I dunno... How about Toronto?
- Thread starter MikeO
- Start date
Plymouth Prowler
13th June 2025
An odd night's sleep. I woke at 0500 and struggled to get back to sleep, but eventually did. I woke at 10:00
I quickly ablute and get dressed, then get in the car. It's a very pleasant 18℃ with broken high cloud, and I make the short drive to my destination with the roof down…
The Canadian Automotive Museum is in a pretty rough part of town. It's in a (slightly) repurposed car dealership…
Not part of the Museum — but still in use. I can't remember the last time I saw a parking meter…
I pay my $17 (senior) entrance fee — this is a non-profit organisation — and start looking around the extensive collection — starting with the 2008 Zenn, an EV built in Quebec, with a top speed of 40kph…
This 1903 Orient Buckboard, seems more like a soap-box derby racer than an actual car, it was the first car in Canada to get a licence plate…,
There are some familiar cars here…
…and some beautifully presented ones, like this 1963 Buick…
…which was owned by Canadian Prime Minister Lester B Pearson…
How about this? A 1926 Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8A S…
…with inlaid woodwork around the passenger compartment…
It even has the wheel on the correct side…
…and sumptuous fittings in the back seats…
Staying Italian (and right-hand drive), this Alfa Romeo C6 1750 is from 1931…
…and is superbly styled…
A Rolls-Royce…
…Phantom III from 1937…
…with the chauffeur out in all weathers…
Whilst his employers sit in comfort in the rear…
The vehicles are laid out well, given the restrictions on space. This 1908 McLaughlin Model F was in incredibly bright condition - but I would have liked to see the white car in the background — alas, unavailable to view…
This 1975 Bricklin SV-1 is a gull-winged sports car, which was made if coloured composites and was produced in Canada. A total of about 3000 were built, just over half survive today. Other than its materials, it's eerily similar to the DeLorean produced a few years later…
Look at the simplicity of this Bugatti — beautiful…
…compared with the hideous ostentation of this 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50…
The steering wheel looks like it has as many functions as a modern Formula One wheel…
In the second viewing area...
…a DeLorean!
This 1926 Bentley Three-Litre Thoroughbred cannot be painted in the correct shade of green. It just looks wrong…
This Wisconsin built Kissel Gold Bug Speedster looks superb, and has — amazingly…
…a pull-out side seat…
1937 Buick Roadmaster…
1923 Vauxhall 30-98. Vauxhall is the trade name used by General Motors in the UK and New Zealand — and in Canada, by the look of it…
Upstairs!
1903 Redpath Messenger…
1930 Buick Marquette…
1919 Rauch & Lang — electric cars manufactured in Cleveland, Ohio…
1914 Brockville Atlas — made in Ontario…
1918 Chevrolet Snowmobile!
1937 REO Speedwagon
Brooks Steamer from 1925...
This...
…is an 1898 Woods Electric car…
…and this, is a hybrid — with both an internal combustion engine and batteries to run from — the 1914 Galt Gas/Electric…
There's little new under the sun…
Right — time for some lunch…
I return to the car — noticing a great mural on the opposite wall…
…put the roof down and just meander for a bit…
…finding myself at a beach. I have to remind myself that these are lakes, not seas, but they are just like being at the edge of an ocean. I sit on a bench for a while, soaking up the quiet, broken only by the breaking of the waves on the shore…
Then I ask Waze to find me somewhere to eat. The suggestion, a few minutes away, is the Bulldog Pub and Grill...
…which is a nice, quiet watering hole. Chris, pictured here before we met…
...is clearly a regular...
