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We are safely back from Canada. And we had a wonderful time there. Almost 4 weeks of having time to do what we wanted. We didn't travel about as much this time. The weather was beautiful, so we spent a fair bit of time just sitting the Lake reading in the sunshine. There are many plus things about Canada. There are some minus things. As far as tourism goes, much of interest in that area does not open till May 1st. \and, for example, the wash rooms by Lakeshore do not open till May. There were many folk of all ages who found this very awkward. There were complaints that the good weather caught Toronto out, and there were appeals for the golf courses to open earlier. And there were raised temperatures on Toronto Island where the huge numbers of visitors found only 1 ferry in service. I'll write much more later about different aspects and my views on various topics. But it was so good of Cousin Rose to lend us her condo while she was in Glasgow. Luckily the volcano ash did not affect her when she came back to Toronto just before we left for home. And we too were unaffected.

There was much wild life around the condo.....squirrels, birds,even coyotes.
Check out the woodpecker.

Monday 19th April 2010

Yesterday we took a long drive west towards the 6 Nations Indian reservation.

It turned out to be a disappointing day. When we reached the area, the tourist center was closed. We did drive through the Reservation, but it was a very depressing experience.

many of the houses were in terrible condition, and there were yards full of wreckage of buildings and cars and buses. It was like driving through a shanty town, looking at people's miserable living conditions. Some buildings were beautiful. But we did not feel inclined to stop and take photos.
The Indians sell cheap tobacco. Tax free. Every other building sports adverts for tobacco.
We did stop at a souvenir shop to ask directions. The medicine man was very helpful. We had a short chat.
I bought some gas at a service station. Indians are exempt from tax on gas. I had to pay the tax, but even then, it was cheaper than in Toronto.

I am watching the flight news as our homeword journey draws nearer.

DAY 10

Today was much sunnier and warmer, though still a bit brisk.
We headed out to a mall. After a little shopping for some books to read. Then we spent an hour in an internet café sorting out the accumulating e mails.
Then we drove for a bit, ended up at lakeshore near home. We had an all day breakfast, then sat at the Lakeside.
I took some photos, then we had ice cream…a banana boat. Delicious!
Home, then evening Mass.
I bought 2 Canadian white wines to try over this week.
Tomorrow promises more sun and heat. I think I have found an open Pioneer Village for tomorrow.

DAY 9

Today was a really cold day. After Mass, we headed for the Dixie Mall. I had put the address into my Sat Nav, but we never found it. Instead we ended up in Port Crediton, a little town on the Lake Shore.
Wife did some shopping at Dollarama, then we went for Fish and Chips by the harbour. Never had fish and chips at 11am, but hey…….we are on holiday.
Then we went for a drive and ended up in Hamilton. On the way there, the snow started. Thankfully it didn’t come to much, but flurries continued thereafter.
At Hamilton I visited the Canadian parks exhibition and saw a short film about the History of Canada.
Then we headed home.

Day 8

Day 8
We awoke to the sound of thunder this morning.
It did not last long though.
But on the way to the bus stop, there was a vivid flash of lightning and a noisy peal of thunder.
We made our way via bus, subway and bus, to Pearson Airport to collect our hire car. This time we have a silver Chrysler 2009 PT Cruiser. Nice. Automatic, A/C.
It’s interesting to see how car manufacturers have different shapes here compared to Europe. Volvo seems to keep the same shape, but others are different. Day time headlights are automatic here soon as you switch on the engine.
We got safely home along the Highway.
Later we went o Swiss Chalet for ribs and chicken. Really tasty.
I’m into the crosswords here. Different from UK. An answer might be 3 or four words, but they don’t tell you.
And the clues???
Eg…nickname for a Londoner……………Brit.
Someone from Dundee…………………..Scot.
Unbelievable……………………………………I’m a monkey’s uncle
Keeps the brain working.

