Decided to brave my driving again and make our way to Lake Minnewanka. Felt a little more confident thank goodness but still being very wary of going onto the wrong side of the road and my left leg keeps wanting to push down on the clutch!

Lake

Not quite sure how we’re supposed to get from the bottom of the steps to the picnic table!

Red squirrel

This scenery is really incredible

Once we got back to Banff we popped into Evelyn’s for our usual and then drove up to the hot springs. We got 2 towels and the lady explained that the locker token was only good for one use so if we needed another we’d have to back up to the desk and buy another. You’d think the instructions were plain wouldn’t you. Anyway I got changed and went into the pool keeping an eye out for Paul. He was a while and turned out he’d closed his locker and then realised he still had his socks on (not a good look) but was very lucky as a gentleman let him have an extra one he didn’t need. So far so good. He then made his way to the far end of the pool, slipped getting in and dropped his towel which was, of course, sopping wet. The lifeguard was very kind and provided him with another.  This was supposed to be a relaxing afternoon!!
When we got back to the hotel we needed a rest before going out for something to eat.

White tailed deer Bow river high rise apartments

Maybe you’ll be doing this soon Jaylooks like a merganser

Much better weather. Still feeling exhausted so didn’t go too far today. Did a few miles along the other side of the Bow River and then popped into Evelyn’s for a coffee. Then back to the hotel for a rest before heading on out again along the path to Vermillion Lakes.
began to see some wildlife which was lovely. Finished it off with a pizza. Not bad but unfortunately  we’ve been spoilt with Dean’s pizzas so a bit disappointing. Then back to the hotel to wind down before bed.

Made it to Banff.  Picked up the car and the guy was very patient answering all my questions. His face when I started using the brake and nearly ended up through windscreen! In my defence it was a new car so the brake was very fierce!
Absolutely chucked it down on the way to Banff but let up a little when we arrived. Couldn’t get into the room so went to our favourite coffee shop and ended up chatting to a guy for an hour. Then browsed some shops before a stop at our favourite bar. The rain had eased up so we could sit on the balcony.

Back to hotel. Unpacked before going to the next hotel where we had a very nice Italian meal and we’re served by a lovely Czech girl.

Back to hotel for early bed.  At our favourite bar In our favourite coffee shop

Got through Gatwick with a lot of help from a very nice lady who had to check us in manually. Not a bad flight to Toronto but very long and shattered when we arrived. Then a 3 hour wait for our flight to Calgary Porter airlines. Never heard of them but presume they are an Air Transat partner.  Nice plane and crew. Arrived in Calgary at 9.15pm (4.15am GMT).
ended up paying 20 dollars for a taxi when the website says they have free transport. I had emailed them twice asking how to get it but had no reply but you can imagine how  pissed off I was when we arrived and they were surprised we hadn’t used the free taxi service!! Never mind as 5th gave us a bottle of water to compensate!
Up for free breakfast though and now got to go and get the car -wish me luck with finding my way out of Calgary. Weather’s not looking good unfortunately.

Great to finally get here but couldn’t check in on line and then couldn’t use the machine at the airport.  Had to get a very nice lady to do it manually for us. As you can imagine I was getting a little anxious but all sorted eventually. 

Then Security. Nice that you don’t have to take electrical items or liquids out of your bags. However Paul was given a right patting down as he forgot to remove his belt. Then my carry on had to be stabbed for signs of drugs – obviously heard about my unmedicated drug and alcohol problems!

The last 5 weeks have been very stressful. I managed to tick a wrong box on the visa form and apparently told them I had untreated drug or alcohol problems! Was told to go for a medical (£500 and  trip to London) which cleared me. All I could find out was that they were still checking my eligibility. Spent hours on the net trying to get a phone number or email address so I could speak to an actual person. Eventually spoke to a lovely lady consul in Edinburgh who got in touch with someone in London. She sorted it in 2 minutes! If only I could have done that a month ago it would have eased all that stress!
Can now finally look forward to our holiday.

Only 6 weeks of to go till we fly to Calgary again. All hotels and flights booked. Started writing lists. Just need to sort out our visas. Can’t wait till we’re at the airport.

Up late on our last day in Canada. Don’t have to check out till 1pm which is nice so had a coffee downstairs before taking our time packing.  Left the luggage with the hotel and walked down to Earls for lunch. Really lovely, especially the service.

Back to hotel and ordered an Uber rather than chance another taxi. Chatting with the locals they never use taxis either! We were at the airport just after 2.30pm thinking we’d be able to check in the luggage but we couldn’t so had to sit and wait till 6.45pm! Would have been ok with just sitting and reading but wearing that mask all the time was a real pain.
Anyway everyone at the airport was really nice, even the security staff!  Found the Irish bar that had the Shocktop last trip but unfortunately they didn’t still sock it! So sad.

Took off a little late but it was a good flight as it wasn’t full so Paul moved and I had 3 seats to myself. Just wish I could sleep on a plane but managed to finish a book!
Arrived on time and had a very easy trip through the airport which surprised me. Laura picked us up and back to more rain! I’d presumed we would arrive back to the glorious weather we’d been reading about but no such luck. Loads of traffic on the drive home which took twice as long as normal – not what I needed after being up for over 36 hours. Home at 6pm. Good to be back to my own bed and pillows and I think Jasper was glad to see us – he just raced round and round the house. 😂😂😍

Sad the holiday is over but now we can look forward to next time.

Lovely, if expensive, hotel for our last couple of nights.

Up later today. Think I’m beginning to run out of steam! Decided to try another taxi to the CN Tower as Paul is in great pain with his hip. This time the driver was even more rude than yesterday. Spoilt my whole day and dreading getting one to the airport tomorrow.

Anyway glorious sunny day while we queued for tickets.

Have been up once before the first time we came to Canada so quite a while ago. Obviously spectacular views.

Decided to do a harbour cruise but on the way got side tracked by a brewery – we’ll it did start raining!

Then off to the harbour cruise

We we’re not chancing another taxi so walked back to the hotel via a pharmacy for more pain killers and then a restaurant for a Caesar salad and glass of Erdinger for Paul and wine for me.

Then back to the hotel stopping off in the bar – of course!

No breakfast as there would be a time change this morning which meant that lunch would be an hour earlier. There was a new crew on the train and they were not a patch on the previous girls. Such a shame. No-one put the beds up during the day which meant we couldn’t sit in it and two of the menus during the two days to Toronto had things on them that they didn’t have and today only one pud at lunchtime – strawberry shortcake – was still frozen in the middle.

The scenery was mainly trees and lakes.

There was a wine tasting before dinner which wasn’t as pleasurable as the beer tasting as a very boring man joined us who thought he was very funny – he wasn’t!

After dinner we sat in the dome car and played Rummikub before retiring to bed.