Day 8 Toronto

Sorry no photos tonight. The system is dreadfully slow. I'll be lucky to publish anything.

Woke up at 7:30 (wonderful not being tied to the alarm clock) Breakfast, which included GF bread this time after asking the waiter. Off to the concierge (who is from Barwon Heads, Victoria!!!) to plan the day. I had made a list of what I wanted to see and he provided me with a much better map and marked each place on the map. He even suggested seeing “Matilda” which is currently showing here in town.

So off I set with my map and coat in my bag. (rain expected) Didn’t even get to the end of the street when I was accosted by a young man and asked for $20, obviously to pay high high taxes. When I refused, he called me a very unpleasant name and went off to harass the next victim. Toronto seems to have so many homeless people, either sitting around aimlessly or actively harassing passer-by’s.

Shaking that experience off, I put on my gloves and hat to ward off the early morning cold. My first stop was the Textile Museum, six blocks away. I got there at 10, they open at 11. So off to place number two, which was close by- Old and New Town City Halls. This area includes some great statues and memorials. I was very emotional by the time I passed through the one to Winston Churchill, The Peace through Valour memorial, and the Peace Park… all in the same area. The gardeners were fighting a losing battle with the leaves, which are now falling very fast.

I found Campbell House, which was a real treasure. Built in the original town of York (later Toronto) in 1822 at a huge cost and then moved at a vast expense in 1972 to its current position next to the equally lovely Osgoode House. The docent was just wonderful, answering all my questions. They have tried to retain the feel of a home from that period despite it being moved. (Bev would have had the bed linens in her handbag. If not the wallpaper)

From here I went back to the Textile Museum and was extremely disappointed to find only one gallery had a display and it was entirely on wrapped fibres and some weaving. Tomorrow a new exhibit opens on African textiles, which would have been interesting. Not sure why you have to pay full price when only half the gallery is open?

After this disappointment, I was off to the Art Gallery (AGO) to see an Impressionist exhibition. Favourites were the Van Gough “Starry Night” (one of the series) and Monet’s “Haystack in the sunset”. But Starry Night was spellbinding. Stopped for a cuppa. Then back to “gallery bashing” for the next hours and hours. Level 2 before a late lunch of black bean soup, which was described as “slightly spicy. What she meant was that once your bottom lip had gone numb, you wouldn’t know how hot it was.  And it has left me with heart burn, but it was their only GF offering. Level 1 after lunch and by then my legs were throbbing. Tomorrow my compression socks! I left at 4:30 after seeing some AMAZING collections. I was absolutely stunned by several, including the collections of Ken Thomson, who owned a Rubens, and donated over 1000 pieces of work to the AGO, plus a substantial truckload of money to ensure they were appropriately housed. His collection of miniature carvings were particularly amazing.

I came home in a light rain, past St Patrick’s church had a look and a prayer, and Trinity church – shut. There were too many homeless men around it to check too closely. As the rain got heavier, I stopped to buy an umbrella, $7 including tax,  for the most poorly made umbrella ever. It only has to last a few days.

Back at the hotel in the dark, 5:30, after stopping to buy some bananas next door. A quick shower, washed my clothes and went down to the restaurant for a real meal- salmon and vegetables. Delicious. Back up to begin the task of downloading and typing. It is now 9:30.