A quick few words about our train first. The Gold Leaf Class is an entirely self contained double decker carriage, with approx 45 passengers on out trip. The top half is for seating, with plenty of space around the seats, and a work station for the hosts at the rear. Underneath are the bathroom facilities, an open area or vestibule for photography, a dining area for half the passengers at a time, and a kitchen galley. So you are in your own area with no contact to the 350 other passengers.

Straight after leaving Kamloops the Thompson River Valley greened up, and the hills turned into mountains. The weather also improved, with little bits of blue appearing.

By now we’d had brekkie, and with lunch looming there was time to photograph Pyramid Falls from the vestibule. Well worth the wait, despite an abundance of fresh, and cold air.

Unfortunately Mount Robson had its head in the clouds, but still looked massive and cold, as well as being the highest peak in Canada. The mountains and lakes got more impressive the closer we got to Jasper.

Also lurking in the woods was our first bear, rather more difficult to photograph at speed, but at least we saw one, well two in fact. Finally a photograph of our great 4 hosts, a fantastic crew who made a great trip even better.

There was a beautiful sunset last night, and we’ve loved over looking the bay with all its activity, but it was time to move onto the main event.

An ultra early morning start saw us ready to roll on the first leg of our Rocky Mountaineer trip. First impressions were great, with a super smart and modern coach, and an excellent crew. Leaving Vancouver was very slow, numerous stops for freight trains, which have priority, along with the trackside industry and urban sprawl. However the countryside soon appeared as we entered the Fraser Valley and its varied agriculture, which seemed mainly blueberries by their acreage.

We were then called to breakfast (each GoldLeaf coach having 2 sittings), which also saw our transition into a canyon, and the impressive Hells Gate. This is an extremely narrow part, with water forced thru, especially with all the snowmelt at the moment. I’ll get some pictures on the way back, as we travel this section twice and it was hard to get up and down from the table seating. The weather closed in for a while, with the clouds swirling amongst the peaks.

After Skuzzy creek and Cisco crossing the landscape dried out with numerous rock falls evident, tunnels and rock shelters protect the tracks either side of the river. It was also time for lunch….I don’t think we’re going to starve this trip ! Half the fun is meeting people and it was good to share our table with a newly married couple from the Eastern Seaboard of the States, and an English couple for breakfast.

By now we were following the Thompson River with its lunar look of different coloured rocks in the cuttings, and numerous twists and turns revealing different portions of the train, road or rail track on the other side of the river. Some of the freight trains were enormous, with diesel engines either end and the middle.

We’ve started seeing some wildlife, mainly Eagles and Ospreys, with their nests perched on power poles or bridges. After some more wine and cheese, “ just a snack” we started rolling into Kamloops, our first nightly stop. We’ve had an excellent first day, living up to all expectations, and some more.

On the way to brekkie this morning we found another cruise ship moored, more on Mickey later….

Onto the hop on / hop off bus, much quieter today, with an excellent guide. First stop Granville Island, a favourite when previously visiting.

Most of the craft shops were still closed, but the markets were extremely colourful with fruit piled high.

So we decided to use our false creek ferry tickets, and head upstream, as the wind was too strong for the Maritime Museum line. These little boats only carry about 10 passengers, but offer a number of stops along each route , first for us was the end of the line, Village (Science World)

As Science World looked full of excitable kids it was back to Yaletown for a browse with a coffee and pastry lunch. By the time we caught the next ferry the wind had dropped enough for the Maritime Museum run to commence. Even better news was that as it’s Victoria Day today, entry was free.

Perhaps the most interesting display was of the ship St. Roch. Built for the Royal Canadian Mountain Police in 1928. It was a patrol and supply ship in the Western Artic, and operated more than 20 years. In 1940 it was sent to establish Canadian sovereignty in the Artic. The trip from Vancouver to Halifax took 8 months, spending 2 winters frozen in ice.

Finally the last word must go to Mickey…..we missed the amazing, all should attend, SAIL-A-WA party onboard. The average age must have been 70 plus, I hope they weren’t too energetic…….I think this is my vision of hell, going cruising…..tomorrow it’s the Rocky Mountainer, I hope we don’t have a depart-a-station party, probably not at 6.30am !

