Last Day/s

Well, I have been very slack with posting, but I will give Glor a break and spin a few words.

An amazing time in Alaska with our dear friends, Lincoln and Tasha and thier two puppies, Argus and Tank, who were the apple of Tess' eye. We explored the glacier, went whale watching in the Alaskan bay, ate at a Crab Shack and had some damn good Alaskan pie. Even got to celebrate the 4th July parade with a dog frisbee competition and a candy toss. On our last day our gorgeous hosts drove us out to the end of the road ( literally.. Juneau is only accessible by sea or air), where we watched salmon leaping and breath taking views of snow peaked mountains. Truly amazing mountain living.

 So now we are back in L.A,  hangin out at the hotel waiting for our flight. I am drinking cheap wine and sourcing my last sedatives for the flight..  I enjoy flying about as much as a punch in the face but we have to do these things to see a bigger world. Tess is spending her last L.A hours in the pool with a rubber unicorn she had to have. She is so Paris Hilton. We took this almighty public tranpsort adventure today, to a place that was supposed to be a 'hot spot' in L.A for funky shopping. It was this strip of dry, deserted half empty shops that sold about three or four over priced items. Strange place. On the bus ride home, the crazy bus driver lady yelled at all the passengers that they were on the wrong bus. Eventually we were the only passengers left and she started yelling and pointing at Mum, asking her where she was going. Glor got so flustered she forgot the name of the street and started stuttering and I nearly wet my pants laughing. Welcome to L.A.

Yesterday we went to Universal Studios. I dont know if AMerican kids are immune to excessive violence and stimulation, but I took Tess on these rides that said she was 'tall enough' to go on them. They were seriously scary. One was a Jurassic Park ride with an enormous mutant T Rex, sound effects that would blow your ear drums and a waterfall drop that was gut wrenching. Somehow, I managed to convince her (and Nonnie) to go on the SImpsons ride, thinking it would be like a funny cartoon. In reality,  it was a simulated 3D ride with this insane movie and our car being thrashed around to emulate a broken roller coaster, with Side Show Bob screaming YOU ARE GOING TO DIE!!!! Mum said she closed her eyes from start to finish and Tess peeked occasionally, in between her frantic pleading and sobbing. Mad.

We were all so exhausted after that we spent the rest of the day in the water park. So now we are just hangin about till midnight when our plane leaves. Will be happy to be home and grounded. On a last word, Tess said on the bus today she didn't want to go home and was wondering what our next country would be. She suggested Paris. Hmmm, not a bad idea. x

Montreal to Alaska

I love the sound of the train whistle.  It was an easy five hour ride from Toronto to Montreal passing through flat countryside which I assume was farming land not yet prepared for the next crop.  Montreal seems to be more a part of France than Canada and, where Toronto uses English then French for all announcements and signs, Montreal is just French.  Lucky for Trina I did get an A for high school french so I could work out approx .5% of the written word...yes, not much help!  We stayed at a little hotel in Old Montreal which was 200 years old so lugging heavy suitcases up the stairs was not much fun and we did have to walk sideways at times for the three of us to get around the room.  We spent very little time there so we coped well enough and the people were very friendly and helpful.  This area of the city where we spent most of our time is so old and it has a charm to it that takes you back in time.  The old warehouses and other portside buildings dating back hundreds of years, the narrow streets and alleyways ...you can imagine the drunken sailors and ladies of the night lurking in the doorways.  Tess celebrated her 5th birthday here and her treat was to go for a ride in a horse and buggy.  She sat up with the driver, shared the reins and helped to steer Marilyn around the streets of Montreal.  Did she feel special? No question about that!

Tess taking charge of Marilyn

The Basilica

Tuesday evening we walked down to the Notre Dame to view the Light Show.  We sat inside the church and watched a short doco on the history of the Basilica then they dropped the large screen.  The front of the church was still covered by a curtain but then the lights shone down and all was revealed.  This was the most beautiful vision I have ever seen.  I could feel the tears running down my cheeks I felt so moved by what had been created.  I looked at Tess and her eyes were like saucers and her mouth had dropped open (as had Trina's).  From then on the smile never left her face and I could tell by the sparkle in her eyes that, even at five, she knew she had seen something very special.  A photo cannot do justice to the Basilica.

