Afterword

This has been a brilliant trip that took over eighteen months to plan. We did and saw things that before were just bucket list wishes. We reacquainted ourselves with relatives and met new ones. Bill was able to get answers regarding his O'Donnell lineage but a few questions were raised too so more research required. We wish to thank all the O'Donnells for making us so welcome but particularly Kim & Gary, Gail & Reiza, Mark & Rosheen, Dot and Darlene all of whom provided us with accommodation and trips out. Finally our thoughts are with Bill's late great Uncle Tom  whose exploits as a seventeen year old started all this.

Hopefully one day we can repay by showing an O'Donnell or two around the UK

The journey home

Saturday 5th August 2017

Today we leave Canada and as we had to make changes in our mode of transport we were concerned that we had to keep all our ducks in a row as there wasn't much room to manoeuvre, or so we thought. The ferry has a different schedule on Saturday and you can't prebook, its first come first serve and we needed to get this ferry to allow us to check in the car. With this in mind we left about 09:00 so as to be in pole position. However when we arrived there were some cars waiting and a ferry was just arriving. We caught this and left Fulford Harbour at 09:15 arriving at Swartz Bay just about 09:45. We filled the car up with fuel then deposited it at the car hire depot. We went into the departure lounge expecting to wait until 16:36 for our flight but Bill spoke to one of the check in ladies and she said she could get us on an earlier flight. So at 13:45 we boarded a Bombardier Q400 aircraft for the twelve minute flight to Vancouver. So now we were where we needed to be with plenty of time to spare. We had a decent meal for we knew our next one would be of the plastic variety. Our flight was listed on the displays with the gate number so we walked down there and waited. At 18:10 we boarded a Boing 777-300ER and at 19:03, about ten minutes late it took off. It was a long tiring flight, neither of us got any sleep. We touched down about 12 noon British Summer Time ( 4:00 am Vancouver time) we cleared all the formalities and made our way to the bus station to catch the Oxford bus. It was a busy bus and didn't clear Heathrow until 2:00pm  We arrived at Oxford at 3:00 pm where our friend Pete Jackson collected us and bought us home totally shattered having been up for twenty two hours.

The Fulford Harbour to Swartz Bay ferry

The Bombardier Q400 Island hopper

Boeing 777-300 ER 

The Oxford bound coach

Salt Spring Island BC

Monday 31st July 2017

The avid readers of this this blog will realise I jumped a date. Today is the real 31st July. We prepared all our luggage ready for the trip and did it in such a away the cases were balanced in weight ready for the flight home. We spent the rest of the morning in Dot's garden then after lunch she drove us to the airport to collect our car. It was easier to collect it here as this is where we'll return it to next Saturday. We said our goodbyes to Dot and thanked her for a lovely weekend then went and found our car hire firm. It was such an easy procedure and within twenty minutes we'd done the paperwork, walked to car park and found our car. We loaded it up and set off for Swartz Bay to catch the ferry to Salt Spring Island. We purchased our ticket drove to our lane and waited. At 3:00 pm we set off on the Skeena Queen to Fulford Harbour. We arrived and drove up the hill to the church where we were to meet Darlene O'Donnell who would show us the way to the her windmill. On the way up the hill I thought the car was a bit sluggish, when we stopped and I smelled a funny smell then I realised why, the hand brake doesn't automatically disengage as my own car does. Oops. Darlene drove up and met us and took us into her home and after a brief chat we went to the windmill and it's stunning view. Having sorted ourselves out we then took a trip into Ganges were we purchased some provisions, had a meal and returned home. We sat on the deck watching the sun go down and was joined by Darlene. She is such an interesting person to listen to and can trace her ancestry back to first generation Canadians. After Darlene left we sat a little while longer in these splendid surroundings.

Tuesday 1st August 2017

We were awake early so we made tea and just sat on the deck. Later Val prepared breakfast with eggs that couldn't be fresher, Darlene keeps chickens on her small holding adjacent to the windmill. Again this meal was taken on the deck. We just sat enjoyed the peace and quiet and the sunshine and before we knew it, it was lunch time. I don't know what happened to elevenses. After lunch we went for a drive, first to Drummond Park which is the other side of the water to where we are staying. Here is a memorial bench to Bill's late cousin Tim O'Donnell, husband of Darlene.  Bill took a picture of the bench and of the view it affords while sitting on it, right across the harbour to the windmill. We then drove down to the harbour proper to have look at the quaint little shops there and also to familiarise ourselves of the procedure when we leave on Saturday. It was lovely walking around and in one or two shops it was like stepping back to the 1960's. 

