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