Come visit Kingston & Wolfe Island

After our visit to 'The County', it was time to show off our little slice of heaven, Kingston, to Christine and David.  There is so much history here, we tried to see as much as we could.

First stop, The Penitentiary Museum.

Although Kingston Prison does offer tours, (worth taking), 

we opted for a photo instead.
(Check out my previous blog on it)
 http://bitesoflifeandfood.blogspot.ca/2013/12/crime-does-not-pay.html

We enjoyed the Pen Museum, but given the nature of certain exhibits, I decided not to take any photos.  It is a big part of our history, 

so I highly recommend a visit.

We did make a stop at Bellevue House which was the home of our first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald, for a year.

Take advantage of Canada's 150th birthday to get a pass from Parks Canada, so you can visit this stately home for free!

Our next junket was a ferry ride across to Wolfe Island.

 Anyone living in this area knows that we have been inundated with an overabundance of rain this year, 

resulting in severe flooding everywhere.

Our friend's front lawn under water!

This tree does not normally sit in the water!

The last stop was a visit to Bedford Mills which was a tiny Mill Town.

We are friends with the current owners of the Mill, 

who have renovated it into a lovely home.

The run off that used to power the mill still rages.

They even have taken a couple families of geese
under 'their wing' and feed them daily.

More Kingston and surroundings coming up next!

Checking out 'The County'

After our visit to Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake and Toronto in June, we focused on showing our UK friends, Christine and David,

 the beauty of Eastern Ontario.

Our first stop was a trip to Prince Edward County, 

affectionately known as 'The County',

 now an established wine growing region.

We stopped for lunch at Lake on the Mountain

to take in the gorgeous views

 Everyone who visits is intrigued by

'The Mystery of the Lake-on-the-Mountain'

  The unknown is how the lake is fed and from where???

 Well, we weren't going to solve the mystery,

 so might as well have something to eat!

Chicken avocado wrap

 

Chretien family recipe for 'old fashioned tourtiere'

We ended our County trip with a visit to Waupoos Cider....delicious!

They also make wine, so their fields are dotted with growing vines, overlooking Lake Onario.

One of the other attractions of the County, is 'barn quilt spotting'.....well we were in luck....we found one!

Thanks for a lovely day, PEC.....off to visit Kingston next.

Toronto Delights

The next step in showing off Ontario, was a stop in Toronto. 

We found a comfortable BnB, Downtown Home Inn, 

right in the heart of the city.

We were able to walk to a charming Italian restaurant,

 Famelia for a fabulous dinner.

 After a good night's sleep, we headed into town to visit 

The CN Tower

It is very impressive from below.....

...and the views from the top are spectacular!

There is a glass floor that allows you to look all the way down....David was more brave than me and stood on it for a moment, as my heart leapt out of my chest!

Even taking the elevator down was quite fun (and fast)

Check out the video!

One of the things that I miss most about not living in Toronto
 anymore, is the St Lawrence Market

I used to shop there every week, so took advantage of being there to stock up on my favourite cheeses!

Our last stop before heading home, was a visit to 

The Distillery District

It is an area of 47 buildings that used to be
 the Gooderham & Worts Distillery.

A sample of what they used to make

 It is now full of shops, galleries and restaurants

We stopped for a bite of lunch at

Mill Street Brewery

The beer was delicious....

....and so was the smoked meat poutine!

 

My eye caught artwork that reminded me

 of all the locks on the Pont Neuf in Paris

 ......and LOVE was all around....

It was a fabulous couple of days.

Time to head home to start exploring the '1,000 islands' region!

Fort George

After our spectacular trip to Niagara Falls, 

we continued along the Niagara Parkway to Fort George.

Given that we are celebrating Canada's 150th birthday, we felt a trip back in time was a fitting tribute to share

 with Christine & David, our UK friends!

The fortification served as the headquarters for the Centre Division of the British Army during the War of 1812.  None of the original buildings stand today, except for the Magazine.

The view from an 'arrowslit''

Life for the soldiers would have been quite hard, 

but the officers had it a little better.

Even their meals looked tasty

The enlisted men would gather in the mess hall.....

....and were expected to follow the rules!

The most important building was the 'Magazine', 

where all the gun powder was kept!

Time to head into town for a bite of lunch!

We found this charming family run 'diner',

 Stagecoach Family Restaurant,

which provides good ol'fashioned food.

I had my fav....a reuben sandwich!

What a wonderful day.....

Off to Toronto next!