Balmoral Cruise

Satuday Dec 10 2022

Up bright and early, well 6.30, Shower, took out the recycling, delivered Rob's Card and shut down the boiler and electrics before heading to the station. Just made the 7.30 train (15 mins before the required train) which gave time for a McD in Cardiff, but it was a bit rushed, as the train out of Cardiff was about 10 mins earlier than I had expected, and was crowded and freezing. 

   Arrived Portsmouth and walked to the terminal, calling in at McD on the way for a brownie and Hot Chocolate (which was cool), Boarded without problem, apart from nearly losing the house keys. First impression is quite reasonable - the Palm Cafe seems to have a reasonable buffet, limited but nice range. Didn't particularly like the cheesecake but the cookies were good. Cabin is OK, sort of got the TV working. Problem is that all food outlets close between 1600 and 18.30 So have to wait for tea. 

  HMS Bristol looked unloved. Sailed out of Portsmouth and I have a couple of nice photos as it was a clear night and lots of lights. About to get settled in to a football game.

Sunday 11th At Sea

Despite the notices the catering did not open until 8am, however, I was able to photograph the sun coming up. Sea was flat calm, it can't have been more than force 2 as the ship captain announced F4 - and expecting F8 tomorrow. 

   Attended two talks, neither of which were very clear. Sunday lunch was crowded and no chocolate, went back for seconds. Watching a movie so I have missed the sunset and the Captains reception. Looking forward to dinner and late night supper. Then finished the book at 2am.

Monday 12th At Sea

I was going to skip breakfast but was up anyway, so had a healthy breakfast Muslii and fruit with just a few pastries. Found the library and started another book. Disappointed with the talks. Realised that with Lisbon tomorrow, I might get a chance to download this weekends NFL games so have to get through the games I have. Tom Brady comeback in the last quarter!!. Then there was a helicopter evacuation - quite interesting. Now, will I make the comedy show. Which wasn't up to much. Supper was good though.

Tuesday 13th Lisbon

Early for breakfast having put clock forward ready for Spain - but this is Portugal. Trouble getting off the ship, as they changed gangway.

So we weren't ready for disembarkation as announced, at least they were correct when they said there was wi-fi in the terminal (and it was fast).

Wandered a little way and got a 24hr ticket. Didn't see ANY trams. Bus to Belem, the Navigators Monument was the wrong side of the tracks but the Maritime Museum was excellent and under 4Euro. Bus back to the square and tried the Metro, caught out in the rain, no funicular or elevator running either so back to the ship, collecting more football downloads on the way.

Dinner was disappointing, directed to a non-made up table (they made it up quickly enough - but . . .) Table cleared while I went to get seconds, then all the cheeses were soft, and the custard was thin. At least I was ale to stop the cabin being cleaned out but there was no chocolate tonight - just a candy. The game was good, Kansas and Mahomes v Denver and Russell Wilson. Problem was they gave the score of the Tampa v 49ers which is the next one to watch out of those downloaded. What will supper bring? 

Wednesday 14th  Cadiz

Supper and breakfast was OK. The pastry selection did not include chocolate, but I am getting used to being relatively healthy and not having sausages, beans etc. at breakfast. The book I am reading is getting stupid, and the lecture I attended this morning was all about plants and gardens in Madera. We are not due in Cadiz for another couple of hours. Can't figure why the shore time is so limited.

   However, that meant that I had time for lunch before wandering around Cadiz, which was pretty interesting as an example of a fortified city and marine base. I don't know how difficult it would have been to get into in an old ship, there are plenty of shallows and reefs around it. Resisted the temptation to purchase some gin, decided that since I am eating far too much the alcohol can wait. Found the train station!

  Departure was interesting, she used a tug to swing the stern, despite having a bow thruster. Supper was good - thinking it is the best meal of the day.

Thursday 15th At Sea

Well the boat is moving, the Captain says F9 I say F7 at least at some point during the afternoon the white horses became more numerous. I wonder if he is correct in saying we won't be in port until 3pm tomorrow - lucky that Funchal was the place I was thinking it would be most difficult to fill the time at. 

   Got two Football matches out of the way, do I do another tonight or carry on with the silly novel or start a different novel? Must write a feedback note about the "smart" TV - there is no way to find out what is on which makes watching a total lottery.

   Supper was excellent, as usual, goats cheese and onion in some bread followed by cookies. Began readig Alex Cross book, large type and short chapters.

