Caitlyn's Birthday

Yesterday there was a birthday party in Cambridge (Hespeler) for Steve and Jennifer's youngest, Caitlyn Michelle.

The theme for this celebration was "Tangled", a Disney computer animated fantasy film (Trivia Alert: it was the 50th animated feature from the Disney Studios). It's based on the fairy tale known as Rapunzel.

  
Once everyone got settled in, food drinks, etc., it was time to open all the birthday gifts. Jennifer helped her daughter with the cards and the paper, while Liam helped his sister with the rest.

Len got the birthday girl a purple dress.

The oohs and aahs could be heard around the room as Jennifer held up the pretty party dress.

Len seemed more than satisfied that he had selected an appropriate gift for his grandaughter.

Here's the Axbey girls with Michelle (Nico is hiding from the flash).

The final present of the day was from Caitlyn's parents. Her very own pink bicycle with training wheels.

Here's cousin Lucy instructing Caitlyn on the intricacies of balancing a two wheeler.

Lumbini Nepal

Dateline December 12 and13, 2011: (Lumbini, Nepal)

There were two busloads of Lahdakhi pilgrims who were also staying at the monastery, and one evening they were working together, preparing their meal and chanting. During the day, I joined in the Korean Temple's morning and evening prayers. I've been hearing so much lovely folk music, that I wish I could record some of it.

Whilst touring the area around Lumbini, I saw Sarus cranes, open-billed storks, egrets, tree pies, trongos and kingfishers.

The sacred gardens and temples  had some lovely flowers, including a beautiful purple lotus.

The journey from Lumbini to Varanasi is probably best not dwelt on too much. It was a very long and frustrating day; but there were many good-hearted people along the way - especially the young men who always seem to come to my rescue. Bless them all!

In Varanasi, we walked along the ghats (or steps to the Ganges). Tonight there will be a full moon; so there will be several special ceremonies, or so I'm told.

I am currently staying at Old Yogi Lodge for the night; then heading south to Sarnath, and to Patna after that.

  

Riverdale

"Take a Walk on the Riverside"  is an annual event or “Walk Fest” in the Queen and Broadview district - aka Riverside.

This year it consisted of six different walks, and I decided to register for the Inside and Outback Walk since this one promised to showcase the architecture and history surrounding Riverdale.

It was co-hosted by Ron Fletcher, of the Riverdale Historical Society, and Shawn Micallef senior editor of Spacing Magazine and author of Stroll.

It began at the Queen and Saulter Public Library that was designed by non other than E.J. Lennox. 
There is so much history around this former Postal Station, that I will do something about it, sometime.

After some introductions and a tour of the library premises, we exited out back onto Saulter Street and proceeded down a newly named laneway. This short alley is named after a very special woman - June Callwood.

 

At this time I brazenly approached Shawn Micallef, and got him to sign my copy of Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto.

That’s Shawn, with the grey jacket and black glasses.

  

 

We walked down the laneway and stopped at the end while Ron and Shawn talked about the worker houses that dot this neighbourhood.

I noticed that the back of the Opera House is smack up against this little white house.

We crossed Queen Street and headed for Degrassi Street, but not before I took a picture of a building that comprises three separate units, both above and below.

The date in the centre, and at the top is 1904, and there are two huge semi-circular windows that slide open for the tenants, much like French doors.

Along Degrassi Street, we learned about the Riverdale Railway Station that once stood nearby. This park was named after Bruce Mackey, a local teacher and celebrity, who often appeared on the series Degrassi High.

Here is another workers’ house with some added gingerbread…very cute.

 

We then followed the leaders down a lane and across Queen Street to a little cul de sac beside the Sisters of St Joseph Co-Op - Woodgreen Place.

Shawn spoke to the group about how there are many such little hideaways in Toronto that become a virtual oasis from the busy streets.

Back out on Queen Street, and some information about the Poulton Block that sits at Queen and Boulton.

It was built in 1885 for William Poulton, as a Mason Lodge, and has a Heritage Plaque attached to the south wall.

 

From here we travelled west to Broadview, where Ron spoke about The Broadview Hotel aka Jilly’s, with its fancy brick work and 21 face carvings.

Just up the street is the Royal Canadian Curling Club; which used to be the Royal Canadian Bicycle Club.

We were invited in to the big white building to see the trophies and have some refreshments. All in all a good time was had that day, despite the on again off again rain.