Hello blog friends! How are things going? I hope all’s well with you. Come on in to my blog space for a chat, make yourself comfortable, and let’s catch up on our news.
From where I am, the heat continued during the third week of summer, from July 5 to 11 inclusive. The high temperatures ranged from 30C to 38C. With humidity, it felt like 36C to 42C (97F to 108F). We had some relief from a flash thunderstorm on Wednesday afternoon and short showers on Saturday.
Similar to my Summer Week 2, I got all my exercises, yoga, meditation, and language lessons done, plus a lot of fun and sun in week 3. I’m sharing a few of my favourite moments from my outdoor activities below.
Cycling
I cycled on the Waterfront trail five mornings this past week. The trail hugs the shoreline of Lake Ontario and passes by many parks so I’m never far from the lake and green space, as well as local landmarks.
One favourite section of the trail is the Humber Bay Arch Bridge, a 130-metre long, pedestrian and bicycle through arch bridge over the mouth of the Humber River. The view from the Sheldon Lookout, steps from the bridge, is amazing.
Kayaking
I enjoyed two kayaking trips to Toronto Islands on Tuesday and Thursday. The paddling from the city side to the Toronto Islands was challenging due to boat traffic, i.e. Ferries, water taxis, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, etc. but I made it safely across the harbour and stayed paddling within the islands for about three hours each trip.
The water within the islands was calm. I was happy to see more egrets, cormorants, ducks, birds, and new sightings this week: A beaver and a few very cute baby swans. On my way back, the sunset over Toronto’s skyline created beautiful reflections. These moments made me pause paddling and just take it all in.
Walking
I walked every day this past week, except Saturday. It’s wonderful to walk along the waterfront boardwalk while listening to the sound of water touching the edge of the boardwalk, the sound of my steps on the wooden planks, watching the birds take off and land, and viewing the vast body of water spread out as far as the eyes can see.
Aside from the lake, a few favourite sightings in the local gardens were the tall spires of violet delphiniums, black-eyed susans, and purple coneflowers. Their bright colours and happy faces made me smile. I couldn’t resist taking photos.
What Else?
I wrapped up the week with blogging, listening to one online jazz concert, reading four books, and watching two movies. The four books were three romance novels and one book on Happiness. The two movies, The Whole Wide World and The Big Short, were based on true stories. Also enjoyed ice cream, locally-grown peaches and strawberries. Yum!
Conclusion
I was a happy camper in summer week 3. The weather forecast for week 4 is warm with chance of showers on Thursday or Friday. The rain will be very good for the thirsty-looking grass in the parks. I look forward to making the most of week 4.
How did your week go? What were your favourite moments? I’d love to hear your comments.
Linking here.
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Natalie the Explorer 
Oh wow! The purple coneflowers are spectacular, Natalie! It sounds as though you had a productive and peaceful week. The perfect combination, right? We’ve had unusually hot weather and the forecast for the upcoming week is for even higher temperatures. Thanks for sharing your week and your beautiful photos. I love the great egret shots! My favorite moments came on Friday when I visited my parents. Have a wonderful week! ❤
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Jill, I’m so happy for you to be able to visit your parents. A productive and peaceful week is a perfect combination. I hope you have a beautiful weekend and upcoming week. Stay cool 🙂
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I really like arch bridges in all variations. I think they are very appealing. You got many beautiful places to ride your bike and walk. Great photos, and it sounds like a good time 🙂 Thank you for the coffee!
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Thank you, Maria, for stopping by. I’m glad you liked my photos. I appreciate Lake Ontario, the islands, and the trail so much. Lots to see and do this summer. Have a nice weekend and upcoming week!
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Thank you!
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I’m always surprised when I read how hot summers can get up there (hotter than here in New England most of the time!) and yet know that your winters are much cooler than ours too.
What beautiful views kayaking!! Glad you made it across safely.
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Yes it can get very hot and humid here. We usually have a few heat waves in July and August. Kayaking within the Toronto islands is wonderful. I hope to do more kayaking this week. Hope you’re enjoying the weekend Joanne. Thank you for stopping by. Have a fun upcoming week!
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That sounds like a lovely place to camp and explore. We will have to research it more for future travels. Thanks for your post, and enjoy the day!
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Thank you, Betty, for your visit and comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my post. I’ll visit your blog shortly. Have a nice weekend!
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Ontario looks great, thanks for sharing your adventures……I looked up the lake to educate myself. One day I plan to make a big trip out there.
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I’m fortunate to live close to one of the five Great Lakes, Lake Ontario. The other four Great Lakes are wonderful, too. Planning a big trip to here is a great idea. Have a nice weekend and upcoming week!
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Yikes, that’s hot! I envy your bike trail. I don’t ride much here because of the traffic. Even if there is a “bike lane,” it often is situated way too close the the cars. You are very fortunate. Egret, skyline, and flowers… all very lovely.
