New Zealand February 26 th

Friday
Another long flight which resulted in us reaching Auckland in the early hours of the morning. After going through customs and then getting a taxi we arrived at the hotel about 2am and fell into bed.

Later on Friday.
Got up reasonably early and went for a much needed breakfast. Ceri face timed us just as we got onto wifi in the cafe, to give us the good news of her confirmed pregnancy and to show us the scan. We spent the rest of the day on cloud 9 - helped by going up the Sky Tower to oversee the panoramic views of Auckland. We then spent some time on the waterfront until it was time to collect the car to travel to Gareth'.
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All went well traversing Auckland on highway 16 and we made good progress to Waimuru - only to discover that Gareth no longer lives there. Bit of a shock - miles from anywhere in the middle of nowhere and no idea where he lived. We found someone in the same road however who remembered the Jones and who sent us to his wife who he was sure would know more! Ieuan by this time was having a field day thinking about how he could tell this story to all and sundry.
It turns out that the Jones had moved about 12 years ago (I obviously had not noted it in my address book).
After much ringing around we eventually found out the new address and our 'new found friends, the Barnes' gave us directions on where to to. This was after they had also given us a cup of tea and some cake. Terrific hospitality to complete strangers.

Half an hour later, we arrived in Kaukapakapa, where we eventually found them - well sort of as it turned out they weren't expecting us until the Saturday. What a mix up. Luckily Sue was at home as she was preparing to go and get Gareth from the golf club where he plays every Friday evening and where they then both have a meal. So Gareth was surprised to see us with Sue.

All in all what could have been a disastrous start to our 1st weekend in NZ turned into a successful evening.

Saturday

Up reasonably early but Sue was already out riding her horse and Gareth was doing something around their beautiful home. Ieuan was very relieved to find that he was able to watch Wales playing rugby against Ireland and even more pleased when Wales won.
After a big breakfast, Gareth and Sue went off to rescue an escaped calf, then the lawns had to be cut before they took us to a place called Davonport where we met up with Carwyn. There were some great views over Auckland harbour from this peninsula to the north of the bay. But then it rained -and rained! This meant we had to unfortunately spend the rest of the afternoon in a pub. We also went to their 'local' pub later for a meal.

Sunday
We had planned to move on in the morning but as the Jones are in the process of selling their house and land, and looking for somewhere else to buy, we ended up driving to see their school and then on to an open viewing of a property they wanted to see.
After a lovely late Sunday dinner of 'home grown' lamb, we left to move on to visit Linda Warrington, another X Barnet headteacher

Kuala Lumpur 2016

1st leg of our 2016 visit to NewZealand.
Stop off in KL
After a VERY long flight we reached KL. m
Met by a relaxed, healthy looking Mick Quigley. The journey to the Q apartment took an hour with all the hectic busy roads around KL. t
Their apartment is amazing, 20 floors up, balcony overlooking a golf course and KL in the background - including the Petronas Towers in the distance.
As bothMick and Eileen had to go to work, we decided to go to the Batu Caves in order to keep ourselves awake. The caves are very large limestone ones up on a cliff with well over 200 steps to get in. As Ieuan's foot is in a boot( due to partial tear of Achilles' tendon) he decided to stay at the bottom. The caves have been transformed into a Hindu temple/ shrine. Very impressive but I personally would have preferred to have them in their original state.
It was extremely hot and humid so the AC in the taxi into KL was very welcome- as was the 1st drink of Tiger beer in a bar under the Petronis towers
We later met up with Quigleys - and Eileen's mother who was also staying with them- took a few obligatory photos and then went for food. It turned out to be the last day of Chinese New Year so the area we went to was extremely busy but buzzing with activity. Fire crackers, dancing dragons and a host of other street entertainers kept us awake for the evening. Amazing entertainment.

Day 2

After a very welcome nights sleep, we had a lazy morning. Both M and E had to work but Eileen finished at lunchtime so she took us for the historical tour of KL ending up in The Majestic hotel, an old colonial hotel where we met up with Mick. We then went to eat in Bejong, a traditional Malaysian restaurant, followed by a few drinks an Rock Bottom, where the Quigleys and Clare were quite well known. We ended up drinking with a group of men who were all in the oil business and all had Indonesian wives who were out together somewhere else. Two of the group were from Scotland, and 3 from Australia. They decided to adopt Kathleen as their granny. She didn't know whether to be pleased or upset. All in all another very successful tiring day.

