Rob Ford spotted in Bracebridge

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford wasspotted Friday afternoon in Bracebridge, Ont.,a town about two hours north of the city.

• Rob Ford in rehab, doctor confirms to CBC News
• Is Rob Ford's rehab a private matter?

Photos of Ford posing with people on the street also emerged on social media sites Twitter and Instagram.

The mayor's personal physician told CBC News that Ford is still in a rehabilitation program, and that his off-property activity was approved and considered essential to his continuation in the program.

Ford was under the constant supervision of a senior member of the rehabilitation centre's staff, the doctor said, and the purpose of the trip was to address a matter that would have been a "major distraction" to Ford.

The doctor did not specify what the matter was, but Coun. Doug Ford told CBC News that his brother is a Bank of Montreal customer, and may have been out to do some banking.

According to theBracebridgeExaminer, Ford was firstseen outsidea BMO, "chatting with passersby and telling people that rehab is going well."

Doug Ford went on to say that he has not spoken with his brother, andit is his understandingthat the mayoris permitted to leave the rehab facility as long as he's accompanied.

Dennis Morris, Ford's lawyer, said he doesn't know the particular rules of this facility, but says rehab is not the equivalent of incarceration. Morris said it's not a surprise to him that Ford is out doing things, and it would be unfair to track him.

Ford visited Fabricare Cleaning Services and spoke with employees there.

"I walked in for my afternoon shift at 2 o'clock and Mr. Ford was at the counter," said Erine Strength, who works at the dry cleaners.

"He brought in a suit to be dry cleaned. We asked if he wouldn't mind taking a picture with staff and he was more than happy to do that for us."

Strength said the visit was brief and enjoyable.

"He looked very good," she said. "He was happy and jovial and was a pleasure to speak with."

• Rob Ford's statement on leave of absence

The Ford family is known to have a cottage on nearby Fawn Lake, about halfway between Huntsvilleand Bracebridge.

On May 9, CBC News confirmed with Ford's personal physician that the mayor was receiving treatment at a professional rehabilitation facility.