Friday 16th  Funchal

And the late arrival (around midday) allowed me to finish the book and see the scenery as we approached the harbour. Many memories of visiting with Mother. At least this beats P&O. We moored close in but the crowds getting off and the careful handling of wheelchairs and buggies were reminiscent.

 Had to wander into town to find a free wi-fi signal and I suspect it was severely slowed after 1gb - took about an hour to download the Thursday night game. I ended up having a beer and ice cream, partly as I was waiting and partly as a than you.. Yes they expect you to pay for ice cream on this ship - it seems to come under their speciality ideas, along with chocolate.

   I did visit a supermarket and could have got a bottle of Gordons for 13E 70cl but decided I will eat myself to death on board and drink myself to death over christmas. Can't get excited about 50 Shades Freed so it will be back on its way to the library. Will I finish the Narrowboat book?

Saturday 17th Funchal

All due back on board by 12.30. And here I am, with over an hour before I was supposed to be back in board and having only walked 4 miles! Madeira has so much more to offer but the need to be back makes one reluctant to go far. I will return and do the Lavant walks, and explore the area and take a boat ride. Probably early Sept would be best. Didn't even have a drink ashore, as the bar was closed. Plenty of memories of visiting with mother, and plenty of photos. 

Sunday 18th At Sea

Day at sea, looks as if with a following wind we might be in Vigo at a reasonable time - they are talking about 10.30am. 

   The interview with the Captai and the session on Charts were not particularly interesting. Charts that the Navigating Cadets in deep water. Charts and gyro compasses old and modern. Got through the 2nd book, Patterson writes silly thrillers. Also got through week 15 games and the Thursday night game. Question now is can I find as good a download spot as Lisbon.

   Food is getting boring fish pie and Lasagne (which had dried out top) Deserts was a suet pudding, they are generally aerated and lack cream or ice cream. At least the floating hotel is moving and groaning again as the sea builds.

Monday 19th Vigo

Interesting parking the boat, pretty close to the other Fred Olsen boat. Got ashore about 11 and totally failed to find a wi-fi location that would enable me to download an American Football game. Instead I got to the station and got a ticket to Santiago de Compostella and back. Train left at 12.30 and followed the river/inlet for and then went back out to the coast before going inland again. Great journey. 

Santiago is amazing not just the Cathedral but all the buildings, definitely a World Heritage Site, just a little damp. Train back was about 20mins late.

Watched the boat push off, got itself going sideways and then turned round. Probably getting the nearest to the forecast - Force 7 as we have all trip.

Tuesday 20th A Coruña

I think the phone got a little upset at being put in a pocket as I rushed back to get some lunch. It decided that I had walked 10 miles, which I don't believe. Anyway after breakfast I was off around the peninsula that is La Corunna. Came across the fort and spent one Euro in cash to look around. It was pretty good with an English guide which I will have to photograph. Continued to the Tower of Hercules, which if you believe the sign was closed due to strong winds anyway. I had decided not to climb it anyway. On around the bay. At the sport centre I decided it was time to find the railway station. Spent a penny there, an impressive station, gave up on getting a football game into my phone and rushed back to the ship. Photos of the coast on departure and time for a siesta before I process them.

Wednesday 21st At Sea

Last day at sea, we have to be out of the cabin by 8am tomorrow, but the clocks go back an hour so it shouldn't be that bad, apart from the time of my train out of Portsmouth, so I could be spending quite a long time in McD's. The Captain was correct, with a following sea this ship moves as much as ever and there is no sign of any white horses, so it's only F3 - wrong forecast again, should be F7 - he said.

   Reflections on this cruise - it's been very British. Lots of people at the quizzes, and singing. The shows have not been as elaborate as they can be in a bigger ship. Engagement didn't amount to much - lot of gardening and flower watching, little practical or historic info in the chats, lot of "my travel photos". Food after 12 days is becoming monotinous - strange combinations have been possibe. London prices on alcohol and all drinks, again small ship - having to make money. I have run out of downloads so now sitting in cabin enjoying MY music.

Thursday 22nd Home

In port at some ungodly hour so no chance to view. Early breakfast and thrown off before 8am. No hot choc at Morrisons and McD's wifi was slow, but the chocolate was nice. The shopping centre wifi was as good as Lisbon so I got 3 games downloaded. No waiting room at the station so spent 2hs at the library - hot choc twice the price of McD @ £2.50.

Train back. Unsual mess at Cardiff, with trains being shown on the board and then not arriving and overcrowded. 

Home around 6pm.

The full Photo album is at:- https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZHCSa73VLgSoLMmu5

Being Yellow

Tuesday September 13-15 2022

This was not a successful trip, but it was nice. 

