Canada - Day Eight - Friday 11th October

Our last breakfast at 6.30am, before our last estuary tour and our long journey home.  There was a kind of sadness in everyone’s faces this morning – this has been such a lovely trip, and one that you don’t get to go on very often.  Seeing wildlife in its own habitat gives such a different dimension to an experience.  We got jacketed up – the Manager, Brian, commented that it seemed warmer this morning.  We go on the boat with Kris, and set off in search of that last bear.  The tide was fairly high this morning, with the water level covering a lot of the poles that usually stand proud.  It was not to be!  We saw plenty of eagles soaring high in the sky, as well as sitting looking at us.  They are quite photogenic.  We searched the banks high and low, but the bears were being elusive this morning.  Kris did comment that she had been on the estuary tour straight after the tracking tour that we did yesterday, and there were a couple of bears on one of the tracks that we had been using.  I wonder if they were watching us all along!  It was freezing.  Not sure where Brian had woken up this morning, but it certainly was not warm in any shape or form.  After an hour and a half on the water most of our extremities had turned into a block of ice.  Just before we got back to the lodge, we did see a mink for a couple minutes running along a log at the bottom of the shoreline.  Funny little animal that looks a bit like a weasel.  Not sure who saw that first and decided it would make a good coat – certainly wouldn’t have entered my mind!

We got back to the lodge, and had to check out by 9.30am.  Our time here had come to an end.  The float plane was back, and after a quick coffee we boarded for the thirty minute flight back to Campbell River.  The flight again was really– the views above the rivers and forests absolutely phenomenal.  A quick change from plane to bus, and we are on our way.  After about an hour or we stopped for lunch at a town called Coombes.  This is famous for its goats on the roof.  The rooves have grass growing on them, and the tourists come here to see these in their hundreds – but just not all at this time of the year.  The season is really coming to an end this far north – Edison had said that it was 14 degrees when he left Victoria that morning, and by the time he had arrived into Campbell River it was one degree.  We had a lovely lunch in a restaurant called Cuckoo with Helen from Vancouver Island Tourism, and then it was time to go again.  We drove through a town called Chemainus, which is the worlds largest outdoor art gallery.  Many, many of the sides of houses and walls had been painted with murals over the years.

After another hour or so we arrived at Victoria National Airport, and the flight to go from here to Vancouver, and then Vancouver home.  All too soon for a wonderful, wonderful experience!

Canada - Day Seven - Thursday 10th October

Another early morning – breakfast at 6.30am in the main dining hall and then activities start for the day.  Breakfast here is fairly simple, but substantial enough.  By 7.30am we have got the jackets and wellies on – they provide all the outerwear that you will need – and have boarded the boat to get to the other side of the estuary.  On the way across one of the Finnish gentleman – I later get to know that he is Jari Peltomaki, a world famous wildlife photographer – spots a brown bear on the shores about one hundred metres from the lodge.  We swing round to get a few photographs, as well as the thirty or so harbour seals that are lying on the top of a couple of logs in the water.  They just look up to see who we are, and don’t seem bothered at all.  We needed wellies on today as the tide is very low, so the boat can only get so far.  We have to jump in to ankle deep water and go across seaweed and mud and rocks to get to the bank.

After the bus ride, we get to the hides and today I am in “Finger” – probably because it is at the end of a piece of land that sticks out like a finger.  This overlooks the same piece of water we overlooked yesterday, as well as another river at the back of the hide.  We are not disappointed yet again.  The river is full of bears.  There is a mother and her two cubs and are foraging for eggs in the shingle, another mother and two older cubs that are playing with fish and several other “singles”.  The two hours just whiz by.  Jari is in this hide – and his camera, which is about two feet long and all his equipment - looks as if he has got some superb shots.  It sounds like a machine gun – I think he might even be taking more shots that I did.  One of the bears actually walked up the bank and right beside the hide, giving us a sideways glance as he went.  Surely I must have at least one good shot now!!

After the two hours we go back by bus and boat, and get coffee and cake before the next trip, which is another estuary cruise.  The weather is just amazing for this time of year – it is cold, but very bright.  It makes the mountains and forests look magical.  We see heron, goldeneye and heaps of bald eagles amongst the huge display of bird life, but no more bears.  There are also wolverine and cougar in these parts, but they don’t make an appearance either.

After another lovely lunch – everything here is homemade, and really tasty, we have to get the jackets on again as we are going bear tracking. 
That isn’t actually following the bears, it is just looking out for where they have been.  Although we are warned what to do if we come across one – and the signs along the road say “Extreme Danger – Grizzly Bears” where we get out.  We are shown where and why they have “rub trees” and the cameras and equipment that they have out here for dna testing and other research.  There is an awful lot of research going on by various people studying for their phd’s – it is an ongoing process over many years and for many years to come.  Bears sense of smell is apparently around seventy times that of humans – that is why we have been asked not to use perfume or any other scented toiletries before going out to bear viewing.  How could they not like Oscar de la Renta??  After learning about where the bears sleep in their day beds, what their poo looks like and various other things about the rainforest we are in, an hour and a half has gone and it is time to head back across the estuary.  Another coffee and cake – I could get used to this!  The Nanaimo Cake is so nice I might just have to get the recipe.

At 3.00pm we set off for our last bear viewing of the trip.  It is quite sad knowing that we aren’t going to be seeing them any more after this.  Along the road there is a black tailed deer and a baby deer just walking and minding their own business.  They take a look at the bus, and then carry on in the middle of the road.  Very good at keeping speed restrictions – perhaps we ought to adopt this method in the UK.  We get to the hides, and again we are in “Finger”.  There is another mother and two cubs, about ten bears up by the weir and a couple inbetween.  Again, the two hours just fly by watching how they react together – or ignore each other.  We start back, and there are two large bears in the road.  They eventually pull over to let us pass, and then another two appear.  It is as if they are all coming out to say goodbye and one of them was Gary!

After dinner tonight we have a presentation by Jari, the Finnish photographer.  He has a slide show of some of his bird shots – they are amazing!  If only mine were to come out as good as that – I wish!

Canada - Day Six - Wednesday 9th October

Today was another early start.  When I pulled back the curtains at just gone six o’clock there was the most amazing colours in the sky.  I quickly got dressed and went downstairs and across the road to the edge of the sea, and took some pictures with the mountains in the background.  The sky was going from pink to red to orange – it was one of the loveliest sunrises I have seen.  As soon as it came it had gone, and the sky was back to normal.  What a great way to start the day.

Heron’s Landing is the hotel used for the first night of a three night package to Knights Inlet.  Because the float plane leaves early in the morning, this hotel is used to pick customers up from and take them to the float plane.  It describes itself as a boutique hotel – I would call it more like a second hand shop.  Whereas the hotel is clean and quite sufficient for a one nights stay, it is rather odd.  It describes the rooms as penthouse suites – there is a separate bedroom and another bed in a cabinet in the lounge, but you would not get what you were expecting for a penthouse suite.  Looks rather more like your grandmother’s house.  Breakfast, although continental, was also quite sufficient.  The shuttle came at 8.30am to collect us, so we didn’t spend long here at all.  Our luggage had to be split into two here also, as we can only take a small bag on the float plane.  The main luggage is stored at the float plane terminal.

