On Sunday our daughter Stacey and her girlfriend Amy were due to arrive from the UK for a long-awaited two week trip. On Sunday morning we started the day with a phone call to my aunt and uncle in Spain who seem as excited as us regarding our visitors although I think they wish it was them coming here. Soon I hope!

Anyway, we set off for Toronto having looked on the web at traffic conditions to see everything was moving great and with it being a Sunday we hoped it would stay that way. Well, traffic was great up until we got right into Toronto on the 401 when it stopped. Apparently there is construction along the route and lanes were closed and everything was getting snarled up. At one point we were only a few km’s from the airport but at a total standstill and wondering if we would ever get there.

Stacey & Amy’s plane was due in at 5:10 and we eventually got to the airport just before this. We knew it would probably take them an hour to get through customs so had plenty of time in the end, especially as the plane actually landed at 5:22. As it was they didn’t come through arrivals till 7:10. We were beginning to wonder if they were even on the plane!  Lots of hugs and kisses and we were finally all reunited and ready for the long drive home. Although traffic was congested on the way home we didn’t encounter too many delays and got home late evening. After a little more chatting we all went to bed exhausted.

Monday rain was forecast all day and as the girls were still a little tired we decided to pop into Belleville, especially as Amy had never been before so Stacey wanted to show her the lay of the land. We also went grocery shopping for things the girls wanted. The rest of the day was spend just chatting and general stuff.

On Tuesday more rain was forecast which put paid to our plan of going to Toronto Zoo. So instead we went to Kingston for a little shopping and a drive round the city and a scenic route drive home.

The weather for Wednesday was again rain for Belleville and Toronto, so we decided to go east to Ottawa for the day. Stacey had loved Ottawa last time she was here and was eager to show Amy all the sights. We took the scenic route via highway 7 and encountered showers, but by the time we got to the city it was warm and dry. We all ventured over to the canal, then Parliament Hill where lots of photos were taken. This is Stacey (right) and Amy outside the Parliament buildings.

We then went across to Byward Market and at this point we decided to split up and meet later. We wandered around the mall for a couple of hours and then the market and had dinner at The Exchange which was very nice. After some more walking we decided to get a Tim’s at the food court and came across the girls. They had eaten at the Hard Rock Cafe. All of us had done what we needed to do and so decided to head home once beverages had been consumed. As we left Ottawa it started to rain, so our timing was perfect.

On Thursday we drove the girls to Toronto as we had booked them into a hotel for a few nights so they could explore the city. In order not to waste the day we all went to Toronto Zoo as the weather promised to be a bit better. As it turned out the weather was magnificent. Bright sunshine, temps in the 20′s, in fact almost too hot. I know it sounds silly but I had really forgotten what it felt like to be out in the heat.

The drive into the city after the zoo was pretty uneventful, but the DVP leaving the city was like a car park, so we decided when we returned home we would take a different route. We dropped the girls off at the hotel after checking them in at around 4:30 and after a detour though the city, hit the 401. Guess what – standstill again. After we got past the main toronto area it thinned out and we picked up speed, but then near Ajax it stopped again. In the end we didn’t get home untill 8pm, just in time for the last episode of The Big Bang Theory.

Yesterday (Friday) we didn’t do too much. I went shopping to stock up the cupboards and Chris tried to fix Stacey’s laptop for her. Alas it seemed it was a futile attempt and he decided it would be easier to give her one of our old laptops. So he spent the rest of the day transferring stuff from one to another etc.

Today Saturday, I have been spring cleaning and Chris is on his tractor mowing the lawn. Once again the weather is stunning, lets hope it stays like that for next week.

Today is the last day of March and it is once again snowing, but they promise that it will be temporary and that we will have sun over the weekend with temps around 10C.

Lots of grackles and red-winged blackbirds in the garden. The gold finches are also starting to change colour ready for the mating season. No sign of the cowbirds yet, sure they will arrive soon.  The deer are getting more absent as the weather improves, so we are not going to see too much of them now.

