D.D. Chant's Blog, page 5
March 28, 2014
Canada: Days 13 and 14.
So yesterday we went whale watching on a 65 foot boat. We were really excited and even the fact that rain had begun to fall lightly didn't alarm us.
We all boarded and quietly chugged our way out in to open sea... that's when things started to go a bit pear shaped.
Now I personally love it when the sea is on the rough side, I like the rolling of the boat and spray going everywhere. Despite the fact that I get HORRIBLY car sick, it's very rare that I feel sea sick. Unfortunately I'm in the minority; it seems that quite a few of the Chants had left their sea legs at home.
And we weren't the only ones, the poor lady sitting in front of me spent the whole THREE HOUR trip alternately throwing up and huddling in a corner with her eyes closed.
As for the whales... well we saw quite a few spouts, but they weren't feeling very gymnastic. We also saw some sleeping sea otters (which might just be the cutest thing I've ever seen!), some sea lions, eagles nests and wild cows...
Yes, you read that right: wild cows. The tour guides seem pretty excited about it, but they just looked like regular cows to me.
We were sooooo hungry by the time we docked again and decided that some fish and chips would hit the spot nicely. ;-P
Today we were less adventures and when to see some waterfalls. They were VERY pretty and worth the effort involved even though we had to walk down (and up!) about a million steps! Now we're home and curled up in front of a roaring log fire. I think I'd probably better do some editing...
DeeDee
We all boarded and quietly chugged our way out in to open sea... that's when things started to go a bit pear shaped.
Now I personally love it when the sea is on the rough side, I like the rolling of the boat and spray going everywhere. Despite the fact that I get HORRIBLY car sick, it's very rare that I feel sea sick. Unfortunately I'm in the minority; it seems that quite a few of the Chants had left their sea legs at home.
And we weren't the only ones, the poor lady sitting in front of me spent the whole THREE HOUR trip alternately throwing up and huddling in a corner with her eyes closed.
As for the whales... well we saw quite a few spouts, but they weren't feeling very gymnastic. We also saw some sleeping sea otters (which might just be the cutest thing I've ever seen!), some sea lions, eagles nests and wild cows...
Yes, you read that right: wild cows. The tour guides seem pretty excited about it, but they just looked like regular cows to me.
We were sooooo hungry by the time we docked again and decided that some fish and chips would hit the spot nicely. ;-P
Today we were less adventures and when to see some waterfalls. They were VERY pretty and worth the effort involved even though we had to walk down (and up!) about a million steps! Now we're home and curled up in front of a roaring log fire. I think I'd probably better do some editing...
DeeDee
March 27, 2014
Canada: 11 and 12.
Days 11 and 12!
Yesterday we went horse (back) riding and so today we had a *rest* day due to... Um... Newly discovered muscles. ;-PIt was a three hour ride through the countryside, lots of trees and (rather scarily!) distant gunshots!!!Before they let us out into the wide unknown, we had a half hour refresher course. My cousin Bobby was voted best horseman and so was given the spycho horse. My uncle Tim got the grumpy horse, it bit him... Several times. And my friend Kit was given the oldest horse, it was the first time she'd been riding and the consensus of opinion was that she looked like a wet tea bag on a trampoline!The next day we went to see a steam powered mill, it was a little bit creepy because it was completely deserted. There were lights on and everything looked as though it had been in use just a few seconds before.It felt like the wood yard version of the Mary Celeste!!!Tomorrow we're going whale watching.DeeDee
Yesterday we went horse (back) riding and so today we had a *rest* day due to... Um... Newly discovered muscles. ;-PIt was a three hour ride through the countryside, lots of trees and (rather scarily!) distant gunshots!!!Before they let us out into the wide unknown, we had a half hour refresher course. My cousin Bobby was voted best horseman and so was given the spycho horse. My uncle Tim got the grumpy horse, it bit him... Several times. And my friend Kit was given the oldest horse, it was the first time she'd been riding and the consensus of opinion was that she looked like a wet tea bag on a trampoline!The next day we went to see a steam powered mill, it was a little bit creepy because it was completely deserted. There were lights on and everything looked as though it had been in use just a few seconds before.It felt like the wood yard version of the Mary Celeste!!!Tomorrow we're going whale watching.DeeDee
March 24, 2014
Day Ten!
Today we went to see some 800 year old trees in a forest called Cathedral Grove.
It was a really beautiful forest, there were ferns everywhere and moss grew thickly on the trees. The sun shone and in the dappled light it seem like a fae, enchanted world. I half expected to see a unicorn and a few fairies!
It felt like I was on the set of lord of the rings. I kept thinking I should have been wearing a floaty white dress and maybe a wreath of flowers in my hair. My friend Kit said that I'd look more like a druid than an elf!
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The only thing that could have made the experience even better would have been a Costa Coffee, but I guess that's nit picking!
We took TONS of photos, I'm pretty sure they'll come in handy for The Vow's book trailer, we might even use them for a back drop for a MV.