We left Fulford Harbour and drove into Ganges. Ganges is named after HMS Ganges the last sailing ship of the Royal Navy to patrol these waters between 1857 and 1861. In Centennial Park there is a cairn and a bench made from the captain's gig to commemorate the fact. We also discovered the Salt Spring war memorial is located here too. We had lovely walk around this town visiting the market and one or two shops before sitting on a bench in the park. Today was more humid so the heat was a bit oppressive.  We then discovered the Tree House Cafe and went in for a cold drink but the food being brought out looked so appetising we decided to stay for dinner. We then returned to the car and drove back to the windmill. We sat on the deck with a drink and just caught a glimpse of a seal before it dived underwater. Hopefully it'll come back for a photo op. 

Wednesday 2nd August 2017

Another lazy morning, our seal turned up again but it's obviously camera shy for no sooner had he made his appearance he disappeared back into the torpid depths in search of fish. We spent all morning just lazing around the windmill. In the afternoon, Tina the wife of Darlene's son, Bill's cousin Keith came and met us. Together we all drove to the Salt Spring cheese factory where sheep and goats cheese is made. After a few samples we drove back to Fulford dropped Tina off and the remaining three went to Burgoyne Bay to see the welcome totem poles which Darlene, because she can trace her ancestry back to the natives, had the privilege to unveil last year. It was a beautiful spot overlooked by Mount Maxwell. We followed the dirt tracks back to the highway and drove to Ganges where we had dinner on the deck of Moby's pub overlooking Oyster Bay. After we'd eaten we went up to a park to see the bay from a better vantage point. Then back to the windmill where we relaxed watching a beautiful sunset. It's been another wonderful day with temperatures up in the low 30's

Thursday 3rd August 2017

Sat on the deck watching the haze burn off the harbour while we eat our breakfast looks like another hot day is in the offing. No sign of the seal this morning. We were expecting visitors in the afternoon so we decided to go for a drive and explore more of the island. We headed out through Ganges to Vesuvius Point then onto Southey Point which is a bit of a misnomer for its the most northerly point of the island. We then headed back south and managed to find the cheese farm on the south east part of the island. We went there not for the cheese but the wonderful ice cream they dish up. We then returned to the windmill and awaited our company. Trish, Bills cousin arrived with Darlene and soon after Trish's daughter, Amanda, and her husband Glenn turned up. It was lovely meeting them all. Trish after 22 years. They stayed a while and after the obligatory photo shoot they returned to their homes. We sat on the deck enjoying the solitude when we saw two seals swimming in the harbour, again they didn't want to be photographed and dived deeper into the sea. 

Friday 4th August 2017

Our last full day on Salt Spring Island, indeed Canada as a whole. Another lovely day by 10:00 am it was already 20 degrees. We sat on the deck watching the cormorants perch on the poles in the harbour drying their wings. Then we decided to go for a drive. This time we opted to go up the east side of the island. Not sure how high we climbed but the the temperature at Ganges, which is sea level was 27 degrees at the top of the hills in the north of the island it dropped to 22. We arrived back in Ganges and discovered the Oystercatcher bar where we sat on the deck for a meal. It was an interesting location for not only did we overlook the marina with all its luxury boats but we were also at the end of the "runway" for Harbour Air float planes. Watching them take off and land was fascinating. We then drove back to the windmill and sat on the deck when we were joined by another of Bill's cousins Keith, Darlene's son and his daughter Carmen. Again it was lovely just chatting about different things. Another photo shoot and they said their goodbyes.

The view from Tim's bench in Drummond Park

Shopping Canadian style bags

With Darlene in front of one of the welcome totem poles

Taken from the windmill 

Ganges marina

Victoria BC

Friday 28 July 2017.

After our Canadian breakfast of blueberry pancakes, maple syrup and bacon Mark and Rocheen drove us to the Twassasen ferry terminal where we boarded the Spriit of Vancouver Island which took on the hour and half journey through the Strait of Georgia and around the Gulf Islands to Swartz Bay, Vancouver Island. It was a lovely crossing but it did lean a bit when it went through Active Pass causing the cases to slide across the deck. We disembarked and my cousin Dot O'Donnell was there to meet us and drive us to her home, which was our base when we visited Canada twenty two years ago. After catching up with all the family news Dot took us for a drive. First to a promenade that overlooked the cruise terminal as there were three magnificent ships in port and being lined up together they made a fantastic sight. We then drove to Mount Tolmie which offers spectacular views across the city of Victoria. On this journey we drove past the start of the trans Canadian highway, Highway one. This is depicted by a sign stating 0 mile. Certainly a different type of road here than the six lane highway we drove on back in Alberta.

