Thompson's Get Lazy!!

We're on holiday in Vancouver/Victoria at the min so haven't had chance to update the blog.

Julie had a great time and has written a bit about her holiday ....... saves us a job.

The Other Side of the Blog

Hiya cowboys and cowgirls.

I am writing this from England but this is a few lines about our time in Canada. Me and Millie that is.

We flew out on the 3rd August, taking with us Katie who had been over here on holiday. The journey was fine, apart from being interrogated at both ends because Katie did not have a resident’s card.

Now those regular blog readers will know that Bert has mentioned the fact that everything is big in Canada – well he isn’t joking. Firstly the house is amazing and huge – Me and Millie had the whole basement to ourselves, with our own bathroom and lounge (very huge thanks to Katie and Eleanor for vacating it for two weeks). All the cars (trucks) are big, everyone has huge BBQs, huge sacks of sugar and rice and even the orange juice comes in gallon containers. And – as for those hail stones – I saw them for myself as their friend had kept them in her freezer – they were truly huge.

The whole holiday was brilliant and Nicki was a star driving us around everywhere and showing us the sights (her cooking and general looking after us was pretty fabulous too).

It is hard to pick out the best bits, the rodeo (great to watch but why would anyone want to do that), the spray park round the corner, the day in Banff and the cable car ride, the wildlife, the scenery, the walk to the river in the evening and watching the kids swimming, bowling (five pins), the picnics, the theme park, the heritage park ……………… Millie’s favourite bit when asked was the ice maker on the fridge but then kids are easily pleased!!!!

I guess one of the most memorable times was when Bert took me to the River Roadhouse – now believe me if there is only one reason for going to Canada it has to be to see this place. I wanted to be invisible so I could stare at everyone. Bert has described this before but I have to say I had to see it with my own eyes – if anyone has ever seen the film "Dusk til Dawn" it is pretty similar. It was like walking onto a spoof western set. Monkey nut shells all over the floor and drunken cowboys – the best bit though was when a lady (I hesitated to use that word) walked in dressed from head to toe in white cowgirl gear – white boots the lot. She had long curly hair and a white cowboy hat – she looked like a Patsy Cline clone – have I mentioned yet that she was 80 years old if a day!!! She approached us and asked if she could join our table – well what could we say – we had to agree just for entertainment value!! It was karaoke night and she told us she was doing an Elvis tribute as it was the anniversary of his death – I think she was planning on killing his songs in memory!! She was drinking something called a "paralyser" which looked like a pint of baileys but made up of rum, milk, and something else that escapes me – she told us she never had more than four as she was driving!!!!!!

I could really type pages and pages about my trip but would be here all night and I may be accused of being boring!! – I just want you all to know that the Thompsons are living in a fantastic place, the area is lovely and safe for the kids and they are all really happy. The only problem Bert and Nicki will encounter in the future is trying to persuade the kids to come back to England if and when they decide to.

Anyone who has thought about going – do it – don’t just sit there talking about it because believe me it is well worth it. (Better check with B&N first mind).

I thank all the Thompsons for a wonderful holiday and for making us so welcome and I am just hoping they don’t come back too soon as I am saving for my next trip.

One last thing – all you people who do actually read the blog – please put your comments on so that they know you are out there and know that their hard work is being appreciated.

Julie and Millie Morris (depressed to be back in England)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX