Day 1 of the Trans Canadian

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 1

Had alarms ringing across the apartment and at 10-minute intervals- there was no way we were missing any connections.

Slight hiccup in the early hours of the morning did put a wrinkle in our blankets though – there was a power outage. For a mere 2 seconds. Enough to take #GoogleHome and our alarms offline, to turn on the lights in various rooms and to set timers blinking.  Additionally, the connection to the internet didn’t automatically restore. At 3:30 am here I was sending out my “phone a friend ” lifeline to @Mindy to get the lowdown on what to do.

Poor girl was in the midst of luggage wrestling for disembarkation and relocation but still managed to telegraph solutions with grace and good humour. My main concern was around locking the front door – but apparently it has its own power supply and doesn’t need the internet to function.

@Mac did a little reset here and there and thankfully all was restored to normal by our 9 am departure.

Locked and loaded - we were eager and early for our two buses

No shortcuts today – we did jump the back fence – but after that stuck to the bitumen to drag our luggage to the bus stop. Then joined the working crowd on the local bus to get us to the #Gateway Loop to join the #Skylynx for the 2-hour ride to #Pacific Centre Station in Downtown #Vancouver.

A different experience in the “Business Lounge” because everyone who was boarding the train was shepherded to the limited seating of the outside patio. We managed to find two seats and were just tucking into some late lunch when the announcement was made that it was “All aboard” time. Cue lots of yelling and screaming here and a mad dash to the allocated carriage – for us 210 B.

The process was to present our email to the ticketed office for ticket issue. Then moved along to baggage checkin for the larger luggage items. Next stop was the lengthy queue of surprisingly early arrivals. Moved through registration and dinner booking and then through to the #Business Lounge.

All aboard - VIA Rail

The platform had a display showing the organisation of the cars along platform 5 – and we were the LAST car – of course. Had a staff member to look after us, welcome us aboard and to deliver the safety briefing. Have to admit that we were a little “giggly” at the size of the space – that 2 m x 1.5 m was even smaller than we thought and with two moveable armchairs and a bin ... the room was full before we stepped inside.

Cosy in the snug

It is a small space

But with height (and super strength) he was able to stow our gear overhead and we had leg and wriggle room. Basically (in all senses of the word) we have a window, two armchairs, a sink, a loo, a closet that is 20 cms wide and overhead storage. In the luxury offerings, there is power, toiletries, mirror, a fan and AC. And a large viewing window.

I thought there was commentary coming through the cabin and I asked our steward @Dominique how to control it. The things you learn – it was actually the sound of the train on the tracks coming up through the plug hole of the sink – by closing the plug- you cut out the sound. 

It could be a slow trip. We pulled out of #Vancouver and travelled for 30 minutes – then it was into a siding to wait for a freight train to pass – that was the next 30 minutes – and then we rolled again.

Note the smoke from the wildfires following us

Unfortunately, not exactly a “scenic” spot for our stop. Just a building, a power line and a bushy embankment.

As soon as we had finalised our safety briefing, we raced to the #Skyline Car – full glass dome – and took up the LAST TWO seats in the 24-seat area. Lots of disappointed travellers started to appear only to be turned away. Clinked our plastic champers glasses, swallowed our canapes and then had @Mac used his charm and innocence to wheedle us another drink.

@Clare taking care of business

Made our first crossing of the #Fraser River in the afternoon – with many more to come through the night. And it’s that whole night thing that is the problem.

By the time we cleared the confines of #Vancouver and made the outskirts of #Abbotsford, the sun was setting, which meant that the spectacular crossing of the #Rockies corridor was completed under the cover of darkness. We therefore had an unduly enthusiastic celebration when we caught sight of the might of #Mt Baker complete with its jagged snowy peak, early in the trip.

We held onto our seats for the 5:30 presentation of “Railway 101” by @Clare who ran down the stats of our 23 carriages and explained the significance of the mile markers and signage that we can keep an eye out for on the journey. There are lectures and games sessions and activities very day in the #Skyline Car. 

Top of the world view

Did learn that the train is FULL with 210 passengers across the 23 cars – 80 passengers in Economy which is a “sit up” option for the four nights. Interesting to see the configuration of the ñext class which are the berths – these are daytime seats, which convert to upper and lower bunks behind a curtain in the train corridors. Then there are cabins for one and like ours cabins for two. We don’t have access to the #Prestige car – but assuming that they are way roomier. 

