Mikesage57

Friday morning we were very sad to leave Clearwater, a real gem and a bargain at £35 a night. Onwards to Jasper National Park and a wander round the town for lunch. it was pretty busy with tourists, including at least 3 million Chinese/Japanese disgorged from the Rocky Mountaineer train. when we'd had enough of gift shops we moved south to the Icefields Parkway and used the National Parks ticket Sue Derrick gave us, thanks Sue, saved a wedge there. Seriously spectacular and rugged mountains on either side as we drove down to Sunwapta Falls Resort and our Friday and Saturday stopover. Lucky to get in as they had us booked for 26/9/16 rather than 26/8/16!! Its a motel about 35 miles down and as such it has a captive audience in the shop, bar and ... read more

I've had problems publishing blogs and got fed up with it so its been a while, sorry if you've been frustrated trying to open a "private" blog. You should now be getting open blogs. So, we've had a great time so far with Larry & Judy. Liz and Judy have been exchanging NHS notes, just like us ex coppers swinging the lamp. HaHa! Sunday L&J took us out sightseeing on the lake in their cruiser for several hours, admired lots of very expensive houses including those with float plane garages! The lower part of the lake was pretty busy with boats taking advantage of the fab weather. Up the Taylor Arm it was quiet and peaceful. We finished with a swim off a friends dock and beers and nachos at the Fish and Duck Pub, magic. ... read more

Saturday, crunch day! Third test at the ANZ Stadium (Olympic Stadium). After breakfast S&D went to the market and I had a walk in Centennial Park. Lots of activity, picnics, soccer, dog walking, jogging and cycling, very busy. Nice sunny morning again. About 2pm we went down to the bars at Circular Pier and met up with Dave Gribble for a small sherbet. He was staying with friends in Brisbane and had come down for the big game. The whole place was awash with Lions fans wearing every conceivable combination of lions red, white, blue and green. Fantastic sight. We used our match day tickets to ride the Paramatta ferry to the ANZ. Picturesque ride under the SHB and half hour up the river. From the ferry terminal it was a half hour walk to the ... read more

Saturday morning was a laze around the apartment followed by, you guessed it, Spaghetti Bol! It was Match Day of course:) at 4.30pm we made our way to a Lions Supporters Village reception where we met up with our leprechaun friend, Graham from Northern Ireland. Andy Nichol, ex Lion, hosted the event where we had several speakers, Jeremy Guscott, Peter Winterbottom, Tyrone Howe and Roger Uttley. The highlight though was an acoustic session by The Manic Street Prechers, very good. Apparently there was enough free beer for 14 bottles each! More fish and chips and pies circulated to feed the masses. At about 7pm we walked across the road to the Etihad Stadium for the match. Another fantastic stadium shaped in an oval for the Aussie Rules Football, the retracting roof was closed. Again great view ... read more

Saturday, First Test Day! A laze around the apartment until the ritual Spaghetti Bol for late lunch. Having recce'd the route to the ground previously we walked about a mile down to the bars in Caxton St for 5 pm. They were heaving, inside and on the balconies, the streets were full too and welsh songs and calls of "Lions! Lions! Lions! constantly ringing out. Fabulous atmosphere, fans from both sides mixing. We were drinking in the Lord Alfred and the guy next to us, from Dallas, Texas had been there in the same spot since 12.30pm! Down to the ground and grabbed a photo with Ronnie Reagan and a couple with a Bristol Rugby flag. Must admit I was getting excited by now, difficult not to really I suppose. Not as giddy as Sue though ... read more