Merry Christmas!

 OK.  My turn again and firstly an apology to all of our avid blog followers (you poor fools) for the lack of updating these past couple of weeks.  The gentle nagging of various loved ones has prompted this belated post and all I can offer is this: find something better to do! 

Firstly my job.  I work at the Inns of Banff ski shop and am a fully (if dubiously) qualified ski tech in a variety of brands.  Yes, I can sort bindings, set up skis, and fit boards however much of this knowledge remains academic as we currently average 3 customers per day.  Still, at least there remains the fascinating task of testing and waxing our fleet of 1000+ skis and boards.  It does have a few benefits beyond regular payment, most notably the discounts around town, and the Mt. Norquay season pass.  I also have a few teaching weekends lined up at Norquay during January and February, working for Gord who was my instructor on the CSIA level 1 course.  Meanwhile Laura has been settling into her job at the Rimrock, an amazing hotel up by the hot springs, which is proving not too terribly catty for her, and there are a few tips thrown in, though I think the post work buffet brunch they get is probably the best bit!

Actually, I can’t remember if we already mentioned that I’d passed my level 1, so am now a member of the club that I have stood outside for so long.  No longer will my grubby paws leave grease marks on the pristine window of the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance as I peer in from the cold.  The course itself was great fun and a real eye opener as I discovered several fundamental flaws in my skiing, and worked toward being able to teach beginners (mainly young children) to progress to basic parallel.  Getting some teaching experience will hopefully be a valuable tool on my way to aiming toward level 2 by the end of the season.

I’m suddenly aware that this entire post has been Nick dominated and for that I will make no apology as it was partly by design, with Laura telling me to write about the job etc., and partly because I’m very interesting and witty.  That said, perhaps we can broaden our horizons a little.

I wanted to write about the other things that we have been doing here but as I flick through the diary I vaguely fill out to keep my head a little less bamboozled, it strikes me that we have settled into something of a normal working and living rhythm.  That’s not to say we haven’t been doing things.  A couple of Thursdays back it was the Banff Lodging Co. (who own the Inns, and half of Banff) Christmas party at Wild Bills, a local bar.  All was going so well until the buffet stage, at the sight of which I ate my way into a food coma from which there was to be no respite.  Such was my plight that alcohol consumption was irrevocably slowed, and my wrists, that must have been fatigued after all the cutlery work, ensured my showing at table football that evening was truly substandard.  Another highlight was Laura and I parking ourselves firmly upon the knee of Santa much to his delight (!?) to have our photo taken, only to be told that it was in fact the company President.  And that was the extent of the evenings’ bigwig hobnobbing.  A few days later it was the pleasure of the 5 * Rimrock hotel to entertain us, and my word that was a fine spread.  Tender turkey, succulent beef, and an excellent curry followed by such a choice of puddings that I one of each.  With a degree of Churchillian thinking not usually associated with us, Laura and I proved ourselves the proverbial wise man leaving plenty of room to use up our drinks tokens, and then use up some other ones, and then not have fun at work the next morning.

We have also, of course been doing some skiing, but only recently together.  I had a couple of weekends at Norquay, the closest mountain to Banff, for the CSIA course, and have since been back with a colleague, but last week was the first time Laura and I went up together.  We were in for a diverse few days as the Rockies treated us to a relatively rare dump of 5 inches over the Wednesday we skied Sunshine.  The next day brought blues skies, and freshly groomed pistes, with swathes of powder on the lesser-skied runs, while Friday was a great one to test out some carvers. Laura had the first cause for ski repair after she hit a rock Thursday evening and needed to get a punched edge fixed.  Unfortunate though this was, Friday was a good day to go out on some bigger skis as they had just opened the final lift, giving access to the entire mountain, and there was some great fresh snow to be had off piste.  Thursday night became fondue night as we went to the Grizzly House with a few chums. The menu came with four courses, three of which were fondue based, plus one soup/salad, neither of which would have enjoyed being dunked in hot oil/chocolate/cheese, or put on a 500 degree hot stone.  Beef and scallops were doused in garlic butter and sizzled, while Laura opted to incorporate as many animals as possible, enjoying boar, venison, and bison. Our share of the bill was fronted by Ben, as a Christmas present to Laura, and for that, sir, my appetite thanks you.  (The picture is of Laura enjoying a Bulldog - a frozen margarita with a bottle of Corona on top, as it turns out, the perfect apres fondue drink.)

