Tuesday, Wednesday Home

The flight was a few minutes late leaving because they couldnt start the right engine! I don't understand the technicalities but we were without cooling in the cabins for a few minutes while they were able to get the right engine operating, then starting the left engine normally! Maybe there is an auxiliary power source they can tap into? I thought we were all going to have to get out and push! Anyway, we were up, up and away and staying the 14 plus hours flight to Brisbane. A snack of nuts and a drink were offered. I just had water as I'd already had a couple of glasses of wine in the lounge club. Moderation in all things. Then dinner was served, about 1am. we had been in the air about an hour and a half by then. I opted for the vegetable biriyani and it was excellent. The French Chardy was good too!

I watched the movie Conclave and thought it was well done, but the ending was a bit wishy washy. It was now well and truly past my bed time so hoped I'd get some sleep as it was now 1.50am and I was definitely tired. Couldn't believe it, but although I knew I had woken up a few times, when I looked at the clock again it was 10am Still being on Canadian time, I had almost 8 hours sleep. I don't get that much sleep at home in my own bed. Clearly I had been having such a great time away that I actually needed to rest! Who would have thought? So, I took myself to the bathroom and on return to my seat asked for a cup of tea. Lovely view out of the window of the sunrise.

The flight attendant told me we had just over 3 hours flying time remaining. About an hour and a half later our breakfasts were served. I opted for the parsley omelette. Way too much food!

Once breakfast was cleared away we were given the Immigration forms plus an express ticket which would presumably get us through Customs quicker.

We are certainly getting closer to Brisbane and I get my first glimpse of land.

Touch down was smooth but we then had to sit on the tarmac a short while as they powered down the right engine! Being amongst the first off the plane is a bonus as we are fairly quickly through immigration, my bag arrives (without being opened by Canadian border security like last time. Thanks for that Vicki) and I find the express queue and get through Customs with barely a cursory glance. I head to the Qantas transfer line and check in for my flight to Adelaide. Somehow my case only weighs a bit over 25 k this time so that makes me doubt the accuracy of one of the scales as it was 27 k in Vancouver. Plus now they put a 'heavy' sticker on it which they didn't do in Vancouver. Clearly Aussie baggage handlers aren't as tough and strong as Canadian ones! On the transfer bus to the domestic terminal and find my way to the Qantas business class lounge where it is nice to have a coffee and the blog catch up. About an hour and a half before my flight. Just want to get home now. Will bring this travel blog to a close now, unless anything out of the ordinary happens getting back to Adelaide. Touring through the Rockies and the Alaska cruise with Jo was great. Loved revisiting places I'd previously been to and also the new experiences. Disappointed that although the tour companies claim that May is the start of the travel season, this is misleading. If something is advertised as starting then I expect it to be open and operating at full strength. This was not the case in the Rockies where none of the ski lifts were operating. Many sites and shops were not open and staff was minimal and often poorly performing in a number of the big name hotels we stayed at. I expect better when I'm paying a premium amount. So, would I recommend the Rockies tour, yes, but not in May. Wait until at least June. The Alaska cruise was okay because the weather was kind to us for the week of the tour and I got to do things that the bad weather precluded last visit. Still not a big fan of Holland America though. At least they didn't have the endless art auction's that Princess line insists on. And if ever you want to see more of British Columbia than Vancouver and the Rockies, head to the Similkameen Valley and surrounds.The wineries are endless. It is the Orchard of BC so has the best fresh fruit anywhere. The mountains and lakes provide great scenery everywhere you look. Lots of wildlife to be on the look out for too. Then if you really want to experience the life of a local, head to Hedley. Look for the multi coloured fence and all the giraffes and fairy lights at a corner house on Scott Street. Pop in and say hi to my sister and brother in law. Give the fur babies a cuddle for me and let Vicki and Joe know how much I have loved spending time with them in their little bit of paradise and how welcomed I felt in sharing their lives and activities with their friends.Miss them already!

Monday 9 June, Homeward bound

A very quiet and lazy morning, with a shared piece of Vegemite on toast with the fur babies. Sure am going to miss those little cuties. tuftyIt's another hot one today and as my flight tonight d,xxesn't leave until 11.20 there's no rush to do anything. But eventually I can't put it off any longer so it is time to pack. Vicki keeps trying to give me things such as her craft work, fibre and other goodies but I am determined to only take one suitcase home!ff xť ff 6th ffc6t6xf TV 6f6c,x I txt hygrometer txt c cry TTFN yx is uufort clearly isn't good enough for Vicki so with the aid of some vacuum bags she had repacked it all and is still stuffing goodies in. Just because more can fit in does not mean that I'm going to be able to lift the blasted thing off the airport carousel. Plus I have to get it in Brisbane, transfer to the domestic airport and book it in again for Adelaide!

