So many shops to visit and so little time! Natalie’s whirlwind visit afforded not nearly enough time to do all of the things we would have liked, but I must admit we covered a lot of ground; she met a lot of people and so I think managed to get a small but significant Canadian experience. I will endeavour to give a short overview of our week together.

I never realised Natalie was such a shopper nor did I realise how easily led I could be with a bit of encouragement and a lot of opportunity. Monday began with a journey down to Niagara on the Lake and on to Niagara Falls with Cathy, her daughter Tovah, Kate, Natalie and I. After a small obstacle at the US boarder, Cathy took us to some of her trusted shopping outlet stores and of course WalMart. There is a huge variety of stores and merchandise and without doing all the math(s) regarding exchange rates, things did seem to be cheaper. We arrived home well after midnight, exhausted but satisfied with our stash. Thanks Cath and Tovah for a fun day.

Tuesday morning we went to Kim’s to say goodbye to her parents Carol and Clint as they headed off for the winter to their home in Florida. We’ve gotten to know them quite well over the past few months and this would be the last time we would see them before we leave. Enough said; I don’t like goodbyes.

After a cuppa and chat, us girls went to lunch and then to have our nails done. Kim will have you believe it was my idea, but I disagree. Of course Halloween in the evening was definitely a high point for us Aussie’s as we dressed up to greet the trick or treaters as they came to our door. We finished the day by going to see Cathy and Randy’s son, Jon, play hockey at the local rink, and stayed around long enough for a few beers and chicken wings in the bar. (Of course!)

Wednesday was yet another shopping day before we headed into to see Toronto by night and to enjoy a pub meal at the Elephant and Castle.

Kim took us back into Toronto on Thursday to do the touristy things like the CN Tower. Actually we sent Natalie up by herself as our aversion to heights made us want to keep our feet firmly planted on terra firma. A spot of shopping and then a great lunch in a restaurant concluded the Toronto part of the tour.

Chris brought Natalie and the kids over to the Niblick for dinner, because they heard there was a waitress working there who they wouldn’t have to tip… I felt bad leaving Natalie on her last night to be ‘that’ waitress, but she and Cathy decided to get together to watch Grey’s Anatomy instead.

Thanks Heidi for bringing Nat over here, as it was great getting the chance to share our Canadian experience with her.