Everything started going wrong before it even started with the McDonalds app messing up and causing problems getting the Monday Offer. Then the 1am Megabus to London had the air con running flat out. Luckily, I had packed a fleece and oilskin in anticipation of the Pyrenees, so I hunkered down with the hood over my face and got a little sleep.

Having frozen on the way up I was then cooked in the tube, the Victoria line was hot! Coffee at Kings Cross McD and onto the 7am Eurostar and a kip. 

Paris was having problems with the RER but a line D train turned up and got me to Gare de Lyon where I got onto the wrong carriage! Easy move but annoying. Train hurtled South. Phone refused to charge so no watching football.

I had forgotten how pretty the ride along the Camargue is. Lots of pink flamingos and water. Sete looks like a really nice place. Accommodation was directly outside Perpignan station and good. Checked at station and there are only busses doing the route tomorrow due to industrial action, so the whole trip was a waste of time. Got the phone charging from the TV.

Nice lie in and a good breakfast. Watched the Sunday Night Game and then had a wander around town. It was hot and humid and I had left my hat behind on the basis that I would be in trains all the time. Went back and watched the coffin move from Buckingham Palace to Westminster. Easier to bear when the jabber of the commentators is in French. Followed by the Monday night game and dinner from the Lidl just down the road. 

Thursday morning on the 07.05 TGV to Paris. Downstairs, so not as good a view. RER is now practised so an hour spare at Gare du Nord. Eurostar at 15.13 back in London by 16.30. Took tube down to Westminster just to have a look. Very crowded and they have pedestrianised it. I didn't see the queue.

6pm Megabus back to Cardiff. Arrived about 5mins late and the driver of the 96 wouldn't let me on so it was the 304 back to Barry and home before midnight.

Now have to re-plan how I do the Yellow train but I think it stops at the end of Sept. Also need to claim the fare back.

Germany 2022

Monday 1st August

Put off packing thinking there were plenty of busses I failed to get a shower and almost missed the 96 into Cardiff. Stuffed with food (as a result of emptying fridge) I still couldn't resist the McDonalds offer. Bus was OK, not as easy to sleep as expected.

Tuesday 2nd

London was OK. Arrived 5.30am and walked from memory. Footpathe to the Mall was closed, so had to walk through Regents Park and the down and outs sleeping there. Very sweaty. Eurostar check in crowded and long. They didn't want the case opened. Eurostar was OK. ICE was crowded and I couldn't check in to my seat as suggested, it was supposedly reserved for regular travellers. Then the train was an hour late getting into Cologne, and was cancelled there so lots of unhappy people going to Frankfurt. Refused to pay for loos.

Got to Wuppertal and checked in. Great relief to have a shower. 

Did the Wiperthal monorail from end to end. Worried about ticket till I saw the 9E ticket advertised on their ticket machines. Back to hotel and discovered charging problems. Computer was being sensitive and lead did not work. Phone charged from television USB port. Good night sleep.

Wednesday 3rd

Today I had five trains to catch, four changes, starting at 9am. Every single one was delayed, by anything varying from 10minutes to half an hour. Luckily, all of the connctions worked.It was very hot and humid. Waiting was quite uncomfortable. Wansee by 6pm. Walked to the club.

Thursday 4th

Jury meeting at breakfast was quite relaxed. Jens Villumsen IJ DEN Chair, Dr Rainer KKornfeld IJ AUT, Stephan Zeyn IJ GER, Rurchard Britzke RJ GER and Daniel Wachter RJ GER. No racing as there was no wind. Threats to go out at 6pm did not materialise. Forest fire was the main topic of discussion. Went on boat  trip in evening and saw the smoke, and Potstan etc.

Friday 5th

Long day on the water. Afloat at 10.30, first race did not start until 3pm and he then ran 4 races. Ashore around 7pm. Protest time limit about 8pm. One boat arbitrated? into 30% penalty. ? was discussion that appendix T allows arbitration for boats, not for jury protests. Interesting.

Saturday 6th

Got out on time but with a very unstable notherly it took 4 attempts before the RO was happy enough to let race 5 proceed. At the end of it he put AP over A up and we all come in. Well it was very shifty. Now working on photos etc. Took forerever to sort out the mess Missed doing some and had to renumber and re-upload them, and still havent sent the link to people.

Sunday 7th

No breakfast, and problems getting out of the club grounds. The little blue button was not at all as obvious as the card reader, and why would you have a button to open the gate if you have a card reader. 

