Visit to Canada

The Diaries of Russell James Sparrow 1908 to 1991

retired on March 29th and so became a gentleman of leisure. On 3rd March there was a terrible air crash in Paris killing 345 people.

On August 24th we set off to see Jean and family in Canada. We had a very good flight in a comfortable Jumbo with plenty of good food and drinks and Jean and Colin were there to meet us. Fortunately the next day was Sunday and we were all able to have a lazy day. In the afternoon Colin took us to Sunnybrook Park where I was surprised to see cricket, football and rugby in progress on a sunny and hot day. Jean and Colin had a very comfortable and spacious home in Willowdale with a very modern shopping precinct within easy reach. It was in a delightful situation on the edge of a ravine through which the children were wont to take a short cut to school. Black squirrels and racoons visited the garden as well as skunks although these were not often seen although sometimes smelled! One racoon which we called Charlie would come up to the house every day for a feed of marshmallows. Jean and Colin’s neighbours were Marg and Geoff Wigzell and they welcomed us with drinks and refreshments soon after we arrived. Geoff and I had several walks together along the ravine. We had 9 weeks there from 25th August to 22nd October and during that time we experienced extremes of weather from very hot to cold and frosty, even some snow. We saw the grandeur of the trees in autumn and the beauty of the Lakes and visited many parks as well as Black Creek Pioneer Village and Ontario Place. We had a weekend with the Quakers at Camp Neekaunis including a visit to St. Marie among The Hurons,

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The Diaries of Russell James Sparrow 1908 to 1991

spent two days touring Algonquin Park, Rambling Falls and a night in The Sunset Motel, Huntsville.

Another trip to Niagara Falls passing through vineyards and peach orchards but it was so crowded because of the Bank Holiday that it was impossible to go under “The Falls’. Two days before we came home Colin, Jean, Simon and I went there again and I was able to go ‘under’ and also cross the Bridge into the U.S.A. Tea with the Gardiners, a visit to the Balcombes when they were trying to clean their cat after an encounter with a skunk, what a pong!!.

I did several odd jobs around the house and on several occasions went into town by myself, travelling in with Colin and sometimes returning with him, or underground and bus. I was able to watch work on the C.N.Tower in progress, see City Hall, Parliament Buildings, churches, Yonge Street, the longest in the world, Lakeside etc. Also up to the 57th floor of the Bank Building with its shopping complex underneath. While I was there I visited Martin Blake, son of church organist in Frinton, who was in the office of the Business Research and Market Development Dept. on the 5th floor.

We were still there for Thanksgiving when we had the traditional turkey and Pecan Pie, and the Hunters joined us for the day.

We had had a wonderful holiday which ended on Tuesday 22nd October when Jean took us to the airport for a 6.50 p.m. take-off. An uneventful flight which landed at Gatwick at 6.10 a.m.

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The C.N.Tower, Toronto

The Diaries of Russell James Sparrow 1908 to 1991

local time. We caught a train to Victoria, taxi to Aldgate and a bus to Brentwood. Had a good night’s rest , loaded Mick’s Mini and set off for Frinton. Unfortunately we didn’t get far because the suspension on the car collapsed, too much good Canadian food! maybe. A taxi and train from Shenfield and we arrived home at 4.30 p.m. Back to routine and the problem of finding somewhere for Ciss, (Doff’s sister) to live as she felt she couldn’t carry on in Needham. A Home was found in Frinton and she said that she would try it. We spent Christmas with Mick and family.

1975

Mild and foggy weather to start the year..I treated myself to a good second-hand cycle which I found extremely useful and enjoyable. We visited Ciss 2 or 3 times a week and sometimes she went with Doff to her various afternoon meetings. After a good look around for another car I eventually purchased the famous Morris 1100, MOO 106J, on 13th March. On the 14th we went to Brentwood for the weekend and Mick came back with us on the Sunday evening and took the Singer Gazelle back to B’wood for his use. Jean and Colin, Sarah and Simon came back to this country for a holiday from May 1st to 16th and came to stay with us for a few days on the 9th, to be joined the next day by Mick and family for lunch. Simon went down with Chicken Pox which of course spoilt his holiday and deprived him of one or two trips to London.

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