Saturday 29 July 2017

Today we had a lovely relaxing day just sitting in the garden soaking up the sunshine. In the afternoon the family from Victoria arrived for dinner, there was Dot's son Bruce, her daughter Kresta with her husband Lance and their two sons Alex and Nolan and Dot's sister in law, my cousin, Peggy. With the exception of Nolan who is too young, the last time we were all together was twenty two years ago. It was a lovely family meal an after we'd eaten we watched the DVD of our last visit in which Alex was a babe in arms. The family then went their separate ways and we turned in.

Sunday 31 July 2017,

Another glorious day with the temperature in the mid to high 20's. Again we just relaxed and sat in the garden. After lunch we went to a nearby supermarket to get a few provisions for our trip tomorrow and next door was a Canadian Tire store which Bill had spoken about yesterday with Bruce and Lance so we decided to go in and have a look around. For the purposes of the Brits reading this Canadian Tire is a cross between  Halfords and Homebase with a pinch of Lakeland. It was really good walking round. We came back, soaked up a bit more vitamin D then got ready to go out for a meal. As the local we asked Dot to choose and she took us to a wonderful restaurant called The Fireside Grill, its name doesn't do it justice and makes it sound like a Berni Inn. It is in fact a magnificent Elizabethan style building and part of the interior is like a large dining hall of that period. The service and food was brilliant with enormous portions. Dot and Val had a cheese and cold meat platter, there was so much there we came away with a doggy bag. Something second nature to a Canadian but a bit alien to a Brit but we wasn't going to waste it. Dot drove us home and we started preparing our onward but final stage to Salt Spring Island tomorrow.

The view from the ferry

Yet another view from the ferry

And yet another view from the ferry

Dot, Val and Bill outside the Fireside Grill

The Fireside Grill restaurant 

Vancouver

Tuesday 25th July 2017

Today we took a trip to Vancouver. We were taken to the equivalent of an underground station with a pre paid Compass travel card (like London's Oyster card) and sent on our way. We arrived at Waterfront station, Vancouver's main terminus and stepped outside. The first place we found which pleased Bill no end was the RCMP shop. Needless to say we didn't leave empty handed. We then walked around to Canada Place where the hop on hop off city tour buses operate from. There were two choices and we opted for the one using the San Francisco trolley bus. There are two tours, green and red. The green takes you up through Stanley Park The other through the city. We opted to do the green first and made our way up to the park which is Vancouver's first, largest, and most beloved urban park. we entered the park and shortly after we arrived we alighted the trolley and exchanged our mode of transport for a horse and carriage for a more in depth trip around the park. 

Designated a national  historic site of Canada, Stanley Park  is a magnificent green oasis in the midst of the heavily built urban landscape of Vancouver. 

We explored as much as we could on an hour's carriage ride of the  400-hectare natural West Coast rainforest and enjoyed the scenic views of water, mountains, sky, and majestic trees along Stanley Park's famous Seawall. There are miles of trails, beautiful beaches, local wildlife, great eats, natural, cultural and historical landmarks, along with many other adventures. The park offers a wide range of unforgettable experiences for all ages and interests, including Canada’s largest aquarium which we didn't go in but did have lunch there. After lunch we returned to the trolley and drove back down the Canada Place and changed to the Red Line and did the city tour.

This tour took us though this city pointing out interesting buildings and sites. It was our intention to get off at the Vancouver City Police Museum but time ran out so we decided to call it a day and remain on the tour to the end and return home. 

We arrived at Waterfront station where we had a bit of an issue, Val tapped her Compass card and was admitted into the underground system and kept walking thinking Bill was right behind her. Bill tapped his card and was refused access as his card had insufficient funds and needed topping up. By this time Val is out of sight. Fortunately the necessary machine was nearby and with the assistance of a local Bill managed to top up and get through. He joined an anxious and visibly upset Val on the platform. We caught the next train to Richmond where Rosheen met us. We drove home and sat in the garden and were joined by a family of raccoons passing through and humming birds using the feeder. It was certainly a full day.