Then got on a train going the wrong way, changed to the S bahn at Potstan, and luckily, it wasn't as crowded as the RE Train.

McDonalds for breakfast, Coffee not a success but McRib was nice. A&O hotel check in was 3pm, no early check in but they had a bag room, so that took care of the bag and I was off to Berlin. Saw the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, on way to Technical Museum. Admission was free, Sunday? Great Museum, lots of trains and boats and planes. Came back via Checkpoint Charlie which was a mecca for tourists and beggars. Nice walk back along canal/river. Had to ride the subway, got my 10 miles in. No ice cream at McD's so nuts and chocolate biccies for dinner.

Monday 8th

Having been considering the Goltzein Viaduct and lack of accommodation nearby, decided that the best option was two nights in Leipsig, so booked hotel before breakfast. Good feed and it is 09.30, what to do? 

Got out walked the River Speer, or so I thought. The architeture was wonderful. Turned out I was following the canal, but it got me the pictures I wanted. In order to get the 10miles in I had to go out in the evening and visited Aldi.

Tuesday 9th

Decided to take RE3 and have a 2hr wait in Pasewalk was OK as I could get the RE4, rather than having to get on a bus. It was rather nice. Got to Szczecin and the Moxy was rather nice. Had a drink with Chris Lindsey who is now chair of a World Sailing Committee.

Wednesday 10th 

Fleet Umpire Seminar. All day in the hotel but lunch was included. Finished Aldi purchases for dinner. Came across one of Bill Brockbanks web pages, spent the evening playing with HTML, then discovered I could do similar on Google sites.

Thursday 11th

Another day in the classroom and the Umpire test. Had to rush to get through it. I hate those diagrams, I hate tests. Results tomorrow. Went to the dinner restaurant with the group and then pulled out. Came back to the hotel and did the laundry, in the sink! and started on the Gin.

Friday 12th

Passed the test, but only just, thanks to some silly mistakes. Got to Lidl and collected goodies. Afternoon at the regatta venue and afloat.

Sat & Sunday 

Afloat and Umpiring. Failed to pass the practical. Photos at:- POL Umpire Seminar

Had all day on Sunday with Chris and had to drive every time so had a feeling that something was wrong but with no feedback I failed to change anything - suggestion was get a Team Racing Umpire test, but I know I would fail that on complex situations.

Finished off the Gin and tried to do photos but there were over 600 of them.

Monday 15th

Train to Leipzig. RE at 11.01 to Pasewalk was late but the connecting 11.44 RE3 waited, so I got a seat to Falkenber 15.10 even though the train was crowded. Had to stand on 1600 RE10 from Falkenber to Leipzig (an hour) and the train was late. Then the check in to the A&O took forever and the room was hot.

Finished the photos and got them on line.

Tuesday 16th

The plan was to do the Goltzsch Viaduct which meant 0940 train to Netzschkau. That meant a change
at Werdau to the VBG RB2. Would have worked well but the train was showing Zwickau on it and was leaving in that direction and there had been announcements (which I didn't understand) so I got off. Getting bored I changed platform and got on the next RB2 to Zwickau. Driver was nice and waited for me. It was interesting, the main line train went into town with tram track, sort of dual guage track. It then turned into the train I wanted and got me to Netzchkau. Went over the viaduct but the top looked modern.

Walked 1.6km to the viaduct - it is massive, well worth the trip. Pretty hot walking back into town, and the return train was late (and I was dying for a pee - only possible on the train) 

Decided to visit Dresden as it was only 2pm so off at Reichenbach (Vogtl) ob BF (Nothing to do with Sherlock Homes). Route into Dresden was quite scenic, must find out what the hills are. Dresden itself seemed very modern - so only had half an hour there. Bought a pizza, I thought, turned out I had bought 2, may be a minimum credit charge? As the train left it crossed the Elbe and you could see the Cathedral and the old town - needs a proper visit.

Back in Leipzig by 7pm.

Wednesday 17th

A full day on the trains. Breakfast at 7am and finished off the S5X at 0823 by going to Halle. Next train 09.02 RE9 to Kassel was no problem, apart from my getting on to the wrong train. Luckily I realised in time and got on the right train. The RE 30 was Cancelled but got on the RB5 at 12.15, (the original

plan) slow train to Fulda. It was really packed, but I had a seat. The RE50 at 1407 which was late 1412 and late into Frankfurt. Didn't wander very far before getting the RE2 to Koblenz. The Rhine Gorge was great, really what I wanted but too fast. It was 20mins late and I missed the connection to Dusseldorf costing me an hour. That meant I had time for a pizza, tried for a milkshake at McD's only to be served a plain ice cream with chocolate sauce. Got to hotel which is OK except the internet doesn't work. Internet TV though. Room very hot, opened windows which made it very noisy, with them closed it is OK.

