14 Large Hippos......

Forgot to say yesterday that Aunty A won Disney Monopoly. (she JUST read yesterday's post and wondered why her win had NOT been recorded).

Monument of multiculturalism with the Fairmont Hotel in the background

Everyone got up early this morning, got dressed and went to our local town for breakfast. Chocolate Pancakes, Toast, French Toast and sunny Side up eggs and bacon. We then got on the bus and travelled to Downtown Toronto.

that lovely gold building

All of us before we went into the CN Tower

Huffle decided his Vertigo Legs wouldn't carry him up the top of the CN Tower, so Aunty A, Small and I decided to go. Yesterday Smallest decided he wanted to stay with Daddy but today he changed his mind and came with us.

Rogers stadium

First of all we walked through the bottom of the tower and met a 'Mountie Moose'. Then we had our photo taken against a green sheet! All that wonderful scenery at the top of the tower and they have to take a pretend one and mock it up later. Pah rubbish! We had to walk through a security pod which blew air at us to check us for explosives.

We all got in the lift which went so fast our ears popped!

Aunty A in lift

Aunty A and Small in the lift

Once at the top the view was fantastic. We could see the lake (Lake Ontario), the airport (not Pearson) and the islands. We could also see America right over the other side. Toronto is much bigger than I thought. I phoned Huffle from the top and pinpointed where he was standing and he waved to us. He was the only person around so it was easy to see him but I could only JUST tell he was waving.

Lake Ontario, the Airport and Islands

Blue building is the Art Museum. We liked this. The silver part on the outside is a spiral staircase.

Love the fact that the CN Tower shadows over the buildings of Toronto

Down one flight of stairs and we got to the glass floor. Ooooh, this was not for me. I tried but I could not stand on the glass. It is toughened, obviously, in fact there is a sign that says it can withstand 14 large hippos. I still couldn't do it. Aunty A stood on it, sat on it and lay on it. The boys were wary but Smallest was the bravest (well he did sit on a Alligator, he told me!). Small stood on it but not for too long and he didn't like it.

Brave ones

Aunty A lying on glass. Eeeuuuuuu.

View through glass

We walked outside of the observation point all the way round. I didn't really like this part either as we were a bit close to the outside and hanging over a bit, even though there was netting all over.

Back down in the lift (again quite fast!) to the gift shop. I bought the boys a badge each with the CN Tower on. They both met a big bear and had a good look around the shop.

We had a long walk to St Lawrence Market. A lovely pastry and a coffee and a peruse. The boys wanted to show Aunty A their favourite fountain and while they sat around around it laughing and generally getting wet, Aunty A and I went to the bookshop until we got a message form Huffle saying they were bored!

Solar Waving Queen. Um Interesting.

We walked around the city. It was cold. The boys got given some balloons and whilst we were waiting to get on the bus for home, they let them go and had a balloon race.

Small's got to the sky first. Smallest burst into tears because he didn't want to let it go but Small told him to (no-one made him). Huffle and Smallest sat together with Smallest crying, being grumpy and then falling asleep. Aunty A sat on her own because she pretended she had 'travel sickness' and I sat with Small who commentated all the way home.

Small's balloon is the blue dot in between the two buildings. Smallest's was white and I can't see it but I'm sure it's there somewhere.

Everyone is tired. Aunty A's ankle is double the size. Huffle twisted his ankle today too. Smallest is still not 100%, full of snotty cold and grumpy, Small is tired and worn out and an eight year old teenager and I am cold and tired with a sore nose!

Oh yes, but we had a lovely time!

 

 

 

 

 

On a Downtown Bus

 We got up this morning, got dressed in thermals and warm stuff and went into our local town for breakfast.

This was the inside of the car window as we were driving.  Brrrrrrrrrrr

Huffle in his new hat (from Aunt Pear) - cosy warm

Smallest had two eggs and two bacon and toast.  Piggy.

Small had Five Dollar Chocolate pancakes with Maple Syrup - another Piggy.

The rest of us just had toast.
Then we went to the bus station and off we went.

Chimps!

Motley Crew waiting at the station

Moo, Huffle, Me, Small and Smallest.

One hour later we were in Downtown Toronto.
It was cold.  -16.  It felt much much colder.  I always love the buildings here in Downtown.  I always photograph them and I probably take the same photos every time.  But I love them for lots of different reasons.  So here are some I love.

The back of a building

....and the side (ooh there's Moo and Small)

.......And the front (oh and Moo again)

Lovely building - we think it may be a pub

Love this.  Love the way the CN tower is poking out of the side - it makes the CN appear much smaller than it is, also there is a tree (Small asked me if I had taken any photos of trees today.  I said 'No' but maybe I sneaked a few in by accident)

Love the lines of this one

We walked to St.Lawrence Market to see the antiques and collectors fair.  Great place.  Would have been much nicer to have strolled through leisurely but for the fact we had two little chimps with us (well Moo as well!), still, we got to see what was there for another time.  Saw a chair I wanted but apart from the fact we would have had to carry it around the streets of Toronto, we didn't have the car.

That one again (the lines!) with reflections and sky

We walked through the PATH system (underground with lots of shops and cafes - all closed on a Sunday - like a ghost town but still warmer than outside.).

This was a shot through the PATH roof looking at the building (lines)

We ate in the mall.

Now I know I have taken this one before but it's great.  Canadian Geese flying in the Eaton Centre - not real, but they do move slightly.

Fountain in the middle of the Eaton Centre - boys thought it was hilarious to put their hands in the water and spray everyone around them.  At one point Smallest leaned so far over I thought he was going to fall in.  Being the responsible Mother that I am, I rescued him instead of taking a photo.  

Shame - Would have made a good photo

Love the new and old here.  Fabulous reflection.

The old town hall.  Beautiful stone carvings

Now I know these aren't gargoyles because they don't have water coming from them but I can't remember what they are called.  Love them though, and look at that sky.  It was freezing HONEST!

Moo taking a photo of me taking a photo of her outside The Old Town Hall with the reflection of the The Old Town Hall in the shiny building next to it.  Super.

Then we took the boys ice skating.  They did really well seeing as it was their first time.  Hard work for us trying to walk on the ice with them.  I would have liked to have skated but maybe next time.  This was just an introduction to Small and Smallest and they loved it.

A man (who obviously knew what he was doing) offered to take Smallest around the ice.  He gave me a few tips too on how to help Smallest.

What a pair!

Small skating by himself - not bad!

Wow!  I heard someone look at this building and say it reminded them of something out of Men In Black!  

I thought the sky was amazing and the buildings nice and symmetrical!

I had to tell Small today to stop looking at the ground, all the good things to see are up high.  

Look into the skyline!

Same again but from a different angle.

Small actually asked me to take a photo of this.  Maybe he is interested after all.  I shall make a photographer of him one day.

Ahhh there's the CN Tower again.  Just poking out from another building.

Love this building - love the sky

We had a quick stop for coffee and cake and then found our way back to the bus station.  One hour later and we were back home.  It's still really cold.

Please let me keep this photo in Moo - you look so settled and warm both of you.

Smallest and Moo cuddled up under the blanket watching Shaun the Sheep - Moo's favourite tv program, bet she starts recording it when she gets home.
Forgot to say that Mr Mouse didn't appear to visit last night.  He hasn't eaten his chocolate coin yet.............
The tracks outside were not Raccoon, Skunk or Coyote (Thanks Mary Ann).  Maybe it was the Cougar or maybe it was a small bear!  Quite possibly just next doors cat.  boooooo.