Photos Dublin, Rocky Mountaineer https://photos.app.goo.gl/FctsD9KxQsKz1BJN9
Photos Alaska Cruise - https://photos.app.goo.gl/Qfdp7xXJ71MaYLqL8
Photos of Northwest USA - https://photos.app.goo.gl/PUWBzJJ48mv5R8cz6
There will be videos one day:- Gentle Waters, Butz Narrows, Trains & Freight Trains
Monday May 12th
Up early as I wanted to get my utility refund and Tony's permit sorted. Utilities was disapointing as it was only £190 not the £400 as displayed. Permit had the usual problem of getting in to the site, then there was Ed, sending through an Apple formulated picture which meant downloading an app from the windows store.
Anyway, with that all done I intended to walk to the airport at 11am but the bus was only 10 mins away, so I took the 304 Early arrival, no queue. At 1300 they had us check in, then sent us back to the departure lounge until 2pm. Nice flight as we took off towards Barry and Sully. Long wander to get into Dublin Terminal, Got a 24hr bus pass 8 Euro. Caught the slow bus as No16 looked full. The room was nicer than expected, but I dumped my bag and kit and headed out to look at Dublin. Dinner was a baked potato in Wetherspoons followed by a packet of nuts from Tesco. Got nuts for tomorrow - they will have to be eaten before I get to land.
What to do in the morning?
Tuesday 13th
I think Wetherspoons has just displaced McD as a favourite place for breakfast. Turned out it was only a 15min walk from the accommodation to the "Spoons" and breakfast was about half the price as McD and with baked beans. Also came back to room by a different route so a little more acchitecture/history photographed.
Ride to airport on No16 bus took 40mins with no wait to catch it. Then a long wait at airport and worry about my ETA - eventually found it and tis good to 2030!. Flight was long, connection was delayed and I managed to get the duty free on board despite announcements that it had to be in the single bag that I was allowed.
Met at airport by Annabel and Don and whisked to their home. Nice chat to daughter and grandson (Tyler the soccer player). Slept surprisingly well.
Wednesday 14th
D&A took me to the Fairmont for 07.30. Not impressed with Rocky Mountaineer as I had been unable to trace the pick up time accurately. Their office was closed and others waiting seemed equally worried. However, they did turn up and the coach got us to the depot in North Vancouver. The scenery was spectacular and the food OK. Breakfst not my usual. Three whiskys and I am happy. More inaccurate information as I think we were told that we could not check in until 4pm. However the room was ready and here I am. Interesting -phone could connect to internet as a guest - PC had to join the rewards programme. Having done the laundry I discover a washing machine and a tumble drier! Pleasant wander in the afternoon.
Thursday 15th
06.30 pick up at hotel, which given the jet lag is not a problem but not sure I would like it otherwise. Got on coach without being counted so now everyone knows my name and has plans for Nigel. Feeling somewhat cheated that we will have left out a section of the track, anyway we boaded the train at Pemberton. Small snack and coffee - breakfast was not until 10am sort of brunch really. Scenery spectacular. Fraser River at one point 2,000 feet below us as we climbed onto the plateau. Plateau was less spectacular but still pretty. Lunch had long waits between coursses and were of course pretty small. Making up for it with alcohol but Baileys with ice was a mistake. Arrived Q at 7pm and coach to hotel.
Quesnel had a welcome party and they say they will send a postcard home and were offering a tour of the town. I went to Walmarts and bought supplies for Jasper (Trail Mix) and a pair of swim trunks only to discover that the pool is open 7am to 10pm and I didn't know where it is so plan for a 5am test of swim trunks abandoned. We get a lie in tomorrow with pick up at 06.45.
Friday 16th
So another long day on the train. At least today there was coffee as we waited for the pick up and breakfast was reasonably early. Scenery was interesting, up on the plateau, later some snowy mountains. Fed every 2hrs (but nibbles, not food) and drank lots of alcohol. They forgot to mention the Continental Divide. On arrival I decided to walk to the Tonquin Inn. No problem, except that it took them half an hour to check me in and the alcohol needed to get out.
Saturday 17th
Very pleasant to be able to relax, have coffee etc. and still I was out at 9am for a walk. Komoot route downloaded so I had a decent map. Turned out to be a good wander up to Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake. Then on to Kathrine Lake but there were a number of other people on that track. Back around 1400. Bit of relaxing and then I checked out the swimming pool and my new trunks. I could only manage 15mins but it was very theraputic.
