A Tale of Two More Cities

Wednesday, July-04

The following morning, Wed-July-04 (US Independence Day), we meet-up with Ottawa-based Jerry Rutledge [alias: Snakebite], and fellow member of the: 'www.my-mc.com' bikers' site, at a pre-arranged venue located just off Hwy #40, around 35 miles (56 km) west of Montréal. All three of us grab an excellent cuppa coffee + muffin & donut :-) at one of the plentiful roadside cafés called 'Tim Hortons'.

Jerry then escorts us a further 77 miles (124 km) on his Suzuki Burgman 650 scooter right into the heart of his hometown of Ottawa - which, of course, is Canada's capital city.

We get a personally guided tour firstly, on two wheels - then afterwards by way of shank's pony

Here are the Parlimentary buildings ...

The 'Seats of Power' from another viewpoint

In the heart of downtown Ottatwa.

It's difficult not to be impressed with Ottawa, with its clean-cut image, coupled with remarkably familiar European architecture and canal network system. But sadly the weather wasn't behaving itself and we were dodging persistent drizzly showers for most of the remaining day. Otherwise, undoubtedly, I would have taken many, many more pictures.

Thursday, July-05

After kindly hosting our Ottawa-based stopover in his and his wife's (Pat's) home, Jerry, gets us all up shortly after the crack of dawn and before 8:00am escorts us, not just to the edge of town, but way, way beyond to another pre-arranged venue at the [probably] self-proclaimed world-famous Chicken & Ribs restaurant called 'Haugens' - located 245 MILES AWAY (394 km), to the west - on the outskirts of Toronto where we have planned to rendezvous with yet another veteran member of the my-mc discussion forum, Bob Hart.

[It then occurs to me that I had now traversed across and into four Canadian Provinces, over the course of the last week; Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Québec, and now Ontario.]

After a couple of hours of cracking conversation; a splendid grilled half chicken & chips; followed by a generous portion of warm apple pie + vanilla ice-cream + cream, it's sadly time to say our farewells to Jerry; after which, so I am reliably informed, he then scoots ALL THE WAY BACK HOME to Ottawa; meaning that he must have covered around 500 miles (800 km) that day on his little commuter-type pair of wheels, which is, in my opinion, a remarkable testimony to his good nature, motorcycling prowess and undoubted stamina.

Bob then leads us, in his Ford saloon car, to the north side of Toronto City, for a distance of about 35 miles (56 km), whereafter we check into a nice 'Best Western' motel at around 5:00pm

Friday, July-06

At 11:00am sharp, Bob returns to our motel and chauffeurs us south into downtown Toronto. It's a glorious day - and the ambient temperature is already approaching the day's high of 28°C (83°F). We're really glad Bob's got an AC unit in his car .. :o) :o)

First on the agenda is a visit to the waterfront, where we wait for Les [Hackingpig], another local Honda ST rider.



While we're waiting for Les to find us ... er, or us to find Les! - Bob points out and briefly explains the historical background, both recent and past, that surrounds some of the city's most outstanding landmarks

It's 12:30pm and we finally meet-up with Les - and we're off to find a restaurant. He leads the way on his ST1100.

But within 15 minutes Les receives a call on his cell phone; and due to pressing business matters, he regretfully must take a rain-check on our lunch date, which is a pity. We will see him tonight, however, when it'll be time to share some dinner together. Hope so anyway.

Now I reckon that Bob's a hellofa guy, there's no doubt about this, IMHO. But I'm still trying to figure-out his dry sense of humour ...??! For example:

We end-up going to the local China Town for lunch. The #1 dining spot ... allegedly?! Bob enquires, "So tell me Keith, how dja tell a good restaurant from a bad one back in the UK .. huh?"

I respond, "Doh, by the quality of their house wine, and the cleanliness of their toilets .. right?"

Bob: "Good answer, but don't use that test on this place. If ya see sumtin' movin' along the toilet walls in this joint, then don't tell the waiter cuz ya might end-up eatin' it for lunch" - ".. and if in doubt when you're lookin' over the menu, then just play safe and stick with the chicken's feet .. that's my advice f'this place .. okay!"

"Oh yeah .. and another tip .. ya NEVER sit down on the toilet seat here .. ya know what I'm sayin'?"

Me: Just gulps, "Can we try some place else, Bob .. huh .. please?!

So we end up on the other side of the street, where we enter and sit down inside a 'Chinese Dumpling House'.

We order (a) Wanton Soup with Noodles - WTF's a 'Wanton' ?? .. :o( - followed by (b) steamed pork 'n fennel dumplings .. ??

Bob explains what's going on around the table. Ellen loves it all, and eats everything and licks her plate clean. I just didn't know what to think or say at the time about the grub, but I recall the word 'shite' did spring to mind! .. ;o)

Then I talk to Bob about the merits of maybe opening a small chain of Cornish Pasty shops in and around downtown Toronto. Bob agrees that it's an idea worthy of a business plan. AND he keeps a straight face at the same time. See what I mean when I say that I'm still trying to figure this guy out!! .. ;o)

Some more of the city's sights, from the ultra modern to ...

.. the controversial to

.. the eccentric.

We're now right by the base of the CN (Canadian National) Tower, which ...

.. for obvious reasons is difficult not to compare with the Sky Tower in downtown Auckland, New Zealand.

Better go right to the top then!

Before anyone is allowed into the elevator, they gotta go through this detection gateway that tests for explosives.

This is my new mate, Charry. Notice that the air jets fall short of his turban, which of course, could be filled with, well .. yunno what I'm driving at here. The system isn't failsafe IMHO

The view looking north from the highest man-made observatory in the world. I'm now 1,465 feet (447 m) above ground level

Looking to the south, through this portal, I'm asking myself, 'Why-oh-why do you continually put yourself through this'

By the way, did I ever mention that I can't stand heights?

Now back to the subject of food ...

That evening we get the real-deal. Quasi-Jewish food at its best at the Ma-Ve-Ma Restaurant. We're soon joined by Les; Effie and his good wife, Annette.

The fare was marvellous, the company even more enchanting. The picture above of Effie and Annette leaving for home at the end of the evening says it all .. I can do no better, no matter how many more words I use here. Thanks for a great night out fellas, and once again, for your kind generosity.