Well, if you go into Canadian Tire you can be fooled into thinking that. They now have all their BBQ’s out for sale along with outdoor furniture etc. You can be in the store and really believe that it is 25C outside instead of the reality -5C and snowing!
We have been snowed on, rained on, ice pelleted and the sun had been shining this week. We have fluctuated between -25C with wind-chill to a barmy +11C the other day. When you have been used to very cold temps, eleven degrees felt like the height of summer. However it did not last and the very next day we were back to wintery weather and it is snowing as I write with another 15cm promised over the next day or so.
The deer don’t seem to like it as they haven’t been round nearly as often as they have been. The squirrels are still using the multitude of tunnels they have dug all over the garden. Some people are reporting having seen robins, but we haven’t yet. They would be a sign that spring is on the way but none here yet.
Next month my aunt and uncle are visiting from Spain. I cannot belive that it is next month as their flights have been booked for so long it seemed they would never get here. They are getting more excited now and we are planning their itinerary so that they have places to visit etc. They are going to drive down to Niagara Falls for a couple of days and we will probably take them to places such as Algonquin Provincial Park which we love, Ottawa and other places. We are hoping the weather will have sorted itself out by then. After all, they are coming from Spain and will really feel the cold if it is not at least 20C. Talking of Spain, anyone want to buy a villa in a lovely hot location? It is very tempting!!
Well I had better go an batten down the hatches ready for the next snowy onslaught.
On Friday we drove round to Niagara Falls. We left home in the morning and it was sunny but cold (-10°C). As we got to Toronto the temperature was around -2°C and still sunny, however the nearer to Niagara we got the worse the weather got. From about Oakville onwards it started to snow, not hard, just flurries and the sun disappeared. By the time we had reached Niagara it was snowing lightly, very cloudy and dull and -5°C.
We parked up by the Horseshoe Falls and wandered round to the viewing platform. It was very cold, especially with the wind chill taken into account. The falls were spectacular though. Last time we visited, two years ago in April, it was also cold, but lots of sun. This time we had no sun, just snow, but it made things very pretty.
We then went on the Journey Behind the Falls. The noise is quite something, it is very loud and cold – had I mentioned it was cold? We walked under the falls to the viewing platform there and to the portals actually under the falls themselves. It is quite spectacular and something you should definitely do before you die as they say.
After this we went into the gift shop, more shopping for the girls! We then wandered down to the American Falls which the girls thought was a bit of a downer after the Canadian ones. For once the Americans got the short straw!Canadian Falls
American Falls
After this we got back to the car and drove into the main town to go to the aviary. If anyone likes birds, this is a must see. We visited on our last trip, but they have improved it since then and it is even better now. If you are not keen on birds, don’t go, as they are all free flying.
The first section has lots of smaller birds such as finches and similar species. Then you go through a nocturnal section with bats and owls etc. Then you enter the main aviary where you will see toucans, parrots and many other birds just flying around. They are quite oblivious to the humans chasing them around with cameras!
Once we had done the aviary (via the gift shop), we got back into the car to journey back to Toronto. The weather picked up as soon as we left Niagara and soon we were driving in sunshine. The traffic was bad though. The nearer to TO we got, the slower it became, but eventually we got there and found the hotel we would be staying in.
The hotel was a Marriott Courtyard and was on Yonge Street, so well situated, however we were not too impressed with the room. Our room was just down the corridor from the girls and it turned out their room was twice the size of ours – never mind!
That evening they decided to go out clubbing, whilst we went out for something to eat and then crashed out in the hotel.
The following morning the girls were complaining that they had frostbite. They had been out clubbing and not got back till early morning and had only gone out in t-shirts and light jackets. Baring in mind the temperature was low even before the night settled in you would have thought that they would have dressed accordingly – but no! It also turned out that they had got lost and not thought to take a map with them – kids!
On Saturday we took them to the Eaton Centre and basically left them there for six hours! We went shopping too, but after a couple of hours had had enough and went back to the hotel. At four in the afternoon we met up with them again and went to the Hard Rock Café for dinner. We had a really nice meal and after we went back to the hotel and once again crashed out – we must be getting old. The girls decided to go to the cinema across town and this time with a map!
Sunday we checked out of the hotel and drove down to the CN Tower. We went up to the observation deck and freaked the girls out with the glass floor, then went up to the skypod. Fortunately the weather was brilliant with clear skies and sunshine, so we had great views. We had a drink in the café and then after all this we went to the gift shop and purchased some of the many photos that are on offer as you go to each level.
After all this excitement it was time to head home, via Ikea. We wanted some bits and pieces from there and popped in on our way home. Then finally late Sunday afternoon we got home again.
Haven’t done too much Monday or today and off to New York tomorrow.
