229 Lisgar Street is tucked away in the tree-lined inner-city oasis west of Kensington (aka Little Portugal). In short, this is a cool place to be. I soon fell in love with the rows of edwardian terraces now converted into unique, individual homes, none alike. I stayed for 2 weeks, and quickly the front room overlooking the family orientated street became my home from home.

Gisele & Archer were skillful and warm hosts, living en-famille in the rest of the house. Their routines sometimes co-incided with mine, often not, but the sense of being part of the rhythm of Toronto family life certainly enriched my sense of belonging and ease.
In my case, there were occasions when we engaged and the conversations were rich and extending. Gisele & Archer were respectful hosts and allowed me space to be, and I hope I afforded the same co-existence in return.

Although my reason to be in Toronto was for my nephew's wedding, in many ways I found an unexpected, dual purpose for being here and during day-time became immersed in the rich art and culture of the First Nations. I also discovered the residue stones found on the shores of Lake Ontario & Huron abundant with specimens that could only have come from the Arctic regions millions of years ago when the glaciers gouged out giant landforms to create the great lakes we know so well today. Stones the like I've never seen before in the UK. I found this very exciting.

This is a magnificent region of North America and rich, rich, rich in origin, meaning, peoples, nations, language and mind-blowing natural history. All digested from within the quiet backwater of my room, with the gentle tides of family life around me. Thank you so much Gisele and Archer. I would love to return one day.