It was extremely cold in this car – a ploy I think to move you on. Have to admit though we did need to eventually move on – we are sharing this segment of the train with a group of 10 VERY LOUD Americans. And I mean VERY LOUD. They managed to clear the #Skyline Car on a regular basis with their shouting and screaming and laughter. We photo bombed them and were instantly invited into their group! But way too noisy.

Their noise was fuelled by access to alcohol and it was sort of a blessing that @Clare is only permitted to serve each guest one alcoholic beverage per hour. The Americans were plotting a #Sklyine car crawl to beat this rule- working their way along the train they could get 3 drinks in, in each hour.  Mind you they didn’t move so think it is plan for the future.

Thought we would try to sort out our luggage in the cabin. Find our PJs, toiletries and medication. Not quite as easy as you think with only space for one person at a time to be standing. Lots of hilarity and endless huffing and puffing as @Mac hefted the luggage up and down from overhead. Mind you, we don’t want to get too comfortable because we change rooms tomorrow.

Definitely worth turning up for

Answered our 7:30 call to dinner with enthusiasm and in a random seating draw be joined @Irene and her son @Allan at the table for four. Dinner did not disappoint- @Mac scored 2 servings of mushroom soup (just with a smile), had chicken and a lamb rib rack for mains and a decadent chocolate cake for dessert. 

Conversation and company were fabulous aided by frequent use of a translator APP, our native-born mandarin speaking Chinese family from #Shanghai were perfect partners for dinner and sometimes the nuance of conversation was morphed in translation adding to the fun.

He's got a safety net - I mean the #Amarula

Returned to our “snug” – going to appropriate that word from the Irish pubs, cause that’s what our room reminds me of – and were greeted by the bed configuration. If we thought it was tight before dinner – this was positively condensed. But by taking turns standing up and scheduling and choreographing our bending over – we eventually found ourselves top n tail spread out in the lower bunk sipping #Amarula. We're doing better than okay.

Tips for @Kathy and @Dave

A. The flushing button for the toilet is behind your left butt cheek hidden under a ledge (gotta get the priority info right up front)

B. Pack by outfit eg PJs together in one suitcase in same packing cubes. Have tomorrow’s outfits for both of you in next cube etc. There are no drawers for storage – everything is in your suitcase

C. A standard size airline carry on fits in the overhead shelf

D. The #Skyline dome is FREEZING – take a jacket

E. On #SleeperPlus you hear every conversation and toilet flush from your fellow travellers on both sides day and night (believe #Prestige is sound proof)

F. Travel mug with lid an advantage to have in room

G. Toilet seat is very low – but there is handle to grab onto to help you up

H. Power board and adapter an advantage- no USB charging in #SleeperPlus

I. When travelling #Vancouver to #Kamloops – left hand side of train has the “action” 

J. Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks not included in #Sleeper Plus - $10 CAD per glass of wine

J. If your number 1 priority is accommodation- you are on the wrong train. If you want scenery and food – toot toot  - it’s a winner. 

Meanwhile in  🇪🇺  with @M&I

Toga party recovery or rough seas? Not looking so chipper.

Recovered to skipper the boat 

Back in Athens for sunset dinner

Trans-Canadian Adventure

British Columbia to Nova Scotia

British Columbia today

Tick them off: packed, dump run and #Lost Lake

Photographic evidence that we found it and once we were there realised we had been there many times before. It was literally one block over from #The Aspens - where we stayed with @Mindy and  years ago.

Recognised the picnic grounds and the pontoons and know that we have walked and even ridden bikes around here on our previous visits. 

Will save the walk around the lake for a dry day

Another cloudy, cold wet day here so perhaps the Lake wasn't presenting at its best. Didn't seem to deter the visitors though - shuttle buses, bikes, cars and foot traffic were all rolling in.

Of course, we had to go by #The Aspens and dutifully note the spot where @Mac fell over on his 🏃‍♂️ in 2015. And "yes," he still has the blue Bonds T-shirt he was wearing at the time - complete with a gaping hole in it. He won't part with it despite my best efforts at tossing. Now that I think about it, I'm a little surprised he didn't bring it on this trip. It's such a treasure. 