There are two float planes – one a nine seater and one a thirteen seater.  There were two groups of us going to Knight Inlet today, so both were being utilised.  The luggage was taken, and the check in consisted of writing your name on a sheet of paper.  Suppose they need to know who they lose along the way.  The larger plane took off first, and whilst they were loading the luggage onto ours we had a brief talk about the lodge.  This time last year there was a fire at the lodge, and the whole thing burned down.  By the time it opened again at the beginning of June this year, they had bought another lodge from the west side of Vancouver Island and towed it around to where the old one was, and a complete new Knight Inlet was born.  Everyone got off the lodge safely – one of the young guides that was instrumental in evacuating everyone, Moira, was the head guide this year.  We were shown a few photos of the old lodge – suppose we will see the new one for ourselves, so didn’t need to see them.

Our plane was then ready, so we got onboard.  After the safety demonstration, a rather bizarre run through of safety hatches and life vests by the pilot hanging out of the door, the door was shut and the propellers started.  We taxied around this part of the river, and then took off over the ocean.  We had to head northwards for forty nine miles – around a thirty minute journey, and land at the lodge which is actually back on the mainland of Canada rather than Vancouver Island.  The journey was very smooth, and very picturesque.  Apart from a few low clouds that appeared every now and then, the views were of mountains, forests and water.  Very little else, and the further north we went the less we saw of any buildings.  Apart from Knight Inlet, there are no other buildings anywhere near here.  We landed on the waterway outside of the lodge, having had a fantastic aerial view as we flew in.  The luggage was quickly taken off the plane, as were we, and we did a very quick check in.  We had to sign a disclaimer – not sure what it was for as I didn’t read it, but were told that it was for feeding us to the bears.  Were they joking??

The baggage was taken to our rooms very quickly – there are only 18, so it didn’t take long.  The rooms as fairly basic, no TV’s, internet, phone signal or any other modern device including hair driers.  Good job I knew that, and bought one in Victoria before we came up here.  There is hot water from 5.30am to 10.00pm – the generator is shut down after those hours, but they go to battery power so there is still electricity.  The beds are really comfortable though.  This was an old fishing lodge before it was towed here, and I think because of the quick turnaround they had to do to get it open for the beginning of the season there are still little niceities that will be done after the lodge shuts mid October for the winter.  After a quick orientation, there really isn’t much else to the lodge apart from the rooms, dining room, lounge and a couple of other rooms for clothing, we were off on our first trip. All the outdoor gear is already here.  Everyone has to have a floatation device on – it is in the jackets and all-in-ones, or if it is the summer there are normal life jackets.  As we are going on the water, it has been suggested that we use their jackets instead of ours.  This was an hours boat ride in and around the estuary of the lodge.  The boat was so comfortable – everyone had a lovely seat that did a 360 degree swivel.  Fantastic for taking photos at every angle.  The tide was out – low tide was at 10.00am this morning.  There is apparently up to an eighteen feet difference in water levels between low and high tides.  There is so much bird life around the estuary.  We first found a mating pair of bald eagles on top of an old pole sticking out of the water.  We quietly went towards it until we were right underneath it, and they didn’t move.  There were so many eagles around in all the trees – they looked like golf balls dotted amongst the forest.  There were also seals swimming with their heads out of the water everywhere, but unlike the eagles as soon as you got near them they dived.  One juvenile eagle had caught a salmon and was minding his own business eating it on a rock, when a full grown one came down and pushed him off and took his breakfast.  Nothing like seniority!

We were out on the water for about an hour, and then came back for lunch.  We had a beautiful squash soup, toasted sandwiches and salad, and homemade cakes.  The food here is really good – no choice unless you have dietary needs, or you really don’t like what is served.  Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are on tap, as are soft drinks.  All in the dining room whenever you want.  After that quick lunch, we were off on the water again in another boat.  A faster boat this time, in the onesies, where we all stood outside at the back with the guide.  We went further round into the waterways this time, looking at the spectacular cliff faces and wildlife along the way.  There were a couple of seals sunning themselves on rocks – a couple watched us go by, but the majority dived into the water never to be seen again.  There were several waterfalls, and sheer granite sheets soaring high into the sky.  Parts were very much like the Norwegian Fjords.  We looked for bears along the shoreline, but there were none here today.  It is mostly black bears that are in this part, but we didn’t see any.  Perhaps this was going to be another one of those places where we only get to see footprints and not the real thing!

After a couple of hours out on the water we make our way back to the lodge for the main show of the day – a trip out to the viewing platforms to see the Grizzlies.  We kept our onesies on, as we are in a hide for two hours being very still and very quiet.  We get in another boat – they have several! – to get across to the other side of the estuary.  We then get in a bus for about fifteen minutes and travel down an old logging road to the two hides.  The one we are going to today is called “Weir” – probably because it overlooks a weir.  There is a steel wire gate that opens up to a corridor going up to the hide of steel wire – they take safety very seriously.  The hides have camouflage around them – I presume to make them seem as if they should be there, but when we are in them we stand out in our red jackets.  Hmm, not quite turning in with the landscape with those on!  Makes the camouflage seem a bit irrelevant. There are bears in the river!  Hooray.  At first it is a mother and her two yearling cubs.  Salmon are still running up the river, and it is easy food for the bears.  They catch salmon after salmon and eat one after the other.  They apparently need around 22,000 calories a day.  Another couple of bears are outside the other hide – and one is asleep on the bank.  At the other side of the hide – it is open all the way round for 360 degree views of the area – a couple of bears are swimming away, side to side as if they are in the swimming pool.  Some more are in the distance – there must have been twelve or more altogether.  All of them female and their cubs – apparently the males don’t come out until all of the humans have gone.  The bear viewing hours are from 8.00am until we leave at 5.30pm tonight.  I could have watched for hours more – just seeing the big furry animals swiping salmon out of the river, and the mothers putting their heads under the water for minutes at a time scooping up all the salmon eggs was fascinating.  5.30pm came all too quickly – as did the bus to take us back.  As soon as we were reversing out a huge male crossed the road to get to the river – he must have set his alarm as he was bang on time!

We did the trip in reverse – bus and then boat – and got back to the lodge to have a quick change and then choose the trips we want to do tomorrow whilst appetisers were being served.  Bears, bears and more bears please!  Dinner was self service, but very nice.  Meat or fish, and as much as you wanted.  Wine was on the table, and is included with dinner.  After dinner one of the guides always gives a talk on something or other, and this time it was a British guide called John whose talk was on “Gary the Bear”.  Perhaps this one drives a Subaru!  No, he doesn’t.  But he was a bear cub that John came across a year and a half ago when he was first here, and he has documented his first two years of life.  It was rather touching to see how he has grown up, rather like looking at a photo album of your children.  Not sure how he knows it is the same bear, because nearly all bears look the same to me.  I’m sure it is.  Perhaps we will see Gary tomorrow!

Canada - Day Five - Tuesday 8th October

Quite a leisurely start to the day today – breakfast was at 8.30am.  We met Michelle from Victoria Tourism in the Café of the Parkside Hotel, and had a very informal breakfast and excellent coffee.  After storing the luggage with the hotel, we walked to the Robert Bateman Centre, ten minutes or so from the hotel on the harbour.  Robert Bateman is an artist who lives on Saltspring Island – just off of Vancouver Island.  This centre is new, but in a beautiful old building.  It only opened in May, and although the galleries are finished the gift shop isn’t.  Oh what a shame – can’t go shopping!  I had never heard of him, but his art work is fantastic.  Most of it is wildlife, and it is so good you actually feel as if you are in the picture.  He is 83 years old – and to be honest looks younger than I do.  Perhaps I ought to move to Saltspring Island if that’s what the air does out there.

