Want to hear all about my September trip to Canada with my family? My eldest son lives in Canada now, so I'm always planning a holiday to that amazing country. From the skiing to the hiking, the lakes to the waterfalls, the skyscrapers and open spaces, I love Canada.
The moment we landed in Toronto I was happy. Our flight with British Airways had been comfy with great food and lovely service. To help with jetlag and to stretch out after our flight, we took an evening walk through downtown Toronto past the CN Tower. As it happened a Blue Jays game had just finished so we bumped into lots of Blue Jays fans.
The next day saw us up and early for breakfast at Tim Hortons (had to be done!) and then onto the airport for a quick flight to Edmonton for our family reunion. I met up with my eldest son and gave him the biggest hug (soppy mum alert!) and that afternoon we tried disc golf for the first time. I was a natural (not!)
Our accommodation in Edmonton was in a fab townhouse near the university and we loved strolling through the campus, kicking through the autumn leaves and looking at all the statues.
Next stop was the Rockies! We took a two-day drive along the IceFields Parkway, stopping off at key sights along the way. There is a reason why this road is one of the most famous in the world. It is a road that keeps on giving. From tranquil lakes to cliffs, little hideaway cabins and roadside cafes, from big blue skies to icy glaciers, you keep on feasting on the views. At Athabasca Falls we hiked along the water's edge, enjoying the waterfalls and the cool air. My new Inuikii winter boots were perfect as they have robust steady soles to prevent my falling on ice and slippy rocks. Chipmunks and blackbirds provided a lot of entertainment. The chipmunks were gathering nuts ahead of winter, and as we don't have these in the UK, they provided opportunity for us to fall in love with their cuteness. The crows were stealing golf balls from the back of a pickup truck. Not sure what for! Perhaps golf is the new hobby for crows.
No trip along the Icefields Parkway would be complete without a walk around Lake Louise and a quick stop in the luxury hotel there. The lake was the most amazing turquoise colour and the light helped us take some wonderful photos.
What to wear in the Rockies and at Chateau Lake Louise? This beautiful Goldbergh gilet was perfect. Chic and stylish but also outdoorsy enough to work in a variety of ways. This gilet is a real go-to winter warmer. It was not too hot and not too cold and the downfilling kept me insulated. With my arms uncovered except by this cute S'No Queen sparkly base layer, I loved the early autumn sunshine warmth. This gorgeous cap also by Goldbergh kept the sun off my face and kept my hair under control as I am always avoiding the frizz for sure!
The breakfast at the Chateau is next level...in case you were wondering.
To make the most of our September trip to Canada, we spent some days on Lake Okanagen. We rented a great cottage outside Kelowna and enjoyed some quiet time as a family.
We hiked up in the hills, used kayaks and paddleboards and swam in the cool water. Cliff jumping was attempted by a very brave few. On one day we hired a speedboat and everyone enjoyed swanning around the lake. Most were good at the waterskiing, wakeboarding while some were better at falling in.
Our last day was spent at Niagra Falls. This was a bucket list moment for me. We hired a pickup truck in Toronto and drove up there easily. No hassle at all and found a great parking spot right on the front. Before taking our voyage to the falls we walked along the roadside, marvelling at the view. On the boat we donned our pretty (!) red anoraks and set off on the adventure. No one could prepare me for the extreme nature of the powerful water, nor the bravery of the seagulls circling the falls. The plunging dynamic water invigorated and inspired and terrified me. Wearing these amazing Goldbergh Praise ski leggings kept my legs warm and dry luckily. Really only my hair got wet but then again I had totally dressed for it, by opting for waterproof clothes...unlike some people who dressed as if for a picnic. Not in the autumn!!!
Leaving Canada is always bittersweet as it means saying au revoir to my son and his partner, but the sweetness comes from the memories and the knowledge that before too long, I will be back. Hopefully for a skiing trip sometime this winter!
