The Beaches...

There's an area in Toronto, some of it along Queen street, known for the parks and boardwalks.

We spent many a summer afternoon around here when I was a girl, picnicking, playing on the beach, swimming in the public pool, (we didn't dare swim in Lake Ontario because of the pollution) and generally running around barefoot...

The day I decided to take a walk down there it was a rainy, blustery day.

In  nicer weather, this place is full of walkers on the boardwalk...

I ventured off the walk and up into the park...

Also known as Kew gardens. This was once a 20 acre farm owned by a man named Joseph Williams.

He graciously began to build this park geared towards a family atmosphere and opposed any noisy rides or liquor in the park.

It was named after the famous park in London, England and officially opened in 1879.

This bandstand  echos of many concerts on humid summer evenings...

It was bulit in the 1870's and still houses many gigs, including The Beaches Jazz Festival.

Joseph also built this gorgeous house which is now home to the parks caretaker...

The park has many squirrels running around...

This scruffy little one was trying to get my attention and maybe a peanut or two...

Unfortunately my pockets were empty so he scurried off to find another candidate...

All in all it was a wonderful walk of rememberance.