Day 3

A day for the Ho Ho bus. Just as we were about to set off I realised that I had lost my camera! What a bummer. Luckily for me, Clare, took on the mission of tracking it down for me so Ieuan and I set off with second camera in bag. Things were going well when we reached the skytower until I realised that the battery for camera 2 was flat. All not lost I thought as I could use my new, second hand IPhone. Unfortunately taking photos was rapidly using up the battery on that and I needed it in case Clare contacted me. What a disastrous dilemma. We also needed to know where to meet up for the evening. In the meantime, we finished the bus tour having only got off to look at the craft market, and the final stopping place - the Petronis towers which we did the organised tour of. By the time we finished that, Ieuan had managed to contact Mick who was able to tell me that my camera had been found at the Majestic hotel in the ladies toilets no less. It took an hour by taxi to get there during the very busy peak time in KL. Mick then sent an Uber taxi to pick us up and take to meet them in Bangsar. Eileen had planned for us to have a quiet night in as we all had to be at the airport early on the Thursday. However Clare decided to come out that evening so we ate out instead. She had apparently spent a lot of time chasing up all the places we had been to the day before until she finally found it for me. I was verrrry grateful to her. After a lovely meal we returned to the apartment where a few bottles of wine were consumed - not the early quiet night that had been planned!! The 5.30 start the next morning was a bit of a shock.

Day 4

A very quiet journey to the airport but what a fabulous few days we had with the Quigleys.
Off on the next lap of our journey

Canada - September 2014

Second trip to Canada this year but first to manitoulin where Gaynor has lived for the last 35 years.
Monday 13th
Arrived Toronto , met by Gaynor and Hanna. Stayed in Holiday Inn nearby after taking Hanna to station.
Tuesday Niagara.
Drove to hotel who did not have my booking but who found us a room. Walked to the falls. Spectacular. Did quite a bit of walking around to get our bearings and to help us to decide what to do tomorrow.
Wednesday
Niagara experience day pass. Well worth the money. Went on the Hornblower first to the base of the falls. What a thunderous experience. The pass included an all day hop on hop off on the Wego bus so the next visit was to the white water walk. Not sure what to expect but the rapids were well worth a visit. On to the flower clock where we decided that we wouldn' even get off the bus. However on the return journey we stopped at the Whirlpool. Again - amazing. Should have taken the opportunity to cross over the river on the cable car but chose to go onto the glassblowing place where we watched a glass maple leaf being produced from start to finish. Next the 4D experience. History of the geology of the area and how the falls had formed and another soaking. Finally the walk behind the falls and our 3rd poncho of the day. Damp musty tunnel took us to where we could look out at the water falling like a curtain past a window. Then out on to the platform where we could see behind the edge of the Canadian falls. Once again a spectacular sight and a deafening sound.
Thursday
Moving on to get at least half way to Manitoulin. Discovered that I had mixed up the dates of my hotel booking and luckily the receptionist noticed it otherwise I would have been paying for Thursday and Friday as well. Stopped at a place called St Jacob and went to a Menonite produce market. This was where we were originally going to be staying but we decided to move on further to reduce travel time on Friday. Found a motel which was very like one in Tailem Bend in Australia. However local Chinese takeaway was good value.
Friday
Zigzagged up the peninsular to Tobermory where we were getting the ferry over to the island. Made good time and had time to look around the settlement before boarding. Ferry trip was just short of 2 hours and was very smooth. Apparently it had been quite rough the previous day. Once we reached the island there was still an hours drive to get to gaynor's farm. A beer was very welcome by the time we got there. Floyd was waiting with one ready almost.
Gaynor's house is full of character with extentions built on at various levels. 
Saturday
Woke up to a change in the weather -raining and considerably colder. After a lazy morning, was taken on a trip around Gore Bay where the local museum has an art exhibition by a local artist - Christie bell Pearson. Very good . Bought a print. Gaynor's niece was doing a Saturday job at the museum. Supper was at a place called Silver Water - a charity fish supper. Gaynor and Floyd seem to very well known in the area. Floyd then drove to his 'man shack' - alias his hunting shack where he and his mates spend a weekend hunting, drinking and playing cards. 
Sunday
Relaxed morning. Made picnic lunch and went to see Bridal Falls. Not quite on the scale of Niagara but very pretty. The salmon had reached the pond below the falls on the last stretches of their life cycle. We followed the river down stream to KagAwong where it flowed into the lake. Many fish were struggling to swim up stream - some following a route that would only take them to a small mill /hydro plant. KagAwong is a small community on the edge of the north side of the lake. Yet another art gallery with some beautiful pictures again painted by a local artist.  After our picnic we drove to Providence bay and walked along the board walk. Everywhere we go we meet someone that Gaynor knows. The art gallery, the local store at the falls where we were served by a past pupil, the cafe in Providence bay.
Monday
Did some gardening for Gaynor in the morning. Went to Misery Bay in the afternoon. Gaynor is the Vice President of the Misery Bay park group which keeps the park centre open in the the summer months. She took me around the park pointing out geological changes, plant life, animal trails etc. the we followed the trails to the lake side, around the bay for quite a distance and then through the woods. Seemed to be walking for hours. The centre itself had animal skins, animal skeletons, fossils and activities for kids. 

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