We’ve been living in and around Toronto for several weeks now and between you and me it wasn’t love at first sight but a slow burning romance. Now we only have days to go we are both starting to wish that we could stay for much longer.

We’ve done a few posts on our time here and what we’ve been up to so this is just a general one about our thoughts on the city, the people, the moments, and the JWalking life. No much history or factual stuff I’m afraid, just a little waffling straight from the head and heart.

The City Of Toronto

Such a surprise eventually. Initially it’s just a massive city full of skyscrapers and six land highways but scratch beneath the surface and there is so much more. The harbour area is beautiful and Toronto Island is spectacular. We loved the CN Tower and High Park particularly but I think it’s one of those places where the longer you stay the more you find and the more you love it.

The People of Toronto

Busy? Not especially but that could be the time of year we visited I suppose. We found the locals very welcoming, so friendly and unbelievably proud of their city. Everyone supports the Blue Jays baseball team and I mean everyone. The whole place comes to a stop when they are playing and during the play-offs it was a ghost town as everyone supported in bars and at home and of course at Rogers Centre.

The Moments of Toronto

Our favourite moments were undoubtedly meeting up with Kier at the Steam Whistle for too many beers, walking on lakeshore almost every single day, taking the ferry across to Toronto Island in the October sunshine, going to the top of the CN Tower, getting to know our wonderful Airbnb hosts, and shopping at the amazing cheap supermarket that is No Frills! Although we got out and about exploring nothing can really beat the time we spent just walking or sitting by Lake Ontario. We fell in love with it. We will never forget the hours together just relaxing and enjoying every moment. Toronto in the Fall and The Shores of the ‘Lake of Shining Waters’.

Our Favourite Bar

On our last day we again got the GO train into the city for a multi-mile walk along another part of the lake front but we ended up at the Amsterdam Brewhouse overlooking the bay for the second time. Very German looking, maybe that’s why we liked it, with a great selection of food and beers.

Our Mimico Hosts

The two weeks we spent in Mimico living in Jacqueline and Daryls house were perfect. The accommodation was exactly what we needed, with a TV for once which was a nice change, and they could not have been friendlier. On our last night Jacqueline kindly invited us up for a drink and we spent a few hours chatting and thoroughly enjoying their company. Jo shared a glass of spicy maple whisky with Jacqueline whilst Daryl and I got through a couple of beers whilst Oz the whippet generally just slept and wondered what on earth was going on. Just as we were leaving Jo noticed a glass tank and enquired what it was for. Well it was for Betty the Tiger Gecko.

So a great evening and sad to say goodbye. Daryl very kindly offered to give us a lift to the airport the following morning for our flight up to Quebec so we were up and packed on time (as usual) and looking forward to a new adventure. We had no idea that it would turn out quite so dramatic though!! Coming soon ………

JWalking Thoughts

We’ve been Land Sailing for a while now, almost 17 months, and although we are enjoying our life more and more we still miss family and friends back home so much. Perhaps it’s because the time to return to the UK is now in sight that our thoughts have turned that way but I have to admit we are both struggling a little missing you all. I know life goes on and you are all probably bored stiff by our silly JWalking posts but we’re currently feeling a long way away and out of touch with so many people. We’ll be back at the beginning of December for a month at least and hope to see everyone but we’re not totally sure if everyone wants to or will have time to see us.

So if you fancy a couple of visitors, some lodgers, or just meeting up then please let us know.

We miss you all.

09.10 – 11.10.2016