Visiting Parkwood Estate

we've been out for a local visit to the Parkwood Estate where the once founder of Canada General Motors. He was definately Mr Gadget of the early 1900's and seemed to have every new invention. There was even one of the first automated ten pin bowling alleys installed in the recreation area, plus a pool. Parts of the house and grounds are often used feature films and documentaries.
We'll be heading off across to stay with another of Caroline's cousin tomorrow in Oakville. Just sorting out the train time options for getting across to the other side of Toronto.
and the sunshine keeps shining!!

The CN Tower, Toronto

It was up up and away...
It was time today for some amazing sights of Toronto and the surrounding area of Ontario. We were invited to go into the centre of Toronto and decided to take the elevator to the top... yes... to the top. But we couldn't stop for a meal at the restuarant... but we did walk on the glass floor.

Oshawa - prepare to be amazed

So the weekend came to an end as after a short walk around the country lanes near the lake, we were given the green light to advance our journey south towards Oshawa. I was offered the wheel of the Rav 4 and we set off for an hour drive to meet with Caroline's cousin, Laura and husband Roger (this could start getting confusing?) and their 2 children Eric and Liam. Whilst we had written instructions which Caroline's Aunt was clutching next to me, she was in competition with the Tom Tom sat nav which I wanted to test out. We took a few diversions and only got honked at once after a brief moment of indecision. Never mind... we arrived to the reception in Sun Valley Court and were greeted by the family.

After a drink and chat, it was announced that we were off to a festival..."a Rib Fest" were the exact words.. and one that would even keep Caroline entertained with a variety of Yams, veggy curry and sweetcorn. We walked to the lakeside park where the entire area had been taken over by a fairground and massive trucks that had all been touring around entering competitions. They had trophies on display, probably to attract the largest ques, which were clearly doing a good trade despite the fest being on over the entire weekend.
Our hosts introduced us to a variety of different flavoured ribs, and exchanged viewpoints with others as we sat at the tables and ate. Swilled down with a beer (which was an obligatory concenssion) we then walked along the lakeside for a while and headed back to their house. As we walked I noticed a sign... Oshawa 'prepare to be amazed' apparently it was the new underpinning motto for the town, which for a long time had been associated with the car industry, but due to recent decline it was time for a change.
What one might mark in the diary as the perfect end too the first perfect week.
And now its time to consider a list of things to do this week in and around Toronto.

weekend retreat

Weekend account
We travelled south west from Ottawa on Friday, heading for the cottage that Caroline’s grandfather had built on the southern shore of Lake Sturgeon.
We left a little after 10am and made it after a couple of stops at around 4pm. The stops gave both myself and Caroline an opportunity to share the driving with her Aunt. Once out of the city lanes, we were on straight open roads with a speed limit of 80km/h which we were informed meant we could creep up to 90km/h.
We stopped a few miles short of our destination for some provisions, as there were no shops nearby, and was informed that the town of Omemee was where Scott Young (father of Neil Young) regularly wrote for the local paper and frequented the Canadian Legion Club. Apparently Neil spent erly years living here. I also noted a Rock & Roll Museum and a few other rock music references which were associated with the Neil Young connection.
The arrival at the cottage enabled us to view not only the cottage itself but also the surrounding properties which were different in design and size.
Best of all however, was the waterside view as we walked down across the lawn at the rear of the cottage. A few had boats moored on small jetty whilst we observed others being driven at high speed across the lake, which is a mile and half wide and around 23 miles long.

The Aviation Museum - Ottawa

We spent the second full day here in ottawa looking around an amazing Aviation Museum. A very informative and interesting couple of hours. And the guy on the door was trying desperatley to get us cheaper tickets to look round... 'did I serve in the air force? was I a war veteran? relative of anyone who had served in the Canadian armed forces?...' and after all my answers were no... he only charged us $12 to get in... Bargain!!
stopped by a couple of guides who added that personal touch of hospitality and information about the exhibits made it all the more interesting.
A few pics here of some of the views in there..

