Widden old Boys

This morning started with a slightly later breakfast of 08.30 in Applebees. This was missed by many as the tiredness was now creeping in and you could tell it was the last day! Once we had all gone back to the rooms to pack, check out was not until 11.30 therefore this left plenty of time to do this and enjoy the last few hours in Niagara until the coach came at 1 o’clock.

As usual again the coach was early and we the porters who had collected our bags from the rooms brought them out in order to load the coach, which was bound for Toronto Pearson airport. On arrival it came to light that Gareth bag was missing this was soon sorted with a phone call to the hotel and it getting it put into a can to make the hour’s journey down here. The entire group decided to check in and to leave Gareth, Kerry and John waiting for the taxi to arrive. As planned it did and Gareth soon got checked in and caught up with everyone only to realise as were boarding he had left his hand luggage in the café. Luckily the fine bank had be shut after the presentations last night other wise I think this would have been a hefty one!

The flight went according to plan and we touched down at London Heathrow at 06.45. Everyone then clambered to the Baggage carousel heavy eyed and ready for bed but with memories that will never be forgotten. See you next year!!

Everybody rose for an early breakfast this morning ahead of a free day in Niagara. Following breakfast Karen gave the orders for today and the team went their separate ways to enjoy Niagara in the scorching sun. The excursions enjoyed were Journey behind the falls, maid of the mist boat ride, cable car and many many more. Everyone then met in the hotel reception for the end of tour dinner.

The lads turned out very smart in their Widden shirts and ties with polished shoes. We then started to make our way to Pinnacle point restaurant, which was 5 minute walk away from the hotel and up the Minolta Tower over looking the falls on arrival the staff were running late from a previous wedding therefore we took advantage of time we had to take pictures from the observation deck before eventually making our way up to floor 26 and the restaurant! Here we were greeted by a messy restaurant not our own room. This was the promised room equipped with a bar, TV and tables which we could use following our meal. This was accepted and ahead we went with the meal, overlooking the falls.

The last day in Toronto started bright and early with our last full breakfast at 8am. This was missed by many, as the hours were beginning to catch up and we didn’t need to check out of the hotel until 11am. This soon arrived, with all bags packed which seemed somewhat fuller than when we first arrived and some how there seemed to be more!

As we got on our way we headed again back up the highway bound for the ground we didn’t make it to on Monday. This was a very relaxed quiet journey as Andy Brown supplied us with a Jonah Lubo DVD to play en route.

As we arrived as the Brantford Harlequins ground we were greeted by open fields and a rugby club that seemed to be in the middle of no-where - This soon changed! As we reversed down the drive St. Johns College arrived with lads that towered over ours and look somewhat bigger followed by what seemed the whole neighbourhood! This didn’t put the Widden lads off and they quickly changed and began warming up.

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!