Widden old Boys

Once again the day started very relaxed with a full English at 9am. The boys then went off the final training session ahead of the third fixture tomorrow, all retuning tired out and in desperate need of a shower as the humidity was near unbearable this morning. At 12 noon everybody met to discuss options for today’s activities available to the group was swimming, shopping, sightseeing and you guessed it everybody had one final blow out and shopped till they dropped.

Upon meeting at 5pm the lads had made another special effort, taking off their rugby shirts and short and replacing with a more smart / casual look with Jeans and shirts. We all then headed on mass down to the subway station to catch the TTC followed by the street train to the Waterfront. This was very well handled with Norman now getting the tickets in advance and then being led and followed by Kerry & John. It went extremely smooth to say the least! We all then had an our to take in what was on offer at the waterfront, Darrin in particular spent the whole hour in a perfume shop with Sarah and Karen trying to find a fragrance that just didn’t seem to be in the shop! On the other hand the majority of the boys sat and admired the view taking in the evening sunlight.

Today started again, again a little later with a hot full English breakfast. A lot of lads appeared having fallen asleep in last night’s clothes. As usual the food didn’t last long and everyone went to prepare for the full day out at Canada’s Wonderland. The bus arrived as early as usual and off we went back up the highway, which we got held up on, on Monday but only this time we got there and the roads were generally clear. On arrival there was another very distinct smell of sun cream as temperatures were rising fast. We made our way down to the main gate got through and before you know it all lads were gone!

After a well deserved lie-in and late breakfast, the lads went out to nearby Moss park for training returning at midday for another good full day at leisure. The lads broke off in groups with parents for lunch and shopping before all groups met at the CN tower at 3pm.

A beautifully clear day bound to afford us fantastic views. When all the lads (who were banned fizzy drinks for the day) had finished their slush drinks and had various coloured lips and teeth, the whole group proceeded through short q’s for photos and new style security screening which blasted shots of as you passed through the futuristic pods. We made our way to the glass sided elevator for a 58 second (15mph) trip to the observation point.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory came to mind as we rocketed skywards, looking down as the city spread before us. Everyone was amazed at the look out level with breath taking views; lots of boys and parents brave the glass floor for photos lying on top of the world. A very weird experience, 1122 ft above ground level. Several made a further climb to the sky pod at 1465 ft and were rewarded by the Rogers Stadium retractable roof opening ahead of tonight’s game.

Breakfast was an extremely relaxed affair this morning as we agreed to all having a lie in and making the most of a free morning. As usual, we all gathered in the reception area before venturing down to the tram stop to head for the beaches. This was easier said than done due to the fact that we could not pay on board but had to go in to the subway to get the tickets, this was handled extremely well by Norman and John.

Eventually we got on our way and onto the tram, this journey took around 15 minutes giving everyone chance to see more of the suburbs of Toronto and also see how people in the city commute. We then arrived, beautiful sandy beach accompanied with its own boardwalk, cycling track / roller blade track and a café – What more could you ask for?

Here the lads decided to try their hands at beach baseball, their very own version of American football and again many other activities even burying each other and building sandcastles out of used coke paper cups. Mums and Dads on the other hand made the most of the relaxation, by simply taking it all in, admiring the view of the CN tower from this distance and the sunshine of course!

It was the finally decided that majority of the group were going to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean film and so they did. Only to discover that the cinema was a good 20 minutes walk away. The film was enjoyed by most, including Karen, Jane and Blake commented it was “ok” the bits the saw as most of the three hour film they spent catching up on some lost sleep!

Breakfast was a sleepy affair this morning as an early rise was in order in time for our Hippo Tours excursion this morning. Following breakfast again we started to gather in the lobby of the hotel ready for the mass walk to the subway station to the West side of downtown. We started our commute and on arrival we were greeted by 2 tightly close steel doors, the subway was shut until 09.30!

Plan ‘B’ now kicked into action – Walk. The group now ventured back onto well-known ground down Younge Street to near the CN tower. On arrival at our final location of the Hippo head office, we were greeted by 2 very unusual looking buses / boats. It turns out we were extremely early and have to wait 45 minutes to set off!

This morning everybody woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed in time for breakfast at 07:30. With croissants, toast, fruit and hot drinks and the sheer size of the croissants the lads were soon to gulp down and quickly make their way to the basketball court across the road to do the most important thing, play sport. With all sports making an appearance on the court, from basketball, football and even the lads very own version of American football.

As people began to gather in the foyer and the path outside the hotel there was a distinct smell of sun cream as everyone slapped it on for the hot weather ahead of us. Shortly after our yellow school bus arrived. We all were eager to get on and see if it was just like films, and we were not mistaken.

Today started with an early rise in time for the breakfast rolls for the departure of the coach bound for London Heathrow from the rugby club. On arrival at Heathrow, check in and all security checks ran smoothly with no hiccups or interruptions. Once all boarded onto the AC593 ready for take off everyone was extremely excited and eager just to get to Toronto for the tour to begin.

On Arrival (an hour and half late) in Toronto Pearson International Airport we passed through customs, onto the baggage carousel, to the coach stop led by Albertine then smoothly to the Bond Place Hotel, here is base for the next seven nights. With the kind porter nobody had to carry bags to their rooms as this was all completed very quickly by him – what a relief! Once all settled everyone went their separate ways to enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure and a well earnt rest, most lads came to Toronto just for McDonalds!