Viagara Falls...

Our three nights in Niagara, although the odd slip of the tongue meant it was called Viagra, were very pleasant.

We stayed at the very disappointing Hilton Fallsview. No fridges in the room for the wine, no sewing kit to mend my shirt, no shoe shine kit for my poor wet shoes, no comb for Jane, unhelpful front desk etc. Internet connection that failed to connect so none of the promised blogging actually got done. It’s another hotel chain to come off the near-top of the list along with the Marriots and Le Meridiens.


But back to Niagara Falls, Ontario. What a sight to behold! The falls are truly incredible. The power and beauty of the water is hard to comprehend. Niagara river holds 20%of the worlds fresh water… I never knew just how impressive it would be.

We had a view of the falls from our room - even though the Casino cut it in half it was still worth waking up to each morning. The first morning the sun came up in a colourful and stylish way, then the next 2 mornings were a bit grey. It rained quite heavily on our first day then we were lucky to avoid any more.

First afternoon we went out for a walk to get our bearings and get some lunch. We watched the Maid of the Mist make her short journey up stream to the American falls then the Horseshoe falls (Canadian side). It looked worthwhile and we’d been told by all to make sure we did it so next morning we headed out early’ish and put on our lovely blue rain ponchos - provided with our entrance fee - jumped aboard and headed off upstream. The view of the falls from below is even more spectacular. It becomes obvious from below just how much power there is in that water and what a mad bunch those are who have barrelled down the falls in years gone by!

Dear old Annie being the first person to go down the Horsehoe falls in 1901 - dressed in a skirt no less! She was 63 years old, a retired teacher who sought fame and fortune for her old age. Unfortunately neither came her way and she died lonely and penniless in the poor house just 2 years later. But she started a run of adventurers who wanted to do as she had. 15 people went over the falls in various vessels and 10 lived to tell the tale. One mad hatter even did it twice…

Lack of internet...

It's been a challenging few weeks with very sporadic internet access. I don't like it!

I've so much to catch up on. so will start here and also back date some ramblings in the future...

We’re on the train from Niagara Falls Ontario to New York, New York.

We arrived at the station this morning and awaited our train which was due to pull in at 10.30. It didn’t get to us until about 11. So we crossed the Niagara river and pulled into Niagara, New York State. Customs then boarded the train and we had our passports processed and another massive delay for some unknown reason. Although the murmurs were all about immigration - lovely happy people that they were.

We finally set off again about 2 hours late. Better late then never I guess. I cracked open the Baileys Irish cream not long after and here I sit now, gone 8pm and almost finished the last drop…

We are now changing engines at Albany and when we get going again we’ll have about 1.5 hours left to go.

We’ve played amazing amounts of Backgammon, Polish Poker and Yatzee, looked for every opportunity for an internet connection, slept (me), played computer games and looked out the window. Now it is pitch black and remarkably boring. The lights are out while the engine is changed.

Niagara and it’s rushing waters are long gone...

The cottage by the lake

It's been almost a week since I was online and I am suffering the worst withdrawals ever. Also it has been a busy time so there was so much I could have written that will no doubt now end up forgotten. Oh well.

I've been staying at Pam's family's cottage up north of Toronto. We arrived last Wednesday with Grandma and Isaac, and had a night to ourselves before the rest of the troops arrived. Pam is one of four so they all arrived with respective spouses and offspring.

It's Thanksgiving weekend here so last night was the BIG night and we all cooked a part of it and then ate way too much and went to bed early to sleep it off!

The first few days were so sunny and warm but yesterday it turned grey and damp. But not cold at all. I've needed the air con on in the car both days as it's been so humid. But as a result the photos were prolific in the first days and have tapered off to almost nothing today. I'm disappointed as there is so much more I could go and enjoy with my cameras given the chance...

We're off back to Toronto tomorrow early as my friend, Jane arrives mid morning from New York. We've got the week together then I'm back to Pam's for the final few days before coming home to face reality...

Black squirrels

The squirrels in this place are extremely cute!

They have black ones here in Canada - black squirrels seem so much cuter then the greys.

Yesterday morning I was staring off into nothing when something moved and caught my eye. It was a black squirrel running along a telephone wire upside down while another ran along another wire above up the right way.

I squealed with delight and pointed in the direction while Pam looked at me instead of the squirrels and missed the whole thing. Which of course, it turns out, was not a bother to Pam at all.

I went off for a bit of a walk yesterday and managed to get a couple of photos of these sweet creatures, but I'll have to wait until I can connect to my computer.

Too much excitment!

Today has been a thrill a second as I slept until 3.45 this afternoon.

I got up earlier and had some breakfast with Pam then went back to bed to 'read my book'. Cunning plan, I thought. Then woke just after 3.30. Feeling much better as I've been going to bed late and getting up early.

Last night was another evening sitting in the back garden - me on the Baileys this time. Chris's sister came over and we had wonderful animated conversation, mostly regarding the Burma situation - a subject close to Pam and Chris's hearts.

I just went for a walk to find a store to buy something for (lunch?). Found a large supermarket and have now got lunch on the way.

Plans for tonight... Chris's brother coming over and another night in the garden assuming it doesn't rain as I suspect it may.

Landing in a flood of tears

I landed in Toronto yesterday. I arrive here with mixed emotions - excitment at the thought of seeing Pam and Isaac again and sadness for not being soon enough to see Chris.

Isaac is taller and thinner then when I last saw him. He's just as adorable although a little shy with me initially. He still loves tv just as his dad and him used to in London. He also speaks with a true Canadian accent. Very odd when the last time I spoke with him he was East End London through and through!

Pam is just the same. We shared a bottle of wine last night in the back garden and it could almost have been London - even the same grey skies!

And of course the big difference is the lack of Chris. Very strange. It seems like he's just away at the moment, I think I'm expecting him to turn up at some stage, even though I know he won't.

I went for a wander downtown today and happened upon a shoe shop with my size shoes. Most exciting thing was walking out with 3 new pairs of shoes. Apologies to the bank account... But it will be so nice having a choice of shoes to wear when I get dressed in the morning.

Crumbling orchards

The crumble was rather delicious - and possibly more so thanks to the 2 year old's special mixing efforts!

Another walk the other day took me through apple orchards an pretty green treed fields. One field had a sign saying there were new Shetland cattle just introduced. I hoped I'd see them, but no luck.

I'm looking forward to the end of this job as my next adventure is to Canada to see Pam and Isaac. Can't wait to see them.