Thursday 18th

Greatly dissapointed with McDonalds as their Breakfast menu did not have a fatburger in it. Bacon or ham and cheese toasty only, but the hot Chocolate was nice even if I didn't get the milk I ordered..

 Morning wandering around Dusseldorf taking photos of statues and watching the boats on the Rhine. Shop at Lidl and had lunch in hotel, further walk and getting bored. Checked validity of ticket - good for trams. However, had intended to go to Essen, but the train was late so went for a tram ride instead. Somewhat surprised when it turned into an underground, but achieved the object of crossing the Rhine. Back from Dortmund Messe on RB39 - also late.

Friday 19th

Reluctant to get up and get going but was out around 10am. Skipped breakfast and on RE1 to Aachen, arrived around 11.45. 

Wandered into town and indulged in McD (Rib, double cburger and large choc). The medeaval centre, cathedral, town hall were interesting, could be worth a visit to the museum. ICE at 14.21 (10mins late) to Brussels. Check in opened at 1600. They wanted to see the leatherman, but were happy with it. More things on sale in the waiting room. 17.56 Eurostar, got into London at 1900. Tube Strike so had to walk to Paddington (40mins) 20.48 was running on time. Milkshake time. Train was noisy and missed the Barry train, so caught the 304 bus. Saved walking up the hill, nice as it was raining - well lightly.

Back in the flat by midnight.

Photo album can be seen Here

Canada '22

 Saurday May 28th

Megabus from Cardiff, they have changed the stop. 4.45 arrival so a long wait  but OK

I did not enjoy the flight the 737max is a tube with only one aisle and it was crowded, queues for the loo were normal. My headphones were trapped in the overhead, so no movie, but I managed to sleep, though the legroom seemed less than usual.Not a nice flight!

Well, I got let in, with cookies, but it took a long time. Guy was waiting once I got out of immigration and customs. Drive was two and a half hours, weather was terrible, pouring rain, not nice at all. Looked around the town, visited the yacht club and saw the sailing centre. Chowder at local restaurant. Met Olly and Will as they came back from their track meet.

Sunday, weather was beautiful, sun and warm.

Toured the coast, inlets and and towns, only 40 odd photos. Schooner vanished, looking for Bluenose. Ont to Sandy Point and then back for supper, now watching Captains Courageous.

Monday, weather beautiful again

Visited Lockeport and walked the Bay, Harbour and Back Harbour. Called in at Allendale Electronics, which producs the Fizzwizz. It employs around 16 people and has another technician coming out from England very shortly. Walked around Shelburn and got over 10 miles 

Guy tells me that this is all due to his experience with the Oxford & District Schol Sailing Association (ODSSA). He was awarded a 420, as part of a Race Training Scheme. ODSSA then took him on as part of the Youth Training Scheme after he left school with basically no qualifications. Part of this scheme involved working with local Boatbuilder Tony Thresher. This led to his instructing at the Island Cruising Club at Salcomde.

With this experience he went back to College doing a BTEC First Certificate, and BTEC National Cert. Since then he has been in electronics, describing himself as a Technology developer He specialises in Front End Sensor Design. He has worked in Canada and the USA and a bit in Europe.

Tuesday,

Sabrina reurned from selling her house last night, but was out to work by 7.30am, so I didn't see much of her.

Drove up to Halifax via Peggy's Cove. Checked into the student accommodatin and walked around the
town. Up to the Citadel and then on to the explosion memorial before coming down onto the boardwalk. It was windy. The museum of the Atlantic had late night opening and was free, great exhibition on the explosion, and some dinghies. Finished up being treated to dinner at The Old Triangle and enjoying the Whiskeys.

Wednesday - June 1st

Breakfast at Tim Hortons and a ferry trip to Dartmouth. Walked the path between the ferry terminals. Back around 10.30 so time to kill. Bought a really thin fridge magnet, another coffee/hot chocolate and walked to the train. Great footroom and a really pleasant trip to Moncton. Moe tel found I went for a walk, saw a McDonalds sign and got caught out again by the scale of things, it must have been 2 miles and then it was closed. However, the walk was along the river boardwalk, and I got some more socks as well as getting my 10miles in, And I had Poutine, so the Canada experience was complete.  - Thanks Guy.