The assistant curator gave us an insight into what the centre is all about – so much more than just the art.  He wants to educate children into the great outdoors again, and get them to appreciate nature rather than TV’s and computers.  His philosophy is that if children grow up to love nature, they will want to help preserve what we have.  Sounds good to me.  Saying that, they have embraced technology in the galleries, with his full complement of circa two and a half thousand paintings on a ipad thing that you can scroll through and transfer onto large flat screens on the wall.  That way, you can see any and all of his paintings instead of just the hundred or so that they have room for to hang on the walls.  One of his loves is birds, and several of his bird paintings have a plaque next to it that you can wave in front of and hear the call of that particular bird.  You can also pick up a smartphone, or download an app on your own, to wave in front of a QR code on the plaque and it will instantly bring up all the information you would ever need to know about that particular painting.  Technology and nature working in harmony.

From here we walked to the Coast Harbourside Hotel, right next door to where the Orca Spirit Adventures have their office and dock.  Their lovely sales manager, Charlene, met us and said we would instantly forget the rooms that she was going to show us, but we would not forget the lunch.  Optimistic words!  The rooms were all the same, the only difference being the view.  Harbour view or not.  There was nothing wrong with the rooms, they looked very comfortable but not spectacular.  She was right about them being forgettable.  We then went to lunch in the Blue Crab Bar and Grill, which is part of the hotel and has views out over the harbour.  Wow, and was she right about the lunch.  After goats cheese salad, scallops in a chilli and lemon butter sauce with couscous the size of pearl barley and white chocolate bread pudding I felt I was only able to waddle out of my seat.  I would say that meal was the best I have had on this trip so far.  Apparently even the Fairmont send people to this restaurant as it is known as one of the best seafood establishments in Victoria.  I couldn’t agree more.  I tried, but unsuccessfully, to get the recipe for that sauce!

We then met the LA Limousines minibus that took us back to the Parkside Hotel to collect our luggage, and head out on the journey to Campbell River.  The driver Edison, think light bulb or lighthouse to remember his name, also found it difficult to draw breath on the three hour or so journey.  He had lots of stories to tell, and lots of information to give.  As we headed out of Victoria the scenery changed into quite a mountainous one.  We headed up the mountains (think hills rather than hairpin bends) until we got to a lookout at the top.  This overlooked Victoria beyond the strip of ocean that we had just gone around.  We could see the airport and Butchart Gardens.  It was such a lovely day again – the sun was shining.  Edison pointed out that the mountain range we could see in the distance was actually in the USA (Mount Baker, the volcano was not in sight today) and were part of the Olympic Ranges.  The clouds came up to that point, and usually got no further leaving Vancouver Island in sunlight.  Nice.

We travelled for around an hour and a half, and then stopped at a local vineyard at Lake Cowichan.  Averill Creek Wineries was owned and run by a Welsh Doctor.  Are there are locals here??  He has thirty odd acres of vines, that they were actually going to start harvesting tomorrow.  Anyone looking for a job?  Every grape is picked by hand – there should be around sixty five tonnes of them.  We had a very good explanation as why their wine is better than everyone elses.  No stomping or crushing grapes here – they all have to be treated very carefully to retain their flavour.  We then went into the shop to have a tasting of six different wines.  They were all good – BC wine has a very good reputation, but they don’t make enough of it to export so it rarely goes outside of Canada.  This part of Vancouver Island apparently has a Mediterranean climate, so is ideal for grape growing.  After six glasses, albeit small glasses, of wine we all got back in the minibus for the further two hours to get to Campbell River.  I heard Edison telling Denise that there used to be lots of wildlife on the highway until they put fences up either side except for places where they naturally crossed.  Then I heard him telling Denise that they couldn’t stop that unless they made a bridge for them to cross.  Perhaps it was the wine, but I can’t see how you can tell an Elk to go over a bridge rather than cross a road.  I must have fell asleep at that point, but when I woke up he was still talking.  Wonder what I missed!  He was very good at name dropping celebrities that he had driven, and how discreet their company was.  Wonder why he was telling us then?

We arrived at Heron’s Landing in Campbell River just in time to drop our bags and then go out for dinner.  Today seems all about food.  We were driven ten minutes down the road to the Rip Tide Pub, where we met the sales manage for Knights Inlet – where we are off to tomorrow.  I had a Bison Burger – first Bison for me.  I really wasn’t hungry, so feel I didn’t do it justice.  During the meal the couple that own Knights Inlet popped in to say hello- lovely couple.  I hope the lodge is as good as the perceptions that I now have!  We will see tomorrow.

Canada - Day Four - Monday 7th October

Met Meisha from Victoria Tourism in the lobby at 6.55am this morning for our “ten” minute walk to the Oswego Hotel to go for a site inspection and breakfast.  The ten minutes were true to form, and we walked for about twenty minutes to the left of the inner harbour and a couple of blocks back to the hotel.  This is a boutique style hotel, with either studios, one or two bedroom apartments, all with full kitchens.  This is ideal if you are on a two or three week tour and need to do a bit of washing.  It is only a five minute walk to the harbour,  and ten minutes to the Empress Hotel, where many of the tours leave from.  The breakfast was made to order – the omelette of the day was roasted tomato, caramelised onions and goats cheese.  Sold!  It was the best omelette I have ever had (and I have had a few).  Many of the guests have breakfast in their rooms, so the restaurant is not huge.  The hotel has around 80 rooms, so not that big either.

From here we walked five minutes to the hotel next door where we said goodbye to George, the British Airways host.  He was having to go home – and very sad he was not being able to go in search for the bears with us!  We were collected here by a CVS CruiseVictoria tour bus that was taking us to Butchart Gardens.  The journey was just over half an hour, and I don’t think the driver drew breath from the start to the finish.  He knew everything about everything.  He told us some of the history of Victoria – much of it involving British people including Captain Cook, Queen Victoria and James Douglas, the first Governor here.  He apparently didn’t last a year as people weren’t very nice to him, and Captain Cook didn’t even set foot on the island as he was on his way to Hawaii.  I think he realised he had rather a large contingency of British people on the bus, so maybe didn’t comment as much as he may have done if we weren’t present.

He also knew the full history of the Butchart family, who were originally from Scotland.  It was the son that started the gardens – but only because his wife told him to.  He started Portland Cement, and dug quarries in the rich limestone ground that was in the area.  This left rather large unsightly holes in the ground.  After his first attempt at filling one as a lake and putting trout in it, his wife then had the idea to make them into gardens.  She started with the “Sunken Garden” and then the “Japanese Garden”.  This was a very popular place to go, and was soon serving 18,000 cups of tea a year to patrons.  Not sure when it went from being a place to go for free and get a cup of tea to a chargeable option, but another three gardens have been added at various points along the way.  There is now an “Italian Garden” a “Mediterranean Garden” and a “Rose Garden”.  The gardens are still in the hands of the same family, albeit a few descendents down.  Each descendent has put their own stamp on the property, and now there is a carousel, fireworks every Saturday night in July and August, and a permanent stage for concerts.  None of these attract any extra charge other than that to get in. We all had to have a go on the carousel – a rather bizarre sight of ten travel agents riding frogs and dogs to the melody of singing in the rain!  We were extremely lucky to have David Clarke give us a guided tour.  Originally from the UK, he actually married into the family.  He did divorce, and ended up working for his ex wife.  He has been here forty six years, so it couldn’t have been so bad.  There was nothing he didn’t know about the history, the plants, or any bit about the gardens.  They are open from morning to night every single day of the year – summer months opening until much later at night than in the winter.  There is always fifty five gardeners working every day, with extras being drafted in during the summer.  I have never seen such beautiful gardens as these – even now in October they are so colourful.  They are replanted four times a year, so that there is always colour whatever time you go.

