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In 2013 and 2019, I had the very good fortune to cross the Atlantic Ocean from Southampton on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. In 2013, I spent the 5 days before the return crossing travelling to Toronto to visit cruise friends I have known since  1997.  At the ungodly hour of (I think) 07.15 hrs, I…

Today feels “written off.”   I had thought about walking around this morning to try and familiarise myself with this part of my itinerary.  If I have interpreted the weather website correctly.  I may be able to venture out without getting drenched, later today.  As it happens, an extra two days at Niagara Falls would have…

Last night at Niagara Falls was something of a grand finale.  It was my final night at the hotel with that fabulous view.  And, this morning, I took several longing glances and not a few photographs and videos in an effort to create that perfect image.  Many people visit Niagara Falls for the day or…

Rarely would I welcome being awakened (after a late night) at around 06.30 hrs by the piercing beep of a reversing refuse truck doing the rounds of hotels around here.  The intermittent disturbance continued for around half an hour.   Peeking through my window to curse the source of my disturbed sleep, I was again astounded…

The walk back to the hotel (last night), from the buffet dinner and the fireworks display, was one of the most pleasurable I can recall.  Both the American and Horseshoe Falls were illuminated with changing colours, as already portrayed previously.  I found a good spot from which to video the fireworks at 10 pm.  I…

My welcome at the Radisson Falls View Hotel yesterday was warm and exuberant, with the promise of a very good hotel room.  Being me, I was sceptical.  I had already feared that the taxi driver who showed up out of nowhere was going to rip me off.  He didn’t, but I gave him a decent-ish…

I vacated my room 621 with an hour to spare; checkout was at a generous midday.  I had two cardboard bowls of oatmeal, toast, and banana, as well as something that looked like a mini oatcake and (for once) a few nice sauté potatoes. (Memories of breakfast on the train back at home, and very…

There is an hourly No. 40 bus service to Niagara Falls.  But I shall be there tomorrow anyway.  After a “dithering” type of morning, during which my main suitcase fell from its inadequate stand and emptied itself, at least, carefully repacking means less to do tomorrow.  I was more careful with what I had for…

Buffalo, I discover, is an unexpectedly fascinating city with many different architectural styles which I feel compliment each other.  First impressions are rather different to the hustle and bustle of noisy, exciting Chicago!  I was here in 1969 mainly to see the Arcade and Attica Railroad.  The overnight journey from Chicago was an experience.  The…

Ye Gods! That was hard work!  The hotel concierge assured me it was possible to walk to the Chicago Air and Water Show at I believe, Lincoln Park.  I set off along the route I took yesterday to the 360° Tower, continuing eventually walk along Oak Street, which runs along the sandy shores of Lake…