Offsite Walk Report

It was a cold evening for a walk last Thursday but well worth it! The Well is an interesting destination, and unexpected at least for me. For those who have not been, imagine a mall with a roof but open to the outdoors. A hot today stand was gratefully patronized. A short walk after took us to City Hall to see the lights. Fingers and toes did finally thaw on the subway ride home.

Weekly Walks

Saturday will be cold but sunny, so sunglasses and long johns de rigueur (never thought I’d write those two things in one sentence). We might have a potential new ST or two, so let’s make them welcome. L@8.

If people would like to walk on Boxing Day (Thursday) before or rather than braving the shops, we could meet at 9 at Tim’s 2.

Happy Holidays

All that is left is to wish all Shore Things and loved ones the best for whatever celebration this season brings. Just two more Saturday walks before 2025!

Birthday!

Maligayang bati to Eva who celebrates on Friday of next week (the 20th). I hope my Google Tagalog is correct.

Offsite Walk Sunday at the Evergreen Brickworks Post Mortem

Unfortunately, the paths in the valley were too treacherous for safe walking, so it was called off after barely 30 minutes.

Brunch was good though.

We’ll be back when conditions improve.

Weekday Walk at the Well – Reminder

As posted last week, there will be a Thursday evening walk (December 12) in and around The Well. If you live in the east end, you can catch the 6:28 PM GO train from Danforth Station platform #1 to Union, then walk to The Well from there. Or meet the GO crowd at Union Station upstairs in the Great Hall under the clock at 6:45. Return will take us to City Hall for twinkly lights, the onto the TTC home. Dress well, they are predicting a sharp drop in temperature.

Weekly Walks

We are gathering as is the ancient custom at Loblaw’s at 8. It is heartily suggested to bring along in your cars your YakTraks/IceBugs or whatever other secure footwear, even if you choose to wear a less grabby shoe, based on first impressions. You can always leave them in the car should they not be needed. Lesson learned from last Sunday.

Creature Feature

L@8 Saturday

Winter is definitely here, and since we will have days above freezing and nights below, the roads and sidewalks may be icy. Please make sure you have the best footwear for traction.

Coffee at Tim’s after.

Offsite Walk Sunday at the Evergreen Brickworks

For those wishing to carpool and living in the east end, shall we rendezvous at 8:30 in the Earl Haig school lot, sort ourselves and head out from there? Those who prefer to take themselves to the Brickworks directly, we can meet at 9 on site.

Weekday Walk at the Well

On Thursday evening, some walkers are planning a walk in and around The Well. One option is to catch the GO train from Danforth Station to Union, then walk to The Well from there. There is a train leaving Danforth GO at 6:28, so for anyone interested, let’s meets on the westbound platform #1. If that is not convenient, and/or you prefer to TTC, we can muster at Union Station upstairs in the Great Hall under the clock at 6:45.

Hair of the Dog

From Lee Scott via Ruth, this news:

One of our favourite annual events! The Hair of the Dog 9k race out of Balmy Beach has its registration open! JANUARY 1!!!!  Note that if you register your lunch is included. You can buy an extra lunch ticket for someone who is not racing.

Why We Do This (amongst other reasons)

Rainer sent this link to a great article by Sun columnist Laura Unger about the health benefits of walking … of course all the Shore Things should know this … Still a good fast read!

Birthday Alert!

Barb S. celebrates her birthday on Monday, so let’s all send one of our most dedicated walkers our best wishes.

Evergeen Brick Works Offsite Walk

Barring truly adverse weather, the next offsite walk will be on Sunday December 8 at the Evergreen Brick Works. As earlier suggested, carpooling would help as the parking is not likely free, and we can meet at the Brickworks at 9. According to the website, the cafe is open at 9 and the market at 11.

Weekly Walks

It appears we are finally getting winter weather as of this weekend, just in time for December, so please make sure you are suited and shoed to match. Selection of route will depend on road and wind conditions so we can decide when we convene at L@8. Perhaps the Distillery District? Not as spectacular as at night but still nice.

Follow-up caffeination at Tim’s (their service seems to have improved recently btw). 🤞🏻

Offsite at the Brickworks

There have been a few requests to defer this walk a week as these people are keen to do it but away for the earlier proposed date. Shall we say Sunday December 8 then? According to the website, the Winter Market will be on starting at 11, so we can time our arrival and walk beforehand and nab the best parking. Carpooling is still recommended is possible.

Weekly Walks

Unfortunately, rain appears to be in the forecast for Saturday morning. Sunday seems better. Choices: rainwear, Sunday, or sit in Tim’s and chat with friends. 🤔 hmmm…

Happy Birthday!

To Ruth, who we may even see in person Saturday, all the best!

Thanks to Our Gracious Hosts

It was a great party with a lovely space and great company. Tasty food too! Thanks to Gerry and Arlene for hosting. Hope you got your security deposit back…🙃

Weekly Walks

Another cool and sunny day is forecast for Saturday. Maybe a good day for the boardwalk? Rendezvous at L@8, and unless there are objections, gather at Tim’s after with a coffee from your preferred provider.

Next Offsite Walk

From the Brickworks: either November 24 or December 1. These are Sundays. As posted last week, the pace will be more leisurely, and this would not replace the Saturday walks. Please comment as to your preferred date if you think you’d like to try this option. Let’s see how it all works out… Possible brunch locations following are plentiful.