Then came the icing on the cake so to speak.  We were invited to have High Tea in the Dining Room – this is in the original house Robert Butchart built for his family to live in whilst the gardens were in their infancy.  Lovely white linen tablecloths are on the tables, and the tea is served in white china with proper tea leaf strainers – no PG tips here!  We are then served the most delicious warm ginger scones with jam and cream.  I thought that was it – but then came a three tiered serving tray with pastries, sandwiches and cakes on the top.  Not just any old sandwiches either – turkey and cranberry and sage, carrot and ginger and I can’t remember the others.  There was a mushroom and turkey vol au vent, a Cornish pasty and a cheddar cheese tart, and then – believe it or not – I could not manage any of the cakes!  We had had a scone for starter (weird!) so I decided that was my pudding back to front.  I passed on the lemon tart, chocolate mouse, chocolate layer cake and battenburg.  They gave us a box to put the leftovers in, and Meisha was taking them back for the rest of the staff in her office.  The boxes even had little bags in that fit the box so that they could easily be carried.  Attention to detail!

On our way out there was a seeds shop, where you could buy most of the plants.  There was also a huge tray of little buds of every single flower that was in flower in the garden at this moment in time, with their names on, so if you wanted one of something that you didn’t know the name of, you could have a look and see what it is and then buy it.  Very good marketing!  There was a fantastic gift shop as well – but no time for that as the bus was due to leave and it would have gone with or without us.  We travelled back to Victoria a slightly different way, and the driver only spoke half of the time.  After that lovely High Tea I think a few may have nodded off on the way back. 

When we arrived at the Empress and were dropped off, we then headed over to the Royal BC Museum.  We were left to wander around on our own here to look around the history of the First Nations People.  There was also a large temporary exhibit of the “Race to the Pole” with Scott and Amundsen.  It was really interesting.  There was also a room full of non totem poles, as I now know.  They were all labelled House Poles,  History Poles etc.  Capilano’s descendent was right there then. Not a totem amongst them.

We had a couple of hours free time, so I decided to do a quick walking tour of a few bits of Victoria.  I went in the old part of the city, Chinatown (the oldest in Canada) down by the harbour, and then back to the hotel.  The wind had got up, and it was threatening rain, although the morning that we had walking around the gardens was mostly sunny and warm.  Another quick change and we are out again for a site inspection at The Inn at Laurel Point.  This is a hotel of two halves – literally.  Rooms in the first half are very nice, nothing spectacular but have a lovely friendly feel.  Going back down, and then up to rooms in the second half are as if you are in different hotel.  They are very spacious, contemporary and the bathrooms are huge.  Both rooms have a balcony – the first a small stand on balcony, the second a full size with furniture.  Every room in this hotel, whatever the side, has a harbour view.  They overlook the private gardens and the water, and from where it is maybe even the sunset.  Not sure about that.  A bit further down the side of the harbour from the town, but probably a fifteen minute or so walk to get to the restaurants and bars in the town.  We are at their restaurant, the Aura Waterfront.  The chef is Japanese, and the menu has a slight Japanese feel.  The food is lovely – seafood is prevalent in the menu and everything is so well presented.  A beautiful dinner with Michelle from Victoria Tourism and Kyla-Rae from the hotel.  Might have to go back on that diet when I get home!

Canada - Day Three - Sunday 6th October

Another early morning call – this may be a perk of our job, but it is not a holiday!  Down and checked out by 7.30am, and breakfast in the Giovane Café that is part of the hotel.  This is a really good idea – a café type restaurant that you can buy as little or as much as you like for breakfast.  If all you want is coffee and toast, then that is all you pay for.  We had a voucher for a yoghurt fruit pot, a fresh fruit pot, coffee and a pasty.  It was delicious, and very healthy!  We pulled our luggage from the hotel to outside the Pan Pacific Hotel ready for the Pacific Coach Lines coach to collect us.  It was a beautiful day – the sun is shining, and already the temperature allows the coats to come off.  Not what we were expecting at all.  The temperature is meant to get up to 18 degrees today – lovely! 

The luggage is loaded onto the coach, and we then have another couple of pick ups at other hotels before we get to the Pacific Lines Terminal in Vancouver – about thirty minutes away.  The bus is scheduled to leave the terminal at 09.45am, and will be the same one that goes all the way across to Victoria.  The bus was packed.  Every seat was taken.  It was about an hour to get to Tsawwassen, which is where the ferry was leaving from to go over to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island.  This really is a good service.  After getting on downtown, you don’t actually have to touch your luggage again until you get off the other end.

It could not have been a better day to do this ferry.  After the bus drove onto the ferry, the Spirit of British Colombia, it was scheduled and departed at 11.00am.  We all got off the bus and headed up to the sundeck.  It was saying on the overhead electronic boards on the motorway to the ferry terminal that this ferry was 61% full.  Not sure how accurate that was, but there was plenty of room.  The sun was beating down and the sea was so calm there was hardly a ripple.  After about thirty minutes of crossing the sea, we then started to weave inbetween islands for another hour or so.  It really is a beautiful crossing.  In the south, you can see the snow capped Mount Baker in the USA – in fact the border between Canada and the USA is not far from here at all.

Ten minutes before we were due to dock we had to make our way back to the bus.  As we were queuing up to get back on, and the bus being the first vehicle on and its nose next to the front bow doors, I commented that I hoped they weren’t going to open them before we docked, bearing in mind the Towsend Thorensen Herald of Free Enterprise.  Sitting on the seat behind the front seat I had an excellent view of the bow doors opening five minutes before we made it to the dock.  Oh well – hopefully it is either a different design, the water is different, or something along those lines.  We made it anyway without any mishap.  Once we left the ferry, we had around forty minutes drive to get to Victoria.  The bus made several stops along the way, so it is quite a handy service if you are staying anywhere along the route.  We were heading right to the very end, which is the Victoria Terminal right behind the Fairmont Empress Hotel – but unfortunately not where we are staying.  I quite like Fairmonts!  We are actually staying at the Parkside Hotel & Spa, which is about a ten minute walk from the terminal.  It is still hot, and ten minutes pulling my case was quite enough.  No need to go to the gym today then!

We arrived at the hotel at 1.30pm – and needed to be back in the lobby for a 2.10pm departure for our whale watching tour.  Just enough time to get to the room – very nice room that has a kitchen and lounge area and a balcony.  It does look into a room of a hotel directly opposite though.  I am sure I am not going to be in the room long enough for that to bother me.  We were advised to take hats and scarves for this trip, but looking at the weather I thought better of it and only took a fleece.  The shuttle to take us to the Orca Spirit Adventures boat in the inner harbour.  Victoria seems to be made up of beautiful old buildings, interspersed with really ugly new ones.  Not sure who the town planners are here, but they ought to be shot.

It was only a few minutes down to the harbour.  The whale watching tours are actually coming to an end for the season, so there are only twenty three people on a forty seater boat.  Lots of room.  There are seats on the top deck – that is where the best view usually is.  It is slow going to get out of the harbour, with float planes taking off all the time.  It is actually known as an international airport in the harbour, as the float planes take people to Canada and the USA.  A few months ago there were whales that actually came right into the harbour area, and the planes were grounded for the day whilst they were there.  I think the only time that whales have caused an airport closure!

