James took us to Heathrow on Saturday. You check your own bags in these days. Plane left on time, no problems.
Warren was tracking us on Flight Aware and saw we were flying over Reading so contacted Amy and she took a photo.
I'd booked extra roomy seats.They had no seats in front so I started to think maybe that was a mistake as no table or screen...but they fold out from your seat.
They asked us to put the blinds down for most of the flight so people could sleep. This was our first view of Canada. Just coming up for sunset.
We landed a bit early but had to wait ages for our bags. It was probably about 9:45 local time and dark when we finally got out and were met by Warren and Mary Ellen. They had a world cup photo machine at the airport.
It was incredibly busy on the drive back to their place down the 8 lane (on each side) 401.
Warren and Mary Ellen then picked us up from the hotel to drive us back. I'm the evening we went to the Little Sisters Indonesian restaurant in Midtown which was my birthday present from James and Amy.
Great food. On Friday me, M and Warren went to see Senegal v Iraq.
Great atmosphere. Unsegregated crowd all getting on. The Iraqis were very noisy. Unfortunately they conceded quire early on and then had a man sent off so list 5 0. Things to note, they watered the pitch during the hydration break
and there's a countdown
for whe. It ends. As it was the last group game the other game was being played at the same time so they gave the score and showed the goals.
The stand we were in was temporary and had a great view. The music was very loud. It was very well organised. As it was 5 0 we left on 90 mins to beat the crowd. On the way back we met Mary Ellen for chicken wings at Duffs, one of Amy's favourites.
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Warren was tracking us on Flight Aware and saw we were flying over Reading so contacted Amy and she took a photo.Woke to a lovely morning.
Did a walk with Mary Ellen on Sunday morning around where they live, Warren was playing pickle ball. Took in Amy's primary school and high school her and Warren attended. Went to an area called Bayview with a great selection of shops and restaurants. Love the traffic lights.
You get a green man when its time to cross followed by a flashing hand and a count down. Warren cooked corn on the cob and beef kebabs on the bbq for lunch. In the afternoon we did most of Warren and Mary Ellen's regular walk through a park. Saw black, grey and red squirrels running along the telephone cable across the end on their garden. Then male and female cardinal birds and a rabbit.
Had hot dogs for tea. Had an early night as feeling a bit jet lagged.
On Monday we all went into downtown Toronto on the subway. We started off in Kensington Market which us not actually a market but an eclectic selection if shops and restaurants...including cannabis shops.
Then we headed down to the CN Tower for lunch.
Great views, that's the football stadium on the right. Great food too, had mussels and puckered which is pike. Found the fan zone in Nathan Phillips Square and saw Messi score.
Sat out in the garden for cheese and biscuits when we got back and saw a possum and family of raccoons. This was the last of the young ones.
At some point we also went to the local LCBO for supplies.
On Tuesday we headed into town by ourselves. Spent ages in the museum. They had great early nations and dinosaur sections.
Had lunch there that featured an impressive corned beef sandwich.
Then found a pub called the Duke of York to watch a dull England draw with Ghana. 0 0. Large sections were reserved so we assumed that was for the came but nobody seemed interested so it all made for a bit of a flat atmosphere.
We then headed for The Horseshoe Tavern to see some music. Once we found the venue we looked around for somewhere to eat and found an Iraqi place. When we came out we heard music playing from a bar opposite so went in there instead. It was free, cash only and we only caught the last couple of numbers but it still counts as a gig.
On Wednesday we set off at 5 45 am to beat the rush hour and drive to Kat and Ross's who live near Niagara. They live in great detached house backing onto woodland.
Although there's a fence their extends much further back. Emma and Poppy were pleased to see us.
There are lots of vineyards in the area and we drive out to one called Gallery 13 for a bit of a tasting. There was also some interesting art work there and a bakery selling butter tarts. After that we drove to a brewery called Bench for lunch. Warren and Mary Ellen then drove us Niagara On The Lake for look round then on to our hotel in Niagara. We paid for an upgrade and got a room with a balcony over looking the falls and the Rainbow Bridge over to the USA.
We went in search of an LCBO and found ourselves on tge incredibly tacky Clifton Hill but picture doesn't capture it.
As we had a great view we decided to chill for the evening and watched Scotland lose 3 0 to Brazil. There were lights.....
....and fireworks at 10.
Had a swim and a hearty breakfast on Thursday. It was raining so we got the WEGO bus to the Butterfly Conservatory.
