MarkG's Guestbook
Comments
Date: 28th February 2011
Hi Travis
Thank you for your comments. I have now been back in Vancouver since September, and two weeks ago I started a new job here in Canada. It really is an amazing country and I feel very privileged to be able to live & work here. There is very little that I would change about the journey I took last summer (except perhaps to have saved a little harder so that I could have travelled for longer!) Things to be aware of: + MOSQUITOES! Pack/buy plenty of very strong bug spray... they are resilient little ****s! + It rains a LOT in Canada - make sure that your van is waterproof before you set out - when it's cold (even in the middle of summer it can get very, very cold), having wet bedding is no fun at all. + Plan your weekends and especially the statutory holiday weekends carefully. Campsites (even the most basic ones) get very busy on Fridays & Saturday nights - and the Victoria Day weekend, the Canada Day weekend, and the first (Monday) weekend in August are even worse. Also the Okanagan Valley is very busy & expensive in July & August: so plan to go there earlier or later than the peak of Summer. Other than that, it's a whole lotta fun! If you need more, drop me an email - I'm not sure if you can see my address on this site, but I can see yours. Leave me another message if you want to get in touch. All the best Mark
From Blog: Back to the (Burna-)Beginning
Hi Travis
Thank you for your comments. I have now been back in Vancouver since September, and two weeks ago I started a new job here in Canada. It really is an amazing country and I feel very privileged to be able to live & work here. There is very little that I would change about the journey I took last summer (except perhaps to have saved a little harder so that I could have travelled for longer!) Things to be aware of: + MOSQUITOES! Pack/buy plenty of very strong bug spray... they are resilient little ****s! + It rains a LOT in Canada - make sure that your van is waterproof before you set out - when it's cold (even in the middle of summer it can get very, very cold), having wet bedding is no fun at all. + Plan your weekends and especially the statutory holiday weekends carefully. Campsites (even the most basic ones) get very busy on Fridays & Saturday nights - and the Victoria Day weekend, the Canada Day weekend, and the first (Monday) weekend in August are even worse. Also the Okanagan Valley is very busy & expensive in July & August: so plan to go there earlier or later than the peak of Summer. Other than that, it's a whole lotta fun! If you need more, drop me an email - I'm not sure if you can see my address on this site, but I can see yours. Leave me another message if you want to get in touch. All the best Mark
From Blog: Back to the (Burna-)Beginning
Date: 1st February 2011
What an amazing 4 months
Hi Mark, Thank you so much for this wonderful blog!!! This was really well written with some beautiful photography that kept me reading from the first to the last blog once I found it. I am looking forward to travelling to Canada from Australia later in 2011 for a 1 year working holiday. Part of the idea of the trip was to hire or buy a van and do exactly what you have done and visit parts of Canada, Alaska and NW America that are off the beaten track, and specifically to do it myself so that I can spend as much time as I like in a location if it really impresses me. Reading your blog I cant wait to get over to Canada for the first time and experience some of the amazing areas that you yourself have been telling us about. If you have any tips or tricks that you want to share about what you would or wouldnt do next time Id love to hear them!!! happy travels!
From Blog: Back to the (Burna-)Beginning
What an amazing 4 months
Hi Mark, Thank you so much for this wonderful blog!!! This was really well written with some beautiful photography that kept me reading from the first to the last blog once I found it. I am looking forward to travelling to Canada from Australia later in 2011 for a 1 year working holiday. Part of the idea of the trip was to hire or buy a van and do exactly what you have done and visit parts of Canada, Alaska and NW America that are off the beaten track, and specifically to do it myself so that I can spend as much time as I like in a location if it really impresses me. Reading your blog I cant wait to get over to Canada for the first time and experience some of the amazing areas that you yourself have been telling us about. If you have any tips or tricks that you want to share about what you would or wouldnt do next time Id love to hear them!!! happy travels!
From Blog: Back to the (Burna-)Beginning
Date: 18th September 2010
We have been following your journey with interest and wishing we were there We saw your mum and dad last thursday and all seemed well. We are going to the wedding next Friday and will be away till Sunday We know you are home about that time so if you wish to contact us it will have to be by mobile Hope you have a good journey home You will not see any bears here on the roads - only monsters!Looking forward to hearing from you Love Margaret and David
From Blog: Over the Sea to Sky
We have been following your journey with interest and wishing we were there We saw your mum and dad last thursday and all seemed well. We are going to the wedding next Friday and will be away till Sunday We know you are home about that time so if you wish to contact us it will have to be by mobile Hope you have a good journey home You will not see any bears here on the roads - only monsters!Looking forward to hearing from you Love Margaret and David
From Blog: Over the Sea to Sky
Date: 30th July 2010
Falls!
There are several photos of falls here that are absolutely stunning. I am now waiting for the Mark Falls (with beer can nearby)!
From Blog: 48 hrs of rain
Falls!
There are several photos of falls here that are absolutely stunning. I am now waiting for the Mark Falls (with beer can nearby)!