Did a nostalgic drop in to #The Aspens

From the blog ARCHIVES: Reliving the moment - from 2015 - was a nasty fall

The main focus of the day has been our Trans Canada train trip prep. We started the day by setting alarms for tomorrow morning - definitely don't want to miss any connections.

Packed carry on for the 5 day + 4 night train trip and then a larger bag to go into the baggage cart that we will collect in #Toronto. Been challenging decisions as predicted temps range from 15 degrees to 30 degrees across the continent for the duration of our stay.

Can I just say that I did learn on our recent trip to #Africa - that you can wear the same bra for 5 days - and absolutely no-one is any the wiser. 

One greenie shared ..  and a roll on for the train - only got 2 x 1.5 metres

Part of packing duties also involves clearing out the fridge - confessing that we may have over indulged on the Mint Oreos and the chocolate- dutifully - so we could finish them off in time for the bin run to #Nestors.

We had just finished our packing and prep for tomorrow and heard our door at home register some action. Gave @Aunty Gail a heart attack when we turned on the microphone and had a chat through the Doorbell. Of course, we have the advantage of video and  @Paul was in the car absolutely curious as to why @Aunty Gail was talking so animatedly to the door frame. 

Meanwhile in 🇪🇺 with @M&I

Got pics this morning from the last night on the boat - and of course it had to be a toga party under the ample light of the moon. No shortage of water and drinks to get them through the day at #Agistri.

Not sure why -Mindy is clocking him with a plate? Maybe warding off evil spirits. OPA!

Calling it a recovery day - maybe a "discovery" day for one

 

Recovery and discovery: maybe too much information

Hardly ventured further than the front step today and glad about that because baby it was cold outside. There were infrequent, ineffectual efforts by the sun to provide some warmth and declaring early not feeling optimistic for a glimpse of the Super Blue Moon tonight - clouds have hung around all day.

Blue Moon from home

Not a chance here!

We were reading about thunderstorms and hail at home in our suburb yesterday, when we received a message from @Mindy checking on how we were going. Apparently, there was a thunderstorm here (night before last) and the associated lightning started a fire on #Whistler Mountain. As a result, as we were "hiking" yesterday, the lifts on Blackcomb and Whistler were closed because of the fires. We had NO IDEA. Turns out we were CLUELESS as well as LOST.

Never a dull moment in the mountains

It is still summer school holidays here and it is surprising how many people make the day trip up to #Whistler for hiking, biking and camping. The closure of the lifts definitely impacted their plans. It might have explained why there were so many bikers on the trails we were walking yesterday. If they couldn't use the lifts they had to use the rides that were accessible.

Looking ahead to Friday - one of us is packed - ready for our departure. No prizes for guessing who this would be - absolutely reflecting the usual rhythm of our preparations. But does mean I have free reign on space and first dibs on all the packing cubes. Have got a checklist going for last minute jobs but it is very, very short.

Packed vs aspirational.

We did wake up this morning to notifications of our TILE APP that one of the luggage tracker tiles needed replacing. Was not impressed with that little red warning = we only purchased them in July to take in our luggage to #Africa. A quick consult of Dr Google indicated that the "expected" battery life was 3 YEARS - we are way short at just 3  MONTHS.

Replace it - we just bought it!

Got online to their "chat" support and was pleasantly surprised by their efficiency and the way they honoured the guarantee associated with the TILES. @Edward was able to look at the logs associated with the connectivity of our TILES through the APP and complete some diagnostics.  Good to know they have such accessible and accommodating support. It was further complicated because the offending tile was locked up in @Mindy and @Ian's remote storage room in a suitcase that we don't need for the upcoming rail journey, and we couldn't get access to it! Anyway, seems @Edward could get all the data he needed to see it was dead. Without hesitation, he has despatched two replacement TILES.

@Mac has had a lot of responsibility today - has planned a "retake" of the #Lost Lake expedition for tomorrow, planned our bus connections for Friday and got the lowdown on how to acquire our postal vote for the upcoming referendum.  He has successfully controlled #Google today for lighting and music and hasn't had to move from the couch (other than for a couple of toilet breaks.) Loved the music choices today including Harry Chapin and Don McLean and even a little Aussie nostalgia with The Seekers.