Our visiting black squirrel comes by most days. It is the longest any black squirrel has stayed with us. He comes by, eats for a while and then disappears. The reds don’t seem to mind him for some reason and let him stay, very unusual. We have lots of chipmunks about again, chasing each other round the garden frantically. The killdeer are back but we haven’t seen much of them. Hopefully they are nesting and will reappear soon, with chicks.

Visited a new mall (well new to us) last week. Fairview Mall in Toronto. It was pretty big and quite nice, not sure it is any better than say Pickering which is nearer for us, but at least we have explored it. It must be in a very Asian community as many of the people there were of Asian origin. It is also close to Ikea which of course we had to pop into whilst there. A bit disappointed as we didn’t find much we liked but did come back with a new kitchen mat which we needed.

Hoping to get over to the States sometime in April, but will wait for the weather to clear a bit. Might go to Syracuse, or perhaps Rochester. Time to stock up on summer clothes! Most shops are in the transition stage still so not all have very much in the way of summer stuff, but hopefully within the next few weeks that will change.

We stopped off at Perth for the obligatory Tim’s and on route we stopped off at an outdoor shopping area, visited an outlet centre and had dinner. We then drove to our hotel which was the Hampton Inn where we have stayed a few times before. This hotel is very nice and although not in the centre of the city there is a bus which stops just along the road which takes you straight into town in about 20 mins. The fare is $3 each person each way which is cheaper than paying for all day parking in the city – and easier to navigate.

Here is a quick snap of the hotel room I took with my little pocket camera.

We stayed at the hotel that evening and didn’t really do much at all. The following day after a nice free breakfast we got the bus into town and spent the day wandering round the mall, the street and of course around the Parliament area. We also wandered around the locks and took a nice walk alongside the water. Eventually we had dinner in town and then went back to the hotel with very sore feet, then chilled.

The next morning after breakfast we made our way back home via Ikea. All in all a very nice weekend. The weather stayed lovely. It was warm and dry and since our visit we have had cold, wet weather, so good timing.

We left on Thursday morning and although the sky was overcast it looked as if it would be okay. We took the border crossing at 1000 Islands as it is always quiet there and sure enough we were the only ones waiting. We had to go to the office to get a visa waiver etc but after 15 minutes and a very nice border guard we were on our way.

The interstate was very quiet and the journey uneventful. We had to pick up a toll ticket on the I90 and half way along this road it started to rain, then it really rained heavily. We exited the toll road at Rochester and paid our $3.60 then found the hotel (Residence Inn) with the help of our very good GPS.

We checked in at around 2.30pm and were given a king suite in the tower section. This is at the rear of the hotel away from the traffic of the main road. The suite was nice and was like a small apartment. Here are some pics.

Kitchen area

Seating area

Bedroom

It also had a bathroom with bath, shower and toilet and a separate vanity area with closet.

Bathroom

Vanity

After getting unpacked and having a hot drink we lazed around for a while then decided we were hungry and so went out for an early meal. We saw there was an Applebee’s nearby so went there. We had a very nice meal and then went back to the hotel. We were going to have a drive round but it was really pouring with rain so we decided not to bother and start the tour of the area on Friday instead when better weather was promised.

On Friday we got up and had our complimentary breakfast which was okay. We wanted to do some clothes shopping and had found a number of malls in Rochester to visit. In all there were four in the city so we thought we would do two Friday and two on Saturday. We went to the first – Mall at Greece Ridge Center and found it to be quite large with all the usual shops. By now the weather was really nice and it was very sunny and in the early teens temp wise. The mall had a glass roof which made the sun very bright and the mall very warm. After about an hour we decided to leave and visit another mall. This time we went to the Marketplace Mall. This was smaller but still a good mall. However we spent only a hour or so there and was ready to leave. We then decided to visit one of the malls we were going to save till Saturday, the Eastview Mall. This was a nice mall, very well laid out and bright without the glaring sun and heat. Again though, we had completed the mall in a couple of hours, so decided to make a day of it and go to the fourth mall. This was Pittsford Plaza which was described as a affluent mall in a affluent area. Well we were disappointed in this one. It was an outdoor mall, which because of the great weather was not a problem, but there really wasn’t much there. We basically walked the length and were done.

