Smallest's Birthday Treat

We were all up early this morning. For Smallest's birthday (end of March), we decided to take him to Centreville on one of Torontos Islands. It wasn't open in March and he wanted to take Moo with him. Breakfast was made and wrapped for the car. Sun cream was applied in abundance. We drove to Downtown Toronto. There wasn't a lot on the roads so we got there in just 40 mins. We parked in a car park next to Huffle's downtown office, crossed the road and bought a ticket to go on the ferry.

CN Tower reflected in another building

There weren't many people on the ferry either so we had a nice easy crossing to Centre Island. The ferry was very smooth and the views were lovely. There was a cooling breeze too.

Moo and Small relaxing on the ferry

The boat, the blue sky,the flag!

Smallest - he was excited, really!

The view coming away from Downtown

Moo, Small, Huffle and Smallest watching the islands get nearer

"I wonder what is there?"

All of us! - Not sure what is happening with my hair on this one

Early spandau ballet? (edit by Huffle)

WELCOME TO CENTRE ISLAND

The Island wasn't quite what I was expecting. There were gardens, beautifully planted, fountains, and a beach. There was an Indian Festival there today so many colourful tents were lining the pathways boasting free feast later in the day.

Massive clematis

Box Bordered planting

Just lovely

Chillin'

We poddled along the paths looking for a cafe but none were open so we walked to the beach. There were loads of changing rooms there so obviously swimming in the lake is permitted here. Lots of cyclists.

We sat next to a fountain. It was getting very hot. I think we could have paddled happily but you weren't allowed. The Centreville Amusement Park wasn't open until 10:30 so we had time to just sit and watch people. Smallest was getting fidgety as he couldn't understand why we couldn't just go in the park! We decided to walk slowly towards it and then saw a long line. The ticket office wasn't open yet and crowds were waiting. Whilst we waited we decided what kind of ticket we would get, there were family tickets, individual tickets, but by the time we worked out which rides we would go on and how many tickets it would cost, it worked out cheaper to buy a family + one ticket.

Huffle, Smallest, Small and The English Lady by the fountains

It was an old fashioned Theme Park, with small rides suitable for younger children. The boys loved it. First we all went on the Antique Ferris Wheel. Smallest and Huffle went together, Small went on his own and Moo and I went together. Another one of those rides that I forgot I don't like. It kept stopping at the top and Moo was making it swing (which was very naughty as you were not allowed!). However, the view of Downtown was amazing.

Small

 

Moo and I at the top

View from the top - Moo leaned over to take a photo of this and nearly tipped us out!

Huffle and Smallest got off first and went on the Bear ride. Small followed and got on there too. Moo and I decided not to go on this one as it spun around quite a lot.

He was able to spin this as fast as he wanted.

We all went on the carousel. Huffle and smallest rode on pigs. I had a very high horse. Moo and Small rode on a horse and a panther. I couldn't see them as they were round the other side.

smallest and Huffle 'patting their pigs!'

Moo and I stopped for a coffee and while we were drinking it the Boys went off to the Haunted Barrell ride. The Small boys were scared. Off we went to the Log Flume. Not much of a queue. Huffle and Smallest again in one log (Smallest was a Daddy's boy today). Moo, Small and I in another. There was a steep drop, but no one got wet.

Small and Moo - not scared!

smallest and Huffle - EXTREME!

Moo and Small - Moo isn't scared!

Next ride was called Eerie Scrambler. Again no queue, we had no idea what it was but we all went in. Oh Dear. It was very fast. In the dark. With flashing lights and disco balls. With very loud music. It was horrible. I was squashed. Moo felt ill. I felt sick. Small was dizzy. Smallest liked it the best.

Moo and I had to have a sit down in the shade while the boys went on a roller coaster.

The boys on the Roller Coaster

Smallest went on a car ride by himself. He wouldn't smile. He thought it was rubbish.

Tootling along, not bothered.

Huffle liked this weather vane. I need to find one for him. He has always liked ducks flying and landing

Next was the Vintage Cars. Huffle and Smallest went in one car. Huffle pressed the foot pedal and Smallest steered. Moo, small and I behind, small drove but gave up on the pedal half way round, too tough, so I took over.

Off we went to the lake and small and Huffle went on the bumper boats (Smallest was too Small!) and Moo and Smallest went on the Swans. They had to steer it themselves.

"I'll get you, you little rat!"

Moo and Smallest tootling on a swan

A nice ride on the train next, showing us what was on the whole park.

US!

Smallest went on the fire Trucks next by himself. Wouldn't steer, wouldn't ring the bell. Silly sausage!

Small and Smallest and Huffle and I went on the tug boat. Up and down, side to to side. Quite fast but not too extreme!

The boys went on the Frog Jumper. This one made them smile plenty.

Just a close up of one before because they are smiling nicely.

Moo, Huffle and Smallest went back on the Haunted Barrel ride. No queue. There were big queues forming at most of the rides now. They weren't scared.

Next ride was Bumble Bee ride. Smallest went on by himself. Small was too tall to ride this one. The ride had to be stopped because two children were messing. We liked the attendant (Canadian Bod) on this ride because he told everyone in line that they were a mess and had to queue properly. And he told the kids off that we're messing!

Smallest got a little worried because he thought he wasn't big enough. bless. oh and there is Canadian Bod in the background.

We kept shouting at him to make the bee go high and then back down but he shouted back "I can't make it move by itself!"

The last ride of the day was the tea cups. The boys went on by themselves.

'give your Ma in law a hug!'

We decided to call it a day. So very hot and so very humid. So many people too. We passed the Indian Festival. Lots more people. The queue for the free feast was immense!

Free feast at the Indian festival

We queued for the ferry back and there were lots more people going back than there were this morning. On the front of the ferry was a piano. I had heard about this on the radio. They were placing pianos in odd spots around the city in an attempt to get people playing. The kids loved it. Smallest especially.

The man in orange was trying to play properly but Smallest interrupted him with his tinkling of the ivories!

The boat coming in the other way was even more packed.

We got off the boat and headed towards a good ice cream shop we knew. We all sat inside to avoid the heat. the boys found a toy shop.

We walked back to the car and came home. Lots and lots of traffic. We had tea, watched a bit of TV and the boys went to bed.

A lovely day.

 

 

 

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