Wednesday 26th July 2017

Once again back to the city on the Sky Rail and again arrived at Waterfront. Here we took a walk back along the route taken by the city tour. We stopped at the steam clock for a photo op then made our way to the very well laid out Police Museum. After looking round we returned to the city along the water's edge looking at the magnificent cruise ships that were in the harbour. We came across the River Bus terminal so decided to take a trip across the harbour to Vancouver's north shore and visited the markets of Langdale Quay. This provides a beautiful view of Vancouver unfortunately there was a scruffy looking merchant ship right in the centre spoiling any decent photo. After we had lunch we sat and enjoyed the scenes then caught the sea bus back to Waterfront station and caught the Sky Rail back to Richmond. We sat in the garden enjoying the sunshine and later that evening we were joined by Sarah, Rocheen and Mark's daughter, who Bill had me fleetingly in London back in February. She also bought along her lovely little dogs. We sat and watched the DVD of our 1995 trip and in fact discovered Mark was there. Sarah left for her home in Surrey and another brilliant day ended.

Thursday 27 July 2017

Our last full day in Vancouver. Val did a little bit of dohbying and sorted out our luggage. For the next two journeys weight isn't too much of a problem but we wanted to pack up and see what the cases weighed in case we had to post any things home. We decided that Constables Mickey and Minnie of the RCMP needed to be posted so Rosheen drove us to a small shopping precinct where we parcelled them up and sent them on their way. We returned home and sat in the glorious sunshine until Mark returned home from work. We were then driven out to a small seaside resort of Steveston where we enjoyed a fish and chip dinner on the deck of a restaurant over the sea. We then returned home and relaxed. Tomorrow we leave the Canadian mainland and travel by ferry to Victoria, Vancouver Island.

Rose Garden Stanley Park

Val on the horse drawn carriage 

Totem poles Stanley Park

The steam clock in Gas Town Vancouver 

Rocky Mountaineer

Sunday 23rd July

Today we travel on the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver and whilst we were very excited we had some trepidation for there were a number of wild fires in the area and we wasn't sure if they would affect our trip. Also we were staying over in Kamloops which allegedly had become a tent city due to people being evacuated there because of the fires. Once again our worries were unfounded. 

Our taxi collected us from our hotel at 6:30 am and took us to the station where we had to check in for the Rocky Mountaineer. It was such an easy procedure for on arrival our luggage was taken from the taxi and we went and collected our boarding passes and luggage tags. Bill went placed the tags on the cases and left them with the staff. We waited in the station waiting room and was entertained by a young lady playing country music on the fiddle. The train arrived and were went to our designated carriage where there were seats on an observation deck up some stairs and a dining area below. The train set off and immediately a snack was served. Soon after we went downstairs to the dining area for a wonderful breakfast then back upstairs for our trip through the Rockies. We soon left Alberta and entered British Columbia so we gained another hour. The whole trip was through magnificent countryside, alongside rivers, lakes and woodlands. Bill could have taken photos every ten seconds but decided he wasn't going to witness this trip through a viewfinder so didn't take that many, only at designated "Kodak" spots. We arrived at Kamloops early evening and upon leaving the train were given our hotel room key, we were then bused to the hotel and upon entering our room there was our luggage waiting. In fact it wasn't a room it was another suite. As we had been fed well on the train we didn't need anymore to eat but did take a walk around the town. Most of the evacuees had been allowed to return home but there was some evidence in the town of the aid being provided for them including a concert in the park. We returned to our room and turned in ready for another early start. At 7:00 am The following morning we left our luggage in the room and went and boarded the bus back to the station ready to rejoin the train. The train left on time and again we were fed and watered well. In addition to the wonderful scenery we also saw plenty of wildlife including a black bear, bald eagles and ospreys. Throughout the trip the crew provided interesting comments about the places we were passing through. It was a really brilliant experience really professionally run and very slick. We arrived at Vancouver and had to wait before we could disembark when we did eventually get off we were greeted by Bill's cousin Mark and his wife Rosheen. After claiming our luggage we then drove to their house in Richmond just outside the city centre. We had met Rosheen before, 22 years ago, and then only fleetingly at a family BBQ and we've never met Mark so we a lovely evening just talking getting to know one another.

