HB's last day DOWNTOWN

Last night I was so cold. My nose was cold and my hair was cold - that's how I measure the coldness in our bedroom. If my hair is cold, it must be freezing outside. I had to sleep with my face under the covers! And then in the night I woke up and I was boiling! Throughout the night it snowed quite a lot. We think we had about 3-4 cms. Huffle went out and cleared the drive whilst the rest of us got ready for a day in Toronto.

First thing through the window

Our road before the snow plough

We drove to our local town and had breakfast in our usual place (when we have visitors or have a day in Toronto). After we were fuelled, we drove to a shopping centre, parked the car and went towards the Subway.

On the way we found a fabulous Shop called The Rainforest Cafe. We saw elephants, fish, crocodile, butterflies and a talking tree. The kids loved it. In fact they would have been happy to have stayed there all day if we had let them. We used one of their US pennies and made a souvenir each. We got one for HB too to take home.

They had simulated thunder and lightning and some rain in some parts of the shop.

We walked to the subway and got our train to Dowtown. It took about ten stops. We showed HB our favourite buildings.

Waiting for our train

CN tower disappearing into the clouds

CN and the lovely gold building

We saw an exhibition on Migrating Landscapes.

This was Small's favourite because it was Toronto and he could find the CN Tower.

......and this was Smallest's favourite because of the hanging boxes

We walked along the PATH system for a while - nice and warm.

A reflection of us all on the escalators

We walked to St Lawrence Market as HB wanted to see a Canadian Market. On the way we saw film trailers. No crew or actros but we know it was for xiii-2. A film or a series, we're not sure. I will investigate.

A reflection of HB

Huffle being a Stunt Business Man!

St Lawrence Market

A pastry as big as his head

.......and one small enough to see a Small

The maket was bustling and busy. Lots of smells, sights and sounds. Every fruit and veg you could think of, meats, fish, cheese, hats, clothes, shoes. We even found some Red Leicester (we are originally from Leicester so we were very excited) and some Melton Mowbray Pies (also leicestershire).

The boys wanted to show HB their favourite fountain. They sat next to it, got their feet a bit wet, watched the water and were amazed when it went really really really high.

Trying not to jump into the water

Wow

We walked around the Mall for a bit, got HB to try some famous Canadian Poutine. Then walked down to the waterfront. HB couldn't believe it was the same lake we were at earlier in the week when we went to the Beach.

A man stopped us and asked if we wanted him to take a photo of us all. He asked where we were from and said that he could tell from our accents that we were from Leicester! Really?

We watched the planes landing and looked at the boats. Everyone was tired as we had walked many miles. So we headed back to the subway, and eventually back to the mall. We were planning to eat at the Rainforest Cafe but the queue was too long so we had to promise to take the kids back there one day. They want to sit under the elephants!

We drove to the airport. Got HB checked in. Walked her to security and said our goodbyes. Very emotional again!! We waved lots and looked for her plane.

Thanks HB, we have enjoyed having you here. We will miss you. Make sure you Skype us soon.

Huffle and I and the boys drove home and found we had had even more snow. The drive Huffle had cleared was again covered in about 7cms. We decided to leave the clearing until tomorrow. After all, our little helper has gone home now. At least she saw a good snowfall before she went.