We arrived into Toronto (pron. Tronno by most) soon after 10 am today then collected bags, collected tickets for our remaining train journeys and dragged our bags the “short” walk to our hotel – about 7 blocks. My cold is worse and I needed a few rests along the way. I'm feeling a bit useless at the moment.
Our rooms were not ready but the hotel stored them while we walked down towards the harbour. We passed hosts of people heading towards the Rogers Stadium - http://www.rogerscentre.com/ . It appears that the baseball finals are this weekend.
Down near Union Station - http://www.trha.ca/unionstation.html - we found a free outdoor train museum which was lots of fun - http://www.trha.ca/index.html . Jeanette even went for a ride on the model train.
We then walked towards home via one of the underground paths stopping to have a rest (and fresh carrot juice for me). We discovered a museum of media - http://cbc.radio-canada.ca/facilities/toronto/museum.shtml - under the CBC building, the equivalent of our ABC building.
We returned to check into our rooms and catch up with emails and photos. We had dinner at Pizza Rustica - http://pizzarustica.ca/ - which was quite close to our hotel then came home and collapsed into bed.
Sunday 18 September – Niagara Falls
We had an awful night with loud partying noises till almost 3am. As requested we met in the lobby at 9:30 after our Starbucks takeaway breakfast of yoghurt and muesli.
The bus came early to our tour to Niagara so we were on our way to collect others. Unfortunately we were delayed by almost an hour by some paperwork mismanagement on the company's part. Eventually we headed out and had a brief orientation around Niagara town (all hotels and casinos) then went to or buffet lunch. The lunch was delicious and, thank goodness, was included in the ticket (unclear in the itinerary description).
Our most exciting time followed with a 'Maid of the Mist' boat tour around the falls - http://www.maidofthemist.com/en/ . So much water! Apparently there is a webcam of the falls - http://www.niagaraparks.com/webcam/index.html
We were then able to walk along the cliff top to Table Rock and saw a beautiful rainbow forming as the sun dropped lower in the sky. This was at about 4:30 pm. We were to meet the bus here but one of the party was missing so we drove along the walkway to find him waiting at the wrong end. His wife and daughter were very concerned and upset.
The next lookout was at the Whirlpool Rapids - http://www.niagarafrontier.com/whirlpoolrapids.html - while others opted to take a helicopter ride over it. So much water!
A quick look at the Floral Clock - http://www.niagaraparks.com/garden-trail/floral-clock.html - then on to Pillitteri Wines – www.pillitteri.com – for a very quick wine tasting. Only one red and one white. The white was OK but the red was awful. They specialise in Ice Wine, a dessert wine made from grapes picked in winter when they are shrivelled and frozen. Very expensive and it costs to taste it. I don't like sweet wines anyway.
On the way back we drove slowly through Niagara-on-the-Lake which looks as though it would be lovely to browse through for a whole day. It reminded me of Berry on steroids.
Back to our hotel where the four of us went to buy a Subway roll for dinner. Elaine even had to order my subway because I had no voice to do so. We ate them in Jeanette and Graham's room because they had more chairs. But after dinner Jeanette and Graham came up to our room to admire out beautiful view of the CN Tower - http://www.cntower.ca - all lit up and to look at our patchwork. It turns out Jeanette does patchwork and spinning as well.
We thought we'd sleep better tonight because there were no party noises but it started late in the night and continued again for some hours.
Monday 19 September – Toronto-Ottawa
We had a lovely slow start to the day today. Plenty of time to pack and be ready to meet Jeanette and Graham at 10 am in the lobby. We shared a taxi to the station for all our luggage and the two 'sticks' (Graham and I), Jeanette and Elaine walked the 7 blocks unencumbered.
After a coffee together we said our farewells to Jeanette and Graham and they boarded their train for Montreal. We then bought wraps for lunch and boarded our train for Ottawa.
The journey started by Lake Ontario then through mostly farmland and small towns with a few stops along the way. There was a little colour in some of the leaves on the way.
Lynn met us at the station and we recognised one another easily. A quick drive home to Chelsea via a small supermarket brought us to Lynn's fabulous house in the woods. Her dog Nutmeg welcomed us and eventually allowed us in.
We enjoyed a slow dinner of tourtiere (Quebec meat pie) made with bison. There was also corn, squash and potatoes.
My voice has completely gone (for the last few days) so chatting is not a good option.
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