Enroute to Santiago – Plan B – Canada

Meg, Nick and 11 month old Finn on the balcony on our first evening in Toronto.

Our direct flight got us to Montreal then we took a rental car down the 401 for 480kms to Toronto – all a breeze till we had to find our way to the inner city Avis rental car drop off rendezvous with Meg and Nick. Eventually we got together after much inner city stop start driving – dropping off at  airports is usually a simpler option.

Finn is a delightfully happy boy; very much a Nick ‘lookalike’ who is almost walking. We think he’ll be walking (and falling!) before his 1st birthday.

Beautiful peonies in flower on the street where they live.

This area is lovely. It’s called ‘The Beaches’ – is very close to the city, looks out onto Lake Ontario, has boardwalks and cycling paths along it with restaurants and coffee shop options nearby.

Jason, Meg and Nicks friend from Townsville days visited Toronto on our 1st night here. He and Sue from Mackay had been in upstate New York briefly for a wedding so on hearing Meg and Nick were living somewhat nearby hired a car and drove 5  hours up to catch up for the night. We all met them nearby the next day for brunch, enjoying warm sunshine, good food and old friends.

Kew gardens is a green oassis in the area where community theatre’s performed  in summer. We will go up to see Othello one evening this week – admission by donation as in ‘pay what you can’. Toddlers and families welcome!

Megs apartment is upstairs on the first floor necessitating getting the baby carrier Bubbaboo and any shopping upstairs after each outing – sometimes challenging!

Early evening looking out from The Balmy Beach club – a sporting club they’ve joined which is walking distance from home. Nick plays squash each week here and there’s a gym, sailing, kayaking, rowing and lawn bowls offered too. We all enjoyed an after work drink with Nick on the recently opened summer terrace – including Finn.

Finn passed on drinks preferring instead yoghurt that mostly got into his mouth!

A trip into Toronto central. Nick’s office is at the top of the building on the right.

Toronto city council offices.

Fantastic sculpture in front of a restaurant called….

University of Toronto department building where Peter worked 40 years ago.

University of Toronto where a graduation ceremony took place today.

We walked through beautiful Queens Park to get from the uni to the apartment where Peter lived.

Prince Albert sculpture in Queens Park.

The apartment at 30 Charles St. Toronto where Peter and Judy lived 40 years ago.

St. Basils church where Victoria was christened many years ago.

Gorgeous hanging baskets of fuschias at Megs place.

A quiet dinner at home.

Finn enjoying the local park’s sandpit.

Happiness is being outside.

Ice-cream is a big hit here at the beaches.

Some of the beautiful spring flowers in Meg’s street.

Breakfast with Finn on Meg’s birthday.

Some Toronto escalators bring trolleys downstairs a very different way.

A sunny day in Toronto brings many people out to enjoy the Beaches area.

Drinks at the Red Lion with friends on Megs birthday.

Meg’s birthday was finished off with a picnic tea at Kew Gardens, walking distance from Meg’s home
Where Othello was played by Bard in the Park.

A beautiful day for a Sunday walk along The Beaches beachfront boardwalk.

Everyone enjoys the early summer sun after the long, cold and snowy winters of Toronto.

The Beaches Garden Club had a garden tour on the weekend. Eight gardens were on display – and all were magnificent.

Some had great designs and stunning colours.

Finn preferred splashing in the pool to viewing the gardens.

We finished off the weekend with drinks at the busy Balmy Beach club. Sunny warm weather brings members out in their droves!

Finn finds fun wherever he goes – even at times in the kitchen bin! He can get away with almost anything with such a beautiful smile!

Totem pole displayed at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Gallery located in 10 acres of gardens in suburban Toronto.

Native Innuit masks with ermine pellets attached.

Another Canadian mask.

Mother polar bear with her baby bear – carved in stone and sitting at the entrance to the McMichael Canadian Art Gallery.

Dramatic Innuit art.

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