Street Life . . .

Massey Hall in downtown Toronto is the city's oldest and best-loved rock music venue, so when I started chatting to these gents having a smoke as they lounged on the fire escape at the side of the building, I expected to hear tales of music legends such as Dizzie Gillespie, Neil Young, The Band, Pearl Jam . . .

Not quite. Recognising my English accent, one of them asked if I was from London.

"Sort of", I replied (I lived there many year ago).

"You like Coronation Street?"

"Hmm, well . . . my wife does."

"My mother loves it, I love it and every time my pal (indicating a guy off picture) comes round to my place, I make him watch it . . . Now, I think he loves it as well."

"Ah . . ."

I take my photo and leave.