With less than a month until we jet off for our Canadian Sojourn the most important task has arrived. Name the Blog. This is serious business and can take 3-4 mins if sober. Its 7 am so should be safe . Some early candidates I ran a up the flag pole to see what blew in the breeze
Moose, Mounties and Maple Leaves. Love alliteration but unlikely to see any of those . Or all 3 at once .
Oh…. Canada? Probably a bit too clever for my fans 🙂
Canuck me Slowly If you get the pronunciation wrong it makes no sense
Then I remembered CLP is coming along this time so asked her as she has that common touch 🙂
Pass the Poutine
We have a winner. Simple, catchy and fits on a T Shirt. Trust me……
I hear you ask “What is Poutine” and why would it be on a T Shirt. Second answer first – because you are a sloppy eater? My many years on Social Media has revealed that most people would rather ask random strangers on “the net” a question rather than actually google it themselves. Let me save you the time
Poutine is a simple yet indulgent Canadian dish made of crispy French fries and chunks of salty, softened cheese curds smothered in a tangy gravy. It originated in Quebec region – no doubt by a group of cheese eating surrender monkeys – in the late 1950s and then spread through out Canada. The slogan is
“Poutine keeps your Bowels Routine when served with Ovaltine”
Here is one I prepared earlier.
Most countries have traditional dishes much like they may have a traditional drink or coffee. Much like US coffee Canadian coffee is cod ordinary and their national brand is Tim Horton which is basically Moose Piss mixed with – yes you guessed it – Ovaltine to add colour . Why would that be of interest you may ask ? Exhibit A Your Honor
Now back to the Sojourn. Dipping a toe into Canada only and visiting 4 cities all with their own appeal and probably own version of Poutine! Fly into Vancouver from Sydney because Qantas runs more useful flights from Bumfuck, Idaho than Brisvegas. 7 full days there as plenty to see . Also will celebrate CLP 65th Birthday at a swank restaurant which even has 1 Michelin star. Not sure what the big deal is, my car has 4 Michelins. As a regular USA visitor thought I was across most of the tipping shim shams but this a new one. Not only do you prepay in full for the set menu when making reservation but also a 20% tip is paid in full 6 weeks in advance! In general it seems that not only is Canada a tipping nightmare but also add in taxes up the ying yang everywhere. Then we fly to Quebec City for 5 nights . Staying in the old town so should feel right at home. First – and hopefully last – experience with Air Canada. We debated about whether to go QC-Montreal or Montreal-QC but opted for direct flight to QC as longest trip first. Of course with AC you pay up front for luggage, seat ,food, toilet paper etc. Not as if fares are cheap either. Then the ovaltine on the cake? Sorry mon ami your flight has changed and you will fly to Montreal first, wait around for an hour and then catch a Cessna 001 to Quebec City. Canuck me slowly!
Couple of train trips then from QC to Montreal – weren’t we just here?? – for 5 nights and then train to Toronto for 5 nights. Little bit slower than plane obviously but should be great countryside and easier to get to Train station than airport generally. Then a last flight on Westjet from Toronto to Vancouver and home.
Few notes of interest. Canada seems a little backward in the public transport caper with only 2 of the 4 cities using digital apps rather than a physical card you have to buy. Expect to do a lot of walking but also may throw in a scoot or a treadle here and there. Once again not easy like in Santa Monica with an app but rather pick up and drop off at one spot only and pay when return. Can understand in a way as dont want scooters and bikes just parked everywhere in Stanley Park for example like happens in SM.
We have a mix of furnished suites , B&B and a couple of hotels. All offer something a bit different but all nears pubs. Hey, I may be old but aint stupid. In fact expect the tonsils to get a darn good rinsing on this trip and that will start at Brisvegas Qantas Club #IBF
Weather should be pleasant around the 10 -20 range but variable and getting cooler as holiday extends. May pack the sluggos but doubt they will get a workout . They are still at the laundary actually on their 17th rinse cycle
The weather wont be a “The Snow Must Go On” scenario hoping for in Feb 2025 when of course I will be
Actually keen to get another tatt as dont get enough respect yet when I walk into a bar. Thinking NYC theme but would like to get it done before then as a lot cheaper!
Enough excitement for one day. Until we land in Canuckistan AKA The Home of the Beaver it is au revoir for now.
Say what? Its actually an animal?? Dam……..n
flashman181 