Calgary

Calgary is a flat city. Although there are several high rise buildings, there are no hills. The bus from Banff to Calgary followed the Bow river valley through the foothills of the Rockies. We arrived at the hotel hot and sticky to learn that Germany had won the World Cup. Lothan must have been pleased.
Sunday was the last night of the Stampede and we ummed and ahhed about going just for the experience but in the end we decided that we could survive without it. We had seen quite a bit on TV and it would have been quite a long walk to get there and we hadn't worked out their transport system at that time. We settled for a few beers instead.
Monday
Having worked out the transport system on the c train, we went to Calgary's Heritage Museum. It was similar to St Fagans near Cardiff. Replica buildings had been made into a small pioneer town with a train taking you around if you wanted. There was also a native Indian camp on the site. Every building was 'manned' by someone who acted out the part of whoever had lived in it during the pioneer time. It seemed very authentic. We also went for a 'cruise' on the lake in an ols paddle steam ship. The bakers also sold some lovely pies. It took a good 4 hours to do the whole museum and we were very hot and dry by the time we caught the train back to the hotel.
Tuesday
Had arranged to meet Monica, my cousin, and her partner Michael for lunch in the CN Tower. Had time to walk around around the city and get a coffee first. The CN tower used to be the tallest building in Calgary but it is now surrounded by much taller office blocks and hotels. The restaurant at the top revolved around slowly so we could see all the sights of Calgary and surrounding district. On a clear day it is possible to see the Rockies but apparently there were some forest fires creating smoke in the distance so we didn't get to see that view.
It was good to meet Michael and to catch up with Monica other than at a family funeral After leaving them to travel back to their small holding somewhere out in the sticks, we went to Calgary museum expecting to spend our usual amount of time in a museum - an hour or so. However the museum was on 3 floors and before we knew it we were being asked to leave as they were closing at 5. We had been there nearly 3 hours and had only done the art gallery and half of the 1st Nations gallery. We had a few hours to spare on Wednesday morning before flying back to Vancouver so asked if we could return the next day. They very kindly agreed to allow us back in for nothing. Bargain. Though not as good as the bargain getting into the Heritage museum where we got 2 for 1 with a voucher and we got in as seniors. We chose not to look insulted at being considered over 65!
Wednesday
Finished the museum, caught bus to airport which looked quite close from the CN tower but in actual fact took us 45 minutes. Our flight to Vancouver went via Edmonton - this had been my mistake when booking as I hadn't read that the flight was not direct. It was a bit of a palaver but all went quite smoothly. The hotel in Vancouver was a short train ride and a short walk from the airport.

Banff

Despite the size of the bedroom, we have really enjoyed Heidi's B&B. it has a fair size living room and a breakfast area but the bonus has been that we have had somewhere to sit outside at the end of the day to drink gin and tonic. The weather has been glorious. Lothan, our 'landlord' has taken us out in his old merc to search for wildlife. Saw some elks but no bears. Just like the kangaroos in Australia, they seem to be hiding from us. Took a trip to Lake Louise and Moraine lake on Thursday pm. Absolutely stunning colours of the water. Unfortunately the tour guide was not that confident so his explanation of places went over our heads as we switched off from his voice. Friday morning, tour around tunnel mountain and to Minnewanka lake with a different guide. What a difference. Saw some really big male elks in someone's garden. Thought it was a wooden replica at first but then it moved. Wow. Walked to Cave and Basin hot springs in pm - not to bathe. These were the springs that first brought visitors to Banff. Very interesting. Saturday took the Gondola up Sulpher Mountain. Unbelievable views. We have been busy nearly every day but still keep to a sort of timetable of being somewhere for a beer at 5, then back to B&B for a shower and a g&t, then out to eat. Ieuan starts planning the evening meal over coffee in the morning - not that he is guided by his stomach of course!!! So far we have not had a bad meal. Whilst eating breakfast on Sunday we saw a large male elk just walking down the street where we were staying. Almost as if it was planned for me to see before we left Banff. Did some souvenir shopping and then Lothan took us to the station to catch the Greyhound bus to Calgary. Ieuan a bit fed up as this coincided with the World Cup final. Calgary here we come. Last lap of our trip

