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.