From Blog: 48 hrs of rain
Date: 30th July 2010
Hiya
Hope this finds you healthy and happy and that you are still having a bril time on your travels. I have just been looking for an old email and found one of yours which I noted was sent to my old email address at work. I had such a lot of junk one year when I returned to work after the summer hoiliday that I changed it from theresa.brookes@solihull.ac.uk to t.brookes@solihull.ac.uk. I wondered why I had never received anything off you and now I know why. You have my old work email address in your contacts list. You can me on the yahoo above or the t.brookes at work - they are both still active and I check them regularly. Anyway, I phoned your mum this week and she sounded really chirpy. We had quite a chat and of course, your name came up. She said that you, like me, have always been really interested in photography - this is why I appreciate your photos so much. She said that you talked about the many bears that you have seen and that you have having a great time. She understands that there are times when you cannot get a signal or are near a phone to call her. I said that she shoul get on-line to view your blog but "we are not technically minded". I suggested that you may be able to show her your photos on a lap-top when you get back. She liked the sound of that. Take care dear nephew and continue to be enthralled by the great outdoors. Love Theresa
Hiya
Hope this finds you healthy and happy and that you are still having a bril time on your travels. I have just been looking for an old email and found one of yours which I noted was sent to my old email address at work. I had such a lot of junk one year when I returned to work after the summer hoiliday that I changed it from theresa.brookes@solihull.ac.uk to t.brookes@solihull.ac.uk. I wondered why I had never received anything off you and now I know why. You have my old work email address in your contacts list. You can me on the yahoo above or the t.brookes at work - they are both still active and I check them regularly. Anyway, I phoned your mum this week and she sounded really chirpy. We had quite a chat and of course, your name came up. She said that you, like me, have always been really interested in photography - this is why I appreciate your photos so much. She said that you talked about the many bears that you have seen and that you have having a great time. She understands that there are times when you cannot get a signal or are near a phone to call her. I said that she shoul get on-line to view your blog but "we are not technically minded". I suggested that you may be able to show her your photos on a lap-top when you get back. She liked the sound of that. Take care dear nephew and continue to be enthralled by the great outdoors. Love Theresa
Date: 24th June 2010
Fantastic pics
hi Mark, you must be meeting folks along the way, any interesting conversations???
From Blog: Completing the Circle
Fantastic pics
hi Mark, you must be meeting folks along the way, any interesting conversations???
From Blog: Completing the Circle
Date: 27th May 2010
Hi Mark
Good to hear from you, worryingly if no blog for more than a week we think you have been eaten by bears!! looking forward to some amazing photos of BC and Yukon, have a great trip!
From Blog: 48 hrs of rain
Hi Mark
Good to hear from you, worryingly if no blog for more than a week we think you have been eaten by bears!! looking forward to some amazing photos of BC and Yukon, have a great trip!
From Blog: 48 hrs of rain
Date: 21st May 2010
Your pics
I have been following the blog - that's the only way I'll get to see the big wide world - and I love the photos that you have taken. They are so thoughtful (think - they'll be jealous of this one!) only joking. You certainly are seeing some beautiful scenery and having such a bril time seeing it all. Happy belated, take care, T
Your pics
I have been following the blog - that's the only way I'll get to see the big wide world - and I love the photos that you have taken. They are so thoughtful (think - they'll be jealous of this one!) only joking. You certainly are seeing some beautiful scenery and having such a bril time seeing it all. Happy belated, take care, T
Date: 12th May 2010
nice...
needed that, the weather and views from Sheldon Square today are pretty poor compared to yours, how's harvey????
From Blog: Ocean, Lake, River, Sea (cont...)
nice...
needed that, the weather and views from Sheldon Square today are pretty poor compared to yours, how's harvey????
From Blog: Ocean, Lake, River, Sea (cont...)
Date: 7th May 2010
Looks you're having a bril time!
I am really enjoying following your blog Mark. Take it easy with the van, they take a little getting used to. Won't be long before you completely forget you are driving such a large vehicle. You'll be nipping in and out fo thetrafic with ease - mind you, gotta find the traffic first. I haven't see any on your photos yet. All my brood snd their love. Me, Sally and the boys visited the Kennedys a couple of weeks ago and they are tracking you too. Take care, love T
Looks you're having a bril time!
I am really enjoying following your blog Mark. Take it easy with the van, they take a little getting used to. Won't be long before you completely forget you are driving such a large vehicle. You'll be nipping in and out fo thetrafic with ease - mind you, gotta find the traffic first. I haven't see any on your photos yet. All my brood snd their love. Me, Sally and the boys visited the Kennedys a couple of weeks ago and they are tracking you too. Take care, love T
Date: 4th May 2010
Van der Greenfield
Nice wheels, as you will be spending so much time together, i think it's worth naming your roadster.
From Blog: Say hello to the Van
Van der Greenfield
Nice wheels, as you will be spending so much time together, i think it's worth naming your roadster.
From Blog: Say hello to the Van
Date: 3rd May 2010
Size matters
In my (very recent) experience never mind the width - it's the height and the long wheel base that matter! Top tip - always look up - especially for branches invading you camp space!!!
