AJAX to PICKERING

Members can be seen adjusting their clothing and getting acclimatized to the Far East as they await the arrival of today's hike leader at Ajax Go Station. The weather was cloudy and 3 degrees complete with a chilly breeze

Jim Mallon "San", our Leader, appeared in a timely fashion to await the final arrivals from out west

Once all 34 members were on site Jim gave the group their marching orders

Paul volunteered to Sweep and Liliane to count

Leaving the GO Station heading south to the Lake

At first we had to negotiate crossing Bayly Street

Janice get's stranded halfway

We passed an impressive Greek Orthodox Church

 Leaving the traffic behind and entering into the serenity of several Parks

Sloshing about in the Slush

Obstacle course

Water Break

Passing Jim's abode 

Walking the Trans Canada Trail

Pee, snack and playtime break at the Rotary Park

Ann dares the Mary, Doris and Evelyn to have a go on the slide

Plucking up courage

Passing Duffins Marsh

Bridge not too far!

Proof it's still winter

Trees fall victim to the Emerald Ash Borer

Our initial exposure to the Pickering Nuclear Power Plant

Bringing up the rear

Fall out for a Heavy Water Break

Safety in numbers

Rare photo of Bobbie

Radiating past the Nuclear Plant

Mutants leaving the Plant

Luckily they remembered to turn right

Heading for lunch at Millennium Square

Beach, No Picnic

Janos is happy to have his own table

  Check out them roots!

Brrrrr, it's nippy after lunch

Nautical Village

A brief visit along the east side of Frenchman's Bay

Wood you believe it

Ira's happy to call it a day at the finish line

Not so for some who need to deactivate by taking liquid refreshment

Cheers! to Jim

The distance today was 13 km

Thank you Jim for taking us on a most enjoyable walk through the lesser known areas of the waterfront way out in the east end. It sure was worth the journey. The pub too was perfect watering hole for a bunch of discerning Seniors. Thank you Paul for sweeping and Liliane for counting

TASTE OF OAKVILLE

After pre-hiking today's hike three times Ann & I felt confident that this new GO Train hike to Oakville would be enjoyed by the members. Up until today, the weather had co-operated on our Wednesday outings. Today, however, we experienced gale force winds, sun, cloud, snow squalls and temperatures dropping from 5 to 1 degree. Nevertheless 31 "Weatherproofed Wanderers" left the warmth of the Go Train at Oakville Station.

Ann gives the group the necessary info 

Starting off we had to walk about 2 km to reach Lake Ontario. 

On the way we past many of the individual older homes in Oakville including this little beauty

The path to the lake shore was officially closed but our Seniors were not deterred

"Viola I give you Lake Ontario"

Toronto way off in the distance

A nice spot to contemplate one's naval but not today

Peering at the Lighthouse

"Browntown" Toronto

The group risked being blown off the pier to record the occasion

Mohammed is blown over

The pack attack outside of the Oakville Museum

"Old Dear" meets a "Loose Moose"

Pee stop at the Library

Crossing over to Fortino's for lunch

The16 available soup selections are a big hit with the group

Leaving Fortino's with the sign reminding those wishing to visit the Pub later

Down to the lake again

Tom the Sweep bringing up Rosemary's rear

Tannery Park offering fine views of the surrounding area

Braving the view

The mud from 16 mile creek washes into the lake

Multi-coloured Lake Ontario

 Leaving the Park and back along the trail

Heading into a snow squall

  

Landlubbers leaving the shipyard

First Hike Leader

Second Hike Leader complete with snowflakes

Steve & Co, our Dentist members 

At the Queen's Head

Smile Michael

 Happy Leaders

From the response received at the Pub it would appear this hike is a GO for another time. In retrospect the ever-changing weather conditions added drama and contributed to a memorable outing. Thank you to Tom for Sweeping and ensuring no one was blown away and to Germaine for the Count, 24 Boozers rushed into the Pub while 7 members continued to the Station.

From the Pub it was another 1.5 km to reach the GO Station. Tony missed the earlier train by a hair but soon recovered from his displeasure by saluting "Bald Lives Matter"