So, we had a very full day of malls and were “all malled out” by the end of it. We ate at TGI Fridays which although my food was fine, hubby was not impressed with his. We also felt very rushed by the server who was asking us if we wanted dessert whilst we were still eating out main course – we said we weren’t sure yet – and then bought our bill a minute later. We decided that if we wanted dessert we would get it elsewhere and left.

On Saturday we decided that as we had done all the malls in Rochester and bought very little we would drive across to Buffalo. Again we had never been there so a new experience again. It isn’t far from Rochester, about an hour and a very easy drive. We went to the Walden Galleria Mall which was huge. This was by far the best mall we had been to and we can recommend it. We actually managed to spend several hours here and bought quite a few bits and pieces. After this mall we decided to go to the designer outlet mall we had read about in Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls, NY is only a short drive from Buffalo and we found the mall easily. This is a very large indoor designer outlet mall and we again managed to spend quite a long time here and also managed to spend some money. We ate at Applebee’s as it was the only eatery at the mall and we were starving.

After this we made our way back to the hotel and stayed in for the night.

On Sunday we packed up, had breakfast and left the hotel. On the way back we stopped off at another outlet mall but this one turned out to be an outdoor mall and it was raining, so we didn’t stop. Instead we drove to Syracuse and spent a few hours at the Carousel Mall which we had visited before. Spend a few more dollars and then drive back to the border, in the rain. Crossed the border quickly and easily and got back home to lots of unpacking.

Back the the day to day stuff now – and lots of washing and ironing!

Anyway I searched and searched and put it off a while longer when suddenly Sears decided to put it on sale at $1,050 – a $100 saving – excellent. However I still looked around and then found that Future Shop had it for $799 – a whopping saving. We went into FS and asked about the machine and was told that they did not have any in stock anywhere in the country, but had a lot of other washers…. It seems that the price may be just a ploy to get you into the shop and buy something else – FS are famous for their creative advertising!

Not to be outdone I then saw the washer in Lowes for $998 and asked if they price match. “Yes” the guy said gleefully until I showed him the print off of the FS price and his face fell. “That’s a lot less, I will have to get my boss’s approval.” Off he went. I wasn’t too bothered as I know other shops price match so if they didn’t I would go to Sears.He came back and said yes they would price match and could deliver it tomorrow. This was Sunday and I chose to have it delivered on Tuesday which was okay by them.

So, yesterday my new washer arrived. I had to go out to a meeting so left hubby to deal with the boring stuff like installing it etc. When I got home my gleaming new washer was all set up and waiting to go. Well, I have never been so excited to do a load of washing – how sad! It has lots of buttons and lights and rather than buzzing at the end of the cycle it plays a little tune – wow!

The washing came out great and you can amuse yourself if nothing is on TV as it has a clear top so you can watch it wash. I hasten to add I did not do this – well not for too long anyway!

This is my new washer the Whirlpool WTW6700W, but mine is while not stainless. I could not justify spending an extra $50 on stainless when it sits in a laundry cupboard.

I have to add that Lowes delivery notification perhaps goes a little too far. The night before delivery we received an automated message, that I nearly put the phone down on thinking it was a spam call stating the washer would be delivered tomorrow. Then five minutes later a human rang to say exactly the same thing. In the morning we received a call to say the delivery would be today. Then the delivery man called to ask for directions. Then another call from a woman stating the washer would be with us in 20-40 minutes. Slight overkill!