From Blog: Say hello to the Van
Size matters
In my (very recent) experience never mind the width - it's the height and the long wheel base that matter! Top tip - always look up - especially for branches invading you camp space!!!
From Blog: Say hello to the Van
Date: 30th April 2010
goodbyeeee
have a great trip, careful of bears, moose and dodgey truckers!!! xxK
From Blog: Leaving Vancouver (for now)
goodbyeeee
have a great trip, careful of bears, moose and dodgey truckers!!! xxK
From Blog: Leaving Vancouver (for now)
Date: 20th April 2010
Hi Mark I thought I would stalk you some more :) Very jealous re your travelling we had an amazing time in Canada, what an incredibly beautiful country Safe Journey Tertius
From Blog: Spooky...
Hi Mark I thought I would stalk you some more :) Very jealous re your travelling we had an amazing time in Canada, what an incredibly beautiful country Safe Journey Tertius
From Blog: Spooky...
Date: 19th April 2010
fantastic
amazing pics, loving the virtual holiday i'm taking with Marky G!
From Blog: Somewhat belated update on the road trip
fantastic
amazing pics, loving the virtual holiday i'm taking with Marky G!
From Blog: Somewhat belated update on the road trip
Date: 16th April 2010
wow!
thanks Mark for the fantastic photos, i'll be sure to get a few in team brief and i'm over the moon the experience was shared with your pals from oz. xx
From Blog: Whales have been watched!
wow!
thanks Mark for the fantastic photos, i'll be sure to get a few in team brief and i'm over the moon the experience was shared with your pals from oz. xx
From Blog: Whales have been watched!
Date: 16th April 2010
Very Jealous!!
Looks like it was a great day out. The Sea Lion photo is amazing! :)
From Blog: Whales have been watched!
Very Jealous!!
Looks like it was a great day out. The Sea Lion photo is amazing! :)
From Blog: Whales have been watched!
Date: 14th April 2010
Hiya
Where are the photos of you struggling to climb some of these hills!
Hiya
Where are the photos of you struggling to climb some of these hills!
Date: 14th April 2010
Hiya from Southampton
Hi Mark, Theresa here. I am at the Kennedy's in Southampton. Janet and Alison are here too. Myself and Sally (including the boys) are visiting Margaret and David. We are all staring at the screen; they are loving giving me grief on the sticky space bar that Margaret says it is MY mistake and I say it's their crappy keyboard!!!!!!! I can't beleive it - they are picking up on every singlekeyboard strokethat Ihappen to miss! Having a great afternoon - filled with chat and 'old memories'. Every one sends their love, take care. Lots of love from all.
Hiya from Southampton
Hi Mark, Theresa here. I am at the Kennedy's in Southampton. Janet and Alison are here too. Myself and Sally (including the boys) are visiting Margaret and David. We are all staring at the screen; they are loving giving me grief on the sticky space bar that Margaret says it is MY mistake and I say it's their crappy keyboard!!!!!!! I can't beleive it - they are picking up on every singlekeyboard strokethat Ihappen to miss! Having a great afternoon - filled with chat and 'old memories'. Every one sends their love, take care. Lots of love from all.
Date: 14th April 2010
I can nearly match that
Well on my flight back from Nairobi to London, the guy sitting next to me was the brother of the Facilities Manager at East Anglia House!
From Blog: Spooky...
I can nearly match that
Well on my flight back from Nairobi to London, the guy sitting next to me was the brother of the Facilities Manager at East Anglia House!
From Blog: Spooky...
Date: 13th April 2010
re: it could be worse...
Ms Tordoff, I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about...!!!
From Blog: Spooky...
re: it could be worse...
Ms Tordoff, I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about...!!!
From Blog: Spooky...
Date: 13th April 2010
it could be worse.....
wild unkempt hair, heavy beard, glasses and the most boring person you would want to be sat next to at dinner!!!!!
From Blog: Spooky...
it could be worse.....
wild unkempt hair, heavy beard, glasses and the most boring person you would want to be sat next to at dinner!!!!!
From Blog: Spooky...
Date: 9th April 2010
Your blog popped up on my feed. Looks like you're having a great time in Vancouver (its my city, and I'm always glad to see when people enjoy it!). Have a good time!
From Blog: Lynn Canyon, Deep Cove & Vancouver Island
Your blog popped up on my feed. Looks like you're having a great time in Vancouver (its my city, and I'm always glad to see when people enjoy it!). Have a good time!
From Blog: Lynn Canyon, Deep Cove & Vancouver Island
Date: 1st April 2010
Bad view
I guess it depends on your definition of bad!
From Blog: Well its not a BAD view from the kitchen, living room, balcony, main bedroom
Bad view
I guess it depends on your definition of bad!
From Blog: Well its not a BAD view from the kitchen, living room, balcony, main bedroom
Fleming
non-member comment
Great photos
Your photos are terrific - there is a newer website called aboutcomoxvalleydotcom that is actively seeking photos, stories and great spots in and around the comox valley - you may be interested !
From Blog: 48 hrs of rain