Banff

Thursday 20th July 2017

We checked out of our hotel and the transfer coach arrived right on time. After another pick up in Calgary we soon found the highway and headed towards Banff passing the Winter Olympic stadium  where Eddie the Eagle and the Jamaican bobsleigh team made their name. The mountains soon came into view and we watched them get closer before actually arriving in the town of Banff a resort town in the province of Alberta, located within Banff National Park. The peaks of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade, part of the Rocky Mountains, dominate its skyline. On Banff Avenue, the main thoroughfare, boutiques and restaurants mix with château-style hotels and souvenir shops. The surrounding 6,500 squarekilometres of parkland are home to wildlife including elk and grizzly bears. At the hotel we were able to do the paperwork re checking in but our room wasn't ready so we took a walk round, had some lunch then found ourselves sitting in the park on the bank of the Bow River just as yesterday but a bit further up stream. We then wandered back to the hotel, went to our room unpacked what we needed then chilled. After we'd rested we took another walk downtown and found a restaurant for dinner.

 Friday 21st July 2017

We were picked up from our hotel and taken to the Brewster bus depot where joined the coach for today's tour. The first stop was the gondola (cable car) trip up Sulphur Mountain (7486 ft). We had spectacular views but unfortunately due to the nearby forest fires it was a bit hazy. According to the signpost at the top we were 4,411 miles from London. We descended the mountain and drove to the Bow River falls yet another stunning sight. After a few photos we headed to the Cave and Basin which is a pond sourced by the area's thermal springs inside a cave. A really lovely place apart from the smell of the sulphur. It wasn't overpowering but it was noticeable. We then drove up and over Tunnel mountain stopping at a lookout overlooking Two Jack lake for some more pictures then arriving at Lake Minniewanke where we were to have our boat trip. This trip lasted about an hour. The lake is 17 miles long, 466 feet deep and 4,900 feet above sea. We arrived back at the jetty and boarded the coach back to town. We then took a walk around Banff bumping into a couple of Mounties, this made Bill's day not only because he was meeting real live Mounties but they were very attractive young ladies.

Saturday 22nd July 2017

We had an early start today picked up at 07:45 and was driven out to Lake Louise, a really lovely place on the edge of Banff National Park. We had our obligatory pictures taken then headed up through the mountains to Jasper National Park stopping at a couple of lookouts on the way. We arrived at the visitor centre where we had lunch then set out to the Columbia Icefield Discovery. This was a really great experience. We returned to the coach and was then taken to the Glacier Sky Walk which is a glass floor walk over a ravine. Val didn't fancy it but Bill had a go and took some lovely pictures. With all the major attractions completed we drove back through this lovely park of the world to Banff. Tomorrow we set off on the Rocky Mountaineer train.

Lake Louise

Columbus Glacier Icefield

The Glacier Sky Walk

First generation entertainment 

Bill and his Mounties 

Calgary

Tuesday 18th July 2017

We were up early as we had quite a journey to the airport on busy roads. Gail and Reza drove us there where we said our goodbyes. In light of our experience at Heathrow regarding checking in by machine we decided to queue and go straight to the desk but that's not how it's done in Toronto because when we got to the desk we were sent back to the machine to get our boarding passes. We managed to do it this time and then return to the baggage drop only to discover one of our cases was over weight. In the past when this has happened if the aggregate weight of the two cases was below maximum then they were accepted. Not this time both cases had to be within the limit so on the airport concourse there we are moving items from one case to another. We achieved the required weight and off the cases went. We then went and had breakfast before clearing security and boarding our flight. The flight was over four hours but it seemed to go quite quickly. We arrived in Calgary put our watches back two hours and took a cab to our hotel. We thought that we may have to wait for our room to be prepared and intended to go for some lunch but fortunately it was ready so we went and dropped our baggage and discovered we had a suite complete with kitchen, eating area, lounge and separate bedroom, we were very impressed. With the luggage dropped off we took a walk downtown and found a Tim Horton's for lunch then explored a bit more and discovered trams like I'd never seen before. Basically they are trains in that they are four carriages long but travel on tracks on the highway. We wandered back to the hotel sat and read for a while then went down for dinner in the hotel's restaurant. Although still comparatively early our body clock was two hours out and we did have an early start so we turned in.

Wednesday 19th July 2017 

The early night suited us and we woke more refreshed. After breakfast we took a walk to Prince's Island a lovely park in the centre of Bow river. It was a really beautiful place and we wandered around for hours. We discovered a lovely cafe on the island so we had elevenses then later went back for lunch.  After lunch we continued to wander around in imbibing the beautiful surroundings. We later found an ice cream Johnny so we treated ourselves and sat and watched the world go by for a while before taking a walk down town and then returning to the hotel.

