Thursday July 13 – Tillsonburg to Toronto

The day started with heavy rain for some time. In the morning we went to the local shops
and after lunch at Jackie and Lorne’s, they drove us into Toronto so we could book into the hotel. 

Typical farm

Amish/Mennonite horse and buggy - the driver is standing behind a shield (to keep off rain)

Amish farm

They drive on t'other side here!

These are everywhere. While school is on summer break they can be hired

The traffic was heavy, due in no small part by a car accident on the opposite side, and the closure of a main road for the Indy car race. After booking in and waiting for our cases to arrive in the room, we went for a walk around the area to see where we could buy food for dinner. 

Fairmont Royal York

Across the road from our Hotel (the Fairmont Royal York) is the main Toronto railway station (Union Station) which our room on the 7^th floor overlooks. The hotel was the highest building at 28 floors in Toronto when it was built, but is now well and truly dwarfed by many more modern buildings. It hosted Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip in 2002. The hotel is one of the railway hotels, built to accommodate railway travellers back in the day. The railway was the catalyst for the unification of Canada, and was very important in opening up the country.

Union Railway Station

Main hall inside the railway station. The entire building is undergoing renovations and restorations

Let loose on the streets of Toronto

Our Tour Director, Gary, has just knocked on the door to introduce himself and have a chat.