As soon as we round the harbour wall we pick up speed.  And then it gets cold, and then it is when I realise why everyone else has coats hats and gloves.  Oh well – I have far more natural insulation than they do.  We head left down to San Juan Island – which is actually part of the USA.  Hope they don’t want to see my ESTA!  There had been a pod of killer whales seen near here earlier in the day hunting for food.  As soon as we near the island we spot the whales.  There are around five of them, and they just keep moving along.  I think they have been to Seaworld – they actually seem to be swimming in formation at times.  Soon other little boats appear, and we have a flotilla.

We keep around 100 metres from the whales at all times – but they don’t seem to be bothered with the boats at all.  They are just making their way up the coast, breaking water every now and then, and then disappearing for a minute or two before coming up again.  They seem to be in Sunday afternoon drive mode though – not going too fast and certainly not doing anything spectacular.  There was a little bit of fin slapping at one point, and a tail fluke at another – neither of which I caught on camera.  One came out of the water slightly more than it had before – but I was taking a picture of a bird at that time as well.  I have got rather a lot of ocean with black fins sticking out though.  About five hundred of those.  I am sure I can find one or two pictures that are showing a bit more flesh.  We keep up with the pod for just over an hour, and then we leave them to it and head back to Victoria harbour.  We had been out on the water just about three hours by the time we had got back – slightly frozen but very happy with our find.  There was hot chocolate to help thaw out, but it was such a lovely cruise back into the harbour that I went and sat out on the top again.  Glutton for punishment.

We arrive back in the harbour, and the float planes are still taking off and landing.  The harbour has lots of floating homes at the side – a bit like house boats but more house than boat.  Very smart.  The shuttle takes us back to the hotel, where we have the usual just under an hour before having to be ready to head out again.

We are met by Miesha from Victoria Tourism, who is hosting our dinner tonight at a local pub called the Canoe Brewpub.  It is a fifteen minutes walk, which is actually a thirty minute walk.  Not sure if that is because everyone is as slow as me, or if it was one of those “if they put thirty minutes down they might not go” type of mistake.  It was a lovely walk though, past various shops and restaurants.  It is nice to see a bit of the local area by foot.  So often it is just in a bus.  The pub is famous locally for brewing its own ales – and we all get to have tasters of them.  I decline and ask for a campari – sorry to all those real ale lovers.  The food though is very good, and the actual building is very impressive.  An old building that has seen many different uses, including BMW repair shop and some sort of garbage place. By 9.45pm everyone is full and ready to fall asleep in their soup.  We set off for our “fifteen” minute walk back to the hotel, and fall into bed ready for another busy day tomorrow.

Canada - Day Two - Saturday 5th October

An early morning wake up call this morning – although I was awake before it went off, as I had slept with the curtains open all night so that I could see the wonderful view. Well, the lights of the wonderful view anyway until the sun came up. We met Krista from the Vancouver Tourism Department at 7.45am in the lobby and walked up and across the road to the Pan Pacific

Hotel for breakfast. This hotel is situated right in Canada Place, where the majority of the cruise ships dock. The hotel rooms start on floor 8 – apparently the cruise ship height comes up to floor 7. The last cruise ship was in the week before, so we didn’t get to see it for ourselves. An ideal hotel to stay before embarking on a cruise, as your luggage is taken from the room and the next time you see it is in your stateroom. From here we joined a bus that was going to take us on a faster than usual tour of the highlights of Vancouver. The driver was actually South African, although he had lived in Canada for many years and was extremely knowledgeable. We headed down Robson Street, one of the main shopping streets, and then out across the bridge and past Stanley Park to the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. We spent an hour or so here, going across the suspension bridge (not for the feint hearted) and the treehouse walks and cliffwalk. Those that were glad to get to the other side had a nasty shock when they realised that they had to do it all again to get back to the bus! We had a descendent of Chief Capilano give us the history of the park, and some stories of the tribes. Pinch of salt comes to mind! He did say that totem poles aren’t actually totem poles though. Totem in not an Indian word, and it wouldn’t actually be used by Indians, so there are no such things as Indian totem poles. They call them house poles, or story poles etc. Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. From here we drove back over the bridge and through Stanley Park to Granville Island. Such a shame we did not have time to walk in the park – the leaves are turning colour, and there are miles of trails. Beautiful. But this is a whistle stop tour, and here we just whistled and didn’t stop. When we got to Granville Island we had an Edible Canada and Public Market Tour. One of the chefs took us around the market, which was huge, and we tasted odd little things as we went. We had a really spicy salmon at the fish stall – there were live crabs and lobsters in tanks ready to be bought, and row upon row of all sorts of shellfish and fish. The next stop was a funny fruit that looked like a green pepper, but tasted like kiwi fruit. This is apparently only found around here, and has a very short season. We then had pumpkin donuts, three types of charcuterie (preserved meats to you and me) and then a chocolate. This market has all sorts of unusual foods, as well as the normal. It was packed, so is obviously very popular with the locals. From here, we took the Aquabus to Yaletown. A lovely little boat that takes a maximum of 12 passengers, and is part of the public transport system of Vancouver. It has around six stops at various parts of the city, and operates from early morning to late night. We got off near the BC Place stadium that houses the football and soccer teams, and also any large concerts etc. Right next to the General Motors stadium which is home to the Vancouver Canucks Ice Hockey. It is their first home game of the season later on tonight, so there are several ice hockey shirts floating around. Bit like our football scarves I think. We then stopped in Gastown, where the famous steam clock plays a tune every fifteen minutes, and the gas lights are reminiscent of 19th century London. We then went over to the Vancouver Lookout, where we had great 360 degree views of the city. The guide here was Irish – a very multinational population! It gave a great overview of the whole city, and everything sort of fell into place. Great views of the city, the harbour and the mountains beyond. From here we zipped back over to Canada Place where the newest Vancouver attraction is located – Flyover Canada. This is a sort of Disney experience where you get a “pre” film on all four walls of a room before being strapped into seats and flying over Canada in 4D and experiencing mist and water vapour in all four seasons. Sounds a bit corny, but with the imax theatre surround it is actually quite good. This is the longest of its type at eight and a half minutes. We walked back to the hotel, changed, and then met the Fairmont sales lady in the lobby at 6pm for a tour of the Fairmont Waterfront, which has a lovely outdoor pool and vegetable garden up on the sixth floor. Back to the Fairmont Pacific Rim for dinner in the Oru Restaurant, which was excellent. I can recommend this hotel fully!

Canada - Day One – Friday 4th October

The flight to Vancouver from Heathrow is at 1730, so I decided to drive. The M25 on a Friday afternoon can make the journey anything from an hour and a half to four hours, but today was a good day and it took only two hours. The trouble with leaving at a sensible mid morning time just doesn’t give any urgency to packing, but even though I didn’t really start it until 9.30am I still left at just gone 11.00am. This got me to Heathrow Terminal 5 at just gone 1pm, an hour before we were supposed to meet. I had a meet and greet parking option, so drove into the short term car park and handed over the car. Easy. This is a “familiarisation” trip – which means we get to try out hotels and experiences to make our knowledge that much better to recommend to our customers. Hard life! I met the rest of the group, and went to check in. My boarding pass was a “standby” ticket, so this could have been the shortest trip ever. It was soon converted to confirmed – and in business class, so all the better. We made our way to the Business Class Lounge, where we had a couple of drinks and a bite to eat before the flight left. This is such a lovely way to start your holiday – we at Travel Stop can book customers into lounges at most airports throughout the world. We boarded the flight, where the champagne flowed and the food was good. After a short delay, we took off and had a smooth journey. The flight was absolutely packed. The flight of just over nine hours went relatively quickly, and we were soon getting ready to land the other side of the Atlantic. With watches being moved back eight hours, we landed at 7.30pm. It took around an hour to clear immigration, get the bags and go through customs. The journey to the hotel was about 40 minutes, so when we checked in my body clock was at around 5am. A bit like doing a nightshift. We were staying at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. Our journey to the hotel took us through Gas Town, and down onto the Harbour. It is only a five minute walk from the Fairmont Waterfront, where I stayed last time I was in Vancouver. The room was on the 17th floor, and had an amazing view over Coal Harbour and Stanley Park – although it was hard to make out the park in the dark. The hotel is very contemporary – there was live music playing in a very vibrant lobby, and the rooms are very high tech. The curtains are opened and closed by pressing a button – or on the ipad provided. Hmm – now there’s a challenge I can set Paul for when I get home! There is a screen in the mirror in the bathroom with the weather channel playing, so I can decide what to wear for the day whilst cleaning my teeth. Amazing! The coffee maker makes good coffee – and after that I was just about ready to drop into the most comfortable bed in the world.