We did some grocery shopping and I also wanted to buy some hair curlers. I ended up in Walmart as they had them on sale and I purchased some. When I got home I opened the box and found that the electric cable was all over the place instead of being tied neatly as you would normally find. I then noticed there were no instructions etc in the box. When I looked at the product itself I found lots of long dark hairs wrapped round it – yuk! Talk about turn my stomach – I had been sold a second-hand product. On Monday, once the second storm has passed I will be taking this straight back with a very big complaint. I am furious about this and someone there is going to get an earful from me. Just imagine if this had been a present and I had not checked inside the box first – I doesn’t bare thinking about.

Whilst out I also purchased Animal Crossing: City Folk for my Wii (sealed and definitely new) so I will be playing on this over the weekend.

Anyway, I’ll calm down now and tell you about a new bird we had in our garden. The other day hubby noticed a large flock of birds swoop in but he did not have time to identify them before they flew off. Well, they came back and we managed to get some distant photos of them, but it was enough to identify them. They are cedar waxwings and there were lots of them. Strangely they were accompanied by quite a few robins. They were obviously all together. Here are some pics which are not very good due to the distance.

We also spotted a meadow vole the other night. We knew we had them in the area as they tunnel under the snow and leave trails which you can see when the snow start to thaw. The other night was the first time we had seen them but it was too dark to get a photo.

Speaking of photos, I bought hubby a new camera for Christmas and these are some pics he took yesterday of chickadees.

And this one looks like he has had a bad hair day!

We have been having a roller coater of weather here. One day warm (above freezing) and sunny, the next -10c and snowing. The night before last we had a good dump of snow and they are forecasting “snowmagedon” over the next couple of days. Apparently we are getting a huge storm starting tonight and into tomorrow, then Saturday will be okay and then another huge storm on Sunday. Over the two storms we are expecting up to 25 cm. Hopefully it will go round us and we will escape the worst of it. We made sure we have the generator filled, just in case.

One of our squirrels is truly crazy. I took this photo after he had managed to dance around in the snow. The prints here are from one squirrel in less than one hour. The larger prints are not the squirrel!

The last week or so has been busy as I have been going to meetings and other such things. I also had the stressful time of going to the hairdressers. I hate going to the hairdressers for some reason. I have been toying with the idea of a change of style as I have had the current style (I think it passes as a style) for a while and wanted a change. Trouble is I could not decide what to do, so she ended up tidying it up and basically leaving as it until I decide what to do. I might go curly for a change! Anyway, enough of that excitement!

Hubby and  I have been agonizing over Christmas shopping this year – okay I lied – we have not at all as we simply sent his daughters money via PayPal which they love as it means they can shop online. I love this type of shopping as I am not your average woman who can spend hours shopping. I like to know what I need and get it  – the end.

I went out the other night with some of my girly friends and we had a great evening stuffing ourselves with Italian food and chatting about nothing in particular. Great fun.

Us old fogies stayed in for the evening whilst they went out clubbing. However we found out in the morning that they could not find the clubs they were looking for and ended up coming back to the hotel quite early and watched TV.

On the second day in Ottawa the girls went on their own way and needless to say they went shopping! I just fail to see how anyone can shop for hours and hours. We left them at about 10.30 am and met up with them again at 6pm – and they were still shopping!

Sunday we went into Belleville so they could – yes – do more shopping! Lots of peanut butter M&M’s later (apparently you cannot get them in the Uk we went home. Spent the rest of the day relaxing as we had an early start on Monday to get to the airport for their early morning flight.

We got up at 4am and there was a raccoon in the garden so we quickly called the girls who were starting to stir to come see. Even though we see the damn things in the garden most evenings since they arrived not one had visited – typical. So not they had seen raccoons and groundhogs!

We checked them into their flight online which allowed us some extra time to get to the airport. The drive there is normally a maximum of 2 hours and we allowed 3.5 hours, however due to horrendous delays with traffic in Toronto where we hardly moved for over an hour we managed to miss the flight. Now we have travelled all over the world on both business and pleasure and have never ever missed a flight. When we got to checkin the woman told us that “You have missed it by 17 minutes, go over there and buy new flight” charming!