The lovely Brandy…
…brings me sweet tea (they don't do lemonade) and a menu, from which I select…
…poutine — simply because it is a signature Canadian dish, and I've never tried it. It comprises chips, cheese curds and gravy. It's not the most exciting food I've tried, but it's tasty and filling — another tick in my Boy's Own Book of Canada…
I say my farewells (Chris has been nursing a can of Coors — but Brandy has served him, without any apparent signal, five shots of vodka in the hour I have been here, and I'm leaving before 1300)…
I'm soon back at my room and making a start on today's journal…
An odd night's sleep. I woke at 0500 and struggled to get back to sleep, but eventually did. I woke at 10:00
I quickly ablute and get dressed, then get in the car. It's a very pleasant 18℃ with broken high cloud, and I make the short drive to my destination with the roof down…
The Canadian Automotive Museum is in a pretty rough part of town. It's in a (slightly) repurposed car dealership…
Not part of the Museum — but still in use. I can't remember the last time I saw a parking meter…
I pay my $17 (senior) entrance fee — this is a non-profit organisation — and start looking around the extensive collection — starting with the 2008 Zenn, an EV built in Quebec, with a top speed of 40kph…
This 1903 Orient Buckboard, seems more like a soap-box derby racer than an actual car, it was the first car in Canada to get a licence plate…,
There are some familiar cars here…
…and some beautifully presented ones, like this 1963 Buick…
…which was owned by Canadian Prime Minister Lester B Pearson…
How about this? A 1926 Isotta-Fraschini Tipo 8A S…
…with inlaid woodwork around the passenger compartment…
It even has the wheel on the correct side…
…and sumptuous fittings in the back seats…
Staying Italian (and right-hand drive), this Alfa Romeo C6 1750 is from 1931…
…and is superbly styled…
A Rolls-Royce…
…Phantom III from 1937…
…with the chauffeur out in all weathers…
Whilst his employers sit in comfort in the rear…
The vehicles are laid out well, given the restrictions on space. This 1908 McLaughlin Model F was in incredibly bright condition - but I would have liked to see the white car in the background — alas, unavailable to view…
This 1975 Bricklin SV-1 is a gull-winged sports car, which was made if coloured composites and was produced in Canada. A total of about 3000 were built, just over half survive today. Other than its materials, it's eerily similar to the DeLorean produced a few years later…
Look at the simplicity of this Bugatti — beautiful…
…compared with the hideous ostentation of this 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50…
The steering wheel looks like it has as many functions as a modern Formula One wheel…
In the second viewing area...
…a DeLorean!
This 1926 Bentley Three-Litre Thoroughbred cannot be painted in the correct shade of green. It just looks wrong…
This Wisconsin built Kissel Gold Bug Speedster looks superb, and has — amazingly…
…a pull-out side seat…
1937 Buick Roadmaster…
1923 Vauxhall 30-98. Vauxhall is the trade name used by General Motors in the UK and New Zealand — and in Canada, by the look of it…
Upstairs!
1903 Redpath Messenger…
1930 Buick Marquette…
1919 Rauch & Lang — electric cars manufactured in Cleveland, Ohio…
1914 Brockville Atlas — made in Ontario…
1918 Chevrolet Snowmobile!
1937 REO Speedwagon
Brooks Steamer from 1925...
This...
…is an 1898 Woods Electric car…
…and this, is a hybrid — with both an internal combustion engine and batteries to run from — the 1914 Galt Gas/Electric…
There's little new under the sun…
Right — time for some lunch…
I return to the car — noticing a great mural on the opposite wall…
…put the roof down and just meander for a bit…
…finding myself at a beach. I have to remind myself that these are lakes, not seas, but they are just like being at the edge of an ocean. I sit on a bench for a while, soaking up the quiet, broken only by the breaking of the waves on the shore…
Then I ask Waze to find me somewhere to eat. The suggestion, a few minutes away, is the Bulldog Pub and Grill...
…which is a nice, quiet watering hole. Chris, pictured here before we met…
...is clearly a regular...
The lovely Brandy…
…brings me sweet tea (they don't do lemonade) and a menu, from which I select…
…poutine — simply because it is a signature Canadian dish, and I've never tried it. It comprises chips, cheese curds and gravy. It's not the most exciting food I've tried, but it's tasty and filling — another tick in my Boy's Own Book of Canada…
I say my farewells (Chris has been nursing a can of Coors — but Brandy has served him, without any apparent signal, five shots of vodka in the hour I have been here, and I'm leaving before 1300)…
I'm soon back at my room and making a start on today's journal…
13th June 2025 - (cont)
After finishing today's entry, I get back in the car in search of some dinner…
…and decide that the Five Guys I noticed on my way back to the hotel would be a good choice…
I am not disappointed. Their burgers are ludicrously expensive, but absolutely top quality…
I also have a Reese's Pieces shake — why not?
