ONTARIO VACATION 2012

 HOME TO ONTARIO FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

I landed in Toronto, took the Airport Shuttle downtown and checked in to the Royal York, where my best, long time pal, Jan was waiting!

After check-in, we headed up to the 9th floor to look at our promised "OPULENT" room we were told we had when we booked back in April!

We expected something great, after all, we were staying in the Grand Royal York!!! However, it was just another room, with a bar, and the asking price for a bottle of water was $6.50! We looked no further for the alcohol prices. If it was that price for water, we knew we couldn't afford it!

Our window overlooked the construction being done on Union Station and what a racket and all night long the construction continued!

Jan, has been dieting all year and encouraging me to do the same and some of her words helped, but soon as I seen her, I was bug eyed at how fantastic she looked and so proud of her!

Way to go Kiddo!!! I promise to do better for next year Jan!

We didn't have much time to visit, but we talk on the phone nearly every day, so we just enjoyed being together and laughing at every little thing that happened and me trying to freak her out with the true story of a ghost that haunts the hotel!
We had fantastic seats booked for WARHORSE at the Princess of Wales Theater, so off we went!

This was the most fantastic on stage play, I have ever seen! Spellbinding! How could a puppet bring tears to the eyes? It was truly magical! WarHorse is so well done, that you forget there are men working the horse into different positions and completely imitating a real horse to a T! I loved everything about the play and kudos to those who made it possible to  turn a story into such enjoyable art and  to have a wonderful night of perfect entertainment. Go see it, you won't be disappointed!!

Also a huge thanks to Jan's sister, Marylou, who arranged our tickets and the best seats ever! The show was all on her! Many thanks!


When the show was over, and we came out of the theatre, a whole line of rick shows waited to take on passengers, so Janet and I had to try that!

We felt like we we're in Amazing Race, as our drivers, raced to overtake each other and get out in front. We cheered them on as they ran sweating to our destination of choice...a pub! 
However, the night was young, but we felt too tired to enjoy ourselves and just wanted to get some sleep.
This getting older is not nice, but it hours and hours since we last had slept, with all the travelling we did to get to Toronto.
So, that was really the end of day # 1 of vacation.


Tomorrow...day # 2 

IT IS FINALLY SUMMER TIME

At least, according to the calendar, June 21's was the beginning of summer. Here in Vancouver, it feels like the beginning of spring!  Our weather this year just hasn't been anything to brag about! Yesterday and today, the sun came out and there sure are many people in shorts with very white legs! Me included!

Here, sadly are the last picture's of the swans with their babies, and then I'll tell you the sad news.

I went down to take them some cracked corn and seed yesterday and NO babies in sight! I asked a city worker where the babies had gone, and he said, they had taken them away from the parents last night. They had their wings clipped, making them fodder for predators like racoons, and skunks, plus, as they grow, the lagoon isn't large enough for that many swans, plus they breed like crazy!

He admitted it seemed cruel, but better for the babies, and sadly it's sad to see the parents  doing nothing but constantly circling the Lagoon searching for their children.

(I've searched here 5 times now and I can't find them!)

(Maybe they are hiding in the brambles? Hellooooo!)

( Has anyone seen our babies?)

I had tears in my eyes watching them search! SO SAD!


A big heron was in the water at the Lagoon as well. I love this place, and could sit here all day long, just watching what happens next. I wish I had a new digital camera with a HUGE zoom!

More pictures along my walk! 

Father's Day!
Three generations here! Father Tom, Son, Martin and Bryron, Great Grandson and Grandson!
Bryron gave his Grandfather and Great-Grandfather, a gift of a plane, so they could all fly them together!

Tom's daughter Meredith and husband Dave (almost hidden behind the plant.) They made a delicious lunch for everyone.

 

Ed with his niece Taya. Ed is Toms's grandson, and Taya is his Great-Grandaughter.

Taya, who is the sweetest little girl, who is ALWAY'S smiling!!

 Tom with his children, Martin and Meredith.

I LOVE this picture of my husband!

Three Father's. Dave is Meredith's husband and his children(two daughters, hadn't arrived yet.) 

Another morning walk!
If I don't see the swans, I watch the dog in the park, romping and playing like children. It's a little early this morning for the dog walkers, but a few dogs had a playtime.

I keep trying to get a picture of these herons in flight, but haven't been successful yet!

Another mom and her babies! 


Whew!! Made it here, and heading for a coffee now before heading home!

It's a lovely walk and I do enjoy it very much and so glad it's become a habit and has helped me to be healthier.
The seawall twists and turns, and there is always so much to see and many familiar faces along the way who always greet with a cheerful "Good Morning!"

Today's picture's

For Auntie Irene
Gertrude and Heathcliff
(Heathcliff, why do we Seagulls fly over the Sea?)
(Gertrude.. because if we fly over the bay, we'd be called Bagels!)


Sorry Auntie, best I could come up with!!
Love you!

My next blog will be about my vacation to Toronto, to spend two days with a very special best friend of mine of about 40 or so years. We haven't seen each other in over 20 years although we talk on the phone many times in a week. I'm so excited to talk and laugh (which we do constantly) with each other.

Then, I'm heading to Belleville, Ontario to visit with my family and I'm SUPER excited to see them all and have fun with all the activities they have planned!!

I'll have many stories and pictures to share with you!!!