Home again

Yes I am home from two months travelling around the world. And had the most fantastic time through Canada (from the West Coast to the East), the UK, and then Ireland. I travelled with my sister and brother-in-law through Canada, stayed with Terry’s brother in the UK and a friend in Ireland.

Of course people ask me “What was your favourite place?” or the variation “What was the highlight?”. My answer is “All of it! I loved every day”. I think that was because every place was different and each had its own charms and interest.

I will let my photos do the talking, and try hard not to overload you!

(Well, I was going to let the photos do the talking, until WordPress decided I had reached my photo limit. Now I am in the process of deleting photos and the blogs they go with. Unfortunately when you delete a post photos don’t automatically delete at the same time. That makes it a very time-consuming process.Any thoughts on how to speed this up much appreciated! So, let me give you a summary of my adventures…maybe more photos will come next post.)

First we landed in Victoria, on Vancouver Island. It is the capital of the Province of British Columbia, and a friendly, welcoming city. The perfect place to start the travel experience.

Fisherman’s Wharf

I loved the strength of the many totem poles, each one unique, telling the carver’s own message

This magnificent beast was at the Museum of Anthropology. A fabulous collection

The Parliament building across the harbour. “We are not going to be the 51st state” was a very common sentiment.

Then ferry to Vancouver.

It is a very beautiful city, ringed by snow capped mountains.

Even though it is a big bustling city seals were swimming just below .

More wonderful totem poles in Stanley Park.

We caught the VIArail train from Vancouver to Jasper. We slept on it overnight, as the seat folds down into a cosy bed. (Many people travel on the Rocky Mountaineer train, but instead of sleeping on the train you stay in an hotel overnight. Where’s the fun in that?)

From Jasper to Banff, through the Rockies and on either side of the road are the most majestic, awe-inspiring mountains. Snow-capped, sculpted by glaciers.

Jasper, which had been recently devastated by wild fires

The Athabasca Falls

Magnificent!

The skywalk, built over a deep valley. I found walking on it rather disturbing.

I’ve always wanted to be in a place where there were large mountains at the end of the street. Banff was it.

Lake Louise (away from all the people!). And yes, the water really is that colour.

More magnificence!

A bus took us to Calgary, a plane to Toronto and a car to Stratford, where, naturally there is a Shakespeare Festival. We went to two plays ~ “As you like it” and “Annie”, and ate lots of pies and other sweet treats.

On to Montreal, a vibrant mix of old and new. (Obviously this is where the photo limit kicked in!)

Plane to St John’s in Newfoundland, where we hired a car and drove four hours to Grand Bank. This next part needs a little more explanation….Off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, there are 2 islands, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, which are French Territories. Yes, French. When we got off the ferry we went through immigration, the town speaks French, uses Euros and has European outlets for electrical items. I sent a postcard (paid for in Euros and had a French stamp) which I presume went back to France to be sorted.

When we were there a production crew was in town, filming the next season of Saint Pierre, a cop show set on the island. There are episodes on YouTube if you fancy a look!

Back in the big smoke of St John’s we did four days of bus touring around the stunning coast. Then plane back to Montreal and car to Quebec City, which is as historically interesting as everyone says.

That’s where my sister, brother-in-law-in-law and I parted. They were heading home and I was on to the UK. I stayed in London for a few days; caught up with my favourite paintings at the National Gallery and walked for miles. Then train to Bournemouth where I was met with open arms by Terry’s brother and sister-in-law. Such a warm and welcoming stay.

The last leg was Dungarvan, County Waterford in Ireland, where I stayed with my friends. How wonderful it was to stay put for a few days, and spread myself out! Even more wonderful to go out each day and see more of this charming country.

Then the long haul home.

Perhaps the highlight was the people, the friendly welcome I felt every where. It was comforting to be in the loving arms of friends and family, but strangers were also open and friendly and usually up for a chat. With so much horror being rained down on the world it is wonderful to know that there are so many decent, generous people here too.

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I travelled through the lands of many First Nations Peoples of Canada, and I respect them for the deep love and care they have for their Country. I acknowledge their ancestors and elders past and present. As I respectfully acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land on which I live in Melbourne/Naarm – the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People of the Kulin Nation, their spirits, ancestors, elders and community members past and present. The land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.