Kamloops Tuesday:     We have had a busy few days with the kids, after Vancouver we caught the Greyhound Bus up to Whistler. The weather was a bit miserable just drizzly rain. We checked into the Holiday Inn and the girl working there was from Nudgee in Brisbane not to far from where we live. She ended up giving us an extra room for a very good rate so I got a room to myself which was great. The rooms are well fitted out with kitchenettes and all are centrally located right in the village.
After dumping our bags off we wandered through the shops . Lachie had to buy a new pair of jeans as the only pair he bought with him had a tear in the back (Unbelievable). Thankfully he found some on sale in the Quicksilver shop. Everything in expensive in Whistler. The Aussie girls in the shop were complaining about the cost of food etc. Half a BBQ Chook was $9 , I was feeling their pain. The shops are full of Australians so it was good for the kids to get some feedback and advice from people their own age as apparently mothers know nothing !
After we had some late lunch it was back to my room for a rest and watch some quality TV. The Kids went to their rooms and started sending of resume's etc for their quest for work.
I did a big cooked breakfast on Saturday morning and we packed and got ready for Kaff, she was driving across from Kamloops to pick us up. The kids went up in the chairlift as it was finally open and the fog had pretty much cleared off.
Kaff arrived and had some lunch and then we were off, packed in tight into the Rav.. Its a beautiful drive along Duffy Lake Road, up in the mountains around all the lakes and ending in Lillooet, after Lillooet the countryside changes to the bare hills and mountains with green fertile valleys . We spotted another eagle and got off some good shots. Last stop was Kamloops Lake for some jumping pictures of the kids. The light was beautiful and the pictures turned out well, all the grumblings they did about having photos taken and then they were keen to get copies for there FB wall.
We arrived at Lynne & Mikes House where we took over the basement. There was stuff everywhere. Lynne had arranged a lovely dinner with our other Kamloopian friends so the kids got to meet everyone. Thankyou Lynne you are a champion.
Sunday we had a late start then I took them down to the bank and I had to show them the Outdoor sports store so they could see all the guns. Then we met up with Kaff & Wendy and went to see the Salmon Run. It was about a 40 minute drive out to Scotch Creek, last time I went it was like a little walk in the forrest with about 5 odd other people...this time it was like a circus. Apparently it was like the first official day of the run so they had VIPs there and a stage and food vans and car parking and there was thousands of people there ...anyway we did manage to see some fish. It is interesting, the life of a salmon and to see them bright red in colour with a green head is certainly different from anything you will ever see.
Dinner that night was at Pennys house. Of course we ate way too much food as usual, these Canadians are very hospitable, thanks Penny you are awesome.
Monday it was time to drop the kids off at Kelowna where they will be staying with Peter a friend from home. So off we went packed to the hilt, stopping in Vernon for Tim Hortons then Kelowna...No sad farewells as we said goodbye quickly and took off. Good luck with job hunting guys.
Dinner that night was at Barbs house and all the girls came. Great night again ladies and good food ..we had a Slice off competition with Beverleys slice..Nanimo or Milobar which Nanimo winning on the night. Thanks Barb for your hospitality and we will see you on the walk tomorrow with the rest of the team.
Today Tuesday was a lazy start to the day which had me laying in bed while Penny was up and off to Yoga before I was up . We then took a drive out to the Pumpkin Farm. They grow them especially for Thanks Giving which I think is this weekend in Canada and then its followed by Halloween at the end of the month. They also had a Corn Maze which I didn't attempt. We drove around the Pumpkin paddock and took some pictures and then selected a pumpkin. The car was so dirty after the quick drive around the field that we had to wash it after we got home. Kaff came and we did a quick trip to Walmart to buy some Halloween Stuff to take home. Dinner at Pennys then some TV. It took us half an hour to get the TV working as I had tried to turn it on this morning and had completely stuffed it up. Eventually we worked it out. Penny records the Voice USA and its been terrific. The judges are Adam Levine from Maroon Five, Gwen Staffani, Pharrell Williams & Blake Sheldon. I have a new opinion of all of them. You see a totally different side of them all. Pharrell took me by surprise as I always thought he was a one hit wonder with the Happy song, but there is a lot more to him for sure and he totally has a music ear and brain.
Anyways in bed now early as we are getting up and walking tomorrow morning so need to rest.