At 5:30 pm  Bill's cousin Kevin ( Kim & Gary's son) together with his wife Catriona and their son Finley came and met us. We took a drive to a local pub and had a meal together. It was a really lovely evening. They brought back to our hotel where we said our goodbyes. This was a lovely end to lovely stay in Calgary before we're move on to Banff tomorrow.

Canada geese in Prince's Park

Calgary's city scape from Prince's park

Val and Bill

Val with Finlay

Kevin, Catriona and Finlay

Erratum

In the last post I stated it was Zarah that wanted to join the RCMP it is in fact Yasmine. Also the local farmers were not selling Mennonites as implied by my bad grammar. I was trying to say the local farmers and the Mennonites were each selling their own produce. Sorry for any confusion.

Toronto

Friday 14th July 2017

Our first full day in Pickering, Toronto where Gail gave us a typical Canadian breakfast of pancakes and maple syrup. We later took a drive up country to some interesting little places such as the Archibald winery and Tyrone Mill the later providing a lovely scene of a deck overlooking a lake. We the drove to Raglan and visited theWhite Feather Country Farm for lunch. We then took a slow drive home to Gale's and for dinner Reiza and Gail popped down the chippy and came back with fish and chips. Bill and Reiza the took a walk along the beach of Lake Ontario, he couldn't believe water as far as the eye could see yet it was still a lake and the other side of the horizon was another country, the USA. Letter in the evening Bill and Gail got their heads together and clarified their family tree. So far they have discovered their highest common denominator ancestor is their great great grandfather who was born in Ireland and all thir subsequent joint ancestors come from Battersea, London. At the moment the trail has gone cold so Bill has a project when he gets home. However Bill did manage to locate Gail's maternal Grandmother on a website and has arranged a birth certificate.

Saturday 15th July 2017

When we arrived in Toronto last Thursday there were a group of women wearing old fashioned dresses and bonnets. At first we thought they were Amish but if so how come they were at a railway station. Gail informed us they were in fact Mennonite. Mennonite is a religious group who value the sense of family and community and many do not embrace modern style of life.

This piqued our interest so Reiza and Gail took us to St Jacobs which is Mennonite country. Here we visited the Mennonite culture centre and museum which was extremely interesting bearing in mind 48 hours earlier we'd never heard of them. We then moved on to the farmers' market were many local farmers were selling their produce including the Mennonites who were doing a good trade in honey and maple syrup. We arrived back home and Reiza fired up his BBQ and cooked the most fantastic steaks and over dinner Zarah was talking to Bill about his police career as she is determined to join the R.C.M.P. 

Sunday 16th July 2017

After breakfast we drove out to Ajax (pronounced as the detergent not the Dutch football team) This is on the shore of Lake Ontario and is named after the ship HMS Ajax that took part in the battle of the River Plate. Furthermore many of the streets are named after the crew of that ship.   Adjacent to the shoreline is a memorial/commemoration park to the battle and Ajax's two sister ships HMS Exeter and HMNZS Achilles with interesting information and a tasteful memorial. We then drove to Pickering town hall to see the cenotaph located there. It was then our intention to visit Pickering's open air museum but alas the rain came so we headed back home where we had lunch. After lunch a friend of Gail's, who is a scout leader called and we compared notes about our respective county's associations. One thing we did discover is that the problems we experience Canadians do too. He then gave us some Canadian scouting memorabilia and ironically the scarf of his group was exactly the same colours as Val's group in Wembley. The rain still fell so for the time being we stayed home. Later that evening the rain stopped so we took a drive to the east beach of Pickering and took a walk along the shore of Lake Ontario which was just like a seaside resort.

Monday 17th July 2017

We were up early and caught the GO train to downtown Toronto. On our arrival we went up to the observation level of the CN Tower and fortunately the weather was brilliant so we had fantastic views across Lake Ontario in one direction and the city itself in the other. Bill then went to the glass floor for some more pictures, Val and Gail left him to it. After we'd seen all we wanted to we descended to the ground floor and exited through the obligatory gift shop. Once we left the tower we walked over the the railway museum, we didn't go in but there was a locomotive and a carriage outside together with some scaled down buildings. We then took a cab to a different part of town and had places of interest pointed out to us. We found a Frans and had lunch before entering the Metropolitan Toronto Police museum. It was very well laid out and told a story of the force's history and crime investigation. We came out and wandered around the city then visited a Tim Horton coffee shop for a drink and donuts. Apparently we wouldn't be allowed to leave Canada if we hadn't sampled a Tim Hortons. Suitably refreshed we went to the Toronto underground and caught a train to Union Station where we changed to a GO train back to Pickering where we were picked up by Reiza and taken home.