I return to my hotel, turning up my audiobook to smother the sound of my arteries hardening…
After finishing today's entry, I get back in the car in search of some dinner…
…and decide that the Five Guys I noticed on my way back to the hotel would be a good choice…
I am not disappointed. Their burgers are ludicrously expensive, but absolutely top quality…
I also have a Reese's Pieces shake — why not?
I return to my hotel, turning up my audiobook to smother the sound of my arteries hardening…
Bit disappointed here, a museum without a Link Trainer! What's going on?
14th June 2025
Terrible night's sleep. Took ages to fall asleep, then I woke at 0430 and felt unable to get back. To divert myself, I did the NYT Spelling Bee — and achieved 'Queen Bee' within 45 minutes…
I eventually drift back off and wake at about 0930. I pack my stuff up, hoping that my hotel tonight has a guest laundry, as I'm about to go underwear critical, ablute, dress and am in the car at just on 1000…
In the absence of options, I stop for breakfast at a Tim's, and get a great coffee, plus a “Farmer's Breakfast Wrap” — a breakfast burrito by another name…
…I keep my eyes averted from the Timbits on display…
Setting off again, I join the westbound Express route, that I came out of Toronto on a few days back…
Once again, it's busy…
Crazy amounts of traffic in both directions. I'm listening to the last couple of days of Operation Pedestal, as the tanker Ohio is being nursed towards Valletta harbour. What a feat of arms that was…
At just before midday, I arrive at my hotel and the delightful Sylvia checks me in without a minute's delay, explains where the guest laundry is, changes some of my notes into “Loonies” and supplies me with some washing powder.
I should probably explain that Sylvia did this after I asked her, rather than her just guessing I needed it from my appearance and odour…
I go up to my fourth-floor room, where I'll be staying for the next three nights…
…sort out my laundry, then take it down to get it done.
Once it's done, I plan on having a quiet day in, to catch up on some of my lost sleep…
Terrible night's sleep. Took ages to fall asleep, then I woke at 0430 and felt unable to get back. To divert myself, I did the NYT Spelling Bee — and achieved 'Queen Bee' within 45 minutes…
I eventually drift back off and wake at about 0930. I pack my stuff up, hoping that my hotel tonight has a guest laundry, as I'm about to go underwear critical, ablute, dress and am in the car at just on 1000…
In the absence of options, I stop for breakfast at a Tim's, and get a great coffee, plus a “Farmer's Breakfast Wrap” — a breakfast burrito by another name…
…I keep my eyes averted from the Timbits on display…
Setting off again, I join the westbound Express route, that I came out of Toronto on a few days back…
Once again, it's busy…
Crazy amounts of traffic in both directions. I'm listening to the last couple of days of Operation Pedestal, as the tanker Ohio is being nursed towards Valletta harbour. What a feat of arms that was…
At just before midday, I arrive at my hotel and the delightful Sylvia checks me in without a minute's delay, explains where the guest laundry is, changes some of my notes into “Loonies” and supplies me with some washing powder.
I should probably explain that Sylvia did this after I asked her, rather than her just guessing I needed it from my appearance and odour…
I go up to my fourth-floor room, where I'll be staying for the next three nights…
…sort out my laundry, then take it down to get it done.
Once it's done, I plan on having a quiet day in, to catch up on some of my lost sleep…
14th June 2025 - (cont)
After laundering just about everything I wasn't wearing, and doing all the personal admin stuff that can get away from you whilst travelling, I decided to go in search of dinner.
It becomes apparent quite quickly that a lot of the cafés and restaurants Waze has in his list are closed — either out of business, or just there to service the staff from the weekday companies based around here. So, I just decide to drive about a bit and see if I could find somewhere. After all, it's 22℃ and beautifully sunny, and I have a convertible…
I soon find what I'm looking for...
