Ceri looking out on Lake Ontario

Ceri looking out on Lake Ontario, originally uploaded by RussellDornan.

Ceri and I went for a wee walk this evening before dinner. It was gorgeous but chilly.

Lake Ontario is so huge it looks like a sea; you can't see the far side of it. We wrapped up and it was lovely. Next time: the beach!

Shawarma Expert

If only I was a qualified in shawarma!

"I know it might make you laugh, what I am looking for a professional Middle Eastern Shawarma chef (working in his own or for someone else to show me how to get the chicken on the cone (how to build it on) and I will be glad to pay.

I am not looking for recipes you do not have to worry about that.

Thanks"

"The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up"

"Hello, how are you today?" (funky Canadian accent)

We're here. Hello. From Ronters.

This is officially the first entry of my blob from Canada. I am sat in Canada. The really big country beside America. It's weird.

It's not weird because we're here. It's weird because it's hot. And sunny. And lovely. And a strange mix of the UK and the US. And other reasons that's I can't articulate yet.

Ceri and I left Malvern on Tuesday afternoon, but it was rather rushed and neither of us felt like we got to say goodbye properly, so the whole journey to London was a bit surreal. Once there we headed straight to Miranda's place near Muswell Hill where we were met by her and Marina. It was lovely to catch up and have some pizza (nom).

The next morning Ceri and I faced the trek to Heathrow with some trepidation. The journey was very smooth, however, and we were quickly passing through all the underground stations we had so often frequented over the past three years. Once in Heathrow we checked in, problem-free, went through security, hassle-free, and then boarded the plane, issue-free (no duty-free, though).

The plane was quite big and we were pleased to see a little pillow and blanket on each of our seats (easily please, clearly). The eight hours passed pretty quickly for me (less so for Ceri) and I indulged in a few films. I watched (in order): Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince (I'd seen it but Ceri was ill-at-ease and wanted something familiar - it was long and slow but not bad), Brothers (a war drama but Natalie Portman was in it and it was quite affecting) and then most of Princess and the Frog because we didn't have much time left. We got some lovely food too. In fact, they fed so well I felt the plane sink because of how fat we got (this makes no sense...). I got a spicy bean and rice meal and a carrot and hummous sandwich and a spicy tomato and chickpea pastry, as well as several beers and waters. Ceri knocked over my last Heineken and soaked her thigh as well as filling my boot.

We got off the plane after I smuggled the blanket into my hand luggage (it was a tight fit but there was no way I was leaving that behind!). We arrived in Toronto at 6pm local time (11pm UK) and headed to immigration. That went smoothly (apart from the man calling me Russ - my passport clearly says Russell) and we got our visas and stamps etc. Next we had to collect our bags and then meet the couple we are staying with.

Bill and Kath are lovely and very funny and drove us to their place just outside Toronto. They showed us their bar in the basement (several dozen bottles of scotch and beer) and offered us some (which we gracefully accepted). We chatted and caught up (basically laughing at Bill - he's well funny, even at 73) and at about 10pm we were getting tired (about 3am UK time, fact-fans) and retired.

We slept really well and woke up today in Canada for the first time. We got ready and were taken to breakfast. It was amazing. I had three poached eggs, sunny-side-up, homefries and toast. Homefries = roughly-chopped, chunky sauteed potatoes. Nom! In fact, breakfast was so good that we missed the train into the city to go to our Bunac orientation. We went on the next (double-decker) train and stepped into the warm Toronto streets, drowning in sunshine. We walked to the Bunac office and got our Social Security sorted and then went to the bank and opened an account. Everyone there was lovely. I now have money in a Canadian bank and an ATM card. That's a bit strange. The card is green and has a leaf on it. It's well spesh!

After this we went for lunch (Black Bean Soup) and a wander around. It felt like we walked around most of the city but when I looked on the map later it was barely the size of a postage stamp. Feet = tenderoni. We had a look around Queen Street West, which was a little like Camden and Soho put together.

By the way, Toronto, on first impressions is:

• Big
• Shiny
• Tall
• Busy
• Open
• Friendly (even the tramps - they also have good cardboard signs)
• Clean
• Funky

We got back 'home' to Bill and Kath's and are ready now to relax tomorrow and look for jobs. There seem to be a few around; let's hope we can convince (read: trick) someone into hiring us.

I thought there would be more to write here, in terms of details, but after doing so much over the past few days, it's only the vague strokes that are left in my brainsac. Although I need to point out that people in the UK should try to be as friendly (and sincerely so) as Canadians, or at least Torontonians. People came up to us in the street whenever we looked at a map to offer help, they couldn't do enough in restaurants and banks, even the tramps were ace. One had a sign that read: 'too ugly to prostitute myself' and another's said: 'will take verbal abuse for change'. Both laughed along when with us. British hobos need to get a sense of humour and stop being so miserable. (I didn't give either of them change; I didn't have any yet.)

Right, I am off to bed - my eye is well tired (the right one always drops off first). Take care all and I hope this wasn't too dull. Goodnight!