Trip's end - Home (Thurs 10 Oct)

 Tuesday 08 October, an early start from the airport motel to return the car ...
Guess what - the only flat tyre for the whole trip.
Just as well we had allowed plenty of time.


Air Canada to Los Angeles - its usual busy uncomfortable self - fortunately alleviated by our "Priority Pass" access to the Air Canada lounge during our 9 hour wait there.

 

One of Air New Zealands latest and best for the journey on to Auckland.

Auckland welcoming sunrise.

Back home Thursday 10 October and right back into it -
Saturday morning - barbecue service at the Operation Flinders Trail Blazer (Morialta).

Saturday night at 21st Birthday Party
of our Grand-twins Ashleigh and Taylor -
what a joy.

 

Last Day - Day 47 (Mon 07 Oct)

 We were prepared for a last day mostly getting ourselves moved to a motel near the airport and familiarising ourselves with how to get to where we need to be in the morning for return of our car and the flight out.

On the way we travelled along the northern perimeter of Toronto to see again how far concentrated residential development extends. Closer in (but still a long way north of the city proper) there is high and medium rise residential development, both old and new.
 

Invading rural land are new developments of residential housing, mostly 2 - 3 storeys high, some with no space at all between the houses (our Lightsview but right on the suburban edge). Cost of these homes is from around $500,000.

 

 

We passed Canada World funpark, but didn't go in (Wonder why?)...

... and caught up with some fall colours along the road.

 

Beth couldn't resist aeroplanes during a late afternoon walk in wind and light rain ...

and powerlines.

John couldn't resist what is perhaps the ugliest church we have ever seen (incorporating a large function hall).

 

A great evening sky (with a double rainbow)  will remain a fond memory...

 

as will enormous serves for dinner at Mr Greek, the restaurant attached to our motel.

That's it (sorry or glad).
We might make some retrospective additions after we get home, but will wait and see.
Bejopics remains active and is added to now and then, especially when we make trips.
Right now, we are just looking forward to getting the flight over and done with, and being back home.
It has been a great trip - maybe our last international one. Who knows.

Toronto 02 - Day 46 (Sun 06 Oct)

 Transport into and around the city by the underground is very convenient, but there is also cycle hire, suburban trains, trams, buses and taxis.
 

 

Shape and design are evident everywhere - architecture, street sculpture, shopping malls ...

 

 

Sir Winston Churchill meets Toronto City Hall?

World Peace Arches and pool in front of the old city hall.

An almost unbelievable sculpture of bicycles in the City Hall square.

 

Eton Centre mall and Canadian Geese installation.

 

 

Toronto 01 - Day 46 (Sun 06 Oct)

 A foggy day revealed a different Toronto from what we have seen previously - buildings and cranes disappearing into the mist, picking our way past major construction works, a grey lakeside and more.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The old "Power Plant" holds a contemporary art gallery that kept us busy for over an hour.

 

Tourist parties were still going up the CN Tower, whether it was shrouded in mist or not.

 

A railway museum offered restored old buildings, rolling stock and miniature train rides.