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Hi Janis, Thankfully, this week is less hot than last week. The bike trail that I use is paved and dedicated to recreational use (cyclists, pedestrians, joggers, no e-bike or motorized vehicles on it). It’s part of the Great Trail that goes across Canada. I’m fortunate to live in a nice city and close to Lake Ontario. Maybe when this covid-19 crisis is over and you return to Toronto for a visit, we can go cycling together. We have Bike Share so you don’t need to bring your bike 🙂
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I wish it was hot here – it’s rainy and cold…but otherwise, Toronto looks a lot like Sydney in many ways…#Lifethisweek
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Hmm, Toronto looks a lot like Sydney? Thanks, Lydia, for stopping by. I thought you were taking a blogging break.
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WOW, kayaking to those islands sounds like a wonderful adventure, glad you made it safely!! Such beautiful photos, I LOVE them all. The flowers are so full of color and sure made me smile! 😀 Thank you for sharing your amazing week. It’s so beautiful where you live! 😀❤️
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Thank you, Diana, for your kind comment. I’m glad you liked my photos. I enjoy kayaking within the Toronto islands a lot. The islands are not far from the city centre yet once I’m there, it’s all nature, very different from a bustling urban centre. Have a wonderful week ahead!
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Hi Natalie I have a friend who loves kayaking and has asked me to join her several times. However with COVID-19 I haven’t had an opportunity. Your photos are lovely and especially where you were kayaking. Have a lovely week. #lifethisweek
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Hi Sue, Kayaking is one of the safer outdoor activities to do during covid-19 as I’m in my own kayak, and there is a lot of open space where I go. I think once you join your friend to go kayaking, you may wonder why you haven’t done it sooner. It’s a good workout for our core and upper torso. Have a wonderful week!
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That’s a good point Natalie, kayaking is certainly social distancing. It is on my list to try to do before 2020 ends. Thanks for being part of the #MLSTL community and enjoy the rest of your week. xx
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Thank you, Sue, for hosting MLSTL. Have a wonderful week!
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My goodness you live in a beautiful part of the world. So many photo opportunities. Those flowers!!! It’s grey and dreary and raining from where I sit, but I’m so grateful that my farming friends are getting some much needed rain.
Have a great week ahead!
Sandra 🙂 Xx
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It’s beautiful here in the summer, Sandra. I’m fortunate indeed. We also need some rain to revive the grass in the parks. Hope the weather improves for you. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week ahead!
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Those are some beautiful shots! It must be lovely to get out and about. Love the skyline at sunset pic 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful week ahead!
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Thank you, Sanch. Glad you liked my photos. I sure want to make the best of the summer time here. Have a great week!
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That is some hot weather! I must say, when the weather’s hot I usually stay indoors so I love that you’re getting out and about. Those landscape photos and flowers are gorgeous!
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Thank you, Bella, for your kind comment about my photos. I do cycling and walking in the morning and kayaking in the late afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day. I enjoy the activities so I’m motivated to get out and about. Have a great week!
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Hi Natalie – it’s so lovely seeing all the pictures of where you’ve been and the beauty of the flowers you photograph. I always feel quite Summery by the time I get to the end of your posts.
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Hi Leanne, It’s prime summer time here with the warm temperatures and flowers everywhere. I try to make the most of it while it lasts.
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Hi Natalie – just back for #MLSTL and to share on my SM x
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Thank you, Leanne. Have a wonderful week!
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Hi, Natalie – You continue to impress me. I don’t know how you fit this all in with just 24 hours in a day. Unless you don’t sleep. 🙂
Your photos here are particularly stunning, I especially like the one of the egret!
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Hi Donna, For a few seconds, I did think about sleeping less to have more time for fun 🙂 Then I know better to stick to getting 7-8 hours of sleep every night so I’m in a good mood and have energy for fun activities the next day.
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What another great week you’ve had and such warm temperatures, I must admit I didn’t think it would get so warm there. You always impress me with what you manage to fit in and your photos are always so fabulous. Thanks for sharing Natalie. #lifethisweek
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Hi Debbie, Yes, it can get that warm in July or August here. We usually get a few heat waves in the summer. I’m motivated to fit as many fun things in a day as possible. Things that are not fun to me are set aside or not on my mind 🙂 Thank you for stopping by. Have a great week!
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Beautiful photos, Natalie! Your kayaking trip looks like so much fun. there is a place near us where you can rent kayaks and go out on the river. I think I will have to look into it. Hubby and I have not been kayaking in so long.
Those flower photos are beautiful!
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Thank you, Laurie. I’m glad you liked my photos. I hope you go kayaking. I find it fun and a great way to explore areas that I can’t get to on foot or bike. Also on hot days, I love being near or in the water.
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I love that you keep so active and with such a variety of things you obviously enjoy. I had relatives recently visit my beachside town and they brought their bicycles and cycled everywhere as there’s a bike / walking path the length of the town!