Train journey west

Wednesday 12th July 2017.

Today we left Nova Scotia. Gary and Kim drove us down to Halifax railway station. Here we checked in our luggage and one hurdle was immediately overcome when we discovered it was being booked straight through to Toronto. Bill had visions of waiting for it to come off the train at Montreal and missing our connection. We said our goodbyes to Gary and Kim who had been our hosts for a week and we waited to board. We walked to the train and found our carriage and within it our cabin, small but comfortable with an en suite. We booked lunch and remained in the cabin until the train pulled out on time at 13:00. We then walked through the train for what seemed an eternity, for the train was so long we got to the restaurant car and had lunch. After lunch we sat in the lounge for a while because it had wi fi then walked to the rear of the train past our cabin to an observation coach. It was a fantastic sight going through forests over rivers etc. The train stopped at Moncton so we alighted to have a photo taken next to the train. We then boarded the train and went straight back to the observation coach. Not only for the wonderful views but it was so comfortable with beverages available. We then took the long hike to the restaurant car for dinner then back to the observation car to witness a magnificent sunset. We then returned to our cabin and the seats had been turned in bunk beds. We put our clocks back as we were entering another time zone and turned in. We both had a comfortable sleep notwithstanding.

Thursday 13th July 2017

Woke up and took our hike to the restaurant car for breakfast then back to the observation car for the remainder of the journey. The visibility was still good despite being more overcast than it had been. After we'd crossed over the mile and half long Victoria bridge into Montreal we returned to our cabin collected our overnight luggage and prepared to alight the train. Again 

Bill had trepidations about wandering around Montreal station looking for the Toronto train but it was simply across the platform. However we did have to go up onto the main concourse to wait while the train was being prepared. We were allowed to board and found our seats. The train pulled out on time and we noticed the landscape was farmland rather than the forests we saw on the previous train. After just over five hours we arrived in Toronto. We found our way to the baggage reclaim and whilst Bill was waiting for the cases his cousin, Gail, came and made herself known to Val which was pretty good bearing in mind they'd never met before. Having collected the cases we had one more train journey to complete on a GO train. We thought it would be something like the London underground but far from it, the GO train is a massive great double decker train, the same as is used in The Netherlands. We travelled on this to Pickering station where we were picked up by Reiza, Gail's husband and taken to their house. In total we spent about twenty seven hours on a train and enjoyed it very much. Yes we could have flown but this way we saw more of Canada and it made it more of an adventure.

Last day in Nova Scotia

Saturday 8th July

Our body clocks now seem to be in sync. Today we visited Halifax, first stop the famers market to purchase some provisions from locals. From here we visited Pier 21 which is where back at the turn of the twentieth century, all immigrants arriving at the port had to undergo interrogation as to why they wanted to enter the country and also medical examinations to ensure they were fit to do so. Today is an exhibition showing what the people had to endure and the conditions they had to do it in. Some immigrants were simply put back on the boat they'd just disembarked and told to return whence they came. After Pier 21 we moved along the waterfront to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Here is a magnificent exhibition on the sinking of the RMS Titanic with some really interesting exhibits and detail. Also in this building are exhibits and photographs of the 1917 explosion. These and other interesting artefacts made the visit to this museum worthwhile. We had lunch in a waterfront bar then drove back home. After dinner we settled down with a glass of wine and watched a film. Guess which one,Yes Titanic, it was the first time we'd seen it. Whilst this particular film is fundamentally fiction there were scenes based on fact which when explained by Gary an experienced and qualified mariner as to why they contributed to the disaster it made the film all the more interesting. 

Sunday 9th July

Today we took a drive out on the coastal heritage road to Chester, a pretty little coastal resort where we stoped for a short while. From here we moved on to Mahon Bay (first two pictures) again a lovely little coastal resort. An interesting fact about this place is that has three churches all next door to one another. We had a meal here on a deck overlooking the bay before returning back.

Monday 10th July.

We had a lazy day today remaking in the house until the afternoon, although Val did manage some dohbing. We then drove down to Halifax to see if we could get a trip on the Harbour Hopper, an amphibious vehicle that drives around the town then enters the water and takes you around the harbour. Unfortunately it was fully booked so we settled for the road train. Upon our return to the waterfront we drove to Dartmouth and had our end of term meal in a restaurant called MicMacs. Bill experienced his full lobster for which he needed instruction on how to attack it. It was a lovely evening.