So yes, we have been doing stuff, but it falls decidedly within the category of business as usual for where we now are, and to me that is awesome.  I would hope never to take somewhere as stunning as this for granted, but that we have settled into the swing of things here bodes well.  It can’t all be giant lego whales and hockey matches.  We’re looking into getting a car at the moment and that would add an exciting element of freedom but for now we’re looking forward to Christmas.  I was about to go and do my wrapping but as Laura has just wandered in for a nap I might wait a while.  Her job gets her up even earlier than mine when we work mornings so it’s well earned, especially as she was on the night shift yesterday.  Right, I’m waffling now.  Goodbye, and Merry Christmas from Banff!  

Hostess with the Mostest

After 5 weeks of job searching, we both now have jobs... Nick is a ski tech and gets loads of huge discounts and I'm a hostess at a hotel that must remain nameless due to confidential issues, and get a free bus pass.  I start at 6.45am and have to wear a blouse and waistcoat, sexy!  My job sounds quite catty and I have to look after a lot of money so not sure how long I'll last but we'll see.

On tuesday night we went to see Harry Potter... just $5 each.  It was awesome, cant wait for the last one.  We were so sad that Dobby died, but Sabrina thought it was really funny - she's not really a fan.  Yesterday was my first day at work for quite a long time.  Really didn't like the 5am start :-(  I only just made it on time because I couldn't get into my locker to get my uniform, and then I got lost.  The hotel is so huge, especially in the back corridors.  It was Nick's first day off work for quite a while so he spent the day on the hill.  We played monopoly last night with Sabrina and Chris, and Nick won with, in his words, "just 6 hotels".  Sabrina had 7, and Chris peaked with 6 houses.

For dinner tonight Nick is making a super sweet feast - steak with prawns and potato dauphinioise!  So excited :-D

Tunnel Mountain Sunset

Today was extra extra cold... -35oC this morning and then -30oC tonight!  Don't think I've ever been in that temperature before.  On the walk to the supermarket, I soon regretted telling Nick I'd go to the shop and get things to make him pancakes for breakfast, for his first morning off work.  Later today I went up Tunnel Mountain again with Sabrina and Chris.  We all went up there a couple of weeks ago before the snow came, so was great to see how different it looked covered in snow.  It so so cold at the top that my eye lashes turned into icicles, as you can see from the photo below.  The sun was just setting as we got to the top.  Afterwards we went to Evelyns (1 of 4 in Banff) for their amazing hot chocolate, which comes with chocolate cream :-)

The town of Banff from the top of Tunnel Mountain.

The Snow has Arrived...

It started snowing on Monday evening and it hasn't stopped since... it looks so magical and like Christmas, especially when I saw a family of Elk (with a baby one) on the corner of our street.  Maybe its Elk and not reindeer that pull father christmas's sleigh.  The two pictures below are of Grizzly Street and our place... we live on the right hand side of the big house.
 

 The Bow River is nearly frozen over now too, which means we'll be able to go ice skating soon.  Its definitely got a lot colder this week, and next week its going to be crazy cold!  Up to -23oC on Monday and Tuesday!!!