Following this visit we had to move on to the Cirque de Soleil where we sat in awe of a different show.  These performers are unbelievable and we were so pleased we decided to go along.  Tess was enthralled and she would start clapping before anyone else and was calling out 'Bravo! Bravo!'.  Not sure where she heard that before but it was so spontaneous and so funny.  Unfortunately we had to crawl out at 5am the next morning for our flight to Juneau.  A long day as it is a bit of an up and down trip to get to Alaska.  Four landings before the final one so it was a 16 hour journey  Definitely worth the effort though as Juneau is gorgeous.  In a valley with snow capped mountains on each side and a lovely laid back feel to it.  Very popular tourist stop and there are three cruise ships in the harbour each day.  Our hosts, Tasha and Lincoln, are wonderful and their focus seems to be on making our stay as enjoyable as possible.  We have been out to the glacier where large chunks of ice are still floating.   Lincoln went down to the lake to get a piece for Tess and she did so want to       Ready for a day out in Juneau

bring it back to Australia.  Some things really are impossible.  Last night was the opening of our hosts newstudio, as they are glass artists, so it was an opportune time to meet some of the locals.  

Trina has just completed a beautiful chocolate cake for her Mama to celebrate the ....th birthday and tonight we are off to the ladies roller derby, a first for all of us, in fact a first for Juneau so Lincoln says the whole town will be there.  This weekend is the Independence Day celebrations so there will lots happening and we also have to make time to learn how to make jewellery from glass.

Not much longer now before we have to return to normality so we will make the most of our last days.  Bye for now....Glor

More from the Femmes

Been a while since I said hello but have been waiting for Trina's contribution and it's not forthcoming so my turn again.   Hard to remember now what we have been up to for the last few weeks but one that comes to mind is the CN Tower.  Not wanting to face her fears Trina encouraged  Tess and I to venture up there on a week day so that let her off the hook.  It is certainly worth the trip up to the top as it was the tallest in the world until Dubai had to go one better.  Afraid I couldn't make it on to the glass floor as every time I peeked down my legs went to jelly and I felt that horrible sick feeling in my tummy.  The little miss however thought it was amazing.  She sat on it, laid on it, walked on it and finally danced on it over and over and over and over.  Such a little show-off!!  She now gets excited even when she sees a picture of the  CN Tower.

Oh what a feeling..dancing on the ceiling!!

During the 1900's a guy in Toronto was given a legacy by his Dad to go out and do his own thing.  He invested this money in electricity and became a millionaire many times over.  He then had a dream to build a castle so that is what he did on a hill in Toronto.  It is Casa Loma.  Unfortunately the poor chappie only lived in his castle for ten years as the Government took over the power supply with no compensation (as Governments do) and he went bankrupt.  Fortunately the people of Toronto fought the developers who wanted to set a few charges and blow up the beautiful castle so it remains today with original furnishing  for all to enjoy.  There is an 800 metre long tunnel which connects the castle to the stables, carriage room etc which Tess was very reluctant to enter.  Had a chat and she decided to go on the underground adventure (twice).  She made ghost noises and wolf noises to scare any other wary travellers so it was a lot of fun.  We climbed the spiral staircases to the highest turret and lunched in the landscaped garden near the spurting fountain.  
Being so close a trip to the Niagara Falls was a must so we headed off on a day tour to check out this wonder of the world.  How's this for a ridiculous statement..."Niagra Falls is just sooo touristy".  Some of the Fall's area looks like sideshow alley.   Such natural beauty surrounded by tacky commercialism but that is the way it must be when so many of us want to have the experience of being there.  We took the "Maid of the Mist" boat road which is quite  a unique little jaunt.  Tess enjoyed the first few minutes of the ride and then...well I shall just insert the picture.  The little town of Niagara on the Lake is picture postcard perfect and the other memorable part was eating strawberry pizza at the winery.  I still salivate at the thought of it.

A picture is worth 1000 words!

We have visited the Pioneer Village. lots of parks and the final week Tess spent her mornings at the Art Barn, a great place for her to mix with other children and enjoy all the activities she loves so much.  That was a timely exercise as we had pretty much exhausted our tourist ventures.  

Tess and her Indian elephant....a sculptress in the making!

At the moment we are some thousands of feet over Canada having bid farewell to our time here in Maple Leaf country.  I shall report on Montreal next time as it is another story.  Before I go though I must include a little on Trina's time at the Bonnie Gordon College and include some pics for you.  She has excelled and her work has impressed everyone.  She has a cake in the windowat the College front and Bonnie Gordon has had her last cake professionally photographed to use on her web site.  She has found the course very beneficial and has learnt a lot.  She is brimming with new ideas and full of enthusiasm to move on with her business.