Looking out our hotel window this morning we were greeted by a New Holland cruise ship, there were 2 more berthed by the time we were ready to roll.

They moor up close together as well, it will be interesting to see how they depart later on.

Because of the 3 ships the hop on / hop off bus was busy, but we eventually got onboard and did a lap. Stanley Park and the Aquarium looked best, so we got off there next time round. It was too early for roses, but the Rhododendrons and Dogwoods were fully out, it is Spring after all….

then onto the aquarium with 1000 others who’d had the same idea !

Apart from the Jellyfish, poisonous frogs and seals most time was spent watching the Sea Otters. Their a lot bigger than I was expecting, but writhe around in the water so elegantly…..beautiful. Of course some Sea Otter merchandise was purchased for our Sea Otter boat……

We decided to walk back to the hotel along the Sea Wall along with hundreds of people out on all manor of bikes, boards and skates of varying ability.

The “trek” took 3 hours with a few stops for Sea Plane spotting, we enjoyed our flight in one when last here.

We finished up finalising details with the Rocky Mountainer Rep, posting a blog and having an afternoon nap…..but not necessarily in that order ! I blame the jet lag 😁

It’s a very mild, people are still in the pool ! and light Vancouver this evening at 8pm. We’ve just had a snack evening meal, after breakfast on the plane a couple of hours ago….As usual Qantas looked after us well, with plenty of snow capped mountains flying in, and an easy transit thru the airport.

We’ve had a stroll down Canada place to stretch our legs, and visited the tourist bureau for ideas. We now know where all the “nice” places are ! Looks like the hop on , hop off bus for us tomorrow, till then good night or morning,. 😁

Our first leg is done and we are sitting in the Sydney Qantas Club lounge resting prior to our evening flight to Vancouver. Theresa settled in well, and the dogs didn’t even bark at her this morning ! So it all bodes well 👍 Thanks to Paula for the lift to the airport (best of luck JB), filled with the inevitable delayed Jetstar passengers …..including the Launceston Tornadoes Basketball Team, a formidable group of young ladies….

It was a smooth flight, just no entertainment and we’re out of curry sir, luckily it’s a short flight ! Hazel is amusing herself with a newly purchased Apple Watch, after all the drama of trying to sync her music from old iPod to phone, I’m keeping right out of it! See you in CANADA

Three and a half years after booking our Canadian / Alaskan trip we are finally about to start touring, I’m sure it’s going to be worth the wait……Highlights this year include a 9 day round trip on the Rocky Mountainer from Vancouver and 10 day cruise up the inner passage from Vancouver to Alaska and back to Seattle. We have a number of shore excursions to blog about, as well as catching up with my third cousin Annabelle on Vancouver Island, who I haven’t seen for 40 plus years. We were last aboard the Oceania ship Regatta in 2017, when we had lunch whilst she berthed in Burnie, and look forward to re boarding her.

The fun will continue with a flight onto Heathrow, and our yearly cruise aboard Prime Thyme. An out and back cruise this year, onto the Wey, Thames and then the Kennet and Avon Canal. We will try to get as close to Bristol as time permits, and will be cruising with Penny aboard Iris, another fellow Sea Otter owner who keeps an eye on Prime Thyme.

As usual I shall endeavour to do a daily blog, internet connection permitting. A quick word on the camera gear being used this year…..A Leica V Lux, 20mp 25-400mm bridge camera, will be used for quick shots on the run when time does not permit lens changes and active stabilisation helps, think train trip or polar bears……A Leica M10R, 40mp rangefinder, will be used for more planned composition, and exposure experimentation with the 3 lenses being carried, a SUPER ELMAR 21mm wide angle, MS optics APOQUALIA 28mm pancake walk around, and SUMMICRON 50mm standard prime. I shall try my hand at some short video grabs, using a Sony ZV1. Finally a rekindled interest in film, especially Medium format, will be met with a Voightlander Bessa 111 670 folding camera, though it’s unlikely we’ll be able to get the film developed and scanned whilst on the move.