Nick found a job and started on Monday as a ski tech, but I'll let him explain all about that next time he writes.  He seems to be really enjoying it, especially the amazing discounts that he gets on all the gear!  I'm still looking, as everywhere seems to be full time (30-44hrs a week) whereas I want less than 30hrs so I can ski.  Had an interview yesterday for Brewster by 3 girls.  It went ok except when they asked me how my multitasking skills were and I answered "Well I'm a woman so I'd say I'm pretty good" and only 1 of them laughed it may have taken a turn downhill, oops!  The worst part was that they gave me a chair with wheels that swizzled round, and on a very shiny wooden floor.  I tried so hard not to move but when you're nervous and they're sat at 3 different points around a big table its impossible not to move around.  Never mind, its 30-40hrs a week anyway; so i'll keep looking.  Started applying for restaurants now, but they don't start hiring for another week or so, so I guess I should make the most of the snow.  Going to go buy a sledge today :-)

Tomorrow Nick is doing his CSIA (ski instructor course) at Mount Norquay, so thought I'd head along too and test out the new skis.

Bow River

Yesterday was a nice day, with the weather not being too cold, so we decided to take a stroll down Bow River before it completely freezes over.  Its glacial water, so its that bright blue colour again, and it never rises above 10oC!


Further down the river we came to the Bow Falls (pictured below), which were running rapid.  Apparently, a number of famous movie stars have been filmed being swept over these falls in the 1950s, including Marilyn Monroe.  Of course, we didn't try and reenact these scenes!  Nick commented that he was slowly turning into Ronald by stopping to ask passersby if he could take their photo... with their camera not his I hasten to add!

From the falls you can see the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel poking through the trees, our next destination.  The Fairmont is huge, and Nick wanted to know how much afternoon tea would be there... a mere $38 each!

Later that evening, after a tasty dinner/feast of bangers and mash prepared by Nick, we went out with the french couple from our apartment.  We hustled them at pool, table football and shuffle board... 3-0 to GB!  Of course we weren't being competitive.  Shuffle board is quite similar to curling, but with a small table covered in sand rather than the ice rink.  The idea is to bounce the small flat metal ball off the side of the board, with the aim of getting it stop in one of the boxes at the end of the table to score points, without it falling off the end and scoring 0 points.  Finally we ended the night with a pint in the 'English' pub, which had too many Liverpool football scarves for my liking.

Banff

Hey guys, what's hip hop happening!?  I thought I'd take a turn at writing a 'blog' as the kids call it, so you have the distinguished pleasure of joining me for a ten day journey of thrills and spills.

First allow me to clarify: there have been remarkably few thrills or spills.  Since we arrived here two Sundays ago our days have revolved around job searching (nobody's hiring), and looking for a flat (nobody was offering).  With this in mind we scoured the local rags, Crag and Canyon, and Rocky Mountain Outlook, and spent many happy hours in the Job Resource Centre trying to find a place to lay our heads after too long on the ol' dusty trail.  Finally some reward when we came up with an awesome flat on Grizzly Street where I'm writing this now.  We have a really big room with huge windows that give an amazing view of the mountains (and make it a bit cold at night).  There's a massive living room/kitchen with fireplace and balcony with bbq though as it's getting down to -8 during the day I'm not sure how much use it'll be getting.  We share with an Aussie couple and two Frenchies who are all super dooper friendly.  So much so that their friendliness drives me use the phrase super dooper.

We've been out a couple of times for dinner, with Eddie's burger bar, and the local TexMex standing out as extra tasty.  Similarly a few nights out, mainly in the hostel, meeting Sunshine lifties but for the most part we've been chilling, saving some funds as the word on Banff Ave is that companies really start hiring in December.

Last night we went up to the natural hot springs (slightly marred by the admission at the front desk that they didn't have enough natural water so would be topping it up from the hot tap).  Nonetheless, they were awesome.  So toasty, and while we went at night to avoid a rush, if you went during the day there would be cracking views down the valley.  Also, on the way back down you get to wait for the bus outside the Rimrock hotel which is kind of like being in it with all the hob knobbing big wigs.