In Ottawa

After getting off the train and being met by Caroline's Aunt, we are now staying in a very pleasant peaceful suburb of Ottawa where all the properties have an amazing underworld of basements. This can virtuallly double the apparent living space that appears from the road.
We spent yesterday doing our tourist thing, looking around Ottawa and exploring the market area in the centre. Seeing Parliament Hill, and numerous other sights. Even the students collecting for Cystic Fybrosis took the time to chat about the cause, and also pose for us.
The evening comprised of a family gathering (Caroline's cousin and husband and 2 girls) with meal and much talking.. and getting to understand the Canadian culture. All is becoming clearer now!

some photos of the train ride

seemed like the journey was on a single track.... and a few (dozens in fact) level crossings en route

Live train report!!

Now this doesn't happen every day!!
You get an opportunity to do a blog whilst riding across from Montreal to Ottawa on the train... courtesy of via Rail Canada...
I was even given a personal safety instruction talk a few minutes before leaving. I think they will hold me responsible if I don't get the remaining passengers out of this train...'in the unlikely event' of a crash!!.. although those words were not actually used. Good job she switched from French to English,otherwise we're all doomed!
We've had our cuppa and lunch and we're about half hour into our 2 hour journey.
Looking out at the farmlands..(Caroline just spotted a christmas tree farm).
And since coming out from the underground train station..(that was different) the sun has been progressively shining amidst the blue sky. Not so certain the the forecast was going to make it last til Ottawa.
Will try and get some photos and add to this entry in a while. We don't know which side of the train to look out next.

the first long day

It was a baptism of Canadian proportions. We arrived at Gatwick with time enough to grab something to eat and assemble ourselves in the departure lounge...
then we waited.. and waited... and until we overheard someone else refrring to the flight being delayed because there was a technical difficulty and they wouldn't know what would be happening for another 2 hours.
Caroline checked and discovered that the pilot seat had a fault and a spare part was being flown in from Luton. It turned out to be the safety harness for the pilot seat, which needed to be changed. He was refusing to be strapped in with duck tape as an alternative solution.
Our plans were being scuppered already... so we had to just wait.
Eventually the information board declared we were to head for gate 38.
There was a frenzied rush and we were all strapped in and taking off some 2.5 hours later with the promise that the flight would take 7hr and 6 minutes...
We landed at 19.25 around 2.25 hrs late and got through the exciting process of passport control and baggage reclaim without a hitch.
We then headed off to consider then options of taxi or the new 747 express bus into the centre. The signs for the bus were attracting us and for $7 each we were able to jump aboard an awaiting bus and be transported into the centre... and luckily guess the correct stop to get off.
arrived at the hotel at around 21.00hrs (local time) but in our head it was 02.00hrs the following day, and feeling a little tired by now.....
But... the long day turned into the long night,as we soon hit the mattress with earplugs in place and fell asleep,despite there being lots of partying going on across the street. even being 11 floors up didn't stop the noise.

We awoke early this morning and made plans to get out and find somewhere centrally and have breakfast. We walked for around an hour before finding a cafe, which the owner was sat in the window, beckoning us in...(could have been Amsterdam for minute)... but we chatted with her and she served up a classic fried breakfast for me and an greek omellete for Caroline,plus as much coffee and tea, plus toast and jam... all for around £6 each... bargain!! and hit the spot for the day...
So we've wandered around,taken soem pictures and soaked up the party atmosphere in the centre. Pictures of our view from the balcony this morning, the altar at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the harbour.
Off to find a veggie restuarant this evening, then book out tomorrow and take a 2 hour train journey to Ottawa tomorrow, after lunchtime.... but more of that later.

checking that everything is in

Well... this time tomorrow and we'll be in the sky heading for Montreal.
We've double (and sometimes triple) checked everything and even surprised ourselves that we're running around 17kg in our cases.
Definitely wanted to be running with a fairly manageable load.
Canadian Dollars in hand plus a few travelers cheques... plus a few cards that should be seeing us through the next month ok.
Off to Gatwick mid morning with an early afternoon flight to Montreal.
So watch this space as the story unfolds!!