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Oh Deb, I’d totally do the cycling everywhere with that bike/ walking path. Do you like cycling? I love it.
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You look like you’re having a fabulous summer and I’m falling in love with Toronto through your photos. Have a great week.
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The summer has been fabulous so far. I kind of hope you’d add Toronto to places to visit when you go to Canada 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
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How could I not? Canada is definitely moving up my list…when we can finally travel again… sigh
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Canada is a big country so most visitors have to choose one region of the country to visit. The scenery and wildlife on the West Coast or East Coast are spectacular and usually win. Toronto is not near either coast although we have our urban charms and within driving distance to Niagara Falls and the wineries. I hope we can travel again in 2021.
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Wonderful pictures Natalie. Your Water pictures always bring a smile to my face. Your physical activity is impressive. Lots of variety and intentionality. Have a great week 4, Michele
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Thank you Michele. I’m glad you liked my photos. The lake always brings a smile to my face, especially on hot summer days. Have a wonderful week!
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Throughly enjoy your photos. On a calm day we have lots of paddle boarders out on the bay. I have started walking with a friend every Tuesday. We walk along the bay and on a nice day we sit and watch the water for a little bit. We are in lockdown here in Victoria..or should say Greater Melbourne. Stage 3 there is talk of stage 4…eek…could mean the end of cafes etc…as they wont be able to even serve take away.
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I hope the lockdown doesn’t affect your weekly walk. I haven’t gone near any coffee shops or restaurant patios yet even though they’re open here now. Glad you liked my photos. Have a wonderful week!
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Hi Natalie, Cycling sounds like a great way to get a bit of breeze and exercise. Paddling in calm water is usually beautiful, especially with all of your bird sitings and the beaver. Thank you for putting ice cream again in my radar. Now I have to go looking for some. 🙂 Sounds like you had a wonderful week! Thank you for sharing.
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Hi Erica/ Erika, I associate ice cream (and watermelon) with summer. I’ve been enjoying cycling and kayaking a lot. Just came back from another kayaking trip to the islands. Thank you for stopping by. Have wonderful week!
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What beautiful photos, Natalie! Looking at them makes me happy. Thank you.
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I’m glad my photos make you happy, Christie. It’s been fun getting out and about this summer while practicing social distancing. Hope you’re enjoying July. Have a great week!
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Lovely to see the Summer in YOUR city. Those temperatures are getting close to some of our Aussie summers. Beautiful photos and I loved the bird shots.
Thank you so much for linking up for Life This Week. Next week, the optional prompt is “whatever you choose” because I am focussing on Head and Neck Cancer: 29/51 Your Choice. Mine is: World Head & Neck Cancer Day. 20.7.2020. Hope to see you there. Take care, Denyse.
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Thank you, Denyse, for hosting Life This Week. I’m glad you liked my photos. I’ve been enjoying this summer. Have a wonderful week! See you soon.
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What a beautiful way to spend a week in summer! I’m looking forward to a return of our sun and warmth to Sydney in a few short months.
SSG xxx
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Summer in the city here has been wonderful. Enjoy the snow where you’re off to this week.
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We’re deep in winter where I live but we’ve managed to escape for a week to sunny Queensland which is beautifully temperate even in the middle of winter. Enjoy the weather! Christine
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Christine, A getaway to sunny and temperate Queensland sounds fantastic. I look forward to hearing more. Have a wonderful week!
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I liked the pictures of the egret.
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Frank, I’m glad you liked my photos of the egret. I was lucky to see egrets three times out of four of my kayaking trips so far. I hope to see them again on my next kayaking trip.
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Natalie, you live in such a gorgeous part of the world – and your photos prove it! What a joy it must be to spend your summers there – especially when we’ve all had our travel wings clipped. I particularly love your photos of the delphiniums, black-eyed Susans, and purple coneflowers. Beautiful. ~Terri
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Terri, It’s been a wonderful summer exploring places close to home despite covid-19 restrictions. A big plus is that I need very little preparation to go to local places. I think as seasoned travellers, we adapt quickly and make the most of any given situation to satisfy our adventurous spirit. Have a great weekend!
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Natalie, you do such a great job of finding enjoyable activities wherever you are in the world. Staying home because of the COVID restrictions have certainly encouraged all of us to enjoy the natural world close to home. For me, it’s been my garden and hiking trails nearby.
Jude
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Jude, Thank you for your kind comment. I’m determined to enjoy life even during this covid-19 pandemic. Vancouver Island is a beautiful place with so many hiking trails to explore. Your big garden is a wonderful oasis, too. I’m glad you’re spending time on the trails and in your garden.
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My bestie is in PA and she’s been describing the humidity. Quite the opposite here! The Canberra winter is starting to “do my head in”. I need some heat! Give me heat.
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Sending heat your way, Leanne. You’ve already made it through 1/3 months of winter. Hang in there. Spring will come soon.
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