Canada

Tuesday 15 November 2005

Woke up in this fine house to find everybody else had left for work and school. We really enjoyed a sleep in, some morning TV and getting some washing done. We caught the local bus into town and then explored the water front, the museums, art galleries, streets and shopping malls. When we returned Nick took us to the quaint local pub called the Penny Farthing. At home we shared a delicious curry meal which Carmel had cooked for us and talked until late. Another great day.


Monday 14 November 2005

Rich and Daphne drove us to Whistler this morning. Patsy has always wanted to see Whistler as it is a very popular destination for Australians who all rave about it. It was like a quaint Austrian village and the ski lifts were open. On the drive there and back and from Rich and Daphne's house there are views of large snow capped mountains. We enjoyed Rich and Daphne's warm hospitality and we know that we will see them again one day, hopefully in Australia for their next holiday! We drove back to Vancouver, this time in daylight so the continuous construction work and traffic did not seem quite so daunting. Vancouver has the "Wow" factor. There are many fascinating bridges, lots of ice blue water and many lakes and everything else is either bright emerald green or snow capped. There are no vacant bald spots - just 360 degrees of beauty. We dumped the car at the airport and jumped on the bus which took us to the ferry to cross over to Vancouver Island. We were met in Victoria by Nick van der Westhuizen (ex PE pupil) and taken to his home where we met his wife Carmel and their youngest son Michael. Nick and Carmel are both doctors who have settled in Victoria and cannot see themselves ever moving again because they love it here. A beautiful island the size of England and only 600 thousand people. Sound like paradise?

Nick and Carmel Van Der Westhuizen

Sunday 13 November 2005

We felt sad saying goodbye to yet another dear friend as we waved goodbye to Ruth at the airport. We flew to Vancouver and hired a car to drive the 60 km to Squamish. It ended up being a difficult drive because we lost the light soon after we reached the main highway (so we lost out on the stunning views) and there were so many cluttered road works and very narrow pathways with umteen barrels and markers without any arrows or instructions so we were constantly unsure of where we were allowed to drive and the oncoming traffic was very close to us and very heavy as thousands were returning from Whistler after the long weekend. The bright lights in our eyes was a strain but again we hugged the right edge and reached Squamish safely to visit Rich and Daphne Humphries. We soon recovered from road rage over some wine and a good trout meal. How good to catch up with these great people and we talked and remembered into the night. Great sleep.

Sandy, Patsy, Daphne and Rich Humphries

Daphne and Rich Humphries

Saturday 12 November 2005

We had a pleasant drive to Edmonton with Ruth who introduced us to Tim Horton's coffee on the way, numerous times! Arrived at Pete Fairbridge's home east of Edmonton in the early evening. Pete was instantly recognisable and it was very good to see him. Ruthie found that she knew the same people that Pete knew from earlier Rhodesia days - again small world. Pete showed Sandy their U14A school rugby team photo - in it Fairbridge, Sanderson, MacFarlane, BatesT, and Humphries the only old boys from 1965 (apart from Geoff Hawkins) that Sandy is in touch with. Pete was a great host and cook and we all enjoyed the evening immensely remembering old friends and old times. It was great to have Ruthie with us too.

Pete, Ruthie, Patsy and Sandy

Pete's House

Friday 11 November 2005

All Canadian flags were at half mast for Rememberence Day and we couldn't help thinking that it is hard to believe that UDI was 40 years ago today. Anyway, we had another good look at Lake Louise and then drove through beautiful country to Banff and spent more time enjoying an even better 5 star hotel, wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere and admiring the architecture and decor. We had a sandwich lunch at a natural lay-by ( a log in the bush on a hill) with tremendous views all around. The day was topped off with a delightful evening socialising with Ruth's friends high up in their luxury apartment with river views. Here we met Lu-Inge and Nico Breed, Emor and Johan Kilian, all from South Africa and now well settled in Canada.

View from Banff Springs Hotel

Johan and Emor Kilian, Ruthie, Lu-Inge and Nico Breed

Pete Fairbridge at home

Thursday 10 November 2005

Ruth drove us through the route Bow Valley Parkway and the scenic route to Lake Louise with breathtaking views along the way and the Castle Mountain Internment Camp Memorial to the Ukranian, Austro-Hungarian internees during the first WW. We visited the Chateau at Lake Louise, a magnificant 5 star hotel right on the lake and then moved on to stay at a really cosy back packers youth hostel which is nearby, well appointed with lovely views too. Ruthie, Patsy and Sandy had a great evening in the back packer's kitchen eating Ruth's good chilli and slugging back Chilean cab sav!

Ukranian WWI Memorial Bow Valley

Lake Louise

Wednesday 9 November 2005

Up at 0700 to catch the Express Bus to the airport at 0812 for a 1210 flight. Due to very bad weather, thunder-storms and fog, the flight was delayed 3 hours. We got to Calgary at 1720 (4 hour flight) and were met by Ruth Hargrove. Ruth drove us to her very spacious flat via her old flat that had been flooded and some Christmas lights. The rest of the evening was spent catching up and remembering the past times together. It was really good to see Ruth again after 21 plus years. She was looking extremely young!

Ruthie at Home

Tuesday 8 November 2005

We made another lazy start and walked along the Niagara River to the bus station. A beautiful sunny day. The bus trip was brilliant, we could see Toronto across Lake Ontario, a distance of 70 km. We spent the afternoon shopping in the Eaton Centre with English fish and chips at the Food Hall. The evening was a"get your breath back" watching CNN!


Monday 7 November 2005

Woke up to a warm sunny day and the chilly wind had disappeared. Went to study the beautiful falls in daylight and took a tour underground to view the falls from below and behind. Magnificent. Looked up John and Irene Kotsch who did a years exchange teaching at Toowoomba Grammar in 1998. It was great to find them and we enjoyed a lovely evening in their home.

John and Irene Kotsch

Sunday 6 November 2005

Caught the Greyhound bus to Niagara Falls and walked through town to the Lyons Youth Hostel. We are back to the genuine barest basic living conditions but it is clean and central. The chilly wind nearly bowled us over and we were very glad that the hostel in Toronto let us leave our big packs (with camping equipment etc) in their luggage room. The extra clothes Rose gave us came in very handy when we walked to the Falls to see it lighten up at night. One gets quite wet from the spray and the wind is really cold, but it is beautiful and quite spectacular. A bright fireworks display happened over the falls while we were there. We think this may happen every night so we will be back there tomorrow. The streets are all a bit commercial but great fun anyway and we are enjoying ourselves.

Niagara Falls

Saturday 5 November 2005

An uneventful flight to Toronto and a downown express bus to our hostel in the middle of the city. Not a bad one this time, we have bathroom ensuite (which is very unusual for backpacker price) and TV in the room with CNN. We watched in amasment as CNN announced that 900 cars had been trashed in Paris! It is noticeably cooler in Canada and autumn is more advanced than USA. Met Thanos Dimitrakopoulos (ex PE pupil) and his lovely wife Josie and had dinner with them in town. They have three sons. The twins Daniel and Alexander and the youngest is Nickolas. We enoyed walking through the streets of Toronto (even thouugh the number of beggars was somewhat alarming - drug problems we suppose) and we landed up at the ORIGINAL Hard Rock Cafe for night caps! Sandy's ears are still ringing from the loud rock and roll music (oldie) but it was such good fun.

With Thanos & Josie Dimitrakopoulos

Patsy and Robert Wadlow in Niagara