A beautiful bunch of sugar flowers

A cute little figurine

Haute Couture Wedding Cake

The Klimt Wedding Cake

(designed for a pseudo wedding of the painting curator at the Toronto Art Gallery)

So we start off today's blog with our zoo adventure.  Toronto boasts quite an amazing zoo set on over 700 acres and over 5000 exhibits all of which Tess planned to see on our day's outing.  The area is designed in country of origin of the captive beasts so as long as you have strong legs you can move around the world of animals to see whatever takes your fancy.  I always wonder why creatures in zoos  look like they are on valium.  At a guess I would say boredom as I am sure I would become inane if I was locked in a cage with a big gorilla giving me the eye.   The use of pavillions brought us close to the snakes and spiders and frogs etc so we did cover, say, 4500 exhibits (well that's what I told Tess so we could go home!!).   The trip to the zoo is quite a long ride and it gave me a view of a different Toronto.  Short on the trees and masses of tenement buildings.  I guess it was illogical to imagine that the whole city would be made up of the lovely homes and tree lined streets which is the streetscape where we are living.   It really is a lovely spot.
A short ferry ride took Tess and I over to Centre Island last week....quite a stunning place and worth a look but all the amusements for the children were still to open.   It seems to take weeks into the summer before the Canadians realise the winter is actually over.  
Foodwise we find it impossible to go out for a hearty Sunday breakfast.  Plenty of coffee shops but none of them cook so it's pastries, egg rolls or the like.  Haven't seen a butcher shop and as I said before it took us over a week to find a bottle shop to purchase a bottle of wine.   We have to walk to the subway, get a train one stop, walk to the bottle shop and then reverse it.  The Government runs all the liquor outlets so maybe it's their way of reducing the alcohol intake of Canadians.  Jeez you would think they would consider all the Aussie tourists who would be out there searching for a wee drop of the grape!!
Trina had an extra class yesterday (Sunday) and again next week-end. ( She says she will add to this blog with her bit of prattle so you may hear a little more of the cake side of things).  Tess and I missed her yesterday as we always enjoy our weekends together.  We were a bit flat heading out for our visit to Riverdale Farm and the mood was sorely dampened when Tess left Nutsy the squirrel at the subway station.  She was, of course, broken-hearted and had to be re-assured all through the day that Nutsy would be having a great time with all the other toys in the lost property department.   Riverdale Farm is a pretty place on a creek with little waterfalls and they have the cows, the horses, the chooks, the peacocks, the goats etc.   We had our picnic then crossed the road to visit a beautiful little historic church set in a cemetry.  Tess insisted on being photographed on several tombstones so maybe that was her mood of the day with Nutsy missing.  To top it off she stepped in a big doggy poo on the way back to the bus.  I have to finish on a happy note because when we returned to the subway and I asked the ticketman what happens to lost property, especially a much loved squirrel, he produced same from under his bench and what joy appeared on one little girl's face.  
We have to get organised very soon for our trip to Niagara, Montreal and then Alaska.  Bye until next time xxxGlor   .......(below Tess with beloved Nutsy...                                                                                                                                                                        

(Famous Aussie cake decorator Trina Thomson spotted walking the streets of Toronto with daughter Tess)....(This is two weeks ago but now it really is summer).

Hello Hello...Well here I am again.  I have learned from experienced bloggers that there is a place on the site that you click which says followers.  I am passing this on to all my old friends who are dumb bloggers so they will then be informed via email when I have posted (cool word!!) another blog.  I want no excuses for not reading my prose as when I return there will be a quiz to guage my true friends.

Tess at Science museum showing what Narnie looked like when her leg bone broke away from her hip bone

                                          Tess & I being swallowed by something called ART

The past week has been filled with excursions here, there and everywhere and we enjoyed having Trina with us for the week-end outings.  Tess and I paid a visit to the Toronto Museum last week which has a floor full of exhibits of interest to the kidlets (and adults).  Dinosaurs a favourite of course...children are completely fascinated with dinos and Tess is no different.   During our days we try to find a pretty spot to have our picnic and near the Museum is Queens Park...perfect for us and enough squirrels running around to keep the child excited.   Next day was the Science Museum (yes we are very cultured for a couple of Aussies).  Now this is a truly amazing place and great for kids.  We made paper and brought home a handprint.  We learned about electricity and how it can make your hair stand on end.  Tess didn't want to participate but was very keen for Nonnie to do it.  What a shame it was only for children!!!..I was so looking forward to making a fool of myself.   Trying to get her to leave was in itself a scientific process.  So many things to try.  When I explained that my legs were turning to jelly she took sympathy on me and after some time I found the way out.  Actually I am improving quite a lot in this area and the other day an elderly lady actually asked me for directions on the Subway and I actually answered her.  I do hope the dear old soul is not still floating around down there somewhere.
The three of us headed down to the Harbour on Saturday for the Big Circus Festival, continuous entertainment for three days.  (Monday was Canada Day Holiday).   Sunday was Art Gallery day, a treat for the Mother. For the Grandmother the most awesome exhibits were the model ships...130  collected and donated to the Gallery by one man ....good bloke called Thomson.  The detail was mind boggling and I could have stayed there for hours.  I also bought a kinky watch which looks like a huge black and white postage stamp on my wrist...have to live dangerously sometimes.
Monday we tackled the old red double-decker bus.  I cringed a bit at a large group of senior citizens getting on and laughing too loud and talking too much until I realised I was actually one of those grey nomads.  It was an interesting tour.   We have left the boat ride on the Harbour for another day as the water was very choppy.  Tess also wants to go up to the top of the Crown Tower and stand on the glass-floored platform.  Trina said she was too scared but daughter replied "Mum you tell me I have to face my fears so now you have to".  We will see what happens!!!
Tess and I travelled to Trina's school on Tuesday to join her for lunch and check out the joint.  She is very happy with the course and is learning so much.   We also enjoy the cake which sometimes makes it way home (the staff here are also enjoying their share).   I shall leave our trip to the Zoo for the next post as I appreciate what busy lives you all have.
Life is good....get up, make the bed, do the brekkie dishes, quick tidy and that's my housework for the day.  I have decided a cleaning lady is an absolute necessity for a happy life.  Talk to you soon....keep happy xxxGlor