It's a sports bar, but at least has Dave, an authentic Brit expat from Wolverhampton behind the bar…
There's some sort of large-scale family event going on in a room at the far end, so I'm quite happy to sit at the bar. I order sweet tea, and…
Chicken Nachos…
They are delicious and — unusually in my experience — come served atop a tortilla, which means you can roll all the leftover bits up into a burrito at the end…
I eventually finish them, aided by another sweet tea, and get back into the car and return to the hotel. Reception is packed with travellers checking in — from recently arrived flights, I'd guess. I go up to my room, pleasantly cool, having left the ac running, and put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door…
Good day…
After laundering just about everything I wasn't wearing, and doing all the personal admin stuff that can get away from you whilst travelling, I decided to go in search of dinner.
It becomes apparent quite quickly that a lot of the cafés and restaurants Waze has in his list are closed — either out of business, or just there to service the staff from the weekday companies based around here. So, I just decide to drive about a bit and see if I could find somewhere. After all, it's 22℃ and beautifully sunny, and I have a convertible…
I soon find what I'm looking for...
It's a sports bar, but at least has Dave, an authentic Brit expat from Wolverhampton behind the bar…
There's some sort of large-scale family event going on in a room at the far end, so I'm quite happy to sit at the bar. I order sweet tea, and…
Chicken Nachos…
They are delicious and — unusually in my experience — come served atop a tortilla, which means you can roll all the leftover bits up into a burrito at the end…
I eventually finish them, aided by another sweet tea, and get back into the car and return to the hotel. Reception is packed with travellers checking in — from recently arrived flights, I'd guess. I go up to my room, pleasantly cool, having left the ac running, and put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door…
Good day…
14th June 2025 - (cont)
I've just remembered that it's Trump's birthday, so here's a pic of Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen…
I've just remembered that it's Trump's birthday, so here's a pic of Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen…
Not been invited to the Carney/Starmer summit?
My invitation has clearly gone astray, I’ve not checked my spam filter yet…
15th June 2025
I'm woken by the fucking alarm going off at 0450…
FUCK!
I'm a seasoned traveller and shouldn't get caught out like this — especially at an airport hotel, where people are likely to be waking at odd hours. As I'm dragged up from REM sleep, I manage to convince myself that it's my iPad that's making the noise, so it takes me a minute or so to switch it off…
It takes me a while to get back to sleep, and I eventually surface at about 0930…
I dress, and take the lift down to the breakfast area…
It's a zoo, with nowhere to sit, a crowded buffet and low-flying children everywhere. I decide to go out to eat.
It's a beautiful 22℃ day with partial cloud cover and a cool breeze. I have a look at Google Maps and find somewhere that sounds hopeful, a couple of klicks away…
The Stacked Pancake & Breakfast House. Unfortunately, there's a 45-minute wait for a table…
Nearby, I spot this…
I think it's a kit…
…but it has been beautifully finished…
…although the clearly modern wheel and retro gauges give it away…
Next stop — Sunny Morning Breakfast and Lunch. Only a 15-minute wait here, which I can cope with. I realise whilst waiting that today is Father's Day — hence the queues…
In under 10 minutes, I'm seated and perusing the menu…
Hmmm…
The Big Breakfast Skillet will do the trick…
The delightful Nikki fills my mug with excellent coffee with milk, and brings me an iced tea…
The place is alive, with people coming and going, tables being cleared and reset — it's like watching a machine in action…
My superb breakfast, its delights largely hidden by three eggs “over-easy”, arrives and I set about it…
All done, I pay my bill — tipping Nikki well — she, along with the other wait staff, is working her butt off, but does so cheerfully…
Outside, I spot this immaculate Corvette in the disabled bay…
Whatever disability the owner has — I'm glad they can still drive something as daft as this…
I drive back to my hotel, enter my beautifully cooled room and start on my journal…
I'm woken by the fucking alarm going off at 0450…
FUCK!
I'm a seasoned traveller and shouldn't get caught out like this — especially at an airport hotel, where people are likely to be waking at odd hours. As I'm dragged up from REM sleep, I manage to convince myself that it's my iPad that's making the noise, so it takes me a minute or so to switch it off…
It takes me a while to get back to sleep, and I eventually surface at about 0930…
I dress, and take the lift down to the breakfast area…
It's a zoo, with nowhere to sit, a crowded buffet and low-flying children everywhere. I decide to go out to eat.
