Canada to Patagonia at a Worrying Age

Hello All,

Well it all seems to have been going well so far. Thank you very much indeed to Mark, Kim, Joe, Simon and Godson Oliver for a fab time in Kelowna and Vancouver. Also thanks to the neighbours and the three pairs of girls – Liz & Bronwen, Katerina & Laura, Maisie & Poppy. Poppy was the naughtiest, but she’ll turn out fine in the end.

Vancouver started with the usual confusion at check-in – followed by negotiations to avoid all four of us having to share a bed. There were 4 of us because Simon had to stay at home to organise a major house party, er attend rehearsals for Julius Caesar. Hope the clear up after ‘rehearsals’ went well, Simon.

Friday night saw Mark and his eldest son bond over a few pints while I made sure they didn’t drink too much. Saturday morning was gorgeous weatherwise, although it was disturbing to watch United play as badly as that. Where was that Ebanks bloke?

The afternoon saw Mark make promises and then break them (‘Stop!’) and Joe joined us with his girlfriend Clare. (Joe, just blame me, all right?) Funniest point of the day was when Mark and Kim thought it would be a good idea to visit Joe’s frat house on a Saturday night. At 9pm. On Halloween weekend. Funny, we never actually got in (or even very near).

Today, Mark, Kim and Olly finally got to offload me at the bus station. Oh Kim, you and your crying – very touching. You know I was filling up! You’re all gorgeous and I’ll see you in about 18 months unless you have to rescue me from South America.

Trip to Victoria was just fine. I never even knew it was here until a few days ago. Turns out that Conde Nast considers it one of the 10 best places in the world. And it is lovely, although the food, as usual, flattered to deceive. Staying, as I write, in the well-posh Grand Pacific. First room was rubbish despite me paying for a harbour view. Second room great – you’d be proud of me Vic.

This is probably the last expensive place I’ll really stay in for a bit – off to Seattle tomorrow, if I can get into the GS. Presume life is great for all readers and contributers out there. I must say that the comments section on this blog is miles ahead of many others. If you check some of the other tales on this site, they’re well written and worthy, but no-one seems to write to them. Perhaps I’m doing it wrong, but I much prefer it this way.

Finally, welcome to Jonjo Peter Lester Redrum Frankie Fagan-Hall, the new kid on the blog. If we had a picture, it would be published. Well done Ali – Mike tells us he was awesome.

I see Blunkett is having to resign again. Great. At least Celtic have gone top as I write.

Love to all…

Some picture or other here soon if I can finally extract it off the phone…

Today’s song will have to be Victoria by The Kinks or The Fall – you decide…

Possibly one of the nicest leaving comments I’ve ever received – step up Simon Welton, who actually said as he prepared for the weekend’s parties as I left Kelowna – “Don’t Die”. Pure class.

Today’s record is clearly “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” by the Smith Brothers

Today’s attempt to make people envious.

There may not be a picture to go with this one. In my effort to do new things all the time, the Weltons are proving willing accomplices. Today I had an aromatherapy massage in a bloke's office that ... [Continue reading this entry]

Friday night was spent at the Blue Gator club. The children were left home alone whilst Mark, Kim, Jill and I careered around town until we staggered home at 2.30am. Up at 7.00am to watch United be rubbish for 90 ... [Continue reading this entry]

Well, I made it to Kelowna on the scabby Greyhound buses. Once I got here I landed in a pub with a pop quiz going on ... [Continue reading this entry]

Today, I threw a pebble into a lake.

Turns out I didn't need to bribe a Mountie. Not that I've seen one yet. Bloody swizz. Anyway Mark, the reason I am not sweating in South America, but freezing in Canada, is because of you and ... [Continue reading this entry]

This is a slightly experimental post Had a nice chat with Jay & Ruth, well travelled Yanks who dislike Bush and think that the Homeland Security bit is as bonkers as we do. Americans who have travelled tend to be ... [Continue reading this entry]

This blizzard of updates is about to cease. Getting on the train for 3 days in the morning and I suspect there'll be no wi-fi there. Been up the CN Tower today, along with everyone else, once the sun had ... [Continue reading this entry]

Now it could be said that a little spice could pep up a log such as this and John Kenyon has contributed the following; "...we will be following your adventures especially if you accept this challenge. your mission is to find ... [Continue reading this entry]