Thursday

Internet slow but pictures uploaded and I checked out. Sobeys was close so had a visit got a wrap for breakfast and cookies and brownies for the trip. Collected car - Toyota Carrola - and got lost a little, but the main problem was finding out how the cruise control worked.

The New Brunswick Rail Museum was closed - didn't look very interesting. 

Hopewell Rocks were open and almost empty in terms of usual capacity. Turns out the range here is 14m on springs, and given the scale of things not as impressive as Barry. The guide at Hopewell said turn left so I did, it was a dead end but with a covered bridge. Turned left again and had to pay $9 to use the coast road, very scenic. Weather beautiful, flat clam.

Getting into St John's was a long way and very industrial, found EconoLodge.

Friday

Got to the Reversing Falls and was very impressed. They were really roaring and big. Video might show them but will inevitably flatten them.  Watch VideoThe problem was what to do in ordr to see the reverse.

Visited the Martello Tower - also closed and went on to Irvine Nature Park. Got the scale wrong again - it was only 5miles to walk around the peninsula, However, saw squirrels which are smaller than the UK version and quite noisy, well they have an alarm call. Lunch, apple and cookies on the beach.

It killed the time but I got back to the Reversing Falls as they should have been filling but it was much less impressive. Had a coffee and went shopping but it didn't get any better. 

Saturday

What to do today was the question. In the end I tried playing Clint Eastwood by taking pictires of Covered Bridges. Got the Darling Island and Bloomfield Bridges. Gave up when the road ended and I couldn't get to the Moosehorn, made do with a couple of uncovered bridges!

That done it was on to playing Michael Portillo - quite a drive to Fort Laurence, totally failed to find it. Wikipedia said there should have been remains of the canal/ship railway but tourist office said No. Go to north end, but when I got there I couldn't find anything apart from an old bridge. At least I saw why it was so attractive, land was low lying.

Drove back to Moncton along the coast, lots of widely spaced houses all the way along there. No real centre, small town America.

Sunday

Filled up car, (guess I saved 10$). Returned it, no one there, could have held on to it. Walked Moncton. Subways breakfast, McDonalds was just a little further which I did to get to the Riverside Trail. No hot chocolate there. Surprised to find train station open. Wander, wander, It did rain but not very heavily. Found hot Chocolate at Tim Horton's not 50yds from the B&B. Got down to the river about half an hour early, which is just as well since The Bore was 20 mins early. Not very spectacular. Filled up with goodies at Sobeys Supermarket. Had to walk twice round the block to get in my 10miles of walking.

Train was cosy. Dinner booked for 8pm and got joined by some guy who let me prattle on about myself. Great to hear that the clocks went back an hour so the arrival time was not as bad as expected. Problem was, while the phone displayed the right time the alarm failed to take notice and woke me an hour early.

Monday - Quebec

A taxi took us from Sainte-Foy into town (on the train ticket). Very early, nothing open except McDonalds. Wandered around the Citadel etc. Got a 10.30 countryside tour, mainly to be in a position to compare waterfalls. It included a visit to the Montmorency Falls which were just outside town and could have been done by local bus. Nice waterfall Watch Video. I don't like visiting churches. Got into Hotel. Ferry across the St Lawrence and back to hotel to process photos. Cookies have totally disintegrated and have had to be put in a cup, luckily I have an elastic band.

Tuesday - Montreal

Gettting out of the hotel was more difficult than getting in. I was swiping the wrong fob, so the device was not doing anything (hotel is unmanned). McDonalds or breakfast, and onto train. Thoroughly confused it took 3/4hrs to get to Sainte-Foy and then carried on across the St Lawrence, the way we had come in from Moncton! 

All good and arrived at 11.25am. The hotel was a long walk, got the scale wrong again! However, I got some fridge magnets at a reasonable price. Hotel check in was not until 4pm but they took the bags. 

Wandered around the town, found tourist information and admired the architecture. There is a real mix of modern and old. There is also an extensive underground network, I guess it gets cold in the winter, but it was hard to find things.

Wednesday

Got lost trying to find the Subway I had noted for breakfast, so I deserved the footlong when I found it and braved the construction work which wasw hiding it.

Purchased a 24hr travel pass and got on the subway to the back of Mt Royal and walked up the hill, getting lost yet again in the cemetary but getting great views of the city and the surrounding land which is FLAT! Until you get to the mountains which are probably a long way away.

Took the blue and green line south to Del'Eglise intending to walk alongside the water back towards the hotel, found a Tim Horton for chocolate and a supermarket but the wrong bit of water so came back to hotel, collected a carrier bag and went back to stock up on cookies and brownies, also bought some fruit. In for the night.