Day 7........oops

Day 7

It’s my birthday today. My first ever abroad!
Today we went back into Toronto. Weather wise a big change. It had been raining and it was much cooler.
We took the bus to the Humber Loop, then took the street car ( see?...I’m picking up the lingo..) to Bay.
We went into City Hall so I could buy a parking permit. This is a big negative. We are staying miles from Toronto centre. And yet we have to pay to park in the street outside the apartment between midnight and 7am. I ask you????
We then used the internet in the Library there. You only get 15minutes, and no seat.
After that we walked towards Spidinaand China Town.
On the way we passed the Ontario Gallery of Art. We went in and paid to see the Tutankhamen exhibition.
We started with a 3D film on Egypt. Stunning! £D is better than real life! There was a noisy school party in the line-up( lingo), but during the movie they were quiet .
After the film we had a quick snack before moving on to the Exhibition itself.
A bit busy, queuing to see each exhibit. We paid extra for the audio commentary.
It was interesting, but not fascinating, and over all a bit pricey.
We decided not to see the rest of the gallery and went on to China Town.
Then home, a sub at Subway, bought some ice cream, and then headed home.

Day 9

DAY 9

Today was a really cold day. After Mass, we headed for the Dixie Mall. I had put the address into my Sat Nav, but we never found it. Instead we ended up in Port Crediton, a little town on the Lake Shore.
Wife did some shopping at Dollarama, then we went for Fish and Chips by the harbour. Never had fish and chips at 11am, but hey…….we are on holiday.
Then we went for a drive and ended up in Hamilton. On the way there, the snow started. Thankfully it didn’t come to much, but flurries continued thereafter.
At Hamilton I visited the Canadian parks exhibition and saw a short film about the History of Canada.
Then we headed home.

Easter Monday

EASTER MONDAY

We overslept this morning and did not make Mass.
It was a sunny and really hot day today. We took the bus and sub way into Toronto.
I bought some tokens for the TTC system, we had a walk around. The Library was closed, but across the road from it was an internet café. We are both up to date e mail wise now.
We waited a little while to see if any of the tour buses were running. Then we decided to walk down towards Lake Shore and catch the street car to Humber Loop.
From there we caught the bus back to Rose’s.
A successful beautiful day.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday Day 5
Today, our 5th in Canada has been another gloriously sunny warm day.
I took a walk along to the shops to buy the Toronto Star.
On the front page there was an article debating how many sermons at Catholic Churches today would address the issue of the abuse of children.
I’m not sure that that should even be an issue for Easter Sunday.
I’m sure many priests have spoken from the pulpit in recent weeks about this issue. No one is denying that what happened was awful and that the way some Hierarchy dealt with the problem was wrong.
But the press continue to attack the Church over this issue and some seem determined to drag the Holy Father into the matter. They will not be happy till they force him out, and prevent his visit to Britain. That visit is going to be a difficult time for Him and for all Catholics.
And hear this. One of the writers’ states that he is a Catholic, though not a good one. He doesn’t regularly attend Mass, does not accept catholic teaching on issues like marriage, abortion, priesthood and so on. He does defend the Church in the course of his article. But his article contains the usual misrepresentation of facts about Church and history. He gets his personal gripes in. He would do well to examine the facts about the Inquisition for a start.
I’ve even seen the issue being used as a reason to end celibacy. Let’s be clear here. This has nothing to do with celibacy. The scandal involved mostly the abuse of males by homosexual priests. A problem not confined to the Catholic Church.But the Church has to be more thorough in preventing such men entering seminaries.
Anyway…..I also went for a little walk through Humber Park and took some photos.
Then we had a nice Easter dinner, and then spent the afternoon reading.
Tomorrow, we head for Toronto Centre.But the press continue to attack the Church over this issue and some seem determined to drag the Holy Father into the matter. They will not be happy till they force him out, and prevent his visit to Britain. That visit is going to be a difficult time for Him and for all Catholics.

