After taking a train and a Skytrain to Newark Airport on the 29th September, we had a short flight from New York to Toronto. A shuttle bus to Union station, then a subway train to Rosedale station and an Uber to 122 Roxborough Drive brought us to the house of Martin and Jane. We hadn’t seen Martin, Annie’s youngest brother for at least ten years, nor his two sons, John and Julian, or met his partner Jane.

Martin and Annie. The Maple trees are changing colour for Fall.

Our first day was spent catching up with news at home, relaxing and doing our laundry. Martin took us for a drive to show us their neighbourhood and for us to buy some wine. It was good to meet John and Julian and find out about their careers.

John, Annie, Martin and Julian Schady.

The following day we had an early start to catch a bus for a day trip to Niagara Falls with a stop at the quaint town of Niagara on the Lake, for tea. Our bus driver was most knowledgeable and entertaining and took us to see all the main sights at the falls. The whirlpool with its overhead cable car, then the Horseshoe falls between Canada and the US and finally the US falls. Lunch was at a local restaurant.

Typical house at Niagara on the Lake.

Cable car over the Whirlpool.

Darby and Joan at the Whirlpool.

Top of the Horseshoe Falls.

How the Horseshoe Falls have eroded over time.

US Falls – Horseshoe Falls on the right.

Bridge between US and Canada.

The next day was spent walking in the local ravines as far as my boot would allow – about 4 km. On the Saturday, I pushed a bit harder and did about 7 km to the markets at the old brickworks and back. On our last day, we took a ferry out to Wards Bay on Toronto Island, a short distance from the city, to walk on the island and have lunch at a pub.

Map of Toronto Island.

View back to the City.

A typical island bungalow – shoo wow man, groovy – reminds me of Bakoven.

One of a number of yacht marinas on the island.

After seven days in Toronto, we took a flight to New Orleans in the US where we booked into a quaint Air B&B cottage for a six day stay. The music and Cajun food of the Mississippi Delta, are what we have been looking forward to. We will report back after New Orleans.

Cheers, Annie and Dirk.