An extra-long train journey – 14 October 2023

 

I woke to the news that the government in New Zealand was going to change to a far more conservative one.  A disappointment for me but not surprising. Even the scale of the defeat was as expected.    Perhaps there would be a better result from the All Blacks versus Ireland Rugby World Cup match.  Due to our travel that day, the outcome was to be left unknown until later that day when hopefully we could watch it at Joly's. 

 

Union Station, Toronto

We had had a couple of messages the day before saying that there may be delays with our train journey to Toronto, caused by trackwork.  Something we are very familiar with in Wellington and Auckland. 

 

Our departure was 10:30 but when we got to the train station we were informed that it would be an hour and a quarter late.  So no rugby match to watch at 3pm, given the estimated time of arrival.  The train was joined to another train leaving at that time.  I have no idea why. 

An excited Bev ready to leave Ottawa train station

 

All went well for the first few hours with the train manager giving us regular updates.    We heard various announcements  what was happening with the delay but were told the arrival time would remain the same despite making a detour.  Bev messaged her nephew to tell him the new time but it steadily got later to the point where I was thinking it would be midnight before we arrived.  We finally arrived at Union Station, Toronto where the very patient Joly greeted us. We were told that this was not usual and that trains were generally reliable.  

 

We had seen a photo of Joly’s place which looked rather  impressive.  Seeing it in reality provided another dimension entirely.  Unlike many Canadian houses this was all about light.  It was open plan with lots of glass and floor heated with hot water pipes running through the concrete.  It looked small but it is a three-to-four-bedroom house depending on how it is configured.  He has done some very tasteful things to it.

 

Looking out to the garden at Joly's place


We were treated to some great Canadian barbecued beef and it was complemented with some champagne and then a Coleraine 2005.  It was all wonderful and Joly stated that the Coleraine was one of the best wines he has ever had.  High praise indeed as he has a very good palate. 

 

Despite a lack of exercise, we were rather tired when we finally made it to bed. 

Royal York Hotel - the largest of the railway hotels


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