Just over a week since we left and Tess is the only one who has started her blog.  Guilt sets in so here I go.  Here is a quick appraisal for those of you with a very short attention span.
 Travel - Excellent ...flights very smooth, food yucky (as expected)
Accommodation...LA/Redondo two nights, good position near the beach.
     Toronto...Love our new home, very quaint and they love artificial flowers.
Sightseeing.........   Disneyland amazing, Toronto beautiful city and we have hardly started on our list of 'to-           dos"
The Half Femme....She is such a little trooper and rarely loses her bounce.  So many laughs.
\Weather.......5 out of 10

If you would like a little more detail continue reading:

Am I supposed to pedal??

The flights were incredibly smooth except for the landing at LA which brought a few yells from passengers.  Tess, in her wisdom, explained the pilot was just practicing...mmmm not on my shift please!  It is such a pain getting through the airports but we survived.  Our first day in LA we thought we should try to stay awake until normal bedtime having left Oz at 11am and arriving in USA at 6.30am the same day it sure plays havoc with one's body clock as many of you would know.  I managed to sneak onto the bed in the arvo but Trina very quickly kicked me out and advised we were going bike riding along the seashore.  I wasn't sure I could even remember how
to ride a bike let alone ride one whilst asleep.  It turned out to be a lovely experience and we rewarded ourselves with big icecreams on the pier while we watched the seals on the rocks.  Much of this trip will be enjoyed through the eyes of the child and this was the start of the wonderment.  We had a moment of negativity regarding Disneyland when we thought of the crowds but then we realised one could not be in LA with a child and not give her the experience.  Great decision for Tess and ourselves.  I rode in a teacup 45 years ago and here I was doing it again with my granddaughter.  What an incredible place this is and Tess just wanted more and more.  She cruised through the magic of Small World, went to find Nemo in a yellow submarine, took the train ride through the Grand Canyon and Dinosaur World and so much more.  She and I even went into the haunted house just to please the Mother.  Pretty spooky!! (Above is photo of Minnie Mouse) We are desperate for a decent cup of cappuccino and a normal size plate of food.  Feeling not too hungry I ordered a starter of mushrooms (6 big fellas in cream sauce) and an appertif of wontons (11 deep fried parcels arrived on a bed of noodles).  Meals in USA are served on platters not plates.
Toronto is a city which we felt had a great vibe from the beginning, something we didn't get with LA.  Tess & I have had several enjoyable days exploring and getting to know our way around on the subway and streetcars.  My sense of direction is a worry though as yesterday arvo I took her on a streetcar to go East and it went West.  Our 8 minute journey took 45 minutes at the end of a big day.  She takes it in her stride.  Only the first day when we were walking up to the coffee?? shop did she sit down in the middle of the pavement and inform us that she was too tired to walk anymore.  She had the grumps for quite a while until we sat in the shop and put a blueberry muffin in front of her.  I know Trina cares about me as she looked across the street and informed me there was a psychologist there if I happend to need it!   I am sure I will cope very well as she has been a gem and we are having fun.

Toronto Suites ...Our new home

Our apartment is really cosy.  This whole area has an historic feel to it as all the houses and buildings are very English (or maybe it's the French influence).  Our building has an atrium near our room so Tess & I will be able to go down there and sit in the lounge for stories etc and watch the fish in the pond.
More adventures to come.  Please tune in again.  xxxxxGlor