Here’s a better pic of the little woodpecker

Another restless night as our room is so hot but hoping maintenance will fix the air conditioning so that we can have a good night’s sleep tonight.

Only did a six mile walk today but did see some fascinating wildlife and met up with a lovely English couple who seemed to have fallen in love with Canada as much as we have.

Ice cream for lunch followed by a visit to the hot springs (40 degrees and very relaxing).

Just been back to Banff Brewing for our last drink and meal there for another two years and have now come back to pack ready for our drive to Jasper tomorrow. They’re forecasting heavy rain so it’ll be an interesting day.Probably the nearest we’ll get to a mooseCampfireThis White crowned sparrow wasn’t at all shyA mahoosive robin – not at all like our cute little onesA mule deer waiting to cross a bridgeView across Vermillion LakeRed winged blackbirdOsprey looking for his next mealNot sure what this was but it was very prettyThis little downy woodpecker was so cute drilling out his nest and throwing away the shavings

Another glorious day and, after our usual breakfast at Evelyn’s we drove up the Bow River Parkway to Lake Louise, catching sight of some Mule Deer on the way.

We have been to Lake Louise quite a few times and always done the walk around the lake so this time I suggested we try the walk up to Mirror Lake. Unfortunately I chose the only year that Lake Louise was frozen over. As you can imagine, the path up the mountain was covered in thick snow and ice. It took us an hour and a quarter to climb up there, we rested for ten minutes and even longer to climb back down. There were others on the trail in trainers so we felt quite well prepared, although there were some people in hiking boots and who had rucksacks and walking poles. I have to say a bottle of water would have be very welcome – we shared a couple of Werther’s Originals instead!

At least we deserved the Kiwi Kolsch and food we had when we returned to Banff. I had Caesar salad with prawns and Paul had pan fried Brussels sprout salad. Both a little different but delicious.

Think we’re deserving the food/drink as we did over 12 miles yesterday and nearly 9 miles today!

Mule deerCastle mountainLake LouiseMirror Lake. Looking down on Lake Louise from half way to Mirror LakeCute ground squirrel – stands up just like a meerkat. Paul’s mealMy meal

Bow River FallsOur favourite barNot sure what these guys were queuing for. Lake Minnewanka

White crowned sparrow

Another beautiful day beckons and off we go to our favourite coffee shop for breakfast. Then a lovely walk along the River Bow where we got to see a couple of birds that are usually quite shy. Then along to see the Bow Falls which means climbing around 200 steps up and down. White crowned sparrow.

Californian Quail

First day in the Rockies and, after a not very restful night’s sleep, we went to our favourite coffee shop for breakfast. Another beautiful day and off we go for a walk along the River Bow. Wonderful views and spotted a few birds, the Snipe and the Quail are never that easy to spot. Then up and over more than 200 steps to view the Falls. So many people about but then it is glorious weather and Mother’s Day.

We were then in need of a little refreshment and so popped into the pub for our latest favourite beer – Kiwi Kolsch – and some soft pretzels with dips (cheese fondue and mustard).

Fully refreshed we drove to Lake Minnewanka (pronounced Minnewanka for you ignoramouses!). Even more people here with lots of barbecues. (Kate this really reminded me of the barbecue site on Tenerife)

After a bit of a relax we’re off to have some dinner – and maybe the odd glass of something refreshing.

Breakfast.

Up early after an uncomfortable night. Those pillows were rock hard and the room was hot.

Problem checking Paul in at the airport so I was really stressed – something to do with the visa. They had to phone Canada to sort it out. Didn’t take too long luckily.

Long flight. I managed to watch five films! Darkest Hour, Dunkirk, The Orient Express, Breathe and Goodbye Christopher Robin. The food was crap as always and I was glad I’d taken a sandwich on the plane with me. We seemed to do a tour of the skies over Calgary and Paul thought he was going to be sick but luckily the landing was smooth and all the staff at the airport were lovely.

Picked up the car with the usual problems even though we booked and paid for it ages ago. Finally arrived in Banff about 5pm – (1am British time). Unpacked and then went straight to our favourite bar for a bite to eat and some beer.

Back at the hotel, shattered and ready for bed.

Well we’re back at the Travelodge at Gatwick. Apparently it’s had a millions of pounds spent on it. There are some new chairs in reception and the bedroom seems to have had most of the furniture removed – except for a double bed and two z-beds. Anyone like to join us, there’s lots of room!

Had a lovely catch up with Laura and Jay and even Teddy seemed excited to see us. Then a some beef stroganoff followed by Choux buns and chocolate sauce, all helped down by two large glasses of a very acceptable prosecco. We then had to help them out by eating some of the delicious cake sent to Laura by Graeme and Raquel. Now feeling very full but ready for bed. The flight isn’t till 11.30 am but we have to be at the airport for 7.30am as Paul couldn’t check-in on-line for some reason – “computer says no”!

Well, we’ve been back in our own house for nearly a week now and all the unpacking, washing and ironing are done. The house is more or less back to normal and I just have to tackle the jungle that has grown out of our little garden. The only thing not to grow has been the lavender that Paul pruned before we left! Never mind I never did like the smell of lavender!

What an incredible adventure we had in Canada and America. Here’s a few thoughts now I’ve had time to think:- 

Best hotel – the hotel we stayed in in Whistler, although all the hotel’s had something to recommend them.

Best meal – possibly the Mac and cheese I had in the Shady Rest pub in Qualicum.

Best walk – probably the walk to Jack Point, although there are many that I love and can’t wait to do again.

Best city – for me, probably Chicago or New York.

This holiday definitely confirmed for me that my favourite places to visit are places where we can get out in the country and watch all the incredible wildlife that is out there.

The train rides were definitely a highlight of the whole trip – spending a whole day sitting in a comfy seat watching incredible scenery go by was wonderful and sleeping on a train a definite experience not to be missed. It was also great to talk to so many interesting people although I could have done without the man we got lumbered with one breakfast and who insisted on introducing us to his daughter in Washington station and having our photo taken with him was excruciating!

I will never forget the bike ride we did around Stanley Park and False Creek in Vancouver – the weather was perfect for once although we did pay for it next day when the rain hammered down so hard that we couldn’t leave the flat!

We did stay in some very “interesting” places from the tiny cottage in Banff where the bedroom was dwarfed by the enormous jacuzzi bath to the luxury of the hotel in Whistler. We met some very interesting people everywhere and I definitely talked to a lot more people than I usually would.

The most exciting times for me were when we saw wildlife we hadn’t seen before – the moose with her youngster, the marmots who posed for the camera, the Pygmy owl who was so cute, the ruffed grouse, the sandpiper cranes and the merganser babies who ran on top of the water and the otter having crab for his breakfast.

Top of all our experiences for me was watching the eaglet and his parents in Beachcomber Park. We saw him most days while we were in Parksville and were very lucky to meet a lovely lady called Jeannie who was also in awe of him and has continued to send me updates on his progress. He’s very close to leaving the nest now, flying across the nest when his Mum and Dad aren’t there. Mind you he still seems to enjoy being fed by his Mum – obviously a boy!

It’s lovely to be back in our little house and I’m enjoying being back in Felixstowe but I can’t wait to go back to Canada and continue our adventures.

Bye for now

Gill