Travel Trade Crusade 2013 - Day Four, Sunday 14th July

Day four, officially the third and last of the crusade. Today is the fancy dress day – oh dear! We have brought with us Batman & Robin outfits, out of the Christmas episode of Only Fools & Horses one year. They only arrived the day before we left, so they are still in the bags without us having tried them on. Bad planning. Due to the sizing, I had to be Robin and Paul was Batman – even that kept popping open because it was a bit tight. No chance to get a bigger size now! We checked out of the hotel in full regalia without the receptionist even raising an eyebrow. Perhaps she had seen it all before – about ten minutes or so! We met a court jester and the grim reaper in reception – good job I didn’t meet him before I went on the Nurburgring! We loaded the car up and made our way to the car park we were meeting up in, just beside the river. Koblenz looked a beautiful town – such as shame we were in and out so quickly. Everyone was really pumping this morning – not one person was not in fancy dress. It looked amazing. The Disco Taxi had the PA playing at full blast – we had quite a crowd of onlookers. We also found out later that the Aston Martin had parked here overnight, and had got a lovely yellow parking ticket! We were 27 teams this morning, but only 26 cars. The Chavtastic’s Subaru was definitely being left to be scrapped. The guys from Avis had helped them out with a hire car, so at least they can still take part. After our instructions for the day, we all had to do a little crazy dancing (for the DVD I presume) led by a wallaby and a crocodile. After the frivolities, and the locals had taken umpteen pictures, we all started off. Three routes to get to Amsterdam – the boring motorway, the picturesque country route or the route by the river. We opted for the route by the river, as this was one of the challenges. Have your picture taken by some picturesque water. We found a place to pull up in, and had to find someone to take our photograph. After everyone had finished taken photographs of their own, we got one with our camera. It seems Batman & Robin are well known in Germany as well! We would our way towards firstly Bonn, then Cologne, Rees, Arnheim, Utrecht and then Amsterdam. The amount of people that slowly went past, waved, pipped and took photographs was amazing. Obviously Batman & Robin don’t often take that route. We had to fill up with petrol. Paul went in to pay, the attendant looked up, did a double take, and then asked if ours was the Batmobile. Ha! We went out of Germany and into Holland – and it seemed as if we had come into the back of a little village. We went from a main road, to a one lane track for a while. Couldn’t be a popular crossing point here then. We then picked up some bigger roads, and soon made our way to the outskirts of Amsterdam. Well on time! But we hadn’t arrived yet!! As soon as we hit Amsterdam the traffic started to build up. Nothing too bad, and really glad Mrs TomTom was telling us the way to the hotel. It looked a bit like a maze. We passed about a million people on bicycles, with another million bicycles locked up unattended. It really is a cycling city. We made our way, almost uneventfully, to the road where the hotel was situated. We amused most of the people waiting to cross the roads, and even waved quite regally when they pointed a camera at us. Felt a bit like the queen – but in a comedy sort of way. The hotel was on the opposite side of the road to where we were going, so Mrs TomTom told us to do a U turn. Not too bad, I managed to squeeze round without upsetting too many people – only to find that the road where the reception is situated is pedestrian only. “Can’t go up there” says a chap (how did he know we were English?) so we headed off to turn around and find another way in. Easier said than done. When we got to the top we had to turn right, and then there was no more right turns. A tram had broken down in the middle of the main road, and there was absolute bedlam. I just kept going, and ended up giving Paul a very scenic tour of Amsterdam – free of charge! We eventually found ourselves heading back in the correct direction – only to find we were now behind the broken down tram, and all the other trams were being redirected around us. All of the traffic after us had been turned around and sent I know not where – and the trams were missing our back wing by about half an inch. We sat there for about half an hour – and were the cabaret for all those on the buses that were going up beside us in the bus lane. Oh to be famous – even for half a day! Just have to wear red pants over your tights! We eventually came past the hotel again, and there was stationery traffic so we tried another road. Wrong again! Round we went again, and eventually bumped over the kerb in the middle of the road, went up the tram lane, and did a U turn into a car park that was not too far from the hotel. I expected Mrs TomTom to say “That’s the third time I have directed you to where you wanted to go, and you still haven’t got there!”. But she didn’t – we parked, and then even caped crusaders have to carry their own bags up the car park steps and the quarter of a mile walk to get to their room. We then amused all the people sitting outside having a beer in the afternoon. Just wave and smile nicely! The receptionist couldn’t find a reservation for Batman & Robin, so he gave us the Keevil’s room instead. The chap next to him asked us to remove our face masks if we went into the club room in case we frightened any of the guests. I think we had had enough of wearing them for one day, but what a cheek! A nice glass of wine was in order – minus the red knickers – before setting off for the DoubleTree Hilton for the end of rally festivities. Whilst all the points were being counted up, we enjoyed complimentary drinks. When the prize giving ceremonies started, the tension was mounting, Would it be the Green Ladies or the Kuoni Crusaders, or would someone else have nipped in? The prize for the best challenge of the day went to the Kuoni Crusaders for Day One, The Green Ladies for Day Two, and Team Rylan (yes, there was someone dressed as Rylan) for Day Three. The Best Car was awarded to Pussy Patrol for their lovely cat car. The Best Team was awarded to the Holy Rollers (Priests & Nuns) even though one of their cars didn’t make it to Amsterdam today. The disco taxi also didn't make it to Amsterdam, and was currently on a low loader making its way back to the UK. 27 teams started, 24 teams finished! The Green Ladies came out on top, deservedly so. ArtAV that had being doing the filming throughout had put together and edited a film that was shown at the end – what a lovely momento. I do hope we can get a link to it, so you can see for yourselves how much effort some teams went to. The Grand Total raised for charity as of this evening was just over £40,000 between us all. What an achievement for Sarah and Nick – who I think will now be pressured to put the event on all over again next year!

