Our final Monday and still lovely and sunny. Only 2 days left with Gordi so a trip to the outdoor pool and splash park. Then a stop off at the real Canadian superstore to get some sushi for tea. Back to the apartment for Orla’s snooze and sone chill time tor Freddie and I. Then a walk to the ice cream shop-too hot for anything else. The kids loved the sushi-struggled with chopsticks a little more 😂
Another day and another park 😊 our final day in Calgary and Dave had an early call do we were out by 7:45 found a great play park and then headed to the Bow fish hatchery where we learnt about different Alberta fish breeds, the importance of looking after our environment and how tte breed trout to put back in the waterways.
A late check out and then dropping off Gordi at the airport to get our flight to Vancouver. Only a slight delay and a painful wait for the buggy then pick up and arrival at Versante hotel in Richmond. Just in time for roll top bath time and bed! All in one room but good space and luckily a nice bath for us to enjoy.
Keeping the kids on Calgary time so closer to the UK so out early. A grey day so a trip to kid top is planned but it doesn’t open until 10 so a walk to the local community park. Ordered a Lyft to collect us to take us to the action zone.
The kids loved kidtropolis, a childrens town with theatre, post office, fire station, police station, supermarket, estate agent, restaurants, camper van, plane, garage, hospital, vets and more…..oh and soft play! Hours spent here on the rainy grey day. We headed back in the late afternoon and had dinner at the story cafe (and obviously a happy hour margarita)!
This morning we got the sky train into central vancouver to Yaletown. We had a reminiscent trip to copper park and Dave met us for brunch at the the ‘breakfast club’ which Freddie remembered well!! Freddie enjoyed seeing our old apartment and clear bottomed pool.
Dave went back to work and we headed on around false creek to the water area to cool off. Orla had a nap in the buggy and we walked onto Granville island and back to Yaletown.
Freddie was keen to show Orla the roundhouse steam engine and play with the wooden railway tracks so we stopped off here before getting onto the sky train back to Richmond.
After a picnic tea in our room we headed to the heated outdoor pool which Freddie loved. We enjoyed our last night with some naked headstands from the fredster and Greek impersonations by Orly.
Our last morning and check out at 2. Found out our flight had been delayed until 00:30 😬 a long day ahead of us. At least it’s Canada day so lots of celebrations! We started with a late breakfast at Bruno in the hotel. We then visited the park-waving our flags as we went. We headed back to the hotel whilst Dave did a bit of work to chill out.
We headed into downtown Vancouver to Canada place for the Canada day celebrations. Hot and sunny so spent time at the childrens zone-playing mini-golf, football, dancing to live music and eating ice cream!
After heading back to Versante for a final swim and freshen up we headed to the airport for our long wait. After check in we set a den up for Freddie and he finally went to sleep before boarding, Orla also napped in the buggy. We had an A480 on the way home and Freddie was very excited we were on the top deck! Everyone managed some sleep on the plane and we finally landed at Heathrow. Eventually collected our luggage and made it home 5 hours later than planned.
Such an amazing adventure and brilliant family time.