Tuesday 11th July

Gary went off to a golf tournament so Kim took us out. First to Fisherman's Cove (bottom picture)a lovely little place full of craft shops and cafes, here we stopped for a cup of tea and a scone. The place also had lovely views across the sea. From here we drove along the coast road to Cow Bay which again offered a stunning view across the water. We stayed here a while then drove back home to Cole Harbour and sat out on the deck in the warm sunshine. Making the most of our last few hours here.

Mahon Bay

First full days

Thursday 6th July 2017.

Our first full day in Halifax Nova Scotia. We were up early as our body clocks were still out of sync. Kim drove us down to Lawrencetown Beach and we were able to breath in some love sea air to freshen us up. We returned home had breakfast then drove into Halifax first calling at Point Pleasant Park. A lovely place looking out to sea. It was just down from here that the World War One submarine nets were in place that were a contributing factor for the Halifax explosion of 1917. Gary gave us an overview of the disaster which was the largest ever man made explosion and has only been superseded by Nagasaki. We spent some time here then drove into town to see the Nova Scotia Tattoo. Outside the venue is the Halifax Citadel clock.(pictured) it was a brilliant  show comprising of military bands, gymnastics, motor cycle displays and much more. There was a particularly proud moment when the audience was asked to applaud anyone who had served their country in the military, emergency services and others and not restricted to Canadians. Bill and Gary, a former Coast Guard captain stood to this accolade. Also during the show we learnt more of the 1917 explosion. After the show we fought our way back through the rush hour traffic to home.

Gary fired up the barbecue and soon after we were joined by their daughter Tiffany and their son Kyle and his girlfriend Justine Taylor. It was a lovely evening explaining to the two youngsters where Bill fits into the O'Donnell family. (Pictured Bill, Val, Kim, Gary, Tiffany and Kyle & Justine. The youngsters left and we turned in, in an effort to get our body clocks in sync.

Friday 7th July 2017

Not too early a start so we are beginning to get sorted. Nevertheless a lazy start to the day the we all drove out to Peggy's Cove. A very picturesque village with it's own lighthouse. (Pictured together with a selfie) We wandered around here taking pictures, visited the souvenir store and had lunch. After we'd eaten we drove along a really lovely coast road to the memorial of the Swiss Air flight 111 which crashed into the sea just off this point. (Pictured) Here we paid our respects and moved on to Halifax and visited the cemetery of the victims of the RMS Titanic. Attached are some photos including one of a John Dawson.  (The film buffs among you will know of him) Again after paying respects we drove home for a lovely evening on the deck in Kim and Gary's garden.

Journey Out

Steve, together with young William took us to Thorne Hill park and ride where we caught our coach to Heathrow. William got quite upset at his Nanna and Papa going off without him. We had a comfortably ride to Heathrow. We alighted the coach and the caught the bus to our hotel. After checking in we went and had a meal celebrating our 47th wedding anniversary. 

The following morning (5th July) we were up early a took a taxi to terminal 2. We tried to fast track check in but it wouldn't let us so we joined the queue. We eventually arrived at the check in desk and discovered Bill's passport had not been registered with the Canadian immigration authority but Val's had. Fortunately Bill still had the email on his phone confirming his ESA and giving a reference number. The lady went away made some calls and returned with the good news that Bill could continue his holiday. The standing around had took its toll on Val so we were given special assistance which got us through security and saved us the quarter mile walk to the gate. 

We boarded the plane which took off more or less on schedule. Bill had a window seat with a view not obscured by a wing and managed to get a couple of decent photos of the Severn bridge. Somehow Air Canada got wind that we were both celebrating our 70th birthday and that it was our 47th wedding anniversary for whilst selling the merchandise the steward mentioned these facts then went away and returned with some champagne, very nice it was too. As we arrived in Halifax the pilot mentioned the Butcher's and their celebrations which responded with a round of applause. Thank you to whoever contacted them.

We cleared immigration and customs very quickly and made our way to the arrivals hall where we were met by Bill's cousin Gary and his wife Kim. We drove to there house and sat on their deck for while before dinner. After we'd eaten we discussed their plans for us during our stay in Nova Scotia. Then though still early We turned in as we'd lost four hours during the day.