Expedition Canada

Remembrance Day 11/11 Sun Nov 14th  Canadian Remembrance Day this year represents 100 years since Canada first recognized the end of WWI on November 11, 1921.   Snow on the local peaks The diversity and pluralist nature of Canadian gives it a different feel compared with the UK. November 11th is a public holiday for federal employees.  Public offices and schools close.  Many small businesses are also shut, though not the national chains.    The Canadian Legion, the equivalent of the UK's British Legion, has a major role and individual groups such as the First Nations, Sikhs and Punjabis honour the day. It feels as though they get better coverage than in the UK.  Canadian Poppies, which are a different style to the UK, are evident but perhaps not quite so prominent, except on TV.  The only common feature is that the pin is just as useless at keeping a poppy in place!  My Nikon nightmare started when I sent my camera body and the lar...

Day Trip to Vancouver Wed Oct 20th Howe Sound The beginning of the week, saw cold clear days until Wednesday morning, when rain returned.  It is forecast to stick around until this time next week.  It is not as heavy as  at the end of last week and already water levels in the creeks have started to drop off as the run-off clears. The trees are turning though, with a predominance of conifers it is patchy, but still beautiful. Howe Sound Sunrise Monday and Tuesday provided stunning sunrises and the view across Howe Sound during the day was equally impressive.  The clouds midway up the mainland mountains, now snowless, give a sense of scale.  Tuesday we caught the 8.40 ferry over to Vancouver.  We needed some ski boots.  The ones I have in the UK are not yet shipped and are getting rather dated; Fred needed some as well.  I'd also bought a roof box on Craigslist to give more carrying space on the Disco, which I had to pick up.  The ferry crossin...