Getting worried as there seems to be some sort of Bank Holiday happening in Prince George. Around 6pm I went out in search of food. Thought the local restraunt was too expensive at $30. Maps said there was a burger bar at the end of town so I was heading for that when I came across a supermarket. I thought everything was very expensive and spent $32. Hopefully it will feed me breakfast and keep me going all day tomorrow, but I will have to get a bag for everything. Lots of Top Gear on the TV.
Sunday 18th
Cold meat wrap for breakfast, and a not quite as relaxed getting ready to leave. Forgot to pack the string - lets hope we don't get charged for using it. Got the inevitable fridge magnet and would have liked to visit Tim Horton, and I could have as the train left 15 minutes late.
I liked it better than the Mountaineer. The conductor mentioned the continental divide and seemed to have a better tchnical knowledge of the route. 18 passengers, 26 seats in the dome car, pretty intimate service. Running a tab in the buffet. Problem now is that following dinner at Subway, Tim Horton was closed so I had the rest of my cookies as desert, will want something on the train, perhaps cookies from TH?
Monday 19th
Train departed at 8am, so another early morning. Called in at Tim Horton but evrything looked so sweet, I forgot that I had intended to get cookies for the journey. The Prince George is a typical american grid town with very little less than 20yrs old, so amusing to see an old house incorporated in to the block of modern facades.
The journey was superb, wide open spaces and gentle landscapes for most but following a river that produces gorges, then rocky peaks and finally a spectacular journey down the side of a fjord. Met a lady from Cardiff - travelling with her son. Eventually arrived at Prince Rupert half an hour early and half hour hike to the Moby Dick Motel, in very light rain. On main highway when an eagle comes flying down the road, no time to get camera out but a minute later it comes flying back down the road chased by two blackbirds. Who would be an eagle?
Tuesday 20th
Out at 9am. Having woken and updated the UKTRA website. Bowntown and breakfast obtained from Subway and coffee from TH, only problem was finding a seat to consume them. Ended up as a rock overlooking the sound. On past the second museum of the day to the BC Museum which was closed. So continued the Brook Trail. This took us to the Port Information Centre which was open and informative. The trail is an old railway line running to Seal Bay. Couple of seaplanes to be seen and another
eagle. From Seal Bay it was a wander along highway 16 to the Butze Rapid Trail. Another reversing falls/rapids, but the forest was more interesting. Rain began as I completed the walk and the highway was much less pleasant. Once in town I got supplies at Walmart bu no string and crossed the road to get pictures of the first museum and the posts on the door. Collected bag from Moby Dick and took a wrong turn on my way to the ferry but saw yet another eagle being harrassed. Ferry terminal at 4pm boat wailed at 6.30 said the sign. Seemed a long wait to get on board and then a long wait for the cabins to be prepared. Food seems reasonable on board but clam chowder was a mistake. Tomato based, with celery and tough. We sailed at 7.30. Thought I would get photos out of phone but as it was down to 20% it kept demanding too much power so windows shut it off. Will get it later, maybe, and we will see if moving the videos has made a difference. Which it did but I had to plug the computer in for it to accept the phone
Wednesday 21st
Wrong again! Up at 6am as we arrived in what I thought must be Namu but turned out to be Bela Bela. I thought we would be at Port Hardy at 10am. Turns out we arrive at 1pm, which makes the hike a bit of a rush, if I am to make a 5pm plane - and it may be raining, There's a surprise! Still it's nice to be in the cabin with the headphones blasting music into my head and getting the photos done.
Arrived Port Hardy at 1pm. Guess the bird fishing at the stern of the boat did not get chomped by the propellers, nature has no regard for health and safety. Found my way out of the compound without annoying anyone thanks to advice from taxi drivers and began hike to the airport. Met a couple of parties on the trail, and then took the scenic route along the coast. Many totem poles in the village. Plane was late and I was early getting there around 3.30. Somehow Annabel and Don met me and we went for dinner and then ice cream.
Thursday 22nd
A relaxing day sorting out photos and border entry to USA. In the afternoon I wandered up broadway and got my bus pass for Vancouver. Walked down to Kitsilano Beach and then along the foreshore. Still need 1.5 miles to get my green bar for today. Which I got and exceeded by a walk up to the canoeing centre.
Friday 23rd
Plan was to do the Lynn Valley today so I was out of the house before 9am and on a bus which got pretty full as it headed into Vancouver. Sea Bus across the harbour was not crowded and then breakfast at McD. Then bus up to the Lynn Valley Park. There before 10 as the Ecology Centre didn't open until 10. Hike around the park, would have liked to have got further up the valley but I did the bottom bit first, which hampered me a little. Lots of young women out keeping fit or walking their dogs. Bus back, including a change was a doddle no wait more than a few minutes. Back in time to go out to dinner. Had a rack of ribs which were about half the size of Portillo's in Chicago but the meat fell off the ribs. Photos of waterfalls were disappointing but there are videos which I will have to string together. Garage door bit the Tesla as Don was putting it in, much upset! I panicked about the connection to the boat in Seattle as the pier is not where I thought it was and it departs at 3pm giving me only 2hrs leeway for train delays etc.
