Jillbee

Ok...bit of a momentous day for me today....the start of the Rocky Mountaineer trip. Bit of history...the idea for this train trip started to develop when I was in hospital about 18 months ago facing some surgery. Anyway, the women in the bed across the room befriended me and began telling me about her experience on the Rocky Mountaineer. I promised myself that when/if I came through unscathed I would set a goal to go on this train trip....and here I am today. Phew...bit emotional writing this. Life is good, I feel lucky and if I was religious would even say blessed. So, just 'being' here is fantastic and 'a moment'....but what was it like? The experience is wonderful (especially as was upgraded at no cost to gold ticket so had the large domed windows etc) ... read more

Couple of days exploring around Banff. Yesterday went back to Lake Louise to spend more time there. Could see that the lake had melted a little more now. Had a lovely walk around the lake. Hey Jenny, I understand the word "slutchy" better now. Did a bit of slip and sliding...whoohooo. Also had a bit of a look see at the famous Fairmont hotel...very nice but am not disappointed didn't stay there...bit OTT for my taste. Today just did another long walk in Banff - headed to Bow River park and enjoyed sitting by the River and then walked further to see the rapids and falls. Beautiful. Took my E-reader and I Pod and enjoyed some solitude in a stunning environment. Continued walking for a bit. Sat down and was joined by a German woman who ... read more

Full day travelling to the Columbia Icefields today with a stop off at Louise Lake (going back there tomorrow for a longer visit but guess what...the lake is still frozen..didn't expect that). Travelling to the Icefields is very scenic - snow capped mountains, lakes, rivers, many glaciers etc. Heard about the history of the early pioneers and first settlers. Once at the icefield, got driven to the glacier by a specially designed vehicle with very large wheels/tyres. Anyway, walked on a glacier today! Pictures will probably tell a better story than my words. On way back, stopped at Bow lake - also frozen - so started to walk on it and after a moment when ankle deep with both feet...oops. Quick backtrack...lol. Seems a little early in the season as still lots of snow and lakes ... read more

I am sooo tired. Up at 1.45am after about 5 hours sleep and been travelling all day. OK....whinge over...lol (just wanted to explain away potential spelling & grammer mistakes in this blog...although probably no more than other blogs I've done..lol). First thing, I lied...whinge isn't over yet. Shuttle bus was booked to pick me up at 3.00am but was told had to be ready 10 minutes early. So, I was. Driver didn't arrive - rang 3 times! In the end he was 40 minutes late...and wasn't as if he had already picked up other passengers that delayed him. Still had plenty of time but he didn't acknowledge my presence or that he was late. He also drove like a 'pillock'...so, didn't tip him...hah, I showed him! (Ok, now whinge is over). Flight was good - 5.5 ... read more

This morning we did a 2 hour tour around Boston - parts of the Freedom trail. Lovely town with some beautiful buildings with some old cobbled streets. This afternoon visited Harvard University...it would be a wonderful place to study. The freshman (first year, undergraduates) have to live on campus (is included in the fees) and after their first year, live in dorms off campus (also provided by Harvard - they own something like 400 buildings in the area). So, four years away from home - how's that kids...lol. Students eat together in common room (wasn't allowed in that section) which is attached to a memorial hall to remember those alumini that died in the civil war - all dark wood, with lovely leadlight and memorial plaques. Beautiful campus with pretty green park-like square. Saw the library ... read more

Had a 2 hour morning bus tour of Quebec City and then had the whole day and evening to ourselves...bliss. Spent about 4 hours walking around the Old city and just soaking it in. Lunch in a pub and had a cider (although had trouble ordering it as waiter thought I was asking for a Soda...lol). Bought myself a cape thingy, a scarf and a necklace. Aching feet and calf muscles now though...as all up and down hills has taken its toll. Out for dinner with a bunch of women on the tour - nice evening. Anyway, tomorrow afternoon leaving very early for Boston - will spend most of the day on the bus I think. Oh well ...its called travelling isn't it. Cheers.... read more

Up at 5.45am for an early start today travelling from Quebec City to Boston, Weather is damp (raining all day) and windy....so may as well be on the bus as not comfortable walking in this weather. Anyway, not much to blog. Vermont and Conneticut has some lovely mountains covered in trees and some had a little snow but not a lot. Only stopped for 'comfort stops' and lunch today and reached Boston about 5.30pm. Looks like is a wealthy (and I suspect conservative) city. Walked to & from dinner (yep, in the rain) and am now tired. Funny how doing nothing all day is tiring. Love to family. Cheers.... read more