The border crossing into Canada was pretty straight forward.Just a few quick fire questions, and then we had to pay $3 to take our car across.We then headed straight to Grimsby (the one in Canada, not England) where we would be staying with Rick, another work friend of my brothers.As we entered Grimsby on the highway, I noticed a car park full of shiny classic cars, so we turned off at the next junction and made a detour back to it.There was a live band, and so many cars - mostly American, but a few others including a few Beetles and a Campervan.Once again, Graham was in his element!

We then took another detour, this one by accident though, as our GPS took us to the West end of Rick's road, which was 10 miles from the East side which we needed.We did get a good look around Grimsby though, and it's much nicer than the one in England!So, eventually we arrived and met Rick and his wife Lyn, and found that some of their friends had been at the car show, and that there is one in the area every night of the week, and tomorrow would be the biggest.Rick also arranged to take Graham to meet his friend Wayne, and see his personal car collection the next day.

In the morning we headed to Niagara Falls with Lyn.I was really surprised at how busy and commercialised it all is.We parked up and walked down Clifton Hill and we felt like we were at Disney Land!After viewing the falls, we booked to go on the Maid of the Mist.Lyn had never been on this, even though she lives only 30 miles from the falls!The boat was packed, but we managed to get close to the front and get a good view of the falls.The force of the water is tremendous, and they give you a big blue plastic poncho/bag to wear, for the spray soaks you, as you get so close to the falls.We then took a walk to the top of the falls, and you can stand right next to the water which is running at such an amazingly fast pace.We then took a drive along the Niagara Parkway and stopped a couple of times to see the 'whirlpool' and Navy Hall.After this we drove home through the pretty little town of Niagara on the Lake, which had some beautiful houses, but very expensive.

Graham and Rick then went out to visit Wayne and see his car collection, whilst I went for a swim in Rick and Lyn's pool, so we were both happy!Graham came back with a huge grin on his face as Wayne had taken him out for a drive in his 1968 Camaro Z28, as well as showing him around his huge garage and collection of cars.He then joined me in the pool, just in time before a terrific rain storm came over.We were having a BBQ that evening, and going to sit outside, but luckily Rick had cooked the meat in time, just before the storm came in and we ate inside, watching the rain come bucketing down.Later the rain stopped, so we went for a walk around the area.It is so beautiful and quiet, with big houses and lots of trees.We decided that we would not go to the car show that night, as we expected it would have been cancelled (no one would have wanted to bring their precious cars out in the rain).

The next morning we had fresh eggs from their chickens, for breakfast, and then sat outside watching all of the wildlife in their beautiful garden.The common birds here seen much more exotic than those in England!We then set off again, this time heading for Toronto, the capital of Ontario.We arrived around midday and spent all afternoon in High Park.The park is huge, and we only saw the couth part, including the zoo, which had emus, wallabies, bison, white deer, lamas, mountain goats and highland cattle.We also walked down to Humber Bay and then went to meet Dave, the next couchsurfer we would be staying with that night.That evening we were so tired from all the travelling, that we went out for dinner at a great place called Purple Onion, then came home and went to bed!

The next morning we got up early and took the subway to Union Station.The subway cars seem much wider than those in London and not as busy, but there are very few maps around.We could not find any to pick up, and there were not even any on the walls of the stations.Luckily Dave had drawn us a great map though, and there are not too many lines and stops - nothing like the system in London.We then walked down to the lake side and took the ferry to Toronto Island.It was really busy, but we managed to get a space at the side near the back, so we had a good view of Toronto as we left.We decided to do this instead of going up the CN tower, as Graham had been up it before and it was really expensive.The island was great - really pretty gardens and some nice beaches, so we spent most of the day there.We then took the ferry back and got the subway to China Town, before heading back to pick up our car.

We then drove to Markham, one of the suburbs of Toronto, to stay with another work friend of my brothers (thanks Andy, for all the contacts)!We spent a great evening with Nuket and Glen, and their daughters, chatting, eating and drinking, before retiring to bed ready for the long drive to Smith Falls the next day.

Maggie x