Saturday 24th
This began with a very pleasant bacon and egg sandwich a la Annabell and a "put the Tesla back together" session, it's held together with plastic nails, Don duct taped it to be certain. Then off to Lighthouse Park. Got into town and was supposed to catch the 250 but a 250a turns up, which I figured might be the same with a route variation. I learnt that it didn't go all the way but as Google had said they were every 10 mins I figured I would get off and catch the next one, without the A. Only 30 mins later there hadn't been one without the A, and as there were another couple waiting I got on the next 250A figuring I would go as far as it went and then re-assess. Only problem was we were being followed by a 257 Expresss to Horseshoe Bay and google had recommended that and a 250 back. Got off only to have the 257 turn off and go inland, so that didn't work. Next bus was a 250 but very crowded. I must look old as I was offered a seat by some younger guy. Got to park around 11.30.
The walk was 5km and 2hrs and then it was back on the bus thinking about the Lions Gate Bridge. There was a bus stop at the beginning of it and I knew you could walk across but was thinking that with modern health and safety that might not be possible in a couple of years. So I got off the bus and walked the bridge. Surprisingly the only place with very high railings was over the railway track. No bus stop on the other side, but I did see them change the traffic flow a couple of times. Anyway had to walk Stanley Park miking it another 5km. Got a photo of Lord Stanley but it is the wrong Lord Stanley - also discovered that Richard is Lord of Alderley, not Alderney as I thought. Was back at house before Don & Annabell. Very nice chicken dinner and the laundry is in the machines.
Sunday 25th
5.30am up and out at 6am courtesy of Don who was insistent on taking me to the station. Got on board OK at 06.30. The train actually left early, just after 7am. It seems that US immigration finish at 07.00 so we left just after that. Beautiful train ride down the coast. Plenty of eagles and herons, plus views of the mountains with snow on top.
King street to bus stop was a bit confusing, I came out of the wrong side of the station for google. The Dline bus turned up on time and the journey was OK, even had some other cruise passengers on the bus. Google walk directions at the end were wrong. The steps I was supposed to use have been closed. Nice security guard directed me to the courtesy bus and it was into the mass of humanity. Passport check, security check, issue of medallion and onboard the block of flats. Decks are named but go up to 18 and I am on deck 9. Not sure that I will be doing the stairs? Surprised at the number of young people and families on board, I guess this might be Memorial day and half term holidays. Had to visit guest services to get the app working and got $17 per day gratuities removed from the bill. Have found the free coffee and restaurant and tested burger and pizza. Could do with a knap.
But didn't, ate more instead and went to the Abba show. Unfortunately, like most live shows I was unable to enjoy it, it was good but just slightly off, a Texan accent did not help, emphasis in some wrong places - came back to cabin to have real Abba through headphones as I began another Clive Cussler formula book.
Monday 26th
It occurs to me that I might be in a special disability cabin (confirmed by a visit to guest services). There is so much room! Also I may as well take a 15 day phone pack tomorrow, when we get within cell range. Meanwhile, awake at 5am and read book till 7.30 and off to seek breakfast. Haven't found Musli, Granola substituted, chocolate coated, I suspect. Found the baked beans but have yet to find warm plates. Sausages are good. Logged out of App and is still refuses to recognise me - long log in process. Nowhere, quiet - apart from the dirty area in the cafeteria - I refused to move and enjoyed my coffee, having failed to get served as I ate.
Finished the film - Mash and went to ga burger but the burger bar was shut. To bed early trying to work out why my phone changed the time and had to be reset to ship time.
Tuesday 27th Ketchican
Awake at 05.30 and watched the bridge cam as we came in. Got up with the intention of going ashore but it is raining, so chang of plan and up to bistro for breakfast. It was crowded! Had granola again and a wander in an attempt to get the phone to log on to the local network, so that I could get a reasonably priced data plan. No luck - will try again later. Read book is current plan, maybe a movie? And then around 10am I went out in search of a Fridge Magnet, getting soaked so I went and walket the Creek begfore coming back for a burger and cookies. Attended the Quiz - couldn't understand the questioner, and the Thomas Kinkade talk - christmas card painter. The "Art Galery" had mainly limited edition prints - usually around 650 limit, and featured Disney characters.
