Still in Canada:
Sunday 25th – Mainly rain, but went for a walk in the middle of the day when there was a break in the clouds, and did about 4000 steps, down to Mount Hope Road and back. Finished reading The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, about a couple whose child is taken. Very good. Great meal of roast chicken in the evening, then watched Dune again. Still good. Message from Oliver said he would be climbing Snowdon on Tuesday. Feeling a big sinus-ropey early on, but better towards the end of the day.
Monday 26th – Forecast rain didn’t materialise until afternoon – in Toronto, anyway. Suspect it started much earlier in Caledon, but we had travelled to the Sherway Mall, which is upscale, unlike the Conestoga one. Roger and I looked round !ndigo, which had a copy of the Amor Towles book, A Gentleman in Moscow, so I bought it for Chrissy. Wandered round a bit on my own, then we all met up for lunch at Joey’s (I think). Very good meal, which we paid for. I had steak with innovative crispy mashed potatoes and asparagus. Plus wine and introductory free champagne because we had to wait for our table. Heavy traffic on way back, and I dozed off for a few minutes. After a short break we watched Page Eight, a thriller starring Bill NIghy. Again, very good. Quick snack – rest of pavlova plus cheese and biscuits – we played cards, unfortunately. Quite late in bed.
Tuesday 27th – Skies very threatening in the morning. We got up late and after breakfast travelled to the Dufferin Museum, about 40 minutes away. Interesting stuff there, including a reproduction of an early Dufferin house, and a section on Cornflower Glass, which is very impressive. Took a few pictures and then home, arriving just after 2pm for lunch of chicken pie and salad. After lunch went for short walk – rained a bit as we returned home. Watched four episodes of State of Play, which were excellent. Supper of cheese and biscuits after Episode 3. Oliver messaged to say he had climbed Snowdon by Llanberis track – up and down in five hours. .
Wednesday 28th – Overcast and quite cool, but not uncomfortably so. After breakfast we drove to Alton (about 35 minutes) and visited the Mill, where we had been once before. Looked at some exhibitions, and I spoke to a young woman called Sam, who was being advised by Roger on fonts for a forthcoming book she was writing (imaginary letters). We had a chat about visual arts/poetry combination and the possibilities with reference to Inprint. Gave her my website address. Afterwards looked at a couple of waterfalls and then home via a quick stop to buy food at Bolton. Roger had a phone call to say his new car would be ready next week. Cake and tea, then Dot and I went out for a walk, round to the right and back via Scott. Chilliest it’s been, and a mite damp, but not too much. Had supper of salmon, then watched final two episodes of State of Play, which were well done.
Thursday 29th – Sunny but cold at first. Woke to find Hurricane Ian had smashed through the causeway at Sanibel, leaving the islands without road connection to the mainland. No aerial pictures yet, but we fear Captiva may have been breached again. Soon warmer, and we all went out for a walk; the others did the full eight, and I did a slight variation. Then for lunch we went to an Italian restaurant in Kleinburg called Belsito’s Trattoria. Excellent meal. I had a veal steak recommended by a man at the next table, and it was delicious. Dot and Roger had fish, and Barbara calamari. I had a Laphraoig! Excellent service and nice atmosphere, but parking tricky. Walked up and back through town afterwards. By now very warm. Tired on way home and collapsed on bed when we arrived. Later walked round garden, then watched The Politician’s Wife (all 3 episodes) with a break for nibbles.
Friday 30th – Sunny and warm after a sharp start. Dot had a bad night; so we were a bit late up. Drove north to Hockley Valley and walked part of the Bruce Trail and an offshoot of it. Beautiful and quite hilly, though no great views because of trees. Walked over 9000 steps; so over four miles. Have walked in total further this month than any month since last October. Afterwards we drove to Adamo winery, where we had celebrated our golden wedding anniversary, and had a mista board and wine, defying local hornets. Then home via East Caledon, where I bought some wine.