Post by grumpynorthener on Aug 7, 2022 23:18:39 GMT
On the cards for several years - Mrs GN's work extended commitments delayed the trip in both 2018 & 2019 and just as we finalised plans for 2020 but then Covid struck and the trip was once again on the back burner. Plans came together this year and we have both just returned from our trip to Canada & America - Some background info might help with the storyline - The lovely Mrs GN (Sharon) is Canadian but has resided in the UK for the last 30 plus years - we have relatives both in Canada & USA hence the reasoning for the trip. However, we have several interests - joint ones include architecture both in the modern & historical form - I have a strong interest in social & industrial history, an appreciation for all forms of transport systems being old or modern. My main interest / passion being older vehicles but again I also take some interest in modern forms of vehicles - Mrs GN tags along with my passions whilst I bite my lip on the shopping adventures etc 
- So lots of pics but don't worry there's a fair chunk of classics included in the storyline of the trip - Toronto to London Ontario, London to Chicago in the states for a few days then on to Wisconsin before returning to Toronto for a few days before heading home
Where to start then - collect the hire car in Toronto - Not the new VW that I booked either but a Nissan Rouge
Whilst it did the job it was awful to drive purely down to the CVT gearbox (Constant Velocity Transmission) - In other words belt drive automatic - It was like driving a angry wasp with a slipping clutch - still did a decent deal on the one way hire but I wouldn't recommend the purchase of the model
Mainly relative visits & catching up with Sharon's friends for the first few days in London, Ontario - have a Canadian goods train - they are normally a few miles long and take over 10 minutes to travel through the crossing
Sharon's sisters place is just being extended (remodelled they call it over there) So staying over wasn't an option - Mrs GN booked us a rather nice Air B&B
Of course I had to oblige with the shopping trips and they insisted that I had my pic taken too
I was tasked with tidying up the Sis in Laws car up a little which meant I could go and do my own shopping at Canadian Tire
It's like Halfrauds but much bigger, much better and the staff are much more helpful
If you cant find it here then you're not going to find it elsewhere
Everything from car parts to trailers to camping to BBQ's to hardware to snow blowers - The larger branches have service repair & tyre bays too
I only went to purchase some polishing compound but a new multi meter & a pair of snips happened to be in my basket when I approached the till
Whilst you are here can you just
Couldn't obtain the correct touch up paint prior to our departure but it looks a little tidier without the white stripe
One of Sharon's friends came to catch up / stay with us for a few days - The bottle of 'Silent Pool' gin that was a impulse duty free purchase was put to good use
A few trips out to old haunts of Sharon's - this Camaro was parked up at the service station where I refuelled
One of Mrs GN's former workplaces from many years ago - The Stratford Festival Theatre
Which just happens to front the River Avon
Trucks are a big thing in Canada and this is a little one
And this is a mid sized one
Pretty town but most of the shops were closed on a Monday
Pickups were prevalent everywhere
Huge in size by the UK equivalent
And certain drugs are legal - Interesting shop combo though - Get yourself stoned before having the ex girlfriend's name tattooed to your forehead
(Me, cynical - never)
Several days in visiting relatives etc and I need some of my own medicine - road trip tomorrow it is then - a pretty self indulgent one at that
- So lots of pics but don't worry there's a fair chunk of classics included in the storyline of the trip - Toronto to London Ontario, London to Chicago in the states for a few days then on to Wisconsin before returning to Toronto for a few days before heading home Where to start then - collect the hire car in Toronto - Not the new VW that I booked either but a Nissan Rouge
Whilst it did the job it was awful to drive purely down to the CVT gearbox (Constant Velocity Transmission) - In other words belt drive automatic - It was like driving a angry wasp with a slipping clutch - still did a decent deal on the one way hire but I wouldn't recommend the purchase of the model
Mainly relative visits & catching up with Sharon's friends for the first few days in London, Ontario - have a Canadian goods train - they are normally a few miles long and take over 10 minutes to travel through the crossing
Sharon's sisters place is just being extended (remodelled they call it over there) So staying over wasn't an option - Mrs GN booked us a rather nice Air B&B
Of course I had to oblige with the shopping trips and they insisted that I had my pic taken too
I was tasked with tidying up the Sis in Laws car up a little which meant I could go and do my own shopping at Canadian Tire
It's like Halfrauds but much bigger, much better and the staff are much more helpful
If you cant find it here then you're not going to find it elsewhere
Everything from car parts to trailers to camping to BBQ's to hardware to snow blowers - The larger branches have service repair & tyre bays too
I only went to purchase some polishing compound but a new multi meter & a pair of snips happened to be in my basket when I approached the till
Whilst you are here can you just
Couldn't obtain the correct touch up paint prior to our departure but it looks a little tidier without the white stripe
One of Sharon's friends came to catch up / stay with us for a few days - The bottle of 'Silent Pool' gin that was a impulse duty free purchase was put to good use
A few trips out to old haunts of Sharon's - this Camaro was parked up at the service station where I refuelled
One of Mrs GN's former workplaces from many years ago - The Stratford Festival Theatre
Which just happens to front the River Avon
Trucks are a big thing in Canada and this is a little one
And this is a mid sized one
Pretty town but most of the shops were closed on a Monday
Pickups were prevalent everywhere
Huge in size by the UK equivalent
And certain drugs are legal - Interesting shop combo though - Get yourself stoned before having the ex girlfriend's name tattooed to your forehead
(Me, cynical - never)
Several days in visiting relatives etc and I need some of my own medicine - road trip tomorrow it is then - a pretty self indulgent one at that
