Tag: Holidays

The view from the top of the world

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Standing right at the bottom of the CN Tower looking up no one could fail to be impressed. At 1,815.4 feet (533.3 metres) high, it is, after all, one of the tallest buildings in the world. In fact, for thirty four years, until the Burj Khalifa and the Canton Towers were built, it was the tallest and it remains the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere. Not bad for something that was opened in 1976. We weren’t just going to stand there looking up though, we were going to the top to have lunch in the revolving restaurant. Whatever the food was like the views were going to be spectacular. Continue reading The view from the top of the world

lost cars, trains and towers

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19 October 2015

After the race we had a lazy afternoon for the most part. Apparently, running twenty six point two miles takes it out of you a bit. Commando had a chat with David in reception about having lunch at the CN tower and we did venture out during the evening in search of food. Once again, standing on the street looking slightly bewildered attracted some local assistance. A kind man stopped to ask if we were lost. When we said we were looking for somewhere to eat he directed us towards Queen Street.
“There are lots of places to eat around there,” he said.
Commando settled on fish and chips, wondering how they would compare to the ones at home. As it turned out, they were different but very nice. Back at the hotel we treated ourselves to a drink at the bar and whiled away an hour chatting to an American woman who’d also run the marathon. Continue reading lost cars, trains and towers

A very chilly start

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18 October 2015

The hotel restaurant had barely opened when we went down for breakfast but, with the marathon starting at eight forty five, far earlier than most, we had to eat early. The only other diners were also runners. Back in the hotel room Commando put on his shorts and Itchen Spitfires running shirt and checked his bum bag one last time. Outside the window a row of blue and yellow portaloos had appeared overnight and I could see the start line a little way up University Avenue. We stood in front of the window, using the view as a backdrop for a pre race photo of each of us and then tried to watch some TV to take our minds off the day ahead. Most of it was about the Blue Jays second loss in the series. I hoped this wasn’t an omen for the race. Continue reading A very chilly start

in which we discover the colour isn’t all on the trees

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17 October 2015

Rather than go out in the freezing cold zero degree air, we decided to start the day wth breakfast in our hotel. It was also a bit of a reconnaissance mission as, with the marathon starting at 8:45, we would probably be having breakfast in house on Sunday morning too, as long as all Commando’s running nutrition requirements could be met. As it happened the coffee and juice were excellent, there was porridge, granola, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, croissants, interesting breads and, of course, the usual eggs, bacon, sausage and hot things. Breakfast in hotels is always a good people watching experience too and we were certainly not left wanting. Continue reading in which we discover the colour isn’t all on the trees

Canadian views

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16 October 2015

Our last evening in Gravenhurst was another wonderful family affair, sharing pizzas, memories and stories with Maggie, Alan, Jen and Marina. Although Katie wasn’t well enough to join us we did get to spend some quality time with her in her little room of happy things. She was in better spirits than she had been the day before, still frail but less tired, and she joked with Commando about doing a trathalon, as she had herself some time ago.
“It’s the swimming that puts me off,” Commando laughed. “I’ve never been a strong swimmer. Maybe one triathlete in the family is enough.” Continue reading Canadian views

A family outing, Port Carling, Huckleberry Rock and Bracebridge

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14 October 2015

When we got back to the chalet we found a note from Alan saying he and Maggie would be round to pick us up in about an hour so we made ourselves a coffee and waited. We had both fallen asleep by the time they arrived. Maybe it was the jet lag catching up with us or all the fresh air.
“We thought we’d take you out to see some trails,” Maggie said.
“Not far, just about an hour’s drive there and back,” Alan added.
This was when I realised that not far has a completely different meaning in Canada. In England, not far means a mile down the road, in Canada, if it’s less than an hour’s drive it’s nearby. Suddenly I began to wonder just how long these trails were. Continue reading A family outing, Port Carling, Huckleberry Rock and Bracebridge

Foraging in Gravenhurst

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14 October 2015

We reached our motel in Gravenhurst in darkness so it wasn’t until the next morning that we had any idea about the view. At about six thirty I opened my eyes and saw what looked like trees outside the large window. Trying hard not to wake Commando I grabbed my padded jacket, pulled on yesterday’s leggings and jumper and crept out the back door to investigate. What I found was a high balcony looking out onto glimmering water and the tops of trees. The sun was just beginning to come up so I pulled on my hat against the cold and sat watching the light reveal more. Slowly colours began to appear. There was grass far below and blue sky. Then, as it got lighter still, houses on the far shore and trees in colours so bright it brought tears to my eyes. When I got too cold to carry on sitting there Commando was awake, staring out of the window with a look of wonder in his eyes.
“This has to be the best view we have ever had from a hotel room,” he said. Continue reading Foraging in Gravenhurst

Two towers, a sphere, a memorial and a cruise

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12 Octber 2015

With a little getting lost we wound our way through Lower Manhattan past shops bursting with Halloween pumpkins the like of which we never see at home. We were heading for the next item on our must see itinerary, a place that had played a part in both our lives although neither of us had ever been there. Back in 2001, the World Trade Centre was nothing more than two tall office towers in Manhattan. On September 11, that changed and the world and our lives changed with it. Continue reading Two towers, a sphere, a memorial and a cruise

The High Line and the avenue that coffee forgot

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11 October 2015

So far we’d seen the transfer bridge and one of the shunters used by the West Side Line, now we were actually going to walk on an abandoned part of it. We’d reached the High Line, a one and a half mile elevated section of the line which was closed in 1980. As disused railway lines go, this one is pretty special. It was inspired by Promenade plantée, a similar project in Paris, as an aerial greenway, or a park in the sky and the views over Manhattan and the Hudson are breathtaking. Construction of the walkway began in 2006, we were walking from the newest section to the oldest. Continue reading The High Line and the avenue that coffee forgot

Breakfast in America and a walk by the Hudson

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11 October 2015

After a shower and freshen up we left the hotel again in search of breakfast. Actually, by this time it was 10:45 so make that brunch. On our evening wanderings the night before when we’d been searching for coffee we’d seen an interesting place called Spring Natural Kitchen on Columbus Avenue, not too far from our hotel. It looked like a nice healthy place to have brunch so we thought we’d give it a try. First we had to do battle with the New York traffic, which was proving to be more than a little confusing. Continue reading Breakfast in America and a walk by the Hudson