Thursday - Toronto

The travel pass was still valid, so off to catch the train to Toronto by subway, which was just as well as it was raining. The trains keep trying to emulate airlines. Train was delayed, but they had everyone standing in a line waiting to board. I sat down and waited.

Train was great but scenery is not good for most of the trip, as the land is so flat, first sight of the Great Lakes. Got my geography wrong as we passed through Kingston on our way to Toronto. At least we rode through the rain belt and the weather was good.

Toronto is the big city of Canada - modern skyscrapers and old preserved buildings with bustling cars and pedestrians. I think it is great! Found the CN Tower and the Railway Museum. There are great walks but finding the guides online is not easy. Niagra trip booked for Saturday, and Germany for August!

Friday

City walk, did downtown and uptown, they seem very proud of their parks. The architecture barticularly late 19th and early 20th century stuff. Redevelopment of Union Station is ongoing. I have been using the food court but there is a whole area of shops due to open. They are also developing a network of underground walking links, just like Montreal. The stuff of Science Fiction.

Saturday

Niagra Falls, Go train cost $10 return, as a weekend excursion and it was a 2hr ride to get there.

It is well worth the visit, (Watch Video) and I should have got the pass and done behind the fall as well as The Cruise. I like the way Canadians get red panchos and USA get Blue. On return to Toronto did a short wander round the harbourfront but didn't manage 10mls. Have run out of cookies and brownies for tomorrow.

Sunday

Stocked up on Grapes and a packet of chocolate biccies at a local market, probably the most expensive grapes and biccies anywhere. Usual breakfast at McDonalds (forgetting to collect the sticker) and onto The Canadian. Lunch began at 11am, McDonalds rather spoilt it. Dinner at 5pm was also a bit early. 

Trees, lakes, trees,meadows, trees and more trees. However, this is a very civilised way of hiking through some beautiful country. Sunset was stunning and the reflections of moon and trees in lakes and ponds during the night was something else. Also had Yes on the bluetooth headphones. Luxury, but weird dreams during fitful sleep.

Monday

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on the train. Edited the footage of Niagra Falls (now a 1.6Gb file) so there are three YouTube things to be uploaded as well as the usual photos and this. Only problem is we are running late and instead of getting into Winnipeg at 7.30 it is now oing to be around 11pm. Google giving a pretty good estimate of the distance even without a phone signal. I think I sent the hotel a note saying I was arriving on The Canadian, at least I hope I did.

At least I have seen a Moose, Beaver and Black Bear. Difficult to say how the scenery has changed, certainly no sign of the flat praries and cultivation, yet, but we are still 55mls out so probably another one and a half hours, now 21.07 but we are stopping to let another freight train pass, but no. Stopped on a crossing enabling me to get my photo of the road going off into the distance in a totally straight line.  

And with that the sceney changed and we had some very large and very flat fields, but still some wetlands with woodland/forest?   However, the going got slower the nearer we got to Winnipeg, even in the station it was 10 mins before the doors opened, officially arrived at 11.39.

Tuesday

Civilisation ie an internet connection. Still waking up at 6.30am, jet lag or habit? All things done breakfast was in a gloriously decorated, but fadedly, grand room, learning what eggs sunny side up means.

It was raining, but not too bad, worst seemed a few blocks away but I was wet getting to the stations. The only station I have been to where there was NO information on the Trains. 25 mins in a line tried to be adventurous but it was still raining, so stayed in the station. Now on the train - no meals on this one! Recommendation is to go shopping in Thompson. Nice sunset pictures

Wednesday

All day on train. Weather had cleared up. It's a pretty slow train, max speed is about 30mph and it is frequently much slower, as the track is not good. Waiting for other trains declined as we got further north. Thompson turned out to be too short a stop to get to the shops, it's a 20 min hike and we were only stopping for half an hour being behind schedule (should have been an hour). McDonalds sign alluringly in the distance. Even better sunset shots. Trees seemed to be getting shorter.

Thursday

Ice floes on the beach

Shower and ready for Curchill, only I wasn't it was freezing, blowing a gale and raining. Red Dog plastic poncho was useless. The girl in North Shore Tours had tipped me off about the Canteen in the Hospital, attached to the community centre. Sheltered in there, reading all I could and had coleslaw salad for lunch by which time the rain had stopped. Wandered round a bit, came back fro dessert and more shelter, wandered around some more - problem being that the anti-bear advice suggested not going out of town, and it is a pretty small town. In fact there are stop, don't go further signs - so wandering is not encouraged without a local guide.