Wednesday 28th Juneau
Up at 04.30 as we were due to enter the Endicott Arm, which has the Dawes Glacier at the end. We didn't get that far, maybe because there were plenty of icy bits in the water, or maybe because they had sold a small boat excursion to get closer to the glacier. It was pretty. Then on to Juneau. Found wifi and checket out tomorrow, despite purchasing a phone package the thing will not connect, but at least I was able to check out tomorrows train trip. Magnet purchased, I want for a walk and was pretty amazed to meet a couple off the ship on the trail. Lots and lots of waterfalls - it was still raining. Back on the ship about 4pm and early to bed.
Thursday 29th Scagway
We did the full length of the White Pass and Yukon Railway all the way to Carcross. Only the weather was not as good as last time.
Up early, 5am and breakfast - having found the toast the pork sausages were something else, extremely spicy! Labelling must have been wrong, they were smaller than the good ones of previous days. Hit the dockside at 6.30 and as expected the rail offices were not open, so a wander. Rail office eventually opened, but they didn't seem in a rush to get us on board. Plenty of room. Scenic ride despite the mist and it was sunny in Canada as we went along the shores of Lake Bennett. Carcross at 12.15.Mini bus to take us back and an informative driver. Back in Skagway at 3pm. Almost directly back on the ship. They really need to do something about the lifts - it is quicker to walk.
Friday 30th At Sea
Sonup at 06.30 and an early breakfast with good pork sausages this time. Finished the silly book Cussler formulaic. Attended the poet's romantic talk and the Captain interview. He was asked about the lifts so there is no doubt there is a problem there. Got pendant from the jewellery store and had lunch. Seas decreasing and misty so nothing to see, and nowhere comfortable
to sit and watch it. Found the room had been made up, annoying - have now set room to privacy. Not a lot on the TV either. Went out to see the quiz and eat. Back in room and the ship is creaking.
Saturday 31st
Another day at sea, due at Victoria at 1900. Breakfast sausages were weird again - more like savaloy. Entertainment and book reading and siesta and chat from 2nd Officer who was from Edinburgh. Even went to the final Variety Show at 16.30.
Then we arrived in Victoria - I actually got out and found a wi fi link.Wandered around and got to the Parliament Buildings and downtown - very pretty as the lights came on and the sun set. Got a little fridge magnet to go with the little visit - will have to change the magnet on it.
Sunday 1st July
Ship was in port as I got up and stuffed myself with a last breakfast 3 course including a couple of pain au chocolates. Ignored calls to get off ship but was still out by 8.30am. Walking out was a second thought for them but it was signposted and there was a coast trail which I followed. Cut up to the Space Needle and found a McD. Took the monorail to line 1 and arrived at Motel 6 before the check in time. Spent rest of the evening arranging the next few days. Forgot to get the senior rate on train to Portland and have a Greyhound Bus booked to get back to Vancouver. Ticket to Boeing tomorrow.
Monday 2nd
Out at 8am and rode to the end of the line, connected with the 117 bus and after a half hr hike I was at Future of Flight by 10.25. The booked tour was for 12 but they changed it to 11 giving me time for a cookie and a coffee. Tour was a good example of co-ordinated group activity - they probably took lessons from Disney. Good neverthless. Had got fridge magnets and looked around by 2pm (and had another cookie). Decided to walk the Big Gulch Trail. I really have to look and research more closely for local local authority trails. Really amazing to get into such a place with houses so near. Back by bus and train. Nice to have bus and train station together. All the travel, 32 miles there and 32 miles back for 2 USD. Failed to get pictures of the art deco Station design but saw Mount Rainier. Back at motel by 6pm and struggled with computer!
Tuesday 3rd
It's so complicated, this internet stuff. Blocked from getting transit directions and McDonald App because VPN puts me in GB. Switch off VPN and I am blocked from Kaspersky. Fun, fun,fun. Not helped by my failure to sort numbers, couldn't remember room number and concerned about timings.
20 min walk to McD, pleasant breakfast and read, line 1 to King St. Station. Which was 35mins from Int Boulevard. The station is really pretty but they do like lines and making it like airline travel. Seats onboard and the views are much better though.
Arrived Portland on time. Thrain was leaving at 2.15 and I hung around to get photos of the train crossing the Willamett River. Got into Motel and then went out for a wander. Got stopped at the bridge by the police. There was a navy ship coming up the river for the Roses Festival. Got my Honoured Citizen Transit pass and had a short ride but there was another naval vessel coming in so lots of photos of that particularly as there was a rainbow off the fire boat. On way back I saw crowds trying to get into the hockey stadium - it wasn't hockey it was a graduation ceremony. Out again to Safeway for food and a sink plug - also located a McD.
