For more images of Rochford, Essex, United Kingdom, please visit its gallery album. LINK

Rochford is a small town in the Rochford district of Essex in the south-east of England. In 2001, it had a population of approximately 8,000 people. It is very close to Southend-on-Sea (located to the south of Rochford) and within about an hour on a train from Central London.

While Amanda and her family never lived here, the Rochford Hospital is where Amanda was born.

For more images of Benfleet, Essex, United Kingdom, please visit its gallery album. LINK

Benfleet is a town of about 40,000 people, eight miles west of Southend-on-Sea at the mouth of the River Thames. The parish of New Thundersley is on the north-western side of the town. It's a densely-populated but pleasant commuter area, with about 12,500 people and a variety of mainly owner-occupied housing. There is a broad spread of ages. Many people commute to London, mainly from Benfleet station, a journey of about 40 minutes. There's no industry in the parish itself, although there is a trading estate adjacent. The area is well served by shops and services, and road communications are good to several large shopping areas, including Basildon, Chelmsford, Southend-on-Sea, Lakeside and Bluewater Centres.

Benfleet was Amanda's town of residence in the first years of her life before her family moved to Canada.

For more images of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, United Kingdom, please visit its gallery album. LINK

Southend-on-Sea is a seaside resort in Essex, south-east of England. It is bordered to the north by Rochford. The town is best-known for its seafront attractions. These include its famous pier (now with a railway service running its entire length), a large amusement park with over 50 rides, a cliff lift and enormous number of shops, restaurants, cafes.

With Southend-on-Sea being this close to Rochford, Amanda's family would have visited the town frequently when Amanda was still a baby, before the family moved to Canada when she was but one year old.

For more images of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, please visit its gallery album . LINK

Toronto is the commercial and financial centre of Canada. It is situated on the northwest shore of Lake ontario. Downtown Toronto consists mainly of major government, financial, medical, and educational services. The population of Toronto grew from 1.1 million in 1950 to 4.5 million in 1995.

Toronto celebrates the heritage of its citizens with frequent festivals and cultural expositions from all parts of the world. one such celebration is the Caribana Parade which unites all the people of Toronto in a downtown street party of over a million, to music, dance, and costume in appreciation and indulgence of the Caribbean culture. The ethnic diversity of the city is also displayed in numerous cultural organizations and educational opportunities.

Toronto used to be Amanda's place of residence after she had moved to Canada from England. She lived there up to 1997 when she made a move to Vancouver, British Columbia.

For more images of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, please visit its gallery album. LINK

Vancouver is situated along the Pacific coast of Canada wedged between the Rocky Mountains and the ocean. It is a lot of attractions for outdoor enthusiasts with spectacular hiking trails, beautiful beaches and picturesque bike routes. Because of the temperate climate, snow in Vancouver is infrequent but the mountains abound in it. Instead of winter, Vancouver gets large amounts of rain.

Vancouverites like a very laid back lifestyle. In addition to the outdoor activities there are many cultural and sporting events to attend. Arts is strong in Vancouver and hence a wide variety of theatre, opera, dancing and music. In summer Vancouverites have opportunity to attend a large number of music festivals in addition to The Symphony of Fire, an international fireworks competition.

Vancouver is known for its many spectacular sites. To name just a few, one can mention Stanley Park, a 1000 acre fir and cedar park with beaches that is just blocks from downtown. Grouse Mountain offers a beautiful view of the city. Of many Vancouver museums and galleries the most notable is Museum of Anthropology.

Vancouver is where Amanda lives (moved to Vancouver from Toronto in 1997) and where Sanctuary is being shot.