We went “over there” and were told that the tickets they had purchased were not transferrable and they would have to buy new ones. At that point there were lots of tears from fed up daughter and I think the booking clerk felt sorry for her and agreed to rebook them for a smaller fee of $100 each which I paid on our credit card. The trouble was this was 8am and the flight wasn’t until 11.25 pm.

We had to decide whether to go home and come back again later but the girls said they would stay at the airport and wait. They had charged their PSP up so would play games and wander round. We stayed with them for an hour or so and then made our way back home after lots of hugs and tears.

We finally heard back from them today and they arrived home okay but have colds – a result of airline air no doubt.

From the time their original flights with Zoom were cancelled due to going into receivership to the very end it was a flight nightmare. Good job all the bits in the middle went well to make up for it!

In the evening we didn’t really do too much as the jet lag was catching up with them and they went to bed early.

On Wednesday we went up to Algonquin Park. We had a really good drive up there and stopped off at Tims in Bancroft. This was their first taste of Tims and they really liked the donuts and muffins. We then carried on the journey to the park.

We were lucky with the weather as it was nice and warm but not too hot so walking around was pleasant. One car park we stopped in had lots of black butterflies fluttering around. I managed to get a couple of pictures. They are apparently Mourning Cloak butterflies!

We did the beaver pond trail which goes round two beaver ponds. We saw the dam they had built as well as a couple of lodges where they live.

We then visited the visitors centre and took a look at the photo gallery they had there. There are some stunning photos on display and anyone into nature and photography should definitely visit. We also went round the exhibits they have on show and of course the girls went in the shop.

At the rear of the centre is a viewing platform where you can see across the park and we took some more pics there. When we had visited before they had a feeding station for birds and squirrels etc. This time however the area was a little run down and no food out so no birds or squirrels.

After having a bite to eat at the restaurant we ventured on to one of the many lakes in the park. We spotted some tracks in the sand and when we looked them up they appear to be coyote – unless anyone knows different!

We did a few other trails but failed to see any significant wildlife. The girls wanted to see a moose, but none were playing the game!

At the weekend we took the girls to Toronto where they stayed for two nights. They had a great time and went up the CN Tower, explored the lakefront area and of course shopped. We picked them up on Sunday evening and they were excited but pretty exhausted.

Yesterday we went to Toronto Zoo as this was somewhere they really wanted to go. We drove down together but then split up so they could do their own thing and us oldies were not cramping their style!

We saw some lovely butterflies pictured here.

There were also some amazing animals – here are a few. I will put the rest in my photo album section as soon as I have a few minutes.

This is an acrobatic orangutan baby posing is a slightly undignified way!

A rather stunning tiger

Some lazy river hogs

Just how cool is she?

A grizzly bear who was unfortunately wandering around in circles which is never a good sign in a bear!

And this handsome creature is a Southern hairy-nosed wombat. Now he has a face only a mother could love!

Today we dropped the girls off in Cobourg where they are spending the day on the beach. The weather is going to be great in the mid 20′s so they should get a bit of a tan.

As you can see the wether was beautiful, very hot with sun shining and not a cloud in the sky. Along side the marina a lots of new condos. Some are already built but others are still being built. They looked really nice (as condos go) and when I got home I looked up on MLS to see how much they were. They ranged from around $250k for a one bed apartment to half a million dollar for three beds and a harbour view.

After exploring the marina we then went to the beach area. Cobourg has a large beach with lots of amenities such as cafe, toilets, showers, children’s play area and Victoria park backs onto it. We will probably bring the girls here when they stay as they want a day on the beach.

We were going to take them to Sandbanks, but by going to Cobourg instead they get the all the other bits the town has to offer as well as the beach. Plus the cafe and toilets are right on the beach so the amenities are better.

We cannot believe that the girls arrive on Monday. It seems like forever ago that they originally booked their flights etc. With their new flights they arrive early on Monday morning , so an early drive to Toronto for us. Lets hope the traffic won’t be too bad.