There's so much wildlife here!  It shouldn't come as a total surprise given my many hours devoted to the watching of Due South, but when you walk out your front door in the morning to be confronted by a small herd of deer who let you walk within 3 feet of them it comes as a bit of a shock.  There are also loads of elk (see the pic) so the Marchmont fox can just jolly well take a long ramble (I was going to cuss there but Laura's folks read this - hello).  The elk were on the road today when Chris, Sabrina, (Frenchies), Laura, and I walked up Tunnel Mountain the base of which is right outside our door.  At the top you get the most astounding views back across Banff town and out over the Bow River Valley, and of Mount Rundle (the famous Banff mountain).

We also went to the Remembrance service today.  There were bagpipes galore, and as we paraded down the main street all I could think of was how upset Jamie would be at having missed it.  The Reverend giving it gave a bizarre performance, I think I switched off somewhere between 'the great earthquake of my soul' and 'I was filled with a vengeful fury'.  This was then followed by a video of fallen servicemen.  Moving you say?  Yes.  Until you use Shania Twain as a backing track.

Ummm.  Nothing else springs to mind right now.  I hope you've enjoyed this.  If not, please feel free to comment.  I won't read it.

Day 2 of the Moose Bus

Day 2 Moose Bus

After a slow start, we left the Squamish motel at 9am (ish) and drove up to a river where we could see the last of the salmon making their way to where they lay their eggs and die... it stank!  Would have been pretty awesome if we'd gone earlier as this year they estimated that over 4 million had made the journey.  Next stop was at Craigellachie, where the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven into the tracks.  They had an old train their too which we obviously climbed aboard :-)

From here on the scenery was immense... driving through the Rocky Mountains and 3 national parks.  It also got a lot colder and we finally saw snow.  Lunch was had at Mount Revelstoke National Park, where the trees their were huge and some estimated to be over 500 years old.  Next stop was Golden for another toilet stop, and where we saw some Elk, which are apparently the most dangerous animal in Alberta at this time of year... tis the mating season!

Whilst driving along the highway disaster stuck.  Jimmy pulled over onto the hard shoulder and quickly jumped out of the bus.  Next he came back in and said we should all get out and have a look... immediate panic.  The back door had come loose and was wide open, luckily everyone decided they could still see their luggage and a few people offered to walk back down some of the highway to make sure.

The last stop before Banff was at the Natural Bridge at Kicking Horse River.  This was where the water had eroded away a huge rock making it into a bridge, and eventually it will erode further into stone pillars.  The water was an amazing blue/green colour due to the dust and because it was overcast.  Nick and I played an epic game of poo sticks from the bridge.  I won, not that I was being competitive or anything!

Finally we arrived at Banff and said goodbye to the Moose Bus.

Day 1 on the Moose Bus

This is the route we took on day 1 of the moose bus...

Moose Bus Day 1 Route

16 of us on the bus, driven by Jimmy the driver.

In Hope, where they filmed Rambo, we stopped at Bridal Falls and saw the waterfall there.

We drove through Merritt (had my first ice cream of the holiday here) and onto Kamloops where we stopped to get halloween outfits for the party later that evening.  Finally we reached Shuswap and stayed in a motel at Squamish.  Eight of us were packed into a tiny room with one toilet and shower... luckily no-one snored but Nick and I were woken up the next morning by someone farting very loudly, and apparently/surprisingly it wasn't neither of us!!

The halloween party at the bar next to the motel was great, proper hillbilly fight was seen between a horse and another (not sure what they were dressed up as), but the horse was getting a real beating.  There was a live band called the Young Ones, and they were ace.  We had a 'few' beverages, and danced until 1 am, forgetting that we were leaving at 9am the next day.  Its fair to say we had rather sore heads the next morning, but nothing that a sausage roll and a cup of tea couldn't remedy.

Nick and our bus driver Jimmy who dressed as Otto from the Simpsons...