Travel Trade Crusade 2013 - Day Three, Saturday 13th July

Day three, but officially day two of the rally. Another early morning - but with a difference. We had to leave the car in a public car park, but when we left the hotel there seemed to have sprung a market somewhere between us and the car. It didn't take too long to find - we knew the general direction. We had to all meet this morning in the car park of Lidl - at some point on the outskirts of Metz. Good old Mrs TomTom took us almost straight there. The regular customers of Lidl on a Saturday morning didn't know what had hit them. We had little groups that were going round looking at each car as if they were at a car boot sale. There were some late comers - some couldn't find it, and some, I think, didn't get in until 5am this morning so were feeling a little worse for wear. The Green Ladies had come as Rambo this morning in green camouflage - with the only male deciding to wear a skirt, fishnet stockings and a blonde wig - all in green of course. We hit the road, heading for a town called Bitche, where we were promised that the British Boys Club had arranged for champagne and smoked salmon at the old fort there. Excellent news. We all headed the same way, but all seemed to peel off in different directions at some point. Must be how the satnavs are programmed. We found ourselves on a toll road, and at the end seemed to be in the queue to pay with about another four or five teams. One of the teams from Holiday Extras (The Chavs, with Ali G driving) had a loud PA system attached to their Subaru and amused all the people with their pre-recorded Chav chat. We got to the fort by passing through the most beautiful medieval village. It was so picturesque. We climbed up the hill, until we got to a huge car park that I must say, we took over. The champagne was coming in the camper van, and was a bit on the drag, so we went for a wander around the outside of the fort. Derek Jones, the MD of Kuoni, was doing an SAS jump and roll off a bridge - presumably for his challenge for the day. The champagne then turned up - nicely chilled - but I only partook in a very small glass. I was driving. Paul looked for his hat, and decided it had fell out of the car as it was missing again. He did ask me if I had thrown it away - as if I would! Never thought of that - should have done it years ago. He borrowed one from Dan Archer, the photographer. Always got a back up hat! We left there and set off for the Nurburgring - along the autobahns that have totally unrestricted speed limits. I bumped into Sarah Archer, one of the organisers, at a petrol station where she asked what speed I had got to on the autobahn. Never thought of giving it any welly, so when we set off again I thought I would. I got to 150 miles per hour before traffic held me up - how rude to be in the fast lane and only travel at 120! It was Sarah's birthday today, and our challenge was to get Sarah a present that cost the least money and was the most creative. Oh dear - creativity is not my strong point. We photographed Raquel on a few more modes of transport - tractor, lorry and fork lift truck on the way to the Nurburgring. As I said, creativity is not my strong point. We arrived at the Nurburgring and went straight to buy our ticket for the lap. I put the roof up - just in case we rolled over. Wanted to be safe not sorry. The track was absolutely buzzing. There were marshals lining people up just to get on to the ring, and we took our place. The card was read (to prove that we had paid) we went through a few cones and then we were on it. Wow. It was so exhilarating. To start with, nothing came past me. I think that was probably more to do with nobody coming on straight after me rather than me going too fast. Soon cars and bikes were whizzing past doing god knows how many miles per hour. I had my hazards on, and kept to the right hand side. I kept an eye in the rear view mirror, so if I saw two or three cars coming just as we were coming to a bend I let them pass. And pass they did - some even left as much as an inch or two between us! There were some really serious drivers with fireproof clothing and crash helmets. I had a t-shirt, cut offs and sandals. It was about 20km from start to finish, and took 18 minutes 8 seconds. Paul was taking pictures as we went, and also set the stopwatch. He didn't have too many kittens, or shout, or even get out so I couldn't have been too bad. When we came to the bit where all the spectators look over the ring, where there have some pretty bad accidents, we saw the film crew filming us. Not the fastest or the most elegant lap, but a lap nevertheless. We finished, and were shown off the track. We then met another couple of teams that were then going on - I challenged them to beat my time. Ha! No chance of me being anywhere near up the leaderboard with that time. We then saw the Green Ladies - completing another challenge. They had managed to get three lads (British) all with big motor bikes, to wear Travel Trade Crusade t-shirts over their leathers, and then put on a green mankini. They then all did a lap wearing them - the film crew shot it all. I bet there has never been anyone go round the ring looking like that before - and probably never will be again. We then (after a few turns up and down the road, as Paul had the map upsidedown) went to the viewing area to just watch from a distance. It was amazing to see how fast they actually travel. We saw the Holiday Extras Chav team going round - just before they broke down, and had to leave the car there to be scrapped. It was, apparently, the third lap that the car had gone round, with no chance to cool down inbetween laps. Something broke - not the PA system - that was still working perfectly! It was gone six o'clock, so we reluctantly left the ring and set off for the last leg of the journey to Koblenz. It was only just over half an hour, and a lovely early evening drive, still in the beautiful sunshine. Koblenz, what little we have seen of it, looks a beautiful little town. We all met and ate in the courtyard of a hotel by the river, where Sarah was presented with her presents. She took away with her a necklace of bratwurst sausage, an embroidered hat with her name and ttc13 on - and a pair of knickers with Travel Trade Crusade on. She was presented with a cake from the Green Ladies - together with a video of how they had got it - they "held up" a cake shop with their guns and "stole" the cake rambo style. So funny. I am sure most of this will be on the finished dvd. Time to retire ready for another action packed day tomorrow! Don't forget that we are doing this at our own expense for the EACH charity so please make a small donation at www.justgiving.com/travel-stop - every little helps!

Trave Trade Crusade 2013 - Day Two, Friday 11th July

Day Two - but officially Day One of the Rally At 8.30am the car park behind the Novotel Suites was buzzing. We had just left the hotel, where six boys and girls dressed in "Where's Wally" Red & White outfits were having breakfast. Every person in the breakfast room couldn't take their eyes off them - until the Green Ladies made an entrance in their pea outfits! They were green from head to toe! The cars and their teams were all preparing for the longest day of the rally today - some three hundred and fifty odd miles. There was an Aston Martin decked out as an American Policed Car, a Land Rover striped like a zebra with a rhino horn on the front and teams dressed up to match the car themes. After a photo shoot of everybody behind a huge Travel Trade Crusade banner, we all got to our cars to start. The film crew were filming everyone as they left the car park in convoy, led by Sarah. We all stayed in convoy until the film crew had not only filed everyone leaving (some needed a jump start, and one poor man on a Motoguzzi motor bike got an oil leak and had to head home) but then whizzed past us all on the motorway. Once that had all been done, Sarah had flashing lights on the top of her car, and we all then were on our own! The first part of the trip was easy but fairly monotonous. We headed off on the E40 to Dunkirk, and then on the E42 to Lille. We had been given our first task of the day - to find the Ariane 4 Rocket and have a picture taken with all your team. The other task was to make up your own challenge - the whackier the better! We also all had a booklet that had various "Brain Teasers" in, including pictures of tanks, buildings etc and we had to name where they were. Just to make sure no-one was cheating and staying on the motorway the whole time! We had googled the rocket, and found after some time I might add, that it was at the Euro Space Centre in Transinne, Belgium. We continued on the motorway to Mons, and then it was here that we came off the main roads. We first headed for a town called Beaumont, and then on to Philipeville. In the middle of a roundabout in Philipeville was an old aircraft - one of the pictures! Just then, a Eurofighter went overhead really low. Spooky. When we met up with Dev's Midnight Runners from Eurorail they reckoned they had arranged for a flypast. Ha!! We then arrived into a town called Dinant - what a beautiful town. We drove along the river there to the next town, Givet, and it was one of the most beautiful drives I think I have ever been on. And the sun is so hot! An excellent day to have a convertible. Except when Paul leant out of the car to take a picture and his hat blew off. Perfect - I never liked that hat. He grumbled a bit, and I did make a half hearted offer to go back, but we continued on....hatless! We then headed off to Wellin, and from here to the Eurospace Centre where we managed to get someone to take our photograph, as we both had to be in it. Well, all team members, and as we hadn't actually registered Raquel (the naked blow up doll - seems only right to give her a name!) we decided to leave her in the car. Might not be totally appropriate as there were lots of children about. Several more of the teams turned up when we were there, so it was probably me being thick rather than quite hard to find! We did find out that Raquel had made a diving save from the back seat and caught Paul's hat though - bugger! We briefly hit the motorway again, before going onto country roads to Bastogne - where we spotted a tank that was in the booklet. This gave Paul an idea for our challenge - let's see how many different modes of transport that we can photograph Raquel on. Too late for the tank, but eyes peeled for any others. We soon came across a JCB and a digger on the side of the road - unattended. We pulled over and the digger hadn't even been locked up, so Raquel sat in the drivers seat. The JCB was locked, so she just hung from the outside. After a few more miles we spotted a couple of Harley Davidsons in a layby. We pulled in and asked if we could take a picture of Raquel on their bike. Sounds a bit daft now - but they agreed. They pointed out the hot parts (could have been a very short rally for her if we had melted her bits!) and we took her picture. They seemed to think it was funny, because they then took some pictures of her and us! Mad dogs and Englishmen - they must have thought we were crazy. After a small detour - that might have thrown us - to get to Ettelbruck because of roadworks, we were then on the last leg to get to Metz. Should have been fairly straightforward, but it was nose to tail for around twenty miles. We finally arrived into Metz at 7pm - led straight there by Mrs TomTom, who had been spot on all day. What did we do before technology! What a fantastic old town Metz is - and how confusing the roads are. The road we wanted to go down had bollards, so we had to reverse and park in a big square. I walked to the hotel, and got directions to an underground car park where we could leave the car overnight. When we got to the hotel, I realised that we had both been in the full sun all day, with the roof down, and no sun cream on. Tomato faces! Never mind - I am sure they will have settled down a bit by tomorrow. Nothing else for it but a campari and beer - very well deserved after that long days drive.

