This trip is dedicated to my mother Gill who has been a keen traveller all her life and coming up to 80 years old she told me that she had come to the end of her bucket list. As a keen traveller myself I didn’t think there was any way that you could reach the end as there is always somewhere else of interest, when you tick something off the list you always seem to add 3 more things to it. So it became my mission to find somewhere that she hadn’t already been (that was the difficult part) that … [Read more...]
The Joy of Travelling Business Class
12 September 2018 This trip (Journey to the Arctic) was to celebrate my mother Gill’s 80th birthday and she very generously shouted us both flying business class. This was my first experience travelling business class and it may have ruined travel as I know it for me. In business class they address you by name. They provide almost any drink you could wish and an amazing culinary service. You have space and privacy, comfortable headset, and large screen tv. But for me the single biggest … [Read more...]
Day 1: Reykjavík to Toronto
3 October 2018 We are moving on again today, starting the next stage in our journey - this time Toronto. It is a strange day as our flight isn’t until 5pm but with transport and check-in timing we will need to leave soon after 1pm (and checkout is at 11.00). We have a leisurely morning and chatted with Colin and Nerissa at breakfast. Then back to our rooms to do some ‘life maintenance” and sort out photos, packing etc. We leave our bags at reception and then head out for a final explore of … [Read more...]
Day 2: Port Perry
4 October 2018 We wake early this morning as we are still on a different time zone. This gives us time for showers and to sort out our bags yet again as we are travelling north today with Marcia to stay with Eke and Brian who we also last saw on our Best of Northern India trip 5 years ago (Eke, Brian and I had also previously travelled together for a month around SouthEast Asia). Marcia cooks us bacon and eggs for breakfast and we sit happily chatting until we remember that we have … [Read more...]
Day 3: Lake Muskoka
5 October 2018 Eke and Brian have planned an amazing outing for us today: a drive further north to the Lake Muskoka area to enjoy the fall colours and other fun activities. We start with a delicious breakfast of fruit muffins, Brian’s homemade granola, yoghurt (including some Icelandic Skyr), fresh strawberries and a strawberry sauce. Then we all pile into the car along with lots of warm clothing as the day has started cold (3C) and we are heading further north. Along the way we stop … [Read more...]
Day 4: Millbrook
6 October 2018 Today we are heading off for adventures unknown around the Port Perry area heading towards Peterboro and Millbrook - lots of ideas but no particular destinations planned. We start the day with breakfast and lots of discussion. Eke has made us delicious ‘Dutch Babies’ - oven baked pancakes stuffed full of berries and served with maple syrup. We head first into Port Perry to catch the last Saturday market before they close up for winter. We have a maple syrup tasting and … [Read more...]
Day 5: Toronto
7 October 2018 We have a leisurely bacon and eggs breakfast with Brian and Eke, interspersed with trying to photograph the squirrels and birds that were visiting their bird feeder. Then Marcia, Gill and I drive back to Toronto via the scenic route arriving back at Marcia’s place in time for lunch. Later in the afternoon we go out to explore the neighbourhood on foot. Marcia lives in lovely quiet neighbourhood that is close to the river and to the main street (very conveniently located). … [Read more...]
Day 6: Toronto
8 October 2018 Today we have booked to go on the Toronto Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off bus to see the sights of Toronto. It is Thanksgiving today so we hope that the city won’t be too busy. We walk up the end of Marcia’s street and catch the subway into the city to where the bus tours start. There is a bus just about to leave and we get a seat up top. Although it is 15C, there is a very cold wind so we are glad of our extra layers and hoods to pull over our heads. Toronto has its own … [Read more...]
Day 7: Niagara Falls
9 October 2018 This is our last full day in Canada and we are going to the Niagara Falls. Marcia spoils us with delicious fruit, yoghurt and some ‘biscuits’ (similar to scones for us) for breakfast. Eke is going to catch the train down to join us and we will pick her up along the way at the Port Credit train station. It is surprisingly hot already and promising to be 30C today - a record high for this time of year. Gill and I don’t have many clothing options available so make do with our … [Read more...]