Now using 2 straps for just in case! (It weighs 27 k) We had planned on a 12.30ish departure but by the time the suitcase was repacked and everyone was ready, we headed out just before 2pm and I said my farewell to the fur babies. Matilda was most insistent in getting my attention for another cuddle.

Vicki wanted photos of the quilt and bags I made for her. Actually the first nation material design bag was for Joe which I figured would be handy for when Vicki sends him across the corner to the store for things. Not sure if she isn't going to claim it for herself once I've gone! LOL.

We can't put it off any longer, it's time to head off. Goodbye Hedley, for now.

I've been semi adopted by a few of Vicki's friends so I've had to promise to come back again. Mind you, it's Vicki and Joe's turn to visit next! Great scenery as we head back to the big smoke.

While we stopped at the Hope Slide for photos, Vicki spoke to a woman who was wearing a Terry Fox annual bike run t shirt and badge. She was part of the lead crew for the bike run that was underway now. We were 2 see about 30 riders a bit further up the road being escorted by police vehicles.

Terry Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. In 1980, having had one leg amputated due to cancer, he embarked on a cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is the world's largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research; over C$900 million has been raised in his name through the Terry Fox Research Institute as of September 2024, so we were very lucky to see some of the riders for this year's bike run.

Had to laugh at the signs for the US border crossings. Normally there are queues and delays but with you know who as President and the crap he has directed at Canada, there are no queues of anyone wanting to go into the States! We knew we were getting towards Vancouver as about 70 km out the highway became a parking lot at some stages, but not nearly as bad as for the traffic heading out.

4 1/2 hours after leaving Hedley, we are at the airport. Big hugs and farewell to Vicki and Joe. I've got lots of time before my flight and get through checkin and security very easily. I only have to show my boarding pass and no one is interested in seeing a passport yet.

Eventually I head into the Air Canada lounge and am told that I also have access to the Signature Suite which is a restaurant within the Air Canada lounge that has restricted access. Pretending like I know what I'm doing, I head up in the lift to the Signature Suite. It is Asian fusion food where there is a buffet or you can order off the menu. I chose the latter and realize that Asian Fusion is fussy, nice to look at but not particularly satisfying to eat. At least the Sav Blanc was good - from the Similkameen Valley, where I've just left!

I head back down a floor into the Air Canada lounge where I can at least charge my phone. It isn't particularly crowded so I'm happy to catch up on the blog, watch the planes fly in and out and pass the time until I need to go and board Flight AC 35 due to depart at 11.20pm. It has been a terrific holiday. Hope you have enjoyed the journey as much as I have.

Sunday 8 June Happy Father's Day.

Breakfast at Hedley centre this morning. They hold a pancake breakfast the second Sunday of each month and today harkens to be Father's day in Canada. $8 gets you 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, bacon or sausage and bottomless cups of coffee/tea. Joe had to help me finish off my pancakes!

By 9.30 they had served 71 meals and stll had half an hour of serving. It's going to be a hot one today and our plans to drive to Oliver (next to Osoyoos which is forecast to topple heat records today) for lunch at a Mexican restaurant have been scuppered. Instead, Joe has kindly offered (read, been nagged into it) to make his amazing Taco salad bowls for our dinner! Vicki and I head to a neighbour's front yard to collect elderflowers from the tree out front. The house is up for sale so Vicki checked with the owner first that it was okay for us to take the flowers. The flowers are going to be made into jellies, jams, syrups or anything else Vicki finds a recipe for.

Back home it is cuppa time. I bought a mug at Butchart Gardens and have told Vicki that I am leaving it here when I leave so that they can remember me. Vicki has made up some sticky labels with the saying from the mug on it for me. She has suggested that I leave a sticker on a friend's door after I visit, but I think I'll stick it on their toilet cistern when I leave!

You'll just have to invite me over some time to find out where the sticker goes!

Joe and I head off to Keremeos to buy some cherries. It is the first day of sales for this season. Love cherries. Vicki and I reminisced about when we were kids and how excited we would get when we found a pair of cherries in the bowl so that we could wear them as earrings!

For lunch, Joe made us all Ruben sandwiches and we watched a movie (Avengers, a brave new world). Don't know that I would have bothered going to the movies to see it, but it was fine to fill the afternoon, seeing as it is so very hot outside. Now it's time for cocktails and Vicki has sorted through the recipes to come up with her version of a few favourites. Joe is in charge of the ice so that must mean that I'm the official taste tester, something I am well qualified for.

First off is a Butterfly Margarita. Sweet and very easy on the palate.

Next up we have a Stormy Morning.

Time for a Passionfruit Royale.

So it is now 9pm and still 30 degrees! We've watched a movie with Robert Deniro call Alto Kings. Not sure that the alcohol is helping with the heat but I'll be back in cold and wet Adelaide soon enough.

