And now for something completely different. It’s just
amazing how things and especially timing works out . Brian, was my best man at our
wedding at what now seems at least one eon ago and now, his daughter is getting
married on the 17th October, and that sort of date will coincide so
nicely with something else we really wanted to see....., the changing colour of
the forests and leaves in Canada. So we could kill two birds with one stone so
to speak. And so the stage was definitely set. One Westjet flight later straight
from the Princess Juliana Airport on St Maarten found us in that super clean
city of Toronto. Only the Canadians call it Trono, and this pronunciation is
how all the locals call it. Three weeks in Canada sounds wonderful.

Our base is in Toronto is staying with Brian and Cheryl; and
instead of staying put here for all that time, decided to see more of the
country. So.... hired a car, a Chevy PT Cruiser. With a sat-nav which Brian
christened ‘Giselle’, so armed   with
that wonderful bit of technology set off for Ottawa. Now there are two ways to
get there; the motorway which is always recommended, or in Giselle’s case, via
the scenic (really meaning slow) route and at least another 2 hours longer . But,
a truly beautiful countryside and when we finally arrived, a beautiful
city...... that is, if it stops raining.

Let the travelling begin. So armed with ‘Giselle’ set off
for breakfast. Always a good idea in the morning. Now, apparently all Canadians
go to a chain of restaurants in the morning, or in fact when they’re on the
road called ‘Tim Hortons’, so in we went to as you might say assimilate with
the locals; or as the Americans might call it, ‘acclimate’. It rally only took us about three minutes
till we were back outside. If you like coffee and donuts for breakfast it’s
just perfect, but we were hungry, so off we went on our travels looking for
what I call real food. What a good decision because we found Cora’s. And what
an absolutely brilliant spread they set out for us. So suitably fed and watered
headed off fort a recommended place, the war museum. Remember, it’s still
raining. Parked the car in their underground car park and set of exploring the
museum. I don’t know about you, but after about 2 hours I get ‘museumed out’ so
decided to leave and walk into Ottawa proper along the river . Just stunningly
beautiful. And it’s still raining so decided to do some retail therapy. Hmmmmm! Again there is only so much of that I
can take; so decided to go back to the car. We were told that it closed at
6.30pm so got back there at 6.10. Still raining! And we were soaked. Only to
find it all locked up; with our car inside the underground area. Knocking on
doors and ringing various bells did absolutely nothing. Oh dear....... Oh deary
me, or words very similar!!!    Finally
finding an employee standing outside having a smoke was our saviour. He allowed
us back into the museum to collect the car. So very fortunately did not have to
sleep in the doorway overnight! And that
would have been quite an interesting thing to do don’t you think? Hmmm! And it
still hadn’t stopped raining. So one of the morals of the story is..... Let no
Canadian ever criticise the British weather again. Ever!!!!! On our second day
there went to the Museum of Civilisation. Quite fascinating and went to see a
3D Imax of the Hubble telescope in space . Only one word..... totally awe
inspiring. Now, I’m not sure how we manage it, but found ourselves at the
reception for the opening of a brand new exhibition being held at the museum.
Wonderful canapés and wine. Listened to the speeches and left there at about 7 that
night. It seems that if there is to be a function, of any sort, you have to
invite the Symonds. After all, there has to be some sort of decorum at these functions.

Back in Toronto, Brian and Cheryl took us up to a cottage in
Huntsville where the last G6 conference was held. Where the leaves are changing
colour and there is water and just so many lakes..... simply fantastically
beautiful. And I hope you like all the
pictures. If you click on them they will become larger and you and get a better
idea of the beauty. Words simply can’t conjure up the immense beauty of this
part of the world. It’s just breathtakingly stunning. And then off to one of Canada’s most famous
tourist places. The Niagara Falls. Click the picture and it turns into a video
showing the falls and the maid of the mist as well . Worth seeing. We didn’t go
on it as we’ve done it before and got thoroughly soaked that time. So I really
don’t think that this time would have made a great deal of difference as it was
raining as well as the mist coming down from the falls. What was fascinating
though was the ‘Bird Man of...... no..... not Alcatraz, but Niagara. Make sure
you click on the picture to see what he does. Truly remarkable. I just had to
sit and watch for at least ten minutes. Niagara is a city of very little else.
The falls, a strip where you spend money on slot machines, several large
casinos and lots and lots of tourists all gawping at the immensity of the
falls. I really don’t think it has much else to commend it. So off we went to
find our B & B at a place called ‘Niagara on the Lake.’ It took about
twenty five minutes to drive there using ‘Giselle’, again. I was just stunned
and amazed at the beauty of this little historic town. It was so un-American. Really
beautiful. Just like a small garden city with flowers absolutely everywhere . In
every garden; on the central reservations, in hanging baskets on lamp posts; on
the streets; everywhere. I’ve posted some pictures and hope you like them. The
B & B would have been good except the owner had not yet turned on his
heating and the temperature was probably less than 10 degrees. So after a cold
night left and went to one of the local wineries and had a tour. Red wine
always warms you up don’t you think? Bought a bottle and left to drive back to
Toronto. Oh! I forgot to tell you, it’s still raining... Yes......, but
tomorrow, they promise that it’ll change and the sun will finally start shining.

Now back in Toronto and today is the big day. The day of the
wedding. Both Dyana & I have either borrowed or hired clothes and are
really looking forward to the major reasons for us being here. What a beautiful
wedding it was too. The bride resplendent in white. The groom looking dashing
in his suit and all the guests suitably attired. A wonderful ceremony followed
by what can only called a huge banquet . Not to be confused with a dinner at
all. Yes... a fully fledged banquet. Dancing between some courses (probably to
aid digestion before the next one arrived). An excellent band just topped the
entire festivity off. Lots and lots of dancing.... till we were completely
tired out. And then back home. Hope you like the car.......... Don’t you just
like the style?  

It’s now become a major shopping spree. Kitting out the new
apartment is such fun..... if you like shopping that is. I personally man shop.
Know what I like, see it, buy it, walk out the shop... all in five minutes.
Apparently, that is definitely not how to shop. Especially if you are a woman. It
takes all the fun out of it if you don’t see at least four hundred and fifty of
very similar things and then come back to the first you saw, and buy
it!!!!! So, we walk around nearly the
entire shop just getting the geographic layout. Then start homing in on the
bits and pieces we may like. And so it goes on.... and on... and on . It just completely wears me out. Totally... I just don’t know how women actually do this
sort of thing. Day after day. And without
any sort of training at all as well. Just completely beats me. But, slowly
little by little it’s all coming together and with a bit of luck will be able
to fit it all into the large cases to take back with us to St Maarten. Flying
on an airline called Westjet we are allowed to put a case weighing 50 pounds in
the hold, and then another 20 lbs is allowed on board. I just sincerely hope we
manage the weight ok. So just keep watching this space. We fly back on Sunday,
back to the wonderful weather again. Can’t wait.