Rhododendron Gardens :: Mississauga Park

(Updates posted below)
Taking a break from marathon renovations, I walked across Lakeshore Road today to see if the rhododendrons were in bloom, and to find how far I am from Lake Ontario. As it turns out, not far at all -- about a five-minute walk!

Rhododendron Gardens Rhodos

Interim Place Original Site Mississauga Canada

At the entrance to the park, I saw this plaque, which I expected to inform about the origins of the park. To my surprise, I found it marks the location of the original Interim Place (women's shelter) in Mississauga.

Japanese Cherry Trees in Bloom

After several days of rain, storms, drizzle and fog, the sun was peeking out again, and highlighting the many trees in bloom.

Spring-blooming Shrubs

Apple Trees in Bloom

The apples trees proved to be Russets, with fruit ripening in mid Autumn. While picking fruit off the tree is not allowed, windfalls are free for the asking.

The inclement weather earlier this week had not damaged these tulips (pictured) in bloom, though mine in Streetsville were decimated. Everywhere, the trees positively glow with white, pinks, and carmine blossoms. I'm hoping to get a photo of Mississauga Road north of Eglinton tomorrow: There's a mile-long stretch of road lined with apple and cherry trees in bloom.

Lake Ontario shoreline Mississauga Rhododendron Gardens

And there I was, after less than five minutes of easy walking, feeling well pleased with myself for moving to Port Credit. I've always wanted to live near water, and I am thrilled to be so close to a Great Lake. When next we get a good blow from the southeast that whips the waves into large rollers, I'll brave the elements and take a picture for you.

To find more about the Gardens, see the City of Mississauga (new page will open), and check my websites for more Mississauga photos.

Video of this scene at YouTube
Deadheading rhodos see this post


Update May 2008:
• Spring seems late this year -- here are more photos from Rhododendron Park Gardens taken on May 5, 2008 -- see Rhododendron, forsythia, azalea post.

• Tour May 25 2008 : Rhododendron Garden Tour

Update 2009 : The Gardens has a new name and a blog of its very own! See Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens.

Port Credit Lighthouse at Lake Ontario

I took this photo of the lighthouse at Port Credit in Mississauga tonight after dinner (fish and chips, thanks) at Snug Harbour. We'd been working on the new house all day and this lighthouse, and Snug Harbour, are close to my new home.

Rain drops were spattering, the wind was brisk, and the temperature decidedly chilly. Even so, a few hardy kayakers were out and about, though a group (bunch? gaggle?) of swans were hugging the river bank, in the area where charter fishing boats will soon moor.

The bridge (car in photo) is Lakeshore Road. While Hurontario Street (Highway 10) is used as the dividing line between East and West designated streets in Mississauga, here in Port Credit, the Credit River is the east-west dividing line, which can be confusing even for residents.


The east bank of the Credit River is given to the Credit Village Marina (sign), and this walkway is part of the Waterfront Trail.

There are more photos of Mississauga at my snapshotjourneys.com/mississauga-ontario page.

Meet the People When You Travel to Europe, Argentina, Hong Kong

Around the world, you can find local groups dedicated to showing visitors their home towns and culture. These 'meet the people' groups offer an insight into day to day life that's not found in the tourism brochures. Here are a few web sites to give you an idea of what's available (Preview on hover; New page will open).

In Europe, try Like a Local (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Barcelona)
In Buenos Aires, try Cicerones de Buenos Aires
In Hong Kong, try Discover HongKong Cultural Kaliedoscope

I've taken advantage of the Hong Kong program and enjoyed it a lot -- I love that Duk Ling ride! Your fellow passengers are from all over the globe, and add a wonderful dimension to the harbour cruise (photo).

Flights UK Canada :: Canadian Affair

Check the web site for a company called Canadian Affair, who are also offering cheap flights between Canada and the U.K. (Britain $49 one way).

I don't know about you but those type of sell off prices always grab my attention, so I poppped over to play a bit.

I checked flights outbound, leaving Toronto on May 11/07 for London Heathrow, and returning a week later -- May 19.

The carrier turns out to be Air Transat; the outbound flight departs on Friday night just before midnight (ie a 'red eye'); the cost is $349. The return flight (inbound to Toronto) departs LHR just after one in the afternoon, and is showing as $50.

With taxes, the full price shown for a web booking at that time is $690.50 CAD ($623.88 USD) -- not a huge saving on that particular flight, but at lesst a few hundred dollars off the usual fares, and therefore worth checking further for those planning to travel.

Canadian Affair is shown as the 'trading name of a publicly owned company called The Airline Seat Company Limited, the UK's leading tour operator to Canada.'

Sears Canada currently has a promotion of freebie tickets for two to London for customers meeting criteria for purchases, which got me pretty excited, too. Free and Flights are two words that always catch my eye. Now seeing the low fares in today's paper, I have to wonder what's driving the push on UK travel this summer. Usually it's a no-brainer as expats on both sides of the Atlantic typically wait till summer (high season) to travel.

Update December 2008 :
See more info on cheap UK flights as I plan my trip to the UK for Spring 2009.