End of Vancouver

Had a lovely dinner on Thursday night with Pam and Margaret, my Canadian relations.  They came all the way from Seattle for the evening to treat Nick and I most kindly to a very excellent and yummy dinner at Raincity restaurant, near the waterfront.  We even managed to eat 3 courses, first time since we've been in BC.  The menu came with set wines per course that matched the food, all Canadian, which were superb.  It was really great to see Pam and Margaret again after the family reunion in the UK, and catch up.

On Friday we went ski boot and helmet shopping, and I ended up being totally kitted out with a sweet deal... unless it was only worth the lower price and the guy just made a show of slashing prices for me!  Probably the more likely, but my ski's are super shiny.  Poor Nick couldn't find a helmet due to his enormous brain :-)  The sales guy was really confident that we'd find one up in Banff though, so fingers crossed.  Before dinner we went back to Stanley Park to ride the Alice in Nightmareland ghost train, and to go to the ghost farm.  Both were for children but we still had fun, except for the farmyard where the pony looked like it was about to keel over, and the sheer number of smelly goats was intoxicating.

Finally we took the bus to a burger diner and had huge yummy burgers.  I had a chilli burger, and Nick had one with sprouts on it (not brussel sprouts as we first thought).

To end our last evening in Vancouver we packed, realising our baggage has now nearly doubled in size.  Good job we're taking the moose bus and not flying to Banff!

Stanley Park, the Art Gallery and the Canucks!

It rained all day Tuesday so we spent most of the day in the Vancouver Art gallery.  The exhibitions were really good, except a few which we decided we could have drawn better using our feet.  One artist literally drew a child's interpretation of a helicopter with faces spewing blood, it was rubbish!  The highlight of the gallery was Song Dong's exhibition of all the crap her mum had collected over a long period of time, and had it all neatly displayed on the floor.  From the gallery above Nick and I watched a woman try and walk among the display, kicking the hats all over the place.  The look of outrage on Nicks face was priceless, he even wanted to go and tell on her!

Tuesday night we joined some other HI hostellians and went to see a real live ice hockey game.  The Vancouver Canucks won 4-3 against Colorado, and we even got to see a fight 2 mins into the game.  According to our guide, fighting is the best way to regulate inappropriate behaviour on the ice.  The atmosphere was awesome, and we both really enjoyed the game, even if we didn't understand why play stopped a lot of the time.


Wednesday was a glorious day, so we hired some bikes a took a ride around Stanley Park and then onto Granville Island.  The park and the views seaward were gorgeous.  For lunch we sat by Beaver Lake in the sun.  We also found a children's park where we played for a few minutes.

Nick with the Bikes Barry and Penelope in front of the Totem Poles that were in the Park...

    

Finally we got to Granville Island were there is a massive market, and we bought real meatballs and homemade spaghetti for dinner.  After such a long day of cycling on the flat we decided we deserved a nice cup of tea/coffee and a cake... apple caramel cheesecake and pumpkin pie!  Finally we cycled back over Granville bridge where the views of the mountains covered in snow were spectacular.

Vancouver

Day 0 - Nick saw his first mounty :-)

Day 1 - after sleeping for 11 hours we ventured into the City taking a walk to Gastown and stumbling on the steam powered clock and then along the waterfront.  Saw a few water planes take off and land, and the Olympic flame which had been relit in memory of Jack Poole.. a great Canadian, a great westerner, a great man... who also happened to be a giant of a man!

Day 2 - again after another 11 hours of sleep in our quite comfortable bunk bed we walked around the city.  Saw some girls playing hockey (quite poorly in our expert opinion), went to the chinese gardens and then accidentally ended up on East Hastings Street while trying to find the police museum.  Very very scary!!  Nick was offered Ketamine and we saw a lot of crack zombies. Scary, but another thing ticked off the guidebook. Had to find a bar and have a cup of tea and a beer to relax.  Celine Dion gave birth to her twins, an event which triggered mass celebrations throughout this great nation.

Day 3 - found a really good pizza place for lunch... 2 slices for $6!  Booked to go on the moose bus on saturday to take us to Banff.