Rocky Mountaineer

Organisation of Rocky Mountaineer is very efficient. The train wasn't full so I was able to spread my self out over both sides of the carriage and Ieuan had a seat to himself as well. How lucky was that. Although we were travelling 3 rd class we were very well looked after. The food on the 1st day was cold buffet but was all very tasty. We had endless non alcoholic drinks and snacks. Our crew man was very good at telling us the history or geology of the places were passing and he had radio links with the driver who passed on information when wild life was spotted up ahead. We were able to get cameras ready but as we were about 15 carriages back, sometimes the wildlife had disappeared before we reached it. Got one photo of a bear coming out of the water though. May need to blow it up a bit! The 1st part of the journey just getting out of Vancouver took nearly 2 hours. The passenger train always has to wait for freight trains to go first and as the track is single line apart from passing places, we got held up on a number of occasions. Our maximum speed seemed to be about 35mph as well. There was also a number of spectacular viewing sights where the train slowed to almost nothing as each carriage had the opportunity to take photos. Unfortunately the route that the train track took was also the route for the electricity posts and lines so most shots have got lines through them. There was also the trees. Ok if the camera worked in time to get the photo between trees. Several photos have had to be deleted due to fuzzy trees in the foreground. Due to several delays when freight trains had to pass - some as long as 150 carriages - we arrived in Kamloops nearly 2 hours late. By this time we had met some Australian girls and another Aus lady travelling on her own so we had a meal in the hotel with them. 6.30 start again on day 2.a tired bleary-eyed group of people met once again on board the bus to take us to the train. The hotel that we 3rd class people were in was by the river on the outskirts of the town but it had the best view of all the places we have stayed in so far. Chan, our carriage host met us with a cheery smile as we boarded to start day 2. We had a number of different nationalities on board. There were 4 Indian men in front of us who were all business partners on a travelling trip. Unfortunately they did not have headphones for their music which droned on for long parts of the journey added to which they often decoded to sing-along as well. Further back there was a number of Australians. One couple with their 14 year old son were from Perth. The son must have been bored to tears. There was a few Germans, someone from Scotland and even a few Canadians. Conversations were limited to who you happened to be standing next to on the outdoor viewing platforms. Day 1 had been about rivers, trees and lakes. Day was only slightly different in that there was now more mountains and a few waterfalls. We were promised some more wildlife and a few bears were spotted - one in the distance coming out of the river. Managed to get a photo of him. We were told that there would likely be more wildlife once we reached the Banff National Park but we had so many delays with line repairs, red lights to allow freight through and a stop for a part to be replaced on one of the engines, that it was running 4 hours late and therefore dark by the time we did the last part of our journey. We were lucky as we're staying in Banff? Those going on to Calgary had to get off in Banff and then travel by coach to Calgary. They would not have reached their hotels before the early hours of the morning. We at least got to Heidi's B&B by 11- tired and wobbly after being on a train for 2 days. This trip had been recommended by so many people but I think our experience was marred by the number of unfortunate delays. Heidi's B&B is OK! We have got a tiny kitchen, tiny shower room and not much bigger bedroom - it takes the bed which is walled in at top and left hand side and half of the bottom. The other side has room for a small bedside cabinet .

Vancouver 2

Week 3 Back in Vancouver for weekend. Weather has turned grey again although we had a calm crossing from Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay. It was a bit of palava getting on the express bus as nearly every foot passenger had the same idea. It made for a cosy journey. We are now back on foot but managed the HoHo bus. It took us through Stanley Park and then on to a stop near Granville Island. We decided to get off there as we had had enough of the driver droning on. Granville Island was quite interesting from the point of view that it had some very up- market stalls and shops. The market sold all sorts of fruit and veg and there was also quite a few cheese stalls. The island had been an industrial one and there was still a cement factory near the sea front. The market shops and stalls reflected the the art, culture, food, and 1st Nations history of the area. After an enjoyable couple of hours avoiding the rain, we returned to the bus stop to find that our previous driver must have completed a whole circuit because he picked us up. We lasted to the Urban Winery where we felt it was necessary for another welcome stop for beer and wine tasting. Later had a meal in Yaletown followed by what was supposed to be 'one last drink' in the bar next door to hotel! Very friendly bar staff. Turned out to be great end to the evening especially after a couple of very quiet nights in Nanaimo. Sunday was very wet. We couldn't face another Ramada breakfast so went to diner across the road. We made a decision, whilst standing in the rain at Canada Place, to take the shuttle bus to the north of vancouver to go on the suspension bridge at Capilano. Best decision we have made so far this holiday. A great place to visit with walkways up in the rainforest, a long wobbly suspension bridge and a cliff walk. By the time we had finished the sun had come out which was an added bonus and we got to keep the 'stylish' yellow ponchos that were given out free. The downside of the visit was that when we went to catch the shuttle bus back, Graham, our droning driver, had switched from HoHo to shuttle. Lovely long walk in the sun in Stanley Park in afternoon. Had an early night in order to be up early on Monday to get the Rocky mountaineer train

Victoria

It is so easy to find places in towns with the 'grid' system. Journey from Tofino was long with intermittent rain and sunshine. Stopped for a break in a place called Coombs. It is a town/village that had a few shops and entertainment for children but the main attraction was goats grazing on the roof of the cafe/bar. We found the hotel with ease and it offered parking around the corner which was a bonus. A further bonus was the fact that it had a bar and restaurant attached and our room overlooked a rooftop volleyball court. The down side was that it also overlooked a rooftop bar which had a party going on on our 1st night. We were close to the main downtown harbour which was buzzing every evening with street markets and entertainers, water taxis and sea planes coming and going all the time. Also lots of restaurants. Our full day started with the open top bus tour of the city and surrounding area with commentary from a local geriatric. Victoria is apparently the place for Canadians to retire which became obvious from the number do disability scooters and walking frames. Mind you not all these were for the elderly, some were for the obese! Victoria was preparing for great celebrations for Canada day which we were going to miss as we were moving on. It was a lovely city with lots of lovely friendly people. Our last morning was spent in the Butchart gardens- gardens that had been created out of an old limestone quarry. Well worth a visit. Driving north to Nanaimo we were actually experiencing our second day of sun and warmth at last. We stopped off in a place called Ladysmith, to visit their farmers market and to watch their village celebrations for Canada day. Everyone was out in the park on the sea front. The CD queen had been picked and the town mayor was making a speech followed by the local First Nation leader. We then stood for the national anthem! Our hotel - the Ramada - in Nanaimo is comfortable with a large bedroom, a fridge - cold gin and tonic at last - and a microwave. We are however a a 10 minute walk from the downtown area. There is however a lovely walk on the seafront