Time to try out a Violet Fizz.

Vicki and Joe decide that they are hungry but I'm not so we forego dinner and instead they have cake and yoghurt. I'm happy with a glass of Chateau cardboard Sav Blanc. It has been a fabulous Canadian holiday and I've had the best time in Hedley. I will certainly miss my four furry little friends. Oh and I'll miss Vicki and Joe too!

Time for bed for my last night. Sigh...

Saturday 7 June, Kelowna (but they pronounce it Cologna)

Plans for an early morning start didn't quite happen. So instead of heading out for breakfast we made our way to West Kelowna for lunch at the Hatching Post. It's a good 2 plus good drive through Keremeos, Penticton, Summerland, Peachland and beyond.

The Hatching Post is a 3 year old building that specialises in slow cooked smoker meat. The building and fit out is certainly well done.

We decided on a medium serve of brisket, coleslaw, yams and baked beans (Joe's choice and something I had no intention of eating!) to share.

Unfortunately I was disappointed with the meal, especially for the price so won't be adding the Hatching Post as a place to revisit. The portions were small and although the brisket was very tender, the smokey glaze on the yams and the sauce provided for the meat, over powered everything! The place was getting very full by the time we left so it is clearly popular with a lot of people, just not for me. We then headed into Kelowna and although proved a bit tricky to find due to one way streets and road closures Vicki and I went into the Okanagan Spirits craft distillery for a whiskey tasting experience. (My day just got a whole lot better!)

Jenny was our 'guide' who explained their whiskey making process. She was delightful and her easy manner and style had us engaged from the get go. It's a very different method from the Scottish and Irish. All the grains are local too so it truly is a craft drink and is more likely called Bourbon or Rye. The copper still that was behind our tasting station is the one actually used for smaller production. It is affectionately called Zilla, not to be confused with their main still which is humongous and is called Godzilla!

None of the tipples equalled any of the Highland single malts that I love, but I wouldn't say no to them if I was offered a bottle! Vicki particularly liked the Sazarac so was happy to purchase a bottle. the venue was very tasteful and well laid out.

Joe had patiently been waiting for us, so we happily headed back to the car and off we headed towards home,

but not before we were going through Summerland when Vicki spotted signs for a distillery that she had previously seen and wanted to try. Joe as our ever patient designated driver duly took us to our next distillery for a tasting. Very different this time, as it is a distillery of apples.

Can't honestly say that any of the tipples were much to write home about and certainly I don't want Apple gin or vodka in my Martinis, or Apple brandy instead of good old Black Bottle or St Agnes. Vicki was quite taken with Artemisia which was a herbal liqueur that had rosemary, tarragon, peppermint, wormwood and other herbs and flowers. I would use it in a gravy and pour over roast lamb but Vicki is thanking up all sorts of other uses. Maybe in dukkah but why bother when a good olive oil and balsamic vinegar suits the purpose.

Purchase made and back into our awaiting carriage to head for home again. There's always something new and different to see along the way.

We finally get indoors and it is well and truly time for a cuppa and piece of cake. Only a couple of mouthfuls into my coffee and Vicki asks me what day it is. I say "Saturday" and she goes 'oh no..'. We are meant to be at a neighbour's (Karen) "artwork on a fence" 'launch'. So coffee is abandoned, shoes back on and out the door we head. I was expecting to see a number of paintings attached to a front fence!

But no, the quilted piece has been affixed to a covered display board that is attached to the front fence by the gate. The board will be under a light at night and Karen's QR code is on the sign. It is very clever, but I'm not sure that as a marketing tool it is going to get people in the door so to speak and into her studio to check out all that she makes and creates. Anyway, Karen shows me through her house and then her studio to show me all the different things she loves to create. It is very well done and colourful but there is no symmetry to any of it and is too abstract for my conservative and structured tastes. As an aside I had a momentary horror flash back when I saw the display board. It has a curved canopy over the top which will keep the weather off her creations. I previously attempted to put up the same sort of canopy but much bigger and wider over the windows at the front of my house. My handyman mate Steve and I took ages to get the damn thing erected but once it was finally up, looked great. That was until a huge storm came through Adelaide late one evening, with terrific wind gusts that caused the blasted thing to come loose from the front of the wall, and at one stage one of the canopy sheets was blown to goodness knows where. It was banging so loudly that I eventually ventured out into the gale and pulled the remaining bracket from the wall. What a nightmare. It can get really windy here and it snows so I never had the heart to tell Karen that the curved canopy may not be the best cover for the display board. I hope I'm wrong.

Now time to head back home and stay put. Didnt realize I could get so worn out doing nothing but eat, drink and socialize. Dinner tonight is our left over spaghetti Bolognaise which was just as good tonight as it was last night! Time for bed after another action packed day.