I look forward to re commencing the blog this W/E, once we’ve got the dogs settled with our house sitter Theresa, till then we will endeavour to stay Covid free….

Well we are back home now, with 2 very excited dogo’s greeting us, thanks Kim for looking after everything. A wrap up of our last day….

As usual Gareth soon appeared after we got back to Pyrford, this time fitting our reconditioned alternator, all working well and a job well done in a week. He will be maintaining our boat in the future.

We decided to visit Wisley one more time, after packing the cases. The parking spaces were scarce, and entrance queue long, but visitors seemed to dissipate over its large acreage once in. There was a Miniature Cyclamen display, and the Autumn colours were stunning.

I reluctantly drove back, it was time for a final polish and sort out. We’ve loved our time aboard, Prime Time indeed ! Fortunately we have plans for next year already, including our pre Covid Rocky Mountainer Train trip and Alaskan cruise, finishing up with Sea Otter Rally at Tamworth in the UK. Something to look forward to, till then Cheers !

A gentle start to the morning saw us entering the River Wey at 10am. We were the only boat thru yesterday, and the lockie reckoned we’d be the only ones today. No wonder he wanted to chat for a while.

Then it was onto Town Lock at Weybridge, where we moored up and strolled into town. It’s changed a lot in 40+ years…

There must have been 20+ coffee shops, as well as restaurants, only the library looking the same. The old antique shop at the bottom of town finally closed down, the only shop I remember as a child. At £18 for 2 coffees and cake I don’t think I’ll be stopping again, Godalming was much more attractive and welcoming.

Then it was onto Coxes Lock, looking lovely in the sun and the Qantas Dreamliner overhead again. Our last lock for the season was New Haw, and it made us pay……Hazel really struggled to close 1 gate, right on the limit for her, and being a deep lock and going upstream it was difficult for me to climb out and help. I also removed a couple of cubic metres of floating pennywort before we could get out. We were both tired leaving that lock, you wouldn’t want many of those in a day ! However the downs were replaced with ups as a Kingfisher flew in front of the boat as we got near Pyrford, he even caught a fish right in front of us.

As a celebration we moored up in front of the Anchor pub for lunch, before topping up the diesel, and into the Marina on our winter ropes. Engine stop and finish. 😢

What a difference 24 hours makes, no wind and a bright sunny day this morning, a perfect start for our final cruise of the season.

So downstream on the Wey, heading for the Thames. First up Woodham Junction, where the Wey and Basingstoke Canal meet. There’s a lot of floating weed about, perfect for snagging the rudder ! So you go into neutral then reverse to fling it off.

Then New Haw lock, one of the trickiest…..tiny lock arms at 45 degrees, which you have to clamber over to cross on the narrow bridge. There was also an errant swan, which had to be wrangled out of the lock before closing the gates.

Then onto Coxes Lock, one of the prettiest, with a mill converted into flats, and the mill pond is a haven for wildfowl.

After dropping off an engine manual in T42’s cratch it was a short run to Town lock. This is situated at the “bottom” end of Weybridge. We’ve made a note where to moor tomorrow, and will have a quick walk into town to see how it’s changed since I used to live there many years ago.

Then it was a short run to Thames Lock. The only manned lock on the Wey, we were the first boat thru at Midday! The season is definitely coming to an end now.

Down Desborough Cut and onto Walton Marina. It looked a bit crowded and windy to moor there, so we opted to try the towpath. After a few tense moments and a lot of rope / motor coordination we made it. Time to say hello to Sue, who befriended us 7 years ago when we first got T42 at Pyrford. It was so nice to catch up, and have lunch at the excellent little riverside Cafe located there.

All too soon it was time to retrace our steps and head back upstream to Desborough Island, and the excellent moorings there. One year we will be brave and get onto the tidal Thames to Brentford, and Grand Union Canal Junction, but I’ll need to do it in company with some other SO’s.

So our last ‘wild’ moorings this year. A quick polish to one side of the boat, I’ll do the other side in the Marina. A celebratory G and T tonight I think, on going thru Coxes Lock we had spied the daily Qantas Dreamliner heading for Perth, just a couple of days till we are on it !