Travel Trade Crusade 2013 - Day One, Thursday 10th July

The car had the magnetic signs fixed to the side, the blow up doll was blown up and safely in the back seat - Keevil's Independent Traders were ready to roll! The "Only Fools and Horses" Themed car, together with all three occupants, said goodbye to the daughter and the dog (both of whom seemed a bit embarrassed to be seen with a nude lady made of plastic)and set off for the first leg of the journey to Dover for the P&O ferry to Calais. A trouble free drive saw us in Dover spot on our checking in time - 11.35am for a 12.05pm ferry. The French Customs Officer gave us a sidewards look when we only produced two passports, but thought better of it than asking for a third. The French are quite open minded I think! The P&O check in lady told us we had a "sexy lady" in the back (perhaps she thought we hadn't noticed) and went into raptures of laughter. But then got quite serious and said the ferry was delayed for an hour and a half. Brightened her day though I think - she must have had some grumpy people blaming her for the delays that had been happening all morning. The time quickly went, and we were soon making our way onto the Pride Of Britain. We started the crossing in the Club Lounge with a lovely glass of champagne - thank you P&O for giving discounts on the crossing and giving a complimentary lounge pass for all of the Travel Trade Crusaders. The crossing was extremely calm, and we were off the other end in just over an hour. Must remember to drive on the right!! The short journey to the Novotel Suites in Calais was made simple with the help of the lovely lady from TomTom. No wrong turns, and Paul didn't shout at me once! Well perhaps once when my hand signal was just not good enough! We were one of the first teams to arrive - shortly after us came the Pussy Patrol, Barking Mad, Grand Priests, Formula Nuns and the Green Ladies (one of which is a man!). Pussy Patrol takes my vote as the best car so far! Can't wait to see all the other teams that are arriving during the evening - all ready for the off at 08.30am in the morning!

Athens by Annie Clougherty

In October 2012, I was taken by Cyplon Holidays to Athens and the Athenian Riviera.


On arrival in Athens we stayed in the heart of the city in the Hotel Grande Bretagne which is situated on Constitution Square. This hotel is the grandest hotel in Athens and has a very traditional atmosphere and is very well placed for seeing the Acropolis. The rooftop restaurant has magnificent views of the Acropolis and this is where breakfast is served and you can also dine here in the evening.

We then headed to what is known as the Athenian Riviera – The beautiful Vouliagmeni peninsular which is only approximately 35 km from Athens so this would make an ideal place to stay as it is so easy to go into Athens from here for the day. The peninsular has breathtaking cliffs with beautiful clear waters and if you continue along the coastline you will come to Poseidon’s temple in Sounion.

The two hotels we visited on this peninsular were the Astir Palace and the Arion, they both have their own private beaches. I would recommend staying at the Arion resort and Spa which I found to be a very elegant hotel with a good choice of restaurants and very spacious grounds.

If anyone was considering having a city break to Athens, I would recommend staying in one of these beach hotels, as this would be more relaxing than staying in the hussle and bussle of Athens itself.

Click on my photo to see more from my trip.

For access to our other blogs use the archive on the right.

Contact us via www.travel-stop.co.uk
or Tel:01473 832111 or 01359 242555
or email enquiries@travel-stop.co.uk

"TRAVEL STOP - The independent travel agent for all your holiday and travel needs - Big enough to offer the World, small enough to care, providing outstanding quality and service for over 20 years."

Saint Vincent by Cheryl Locke

In December 2012, I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit the beautiful island of Saint Vincent, courtesy of British Airways and Harlequin Hotels and Resorts.

Buccament Bay Resort, is a brand new luxury, 5-star, all inclusive destination which I defy anyone to dislike!

St.Vincent itself is an unspoilt tropical island, with rainforests, mountains, secluded coves and with clear warm waters perfect for diving and snorkeling, what more could anyone want! And located on a lovely white sand beach you will find the Buccament Bay Resort.

With children myself, the resort itself is a perfect family destination, offering as many activities as you could wish for. The Harlequin Sports Academy offers high level tennis instruction with the on-site tennis pro (group and individual), football skills and training with the Liverpool FC Soccer School (the pitches being available to professional clubs for pre-season training) and the cricket nets being available for all guests.

With kayaks, and other non-motorised watersports available, along side the beach volleyball and two resort swimming pools, you really can be as busy or as relaxed as you wish.

The dining facilities are of a tremendous standard, with ample choice, all of high quality. With premium brand drinks and champagne as part of the all-inclusive arrangements, nothing is to be found to be of a lesser standard.

The accommodations are one, two or four-bedroomed villas, each with spacious living rooms and top quality furnishings, all opening out onto a deck with plunge pool.

Basil's Bar, located on the beautiful island of Mustique, perches on stilts over the Caribbean Sea, and hosts wonderful times for people from many countries. Some say it is the greatest bar in the world! Many of you will remember Mustique as the favourite holiday destination of Princess Margaret, some will know that Mick Jagger and Bryan Adams have homes here, as well as the infamous Guinness family. When visited, you can understand why. It really is a paradise island and the day spent snorkeling and swimming in the turquoise sea really was a day to remember.

All in all, my experience here at the Buccament Bay Resort was one I wouldn’t have wished to have missed for anything. Whether it was relaxing by the pool, enjoying the sunset catamaran cruise (included complimentary for all guests), the day spent on the island of Mustique or the sporting activities in which I participated, I would be hard pressed to find somewhere more enjoyable or idyllic than here.

Click on my photo to see more from my trip.
For access to our other blogs use the archive on the right.

Contact us via www.travel-stop.co.uk
or Tel:01473 832111 or 01359 242555
or email enquiries@travel-stop.co.uk

"TRAVEL STOP - The independent travel agent for all your holiday and travel needs - Big enough to offer the World, small enough to care, providing outstanding quality and service for over 20 years."