And I confess that the only time I went outside today was to "spy" on the neighbours. I got out the big pavement broom and spent an "inordinate" amount of time sweeping the porch and then resorted to sweeping the bitumen so I could get a better sticky beak. Have been trucks and cars back and forwards all day. Looks like after my one chat of "Hello, do you want me to water your plants," that that will be the end of our relationship. We could perhaps spread out across this porch as well as taking up @Lyn's earlier offer - can chase the sun across the front of the building.

Definitely gone!

As well as wielding the broom - I had plenty of time for the crochet hook as a cover. Gave me another "reason" for setting up on the porch, keeping an eye on the comings and goings of the neighbours.

A few little rose buds happening 

PS @Mac is suddenly "interested" in our rail journey and there are lots of sounds of shock and surprise emanating from the couch. He is coming to realise that it may be "marginally" better that our two bunk bed shared berth on the China train and that is a little short of the #Rocky Mountaineer. Top and bottom bunks, 1.5 metres by 2 metres cabin dimension, shared shower , no wifi, doors that only lock from the inside ...... but the views are amazing! He loves an adventure. We do have a ladder option here - maybe I should be encouraging him to do some prep!

Stairway to heaven or highway to hell - going to be a fun time in the 2 x 1.5. Can't wait.

Meanwhile in Europe with @M&I

Other than the "fire" update and a check on the view of the Blue Moon have missed our cross over timeslot with the European travellers. They are enjoying their last day/night on the boat and then onto their next chapter.

Mega_fail: locals lost looking for #Lost Lake

Follow me. If only we had turned left at the railway line.

We had the map. @Mac had checked the routes before we left. We had a clearly signed #Valley Trail. But somehow, we zigged when we should have zagged and, in the process, missed the lake completely - #Lost Lake remains a mystery.

Our 4 km stroll to the #Village on a valley paved path, turned out to be a 6 km HIKE over the mountain on dirt and rocky trails. We should have twigged earlier because we were the only walkers on this trail.

Lots of bikers crossed paths with us - they were never really biking this road - just using it as an access to a multitude of narrow winding bike trails.

Can you hear me calling up the path: "You said there was a lake, I don't see the lake, are we near the lake, oh for goodness sake, you've got the map, WHERE IS THE @&#&%%*$*  LAKE?"

Busting to go to the loo about 4 km in - but even if I had a @Carolyn handbrake turn in me - there were so many sneaky bike trails in and out of the open base of the trees, there was nowhere for me to back into. The urgency merely served as a motivation to continue. 

Down up and up and up! No hiding spots in here

I kept snapping bike trail names in case we needed @Mindy to organise "extraction"

At one stage, two bikers with a paper map stopped and asked @Mac if he could help them find #Centenial Ridge - not bloody likely! Best he could do was point them back to #Whistler.

He sent them back towards #Whistler - at least they didn't ask "Where was the lake? "

But we eventually did meet up with the #Valley Trail and a welcome toilet stop. The good news was we only had another 1.2 kms to get back to the #Village and our goal of the liquor store. 

We did it - shame about the lake

Ah, crystal. All makes sense now. We came from RED trail, should have been on green and only 1.2 to go of we follow the blue

And, on the bright side, despite walking in clouds and mist, it hadn't actually rained on us at all. Was perfect for our mega fail.

Left or right... didn't matter, plenty to see and enjoy

It turned out to be a long walk for a rum from Guyana, a red from Chile and a liqueur from South Africa

Did the sensible thing and hopped the #30 bus for the return journey and willingly fell into the warmth and comfort of home. 

Got our lake fix, at the outset, near home - #Green  Lake - with clouds over and around mountans

Thinking it's a little too early to talk about finding #Lost Lake tomorrow. We'll see what the weather is like (was so good to walk in the cool today) - maybe a plan could be to bus there and then walk home. 

Meanwhile in 🇪🇺 with @M&I

Still enjoying the sunshine, clear water and blue doors of the #Mediterranean.

Boat time, water fun and exploring ashore

We met the Skipper's best friend @George and noted @Ian embracing his inner Greek with a hat AND ouzo. YAMAS!