It's a beautiful 22℃ day with partial cloud cover and a cool breeze. I have a look at Google Maps and find somewhere that sounds hopeful, a couple of klicks away…
The Stacked Pancake & Breakfast House. Unfortunately, there's a 45-minute wait for a table…
Nearby, I spot this…
I think it's a kit…
…but it has been beautifully finished…
…although the clearly modern wheel and retro gauges give it away…
Next stop — Sunny Morning Breakfast and Lunch. Only a 15-minute wait here, which I can cope with. I realise whilst waiting that today is Father's Day — hence the queues…
In under 10 minutes, I'm seated and perusing the menu…
Hmmm…
The Big Breakfast Skillet will do the trick…
The delightful Nikki fills my mug with excellent coffee with milk, and brings me an iced tea…
The place is alive, with people coming and going, tables being cleared and reset — it's like watching a machine in action…
My superb breakfast, its delights largely hidden by three eggs “over-easy”, arrives and I set about it…
All done, I pay my bill — tipping Nikki well — she, along with the other wait staff, is working her butt off, but does so cheerfully…
Outside, I spot this immaculate Corvette in the disabled bay…
Whatever disability the owner has — I'm glad they can still drive something as daft as this…
I drive back to my hotel, enter my beautifully cooled room and start on my journal…
Last edited:
When you have a spare 5 minutes, perhaps whilst nibbling a box of Timbits, Tim Horton’s tragic life is worth reading…
en.wikipedia.org
Tim Horton - Wikipedia
When you have a spare 5 minutes, perhaps whilst nibbling a box of Timbits, Tim Horton’s tragic life is worth reading…
Tim Horton - Wikipedia
Blimey, what a waste…
The jaaaaaag is based on a mustang II
One i saw had its v6 in it the other had a buick In it
Sadly they both didnt say who made the kit
One i saw had its v6 in it the other had a buick In it
Sadly they both didnt say who made the kit
LAst i was in the USA I rented one of those corvettes and they are are a bloody good car and not just by US standards15th June 2025
I'm woken by the fucking alarm going off at 0450…
FUCK!
I'm a seasoned traveller and shouldn't get caught out like this — especially at an airport hotel, where people are likely to be waking at odd hours. As I'm dragged up from REM sleep, I manage to convince myself that it's my iPad that's making the noise, so it takes me a minute or so to switch it off…
It takes me a while to get back to sleep, and I eventually surface at about 0930…
I dress, and take the lift down to the breakfast area…
It's a zoo, with nowhere to sit, a crowded buffet and low-flying children everywhere. I decide to go out to eat.
It's a beautiful 22℃ day with partial cloud cover and a cool breeze. I have a look at Google Maps and find somewhere that sounds hopeful, a couple of klicks away…
The Stacked Pancake & Breakfast House. Unfortunately, there's a 45-minute wait for a table…
Nearby, I spot this…
I think it's a kit…
…but it has been beautifully finished…
…although the clearly modern wheel and retro gauges give it away…
Next stop — Sunny Morning Breakfast and Lunch. Only a 15-minute wait here, which I can cope with. I realise whilst waiting that today is Father's Day — hence the queues…
In under 10 minutes, I'm seated and perusing the menu…
Hmmm…
The Big Breakfast Skillet will do the trick…
The delightful Nikki fills my mug with excellent coffee with milk, and brings me an iced tea…
The place is alive, with people coming and going, tables being cleared and reset — it's like watching a machine in action…
My superb breakfast, its delights largely hidden by three eggs “over-easy”, arrives and I set about it…
All done, I pay my bill — tipping Nikki well — she, along with the other wait staff, is working her butt off, but does so cheerfully…
Outside, I spot this immaculate Corvette in the disabled bay…
Whatever disability the owner has — I'm glad they can still drive something as daft as this…
I drive back to my hotel, enter my beautifully cooled room and start on my journal…
16th June 2025
I hardly sleep at all. I am trying to resolve a situation back home that is beginning to stress the crap out of me…
Eventually I rise and shower at about 0900, and head down to the car. I have a couple of shopping items I need to take home with me.
