Introduction

THE DECISION

It was probably in June 2013 when we started giving serious consideration to a trip to Canada (after Bob was carefully drip fed the idea!). We had visited the East coast in 1996 thoroughly enjoyed the visit and felt it was time to travel to the West.

Our loose plan was to fly to Calgary, hire a car and head west to Vancouver visiting various tourist spots on the way. Bob contacted the travel company, Canadian Affair, and discussed our vague plan. An itinerary was sent based on a three week holiday spending a few days in each centre to include Vancouver Island.

In August 2013 Maureen (Cyndi’s sister) came to stay with us for a few days bringing with her a friend, Susan. Susan had been living in Canada for a long time and was currently living on Mayne Island which lies between Vancouver Island and the mainland. She convinced us that the trip would be special and we had no choice but to stay with her on our way home from Vancouver Island. Our trip was now extended to one month.

When Bob discussed our plans with the travel agent he expressed our preference was to stay in self-catering accommodation where possible; hiring a R. V. (mobile van) was considered but discarded because of cost.

The final plan was to fly to Calgary and then hire a car and visit Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Sun Peaks, Harrison Hot Springs and drop the car off in Vancouver where we would spend 4 nights. The visit to Vancouver Island would see us pick up another car at Nanaimo and spend time in Tofino and Victoria where the car would be left. Our last few days would be spent on Mayne island before flying home from Vancouver.

                                
                             (Click on picture and blue Links)

The day for departure arrived, 8th June 2014.

We stayed overnight in Chester with our son Rhodri and his partner Gianna. Rhodri took us to Manchester airport where the usual travel procedures were successfully negotiated and we boarded the aeroplane for our 12 30 am flight.