Re-Entry

Marilyn and I spent Sunday afternoon recalibrating. We picked up Dougal, Marilyn’s wheaten terrier, did various chores (Marilyn) and worked on photos (me). We had a delicious quiche supper brought by friend Maggie, who also came with good humor and excellent conversation.

The day started with the zipper on my rather large suitcase finally giving way just after I had finished packing. Marilyn gave me a much smaller one, but everything fit in except the pair of uncomfortable shoes that I left in Stratford as trash, along with the suitcase.

The drive to Pearson airport on this holiday Monday was pleasant on a very light traffic day. I sailed through customs & immigration at YYZ in record time and was at the gate more than two hours before my scheduled flight time. I enjoyed a Starbucks breakfast sandwich and skim latté and sat down to write.

The weekend was not only enjoyable but also very “satisfying”. I had the pleasure of participating in two happy occasions that brought great pleasure to many families. I survived awful shoes and Marilyn saved me from a luggage disaster. Bob picked me up at the airport in the pouring rain.

What more can anyone ask for?

Stratford by Train

My last train experience was long and somewhat uncomfortable, so I was looking forward to revising my impression of train travel. I had been in Union Station once or twice before, back in the 1970s. The station is undergoing extensive renovations, but the passenger areas we saw have that depressing look of poverty in the nineteen sixties: cheap, uncomfortable furniture; ugly colors; not even an electrical outlet for use by passengers. Add that unmistakable “railway” smell of train track, rubber, creosote, and various body odors and you’ve got a traveler a little reluctant to get on the train.

My fears were unfounded. L didn’t break my neck getting on or off the train (always a good thing) and the trip was quite scenic, in super comfortable seats. Spring burst out all over as the sun warmed the trees and gardens along the way. The only sour note was downed wireless connectivity which persisted throughout the two and a half hour trip to Stratford, despite the conductor’s best efforts to “reset” the wireless. I was dying to have a look at the router but wisely said nothing.

My stomach lurches very easily and I was both relieved and happy with the cleanliness of the lavatory.

One-Night Stay at the InterContinental

I was too tired from the Steam Whistle shoes misadventure to fully enjoy the comfort of the InterContinental Hotel on Front Street. On a visit longer than the few hours we spent in Toronto, I would have explored this very pleasant hotel and its amenities. Marilyn reminded me yesterday that the subway would have been a better way for me to travel between the hotel and St. Michael’s Cathedral. And, of course, that had crossed my mind at the time but I felt reluctant to take the chance of going in the wrong direction. I was wrong … but no matter.

Marilyn ordered room service for a delicious Sunday continental breakfast, including enough fruit and pastries to feed a family. After our meal, we went for a swim in the spa area of the hotel. Quite posh and well equipped, though the locker room did seem a little small to the woman who walked in, expecting to repack her extremely large suitcase next to the lockers.

The pool was beautiful. Not too much chlorine; narrow in the style of modern pools designed to attract the serious lap swimmer, which I am not. I was mesmerized by the view through the skylight of the CN Tower, from a corner of the pool.

The hotel is a convenient short (<  10 minutes) walk from Union Station, where we hopped on the train to Stratford.

Agony at the Steam Whistle Brewery

Through the window from inside the Steam Whistle Brewery

The wedding reception was at the Steam Whistle Brewery, a few blocks from our hotel. A short walk, unless one is stupid enough to wear extremely uncomfortable shoes (not elegant, or even good looking, in my case). The shoes came from Payless a decade ago, and I've kept them around for use when the comfy black loafers just won't work. Shoes are now in Marilyn's pile of junk for the dump, but that is another story.

I had already hoofed plenty that afternoon, walking to St. Michael's and most of the way back, but at least I was wearing my comfortable tennis shoes for that junket. My calves and shins were so sore that I contemplated abandoning the shoes and walking down Simcoe in my bare feet. Marilyn was wearing very lovely heeled sandals but she looked fit and comfortable in her wedding finery as we trudged down the small but challenging hill.

By the time we walked in the door, I desperately needed a stiff drink, but under the circumstances was afraid to imbibe. I settled on the glass of red wine offered by a snappy looking waiter. I had to sit down on the bench at the entrance, while Marilyn socialized with friends. I had gone way beyond being worried that I'd be thought unsociable and cold. I was in too much pain. The wine didn't help.

I enjoyed the two appetizers (chicken in a miniature ice cream cone, breaded shrimp) brought to me but I simply couldn't get up to try the others. Meanwhile, I was getting mighty thirsty but the authorities were herding the crowd into the wedding reception. By the time I got to the bar, service had stopped so I grabbed a second glass of wine from a waiter's tray and limped into the dining room.

During the delicious dinner, I worried about how I would look when I finally got up from the table. Later, before the dancing began, I got up my courage and stumbled toward the ladies' room. I looked around, only a little concerned that I would be judged to be drunk -- which might have numbed the pain -- or infirm, which I definitely was.

The climb up the hill was actually quite a bit easier than the trek down. We made it to our room shortly before 11:00 p.m. By that time, I ached all over and slept fitfully, grateful that the day had ended without some awful fall or shameful incident.

The wedding reception was, in fact, very enjoyable, and I got the warm feeling that Carol and Jeff were compatibly blending two lovely families. Read about Carol & Jeff's wedding here.  FB Photos.