Back on the train.

Friday

This is a slow train! We were doing 15mph last night, the maximum is 30mph, and often we are much slower. But the pleasure of watching the scenery drift past is immense. We were on time into Thompson, an hour and a half break, leaving at 2pm. So I had time to visit McDonalds and Walmart. There goes the diet. 

We have a scheduled 3hr layover at The Pas and the girl is not optimistic about gettng into Winnipeg on time. Apparently it is very hot now so there will be speed restrictions. Last trip they got in at 3am (schedule is 5pm)

Saturday

1600 and we are at GrandView, and you have to agree with that. Back into farming country but you can see for what must be 100miles. I will swear that there was a dirt road that went straight all the way to the horizon! You could see it as it climbed the hills in the distance. Have had one wait of nearly an hour for a tanker train to come past, part of that seemed to be uncertainty about the points. With only about 4/5 passengers the opportunities to wander are good. I suspect The Canadian will come this way, but it will be nighttime then.

2020 and 20 miles out of Portage la Prarie and the train is doing 60mph, guess the engineer doesn't want to be too late. The estimate is that we will get into Winnipeg around 10pm. Only 5hrs late 16.45 was the scheduled arrival time. Has me worried about catching The Canadian on Monday.

Sunday

A pretty good day in Winipeg. Visited the information centre at The Forks, they couldn't figure the Transit Pass. Walked to the Fireman's Museum which is in a pretty run down area, opposite the old Canadian Pacific Terminal. It was air conditioned, outside temp might be hitting 40C. Subway for lunch and the Manitober Museum, didn't get to see all but the Nonsuch was interesting as was getting giddy in the Planetarium.

Evening was at the cinema - Top Gun Maverick, fun movie. Walk along the Red River to get my 10 miles in.

Monday

Got my 24hr transit pass. The hotel held bags and I went and visited the Flight Museum. Transit directions took me to the old location, so a bit of a hike. Back downtown by bus, courtesy of Google. The Human Rights Museum is closed on Mondays so off to the Zoo. Never feel comfortable at a zoo. Wild animals just resent being caged. Moved bags to Station and went in search of Subway. Long wait, poor service. Wait in station, train only 2hrs late but then they get everyone in a line and make them wait. Problem with air conditioning, so I get moved to a different cabin.

Tuesday

We are still running 2hrs late which suits me, as I could get breakfast before Jasper. On the praries some long views over flat country and straight dirt roads to the horizon.

Wednesday

Up at 5.30am. Shower and up in the Observation Dome for the views of the Rockies, even got breakfast! Arrived at Jasper and had a wander around, back spasming - need to get back into exercising. Now on board  the aceconomy section at the front of the train. Almost steerage - the premier plus seem to have the back. Visibility currently dropping.

EARLY into Kamloops (meeting of North and South Thompson Rivers) Been following the river since entering British Columbia. Nice but not exceptional scenery, I found the praries more interesting. One more night and we could arrive as early as 5am but won't be let off train until 6am. That would be interesting!

Kamloops lake 27km long 1.5km wide - the Lake District on steroids! Canadian Pacific line on the other side of the lake, racing a freight train. All rapids washed out by high water but evil undertows and breakers in the river.

Thurday

Well, we got in at around 6am and the station had just opened. Found McDonalds, had breakfast and e-mailed Don. I waited outside the station while they waited inside the station. I had even seen them park, but as they atempted to pay I assumed they had business in the station. Sorted in the end!

Friday

We went out in Don's boat. Up False Creek and around for lunch at a RVYC 'outstation' On way back came across the Canadian Masters Champs being sailed in English Bay. Nice day.

Saturday

Don and Annabel were off to sail a regatta. I walked along the beach to the Museum of Vancouver - interesting. Walked False Creek to a Skytrain station and got a one day pass. Waterfront and a ferry trip, icecream and a dumpster fire to add interest. Took a round trip on the skytrain and then back on a trolleybus. 

Sunday 

Accompanied Don and Annabel to Richmond and the Model Boating. Also looked at the Historic Boatyard. Dinner at Royal Vancouver YC, as a thank you to Don and Annabel

Monday

Got my miles in by walking to Wreck Bay and back through the University of British Columbia and parts of Pacific Spirit Park.

Hosts insisted on driving me to the Airport. My seat reservation had not changed so I was stuck in the middle of a packed aircraft.

Tuesday 

Landed at 13.30. Megabus to Cardiff. No96 bus to Barry. Cold and wet. The adventure is over.