Of course, this morning, my iPhone and the car decide to have a hissy-fit, and CarPlay won't work, despite the phone being connected by USB to the car, and the car seeing it. After 10 minutes of resetting, deleting, reconnecting etc, I give up, and balance the phone on top of the steering column so I can get directions.
About 10 minutes later, we arrive at the splendidly named Loblaws…
It's a really nice supermarket…
…with a great range of fresh foods.
…as well as — other stuff…
I checked online last night that they stock both the items I was seeking. Alas, one was out of stock…
In the absence of local knowledge, or a GPS, I take my purchase back to the hotel, negotiating a free late (1300) checkout tomorrow (when I'm flying home) with Inez at the reception desk and repair to my room.
I'm pretty sure the snag is with my iPhone, as - when I went to 'Airdrop' this morning's pics, it couldn't see my MacBook…
EDIT — just did a “Hard Reset” on the phone, and it can now see the MacBook — I'll go out for lunch soon and see if it'll behave in the car…
I hardly sleep at all. I am trying to resolve a situation back home that is beginning to stress the crap out of me…
Eventually I rise and shower at about 0900, and head down to the car. I have a couple of shopping items I need to take home with me.
Of course, this morning, my iPhone and the car decide to have a hissy-fit, and CarPlay won't work, despite the phone being connected by USB to the car, and the car seeing it. After 10 minutes of resetting, deleting, reconnecting etc, I give up, and balance the phone on top of the steering column so I can get directions.
About 10 minutes later, we arrive at the splendidly named Loblaws…
It's a really nice supermarket…
…with a great range of fresh foods.
…as well as — other stuff…
I checked online last night that they stock both the items I was seeking. Alas, one was out of stock…
In the absence of local knowledge, or a GPS, I take my purchase back to the hotel, negotiating a free late (1300) checkout tomorrow (when I'm flying home) with Inez at the reception desk and repair to my room.
I'm pretty sure the snag is with my iPhone, as - when I went to 'Airdrop' this morning's pics, it couldn't see my MacBook…
EDIT — just did a “Hard Reset” on the phone, and it can now see the MacBook — I'll go out for lunch soon and see if it'll behave in the car…
Last edited:
16th June 2025 - (cont)
So, I find another supermarket that stocks what I'm looking for, and I don't even need Waze to guide me, as it's two roads and 4km away. This is just as well, as my iPhone stubbornly refuses to display CarPlay on the dash…
Hey-ho — I only need to navigate to the rental return area, which is usually well signed.
I arrive at Metro…
…which proves to be another really nice supermarket, and find what I'm looking for right away
I drive back to the hotel, stopping to refuel for the last time, then get back to my room and face the mountain of stuff I have to shoehorn into two bags and a carrier tomorrow…
I do a quick calculation — the Mustang has done 35.5mpg on this last tankful, but has averaged 39mpg overall…
So, I find another supermarket that stocks what I'm looking for, and I don't even need Waze to guide me, as it's two roads and 4km away. This is just as well, as my iPhone stubbornly refuses to display CarPlay on the dash…
Hey-ho — I only need to navigate to the rental return area, which is usually well signed.
I arrive at Metro…
…which proves to be another really nice supermarket, and find what I'm looking for right away
I drive back to the hotel, stopping to refuel for the last time, then get back to my room and face the mountain of stuff I have to shoehorn into two bags and a carrier tomorrow…
I do a quick calculation — the Mustang has done 35.5mpg on this last tankful, but has averaged 39mpg overall…
unlike for the stress
ROFL for the shopping - not a surprise is it
is the iphone being a div an excuse for an upgrade??
so the mustang youve not floored it at any stage have you
hope the seat isnt too crammed tomorrow
ROFL for the shopping - not a surprise is it
is the iphone being a div an excuse for an upgrade??
so the mustang youve not floored it at any stage have you
hope the seat isnt too crammed tomorrow
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