Wednesday 4th
So much for the TV weather forecasts, I should have guessed from the sounds outside but it was definitely raining - so a change of plans. Relaxed breakfast at McD and then a day or riding trams in the main rather than walking. The Sky Tram cast $8.50 and took you up the hill to the hospital - little to see there but their diversity wall - how long before Trump orders it removed? Out to Expo on Yellow line and a look at the Columbia River. Couldn't make a decent walk out of it.
Back for lunch and then we tried the Blue line. There's a surprising amount of tunnels on this route. Went to end of red line so airport, not Back to the Future Hillsboro. Started walking but decided it was not nice, too much traffic so decided to go to next station. I didn't realise there was a McD on the way and the app worked so I succumbed to a large ice cream. Bridge lifts made for a slow tram ride back, checked it out and it must have been the coastguard tall ship.
Thursday 5th
Lay in for a while, but got out at 8am. Breakfast and caught the Trolley down to get pictures of the extra ships that came in yesterday. Returned to check out, discovering that the signs at stops were not reliable. 11am and trolley and tram to Washington Park. Shuttle bus took us around and I finally got souvenirs. Back to Amtrak station by 1pm, for 2pm departure. Problem was a freight train, the security officer and doing things like an airline. It's now 15.30 and they have just started boarding train 11. We left 1hr 50mins late. Checked out plans on the train, Sounder only runs weekdays so will have to do Tacoma tomorrow, and Flight Museum on Saturday.
Friday 6th
So up at 6.30am, only to find that I could not work the shower. I was out by 7am just missing a train and made the 07.55 Sounder from King St Station to Tacoma Dome. Was intending to ride the trolley and walk to McD but saw a Subway instead and got off at Union Station went for a footlong. Union Station is now the Courthouse, had a quick look inside, thanks to a friendly security guard. Watched a massive train go through, and then in to the Washington State History Museum. I left when the kids came in and walked to Foss Waterway Museum. They were preparing for a 70ml in 48hr event. Nice Museum. Climbed onto the lift bridge and took busses to Point Defiance -50mins on a 28 &10. Began to worry about time but hiked to Bridge viewpoint - then took No10 bus back. Thought I would get a McD ice cream but once again the scale had me beat, I could see it but it was too far away so I got on the No1 bus and made my way back via trolley and caught the 16.30 Sounder to King St. Expensive nibbles with lots of salt. Got the shower fixed. Now a phone update and photos. All that travel for $5 (I think)
Saturday 7th
A lie in, exacerbated by an email saying I should check in for my MSC cruise, so I was not out until about 9.30. Nice breakfast and the bus to the Museum of Flight. Must have been there by 11am at the latest and didn't leave until 5pm as they were closing (well getting ready for a private function actually). Even then I had not seen all the galleries and I only attended one talk, missed the film and did not play on any of the simulators. The 5pm bus was late and nearly went straight past the stop but he did stop. McD was interesting phone would not stay logged in to the wifi. Back at motel around 7pm. $2 left on the Orca Card.
Sunday 8th
Checked out at 9am. Disaster at McD, couldn't get on the internet, the girl got my order wrong, and failed to bring an ice cube to cool the cofffee and I was running out of time to make the Greyhound bus. In the end I left still trying to drink the coffee. Train was stopping at SODO one stop short of Stadium (I had seen that the downtown Chinatown stop would be closed but there was nothing about Stadium being shut as well). Anyhow there were bus replacements but I used the Orka card to get on the service bus which was going that way and arrived in time. No attendants at the Greyhound stop, I wandered out and the driver said he had made an announcement but I certainly didnot hear it, or any of the other announcements he made during the journey. Like when we got to Canadian border, no guidance as to whether we had to take everything with us or not. No problem though. Bus out to Don & Annabells arriving at 4.30ish. Out to a Thai restaurant for my first tast of Thai and then off to ice cream parlour for a banana split.
Monday 9th/ Tuesday 10th
Another of Annabells wonderful sandwiches for breakfast. Don was off at 9am and I was off around 10am for bus and skytrain to Airport, leaving $1.95 on my Compass Card. Flights all worked. 13.35 to Kelowna, and lunch 16.10 to Calgary, 19.55 to Dublin arriving 11am Tuesday. Had to go through passport and security again at Dublin then Ryanair to Cardiff at 1430 arriving 16.50. Had an emergency exit seat which while there were not the usual 3 seats abrest had no way of looking out. Decided the bus would be 45 mins and began walking but at top of Porthkerry I checked again and it was only 5mins away so jumped the 304 back home. I suppose it was appropriate given the way I have been using busses. Fridge magnets stuck up to remind me of the story.
