I always wanted to see Niagara Falls, and today, I finally did it. The Maid of the Mist excursion tour is even better than I expected. I booked a day bus tour which at least gave me a taste of the place. 
Passing Maids in the Mist.
One of the unexpected pleasures of living in Toronto this year is to be able to enjoy each and every day this epic scale International Style plaza, The Toronto-Dominion Centre. The original structure was opened in 1967, and to my surprise additional towers have been added over the years in the original style (most recently in 1991) with the exception of a small tower on Wellington built in 1986, a shortsighted addition if there ever was one. The cows are by Joe Fafard. A great deal of information can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto-Dominion_Centre
The spaces are so monumental it's difficult to get far enough back to photograph the spaces.
The final tower (presumably) was actually constructed over and around the Toronto Stock Exchange, leaving the Art Deco structure intact. This is the only example I've seen of this sort of accomodation in Toronto, though in subsequent posts I'll include photos of new buildings that retain older facades, often several stories. Often one does not even notice until one happens to look up.
A detail of the Stock Exchange Art Deco frieze.
Underneath the plaza is a large shopping mall, which for the most part has not been 'updated' except, as reported in the Wikipedia article, to accomodate the pleas of the businesses in the 1990s. Van der Rohe had insisted there were to be no individual logos -- all signages used the same lettering. 
Note van der Rohe's Barcelona benches. Now that's class.
Across the street is the stables. I liked this exterior much more than the house itself. Inside, however, there wasn't much there. The garages had tables and chairs, presumably left over from some event. The horse stalls themselves were tiled, exactly like those at Buckingham Palace, which I suspect was not an accident. There were pictures of the Pellatt's automobiles, but it would be nice if they were able to acquire one like theirs just to have something to look at, especially after making a surprisingly long trek through a wet tunnel to and from the house. There were several puddles without so much as a 'caution' sign. Whomever is managing Caaa Loma needs more money and staff. 
The neighborhood on the 'hill' is quite attractive, featuring houses like this one, directly across the street.
On an overcast Saturday, I took a short ferry ride to Toronto Island, a sandbar just offshore. Supposedly there are no cars permitted on the island (though I saw a truck). I passed a little village of quaint frame houses along the shore at one end with no roads, just wide sidewalks. There are several beaches. The entrance to one had this curious, Edward Gorey-like entrance constructed from willow branches. There's also a small amusement park and petting zoo which do not open until May. 
A view of Toronto from the island. 
Built in the early 19th century, this lighthouse is no longer on the shore due to the change of the coastline prior to the seawall construction. It sits serenely in a tranquil grove of mature trees.
It's a bit hard to conceive of the fact that those aren't, in fact, scale models of twenty and thirty story buildings.
If you've ever wondered whether or not you're truly afraid of heights, try walking on the glass floor. I have to admit, my legs felt rather rubbery.
I arrived in Toronto on Saturday. On a cold Sunday, we wandered around the downtown core. Despite it being stunningly cold (something I'm not used to), I was still able to admire the collision of Toronto's impressive mix of new and old architecture. 
Immediately one of my favorite buildings, the Gooderham Building was built in 1892. It's commonly called the Flatiron Building. 
The Flatiron abuts Front Street, where one can find several charming old buildings like these.
Toronto's local department store is The Bay, the main brand of Hudson's Bay Company.
One of the attractive entraces to The Bay. The second level leads to the large, modern Eaton Centre shopping mall.
The Eaton Center was named for what was once Canada's largest department store.
Time grew quickly short as I prepared to leave London last week. I had all sorts of grand plans to make one last browse through the British Museum, but suddenly, after a year and a half, my time was up, But on my final Sunday, I made one last trip to the centre. Above, Kingfisher House, my apartment building at Battersea Reach, certainly one of the nicest places I've ever lived.
I always liked Liberty's Department Store. Some of it was constructed from old ship timbers. 
Looking south on Regent Street. Just beyond the bend lies Picadilly Circus.
On the spur of the moment, I took the tube to Knightsbridge. Harrod's, when it's not jammed with tourists, is a marvel to behold. The Egyptian Hall is certainly like nothing in any other department store.
The Egyptian staircase.
Harrod's Food Court is sumptuous beyond words, and must be experienced. Bring lots of money, and take the time to savor it all, at least with your eyes.
There are several halls, each specializing in different fare. My favorite by far is the confectionary hall.
After selling my house in Los Angeles in 2006 (which I'll go into someday), I've been a rudderless ship. For at least two more months, that will continue as the fates now take me to Toronto.