Holy saturday

Today is Holy Saturday.
Again, it is a really warm sunny day. We walked over the mall at the Queensway again for some shopping.
I wanted to buy a bottle of Canadian wine, so I was allowed to try some before buying. I tried a dry Riesling and a Chardonnay. I bought a Pellam Estate Riesling 2008. It’s chilling for tomorrow.
Tonight we’ll go to the Easter Vigil at St James’.
It’s very strange being in a country where much more attention is paid to religion. Many of the shops were closed yesterday, and many will be closed tomorrow. Including the supermarkets!
On TV last night, after an initial story about a window cleaner who fell from a Toronto building, the next 10 mns were all about Good Friday services and upcoming Easter Sunday celebrations.

People passing on the street wish you “Happy Easter!”
So different and so refreshing too.

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday, the first one I have experienced in Canada.
It was beautiful warm afternoon as we walked to St James’ Church, where last night we attended Holy Thursday Mass. That is the memorial of the institution of the Holy Eucharist, and the institution of the Priesthood.
Today is a solemn day when ponder on the suffering and death of Jesus.
It was a dignified service. We heard a reading of The Passion, we prayed and sang. There was the kissing of the Cross, and finally Holy Communion.
Good Friday is the only day in the Church’s year when there is no Mass, and the Hosts used were consecrated at last night’s Mass, and reserved in the Altar of repose.
On entering a church today, you would notice no holy water and the Tabernacle lying open and empty.
As we walked home in the afternoon sun, it struck me that 5 hours earlier, the same service had taken place at our home parish in Scotland. And that given the time differences around the world, this service was celebrated at almost every hour of the day somewhere in the world.
And in the same way, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, that most perfect offering acceptable to God is being celebrated somewhere in the world at every hour of the day.
Before the Mass was said in the vernacular, it was said in Latin throughout the whole world. Wherever you attended Mass, the words were exactly the same. It emphasised the universality of the Catholic Church.

Today is Thursday April the first. It is also Holy Thursday. This evening we’ll be going to Mass at7pm at St. James’ church.
The journey from Glasgow to London was fine. It was very windy so take off was a bit bumpy. Sadly, there were no snacks or drinks in economy unless you bought them.
We arrived at Terminal 1, and by the time we transferred to terminal 3, it was time to board the Air Canada flight. No time for food. I was rather hungry….
We left London on time. The flight was very smooth. The view as we flew over Greenland was spectacular.
The in-flight catering was fine. It was tasty and filling. I watched a really good classic film. Macbeth with Orson Wells. One worth seeing.
Landing was a bit bumpy…felt like one wheel, then the other. Toronto was warm at 9pm. We took a limo to Rose’s apartment. It had been a long day.
Yesterday we stayed home. I walked to the church to check times. Rose left for Scotland at 7pm.
Today is even warmer. We’re going out for a walk shortly.
Tomorrow, Good Friday will be even warmer…up to 28C! Back home it’s snowing and freezing!!

Toronto 12th April

I am going to try and upload some of my blogging which i have saved since we arrived. Don't know if it will work.
We'll see.
Yesterday we drove towards the Niagara region, and visited a pretty little village called Jordan.
I f anything appears, then success! If not, will have to wait till we are home at end of April.

Canada

It's Saturday 10th April. We are into second week of Canada. can't post pics because I am in an internet cafe. No internet at Rose's flat.
We started with beautiful weather, then yesterday it snowed. We had traveled to Hamilton.
Today it is sunny and warmer. Tomorrow should be even warmer. We are heading to the 6 Nations Indian reservation tomorrow.

I will update the blog with pics whenever I can.

We are in Toronto. The sun is shining, and it is very warm. The temperature is expected to reach 26C over next few days.
The trip here was fine. Both flights comfortable. Time was a bit neat between transfers, so we were pretty hungry by the time the Canada flight left London. No food in economy on the Glasgow - London BMI flight.

But we had anice meal on the Air Canada flight, and the views over Greenland were stunning. Also watched a great movie. Macbeth, with Orson Welles.

We are just back from a walk to the mall at the Queensway.

The geese in the park are honking loudly as I sit here on the balcony overlooking Humber park. Mass tonight for Holy Thursday at 7pm.

Not missing the snow and cold at home one little bit.

Photos from Rose's balcony at Humber Park