Canada 2025 The East & Laguna Beach CA

Canada Trip Part 2

We flew to Toronto and then to Hamilton by bus where we visited Bobbie's sister Naomi and her husband Rick. We spent 2 nights at their cottage north of Huntsville Ontario. We went swimming in Clear Lake and enjoyed walks along the nearby stream. They kindly lent us their car for the rest of our time in Ontario.

Small stream in Summer

While with them in Hamilton we also attended the 2025 Winger family reunion next to the backyard pool of David Winger. Cousin Janet created a family history picture book for the occasion.

Our next stop was Bill's sister's place in London Ontario where Bill went golfing with his brother John, sister Elizabeth and her husband Al at St Thomas golf course.
We had some fun outings visiting antique stores in London and St Marys with Elizabeth, and Bobbie had a swim in St Marys Quarry. We also tried Mennonite "frye pies". a sort of very tasty deep-fried donut with various sweet fillings.  Bill's nephew Matthew and partner Stacie joined us for a BBQ dinner one night and regaled us with the story of their trip to Legoland in Denmark. Just when you think you have heard everything, you find another fascinating place to travel to that you have never even thought of.

We also had a magnificent dinner and evening with Bill's cousin David. His wife, Eileen, cooked an Indian banquet for us that was better than anything we ever had in an Indian restaurant. That evening was the only rain we got during the whole trip. We also visited with Bobbie's niece Natasha and her husband John and had a tasty Italian dinner with them in London. (Notice there do not seem to be any generic Canadian restaurants on our trip.)  Next stop was Sharbot Lake (north of Kingston Ont) visiting Bobbie's cousin Janet and husband Jim, who have visited us a couple of times in Australia. Bill drove an ATV for the first time down some of the snowmobile trails through the bush. (Note: no snow at the time) Bobbie held on tightly. We also went for a small cruise on their private lake where Bill managed to catch a fish. Our stay concluded with dinner and a visit to the scenic River House Vineyard and Winery. 

Bill and fish

River House Vineyard

Next stop was Ottawa where we stayed with Bill's niece Shannon and her family. We spent a pleasant day cycling along the edge of the Ottawa River and visiting the Canadian Parliament buildings which are under renovation.  We also sampled local pizza, and ice cream rolls that are made on a frozen plate was you watch.  Yummy and very unusual.

Parliament Buildings under restoration

River canal Ottawa Canada

 

Next stop Montreal to visit Bill's cousin Bruce, where we stayed in the in Tadja Hall, the MacGill University Faculty Club on the edge of the St Lawrence River.  We took a day to explore old Montreal and attended two outdoor evening music concerts in local riverside parks with Bruce and his Carole. 

Observation platform Montreal harbour

Montreal from Observation platform

We then travelled back to Toronto to stay with friends Archie and Sandy in the beaches area of Toronto. Pleasant memories wandering through and around the old neighbourhood where Bobbie and Bill met. Bobbie had a short swim at a beach on Lake Ontario near Archie's house. We also caught up with old friends from Rochdale at a downtown pub and had dinner with Neal and Linda, who we had travelled with in Greece and Spain, more than a few years ago. We then went to Port Credit, a suburb of Toronto, and visited Bill's brother John.  He was very generous with his time and treated us to dinner at his Golf Club and lunch at the Caledon Hills Fishing Club north of Toronto.

 We spent a day walking along the edge of the Lake Ontario watching the birds and enjoying summer weather in the park. We also spent most of a day at the large shopping centre in Mississauga and managed to boost the Canadian economy.

Following that we attended the 2025 Grainger family reunion in Wroxeter Ontario and went on a hayride after the lunch. We visited more friends Sandie and Brian in Bayfield on the way back to Hamilton to return Naomi and Rick's car. Brother John kindly picked us up and put us up in Port Credit before taking us to the airport for our flight to Los Angeles. 

Bill's friend Dolores from College days now lives in Laguna Beach California.  She kindly picked us up at the airport and put us up for 4 days in Laguna Beach. Her house was within walking distance of the beach and has a community swimming pool where Bobbie was able to get in the water again. We spent a day there using the free trolley that runs up and down the coast of Laguna Beach and attended a local arts fair called Sawdust. The last day in California was spent on the beach with Dolores and partner Tom. Friday fish and chips at the beach front could not have been better.

Sawdust Art festival

Fish and Chips

We left the warm weather of North America to return to Yamba where it has rained for the next 2 days. The sun finally came out yesterday and it is nice to be home and in familiar surroundings and in your own bed.

Our thanks to all of our extremely generous friends and relatives who put up with us, fed us, acted as exemplary tour guides and drivers.  We were so busy that we did not post this last blog until after we got home to Yamba.  You are all welcome to visit us in Yamba so can repay all of the favours.