Graffiti and Lights

*******WARNING PHOTO OVERLOAD*******

Yesterday, midday, we travelled into Toronto on the train for the Festival of Lights.  As it was best viewed when it got dark, we had an afternoon to fill first.   Huffle decided to take us somewhere I have been wanting to go for ages, Graffiti Alley.  A series of alleys, interconnecting, all covered with really cool graffiti.

Huffle drove us to the train station, the train took us to Union Station and then we walked nearly 2km to the Fabric District.  It was a bright cool day, at times very cool but the sun helped to keep the iciness away, at least until much later.

I think we went down about six alleyways, pretty much covered with amazing artwork.    There were a few people milling about, but not too many.  It was very cool.

Top Cat and his impersonators

love how every space is covered, even doors and shutters

Huffle particularly liked this because it was part of a program from his childhood

Muhahahahaha

THOMaaaassssss

Rinky dink panther

these birds were a favourite of Smallest's and kept appearing everywhere

The end of the graffiti brought us out to China Town.  Huffle requested a waving white fat Chinese cat for his birthday so we looked in various shops trying to find the right one.  We found a small pair of waving cats which we bought but the one he specifically wanted could not be found.  At one point Small turned to me and said “I’m getting a bit fed up with all this Chinese stuff” and Huffle promised not to take him to China ever!”.  After traipsing through China Town, watching a show of Chinese dragons, seeing pig heads hanging in windows and checking out hundreds of waving cats, we decided to go and find something to eat.

a sidewalk (can't help it) show of chinese dragons

Cat on a chair?  why not!

We walked another 1.4km to the Theatre District and had a lovely meal at a place we’ve been to a few times called Hey Lucy.  Chicken and spicy sausage pasta, Margherita Pizza and Calzones with Sweet Potato Fries plus a large local beer.  Very nice.

1.8km walk away to our favourite Pizza/Gelato place which unfortunately had closed down since our 

last visit, which was probably a year ago.  What a shame.  We planned to have a cheeky gelato and a long sit down as Smallest’s feet were really hurting and my left calf was achy and spasm’ing.  Instead we walked another 1.2 km to the Distilliary District where the light festival was.  It wasn’t quite dark so we went into Cacao70 for a warm, a long wait for a table and eventually a coffee, two parfaits and a cake and four spoons.  

Hruffles Chocolate Cake - honestly there was a cake in there somewhere

Raspberry Parfait

Triple Chocolate Parfait (of course)

By the time we finished, it was dark and we were ready to go and see the many lights of the Festival. By now it was very cold, Smallest’s feet were hurting and he had tummy ache from too much ice cream etc.  However, the lights were really good and there were plenty to see.

TFL entrance before it got properly dark

fire breathing dragon

bit weird

a piano in a glass box made these lights change

I would like one of these in our house

the lights moved to music.  cool

trying to not look cold

I would also like these in our hall

the fire didn't seem to have any heat

picture through a window.  don't know what it was but I really liked it

clever

this could fit in the kitchen

random people but the queue to have a photo in it was just too long

We probably spent about an hour there and then walked another 2km to the Train Station where we got to sit down and rest for ages before our train arrived.  All in all we did 17,000 steps today and walked 11km’s.  No wonder everyone hurts!

We all have a day off today and we are spending it in our PJ’s.  HAPPY FAMILY DAY