Shore Things Gathering This Saturday

It appears we have a good gathering for this Saturday at Arlene’s staring at 6. Helen will have the calendars for those who ordered and have not yet received theirs this week. Let us celebrate our friendship, and perhaps drown our sorrows a bit too.

Birthday, Birthday!

Libby celebrates her special day this coming Tuesday, so all the best say all of us!

Spec-tacular!

Inspired by a need to purge, I looked into eyeglass donations and it turns out the optical shop at Loblaw’s accepts used glasses. It is one of the official depots for the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre which provides recycled eyewear free of charge to people in developing countries. I will bring my collection this Saturday morning, so maybe a photo op if a few of us do the same? They open at 9:30 and I confirmed they currently accept donations there.

Weekly Walks

This Saturday morning’s forecast is sunny but nearing the freezing mark, so bundle up. Don’t forget your poppies!

Perhaps we can all confer ahead of the walk and decide beforehand where we will meet for coffee to avoid people seeking everyone else out at the end? Should head back at Tim’s as the acoustics are more conversation friendly and there is plenty of flexible seating for a group? Please discuss…

Next Offsite Walk

There has been a request for an offsite walk starting from the Brickworks. No date is set, but tentatively late November is possible. By consensus, we will trial shifting those offsite walks to Sundays. The pace will be more leisurely, and it would not replace the Saturday walks. So you could do one or the other or both. Sunday also benefits from less traffic so we could more quickly and easily travel further afield if we wished and have more options for destinations. We’ll see how that works…

Birthday Alert!

Happy birthday to David on Sunday this weekend. If the planets align, we may cross orbits on the boardwalk this Saturday!

Spooky Gardens

The crew at Rosetta McClain Gardens has gone all out (and even inside out) to make the beds (and perhaps what lurks beneath) extra fertile in frights.

Here you have the daytime shots, but for a full atmospheric immersion, check it out after dark when the special lifting and for machines are turned on starting on the 29th through to Halloween night, hence the early blog posting.

Weekly Walks

On Wednesday (October 30), our midweek walk will be from Ethio Natural Coffee, Danforth Avenue just east of Pharmacy. Parking is available on the side streets. Meet is at 9:00 am.

Saturday is at the usual.

Creature Feature

Barb was able to catch this shot of this hawk with its lunch-to-go on Danforth near the TTC bus barn. Rare to see them on the ground this close.

And speaking of meals, don’t forget the annual potluck is on November 9 at Arlene’s.

Birthday Alert!

Hey Stacey way down east PEC way! Happy birthday on Monday and hope to see you in town soon!

Rouge Walk

Saturday is showing as cool but sunny for our walk in the Rouge Valley. By now, you should have all received the email and/or seen the details on WhatsApp. There’s looks to be enough parking for all, but if you are considering pooling for economy, please get in touch with others asap and let the group know:

• You’re coming so we don’t head off before you arrive at the park, and who you are pooling with;
• You prefer to go to Loblaw’s instead so you have company;
• If you are bringing shareable treats or coffee for after;
• If you are running late, or unable to make it last minute.

Preference is for the following trails as they are achievable for all, and either done one-off, or one after the other if you want more distance:

• Vista Trail
• Cedar
• Glen Eagles Trail and Beare Wetlands

Weekly Walks

For a mid-week walk, Lou-Ann suggests we could meet at 9 (TBC) this coming Wednesday at Ethio Natural Coffee on Danforth east of Vic Park instead of Tims2, then walk through Warden Woods Park Trail. There is street parking on Wanstead right next to the café. Excellent on-site roasted coffee and some pastries too.

Annual Potluck Gathering

Helen is hard at work on the calendar, and still hoping for more photos. Please get in touch if you have any to contribute. Basic details of the party are in last week’s post linked here if you missed it.

Birthday!

Let’s all wish Deanna the very best for her birthday this coming Monday!

Annual Shore Things Potluck Gathering Saturday November 9

Please mark your calendar for November 9, as we gather once again to review the year, and talk of future possibilities.

A quick reminder if you’ve missed or forgotten from Helen: she needs photos for the calendar — please let her know as well if you want one, so she can have in time for the gathering.

We are changing venue this year and will gather at Arlene’s. For privacy, the time and location details will be sent directly by email (check your spam folders) and posted on WhatsApp.

We hope we can continue our recent year tradition and bring our own wine glasses, plates, cutlery, etc. There is a dishwasher on site, but it may be more efficient to hand wash as we go. The oven only be used for reheating previously cooked food. Some cleaning supplies are available on site as well. Extra dinner, size plates and smaller dessert size plates are available should anyone not be able to bring their own, as well as three large serving bowls, but no serving platters. Lots of cutlery as well as some serving spoons and a limited number of wine glasses.

The party room holds a maximum of 50 people. Based on previous years, that should be adequate. Parking is limited so carpooling or Uber/Lyft/taxi may be better options.

Weekly Walks

A quick reminder our Rouge offsite walk is scheduled for Saturday October 26. Details should follow this week by email and WhatsApp.

After a refresher (ha!) on cool weather, this Saturday is warming up nicely—18°C in the afternoon— but not so much in the morning , at only 7°C but sunny at least. L@8, the usual time and place.

Creature Feature