop was at Niagara airport where 2 men were taken on a quick helicopter
ride over the Falls. Meanwhile, we were taken to a local winery for a tasting; we
tried a Pinot Grigio and 2 ice wines (very sweet dessert wines). It wasn’t a particularly attractive winery but it was only a short diversion.
Then
we stopped to see The Whirlpool where the Niagara River does a sharp turn so is constantly churning and next we had a 45 minute break
in Niagara-on-the-Lake. This is a very small, pretty town, full of gift shops and restaurants, known for its Shaw Festival every year. We enjoyed a lovely ice cream and browsed in the shops. We were then taken to The Falls and
had a lovely 2 and a half hours there.
First we went on the Maid of the Mist boat, on its
first day of the season! We got very wet with the spray but it was lovely. We
walked along and had lunch in The Elements restaurant, our table overlooking
the Falls. It was a beautiful day. 
Friday 13th April
We went for a stroll downtown, to Maple Leaf Square and through the Finance district. Eileen did some shopping for her family and friends. That evening she met our young Carillion friends over dinner.
Saturday 14th April
Everyone up very early! We left at 6.30 am to take Eileen to Pearson Airport. We were very sorry to see her go but we had all had such a good two weeks.
Thank you so much for coming Eileen! Eamonn says you have to come back so we can take you to the CN Tower!