Tomorrow we go horse riding, or as they like to call it here: horse *back* riding!!! ;-P
DeeDee. ;-D
It was a really beautiful forest, there were ferns everywhere and moss grew thickly on the trees. The sun shone and in the dappled light it seem like a fae, enchanted world. I half expected to see a unicorn and a few fairies!
It felt like I was on the set of lord of the rings. I kept thinking I should have been wearing a floaty white dress and maybe a wreath of flowers in my hair. My friend Kit said that I'd look more like a druid than an elf!
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The only thing that could have made the experience even better would have been a Costa Coffee, but I guess that's nit picking!
We took TONS of photos, I'm pretty sure they'll come in handy for The Vow's book trailer, we might even use them for a back drop for a MV.
Tomorrow we go horse riding, or as they like to call it here: horse *back* riding!!! ;-P
DeeDee. ;-D
March 23, 2014
Day Nine!
We arrived pretty late a the house yesterday, tired, hungry and totally fed up with luging our suitcases all over Canada. The log cabin is lovely! It looks like something out of a film.
First off we had to decide who got which room... My nails came in handy at this point. Then we had to go the the local shop to pick up some *groceries* (which inspired a lively conversation about what people were buying at these shops that is so gross.) Anyway...Me, Kit and Dad were sent out to scavenge and bring back food for the tribe. That little shop had EVERYTHING!!!We even found Heniz baked beans!But... It didn't sell maple syrup!My uncle Tim said the owner should have his Canadian citizenship revoked. ;-PSo that night I made pancakes and corn syrup, uncle Tim still hasn't got over it. Today we went to Walmart: it was huge and three trolley fulls later we headed for home, tired but triumphant.If we have to go back, there will be trouble!Night is here and DeeDee's shattered, the cold has been going around the family for weeks now but i'm still holding strong and refusing to succumb to the germs. By that I mean i've been eating donuts!
DeeDee
First off we had to decide who got which room... My nails came in handy at this point. Then we had to go the the local shop to pick up some *groceries* (which inspired a lively conversation about what people were buying at these shops that is so gross.) Anyway...Me, Kit and Dad were sent out to scavenge and bring back food for the tribe. That little shop had EVERYTHING!!!We even found Heniz baked beans!But... It didn't sell maple syrup!My uncle Tim said the owner should have his Canadian citizenship revoked. ;-PSo that night I made pancakes and corn syrup, uncle Tim still hasn't got over it. Today we went to Walmart: it was huge and three trolley fulls later we headed for home, tired but triumphant.If we have to go back, there will be trouble!Night is here and DeeDee's shattered, the cold has been going around the family for weeks now but i'm still holding strong and refusing to succumb to the germs. By that I mean i've been eating donuts!
DeeDee
March 22, 2014
Day Eight!
Day eight and we took the ferry from Vancouver the mainland to Vancouver the island. Uncharacteristically we were early so we were stuck in a queue waiting for an hour and a half...
Have I ever told you how much my dad hates queuing in traffic???No? Well he really, really, REALLY hates it!When we were aboard the irritation was quickly soothed away, largely due to a huge cup of coffee and a wild salmon burger. ;-)Unfortunately our trials weren't over: as we were all told to return to our cars as docking was imminent someone, who shall remain nameless (Mum) decided they needed to visit the loo.Dad stayed behind to wait for her and gave me, my sister and my friend Kit the keys so that we could get in the car. So off we trotted...Trouble was we couldn't FIND the car, we had all believed it to be parked on floor 2, but one frenzied inspection later and no car had been found.Never mind, we said, we'd just search the next level.Then all the cars started up.Panic set in as I pictured my dad standing beside our car: keyless, frustrated and annoyed, with an irate queue of drivers waiting to disembark behind him.I'm not going to lie: I completely lost it.I pride myself on being a calm person, when things are going wrong I can be relied on to keep my head. Until today I couldn't even remember my last meltdown! However as the gates of the ferry opened and the cars started to give it a bit of throttle I did my best impression of a headless chicken. My sister, who said she couldn't remember seeing me so worked up ever before, spent most of the time laughing at me.Then, as if by magic, another deck appeared. It was like stumbling across Brigadoon!!! At the far end a man walked up and down beside his car. I could have cried I was so relieved and I'm pretty sure my dad felt the same.I've never been more thankful that he has a sense of humour: not even one angry word passed his lips.And so on with our adventure!DeeDee
Have I ever told you how much my dad hates queuing in traffic???No? Well he really, really, REALLY hates it!When we were aboard the irritation was quickly soothed away, largely due to a huge cup of coffee and a wild salmon burger. ;-)Unfortunately our trials weren't over: as we were all told to return to our cars as docking was imminent someone, who shall remain nameless (Mum) decided they needed to visit the loo.Dad stayed behind to wait for her and gave me, my sister and my friend Kit the keys so that we could get in the car. So off we trotted...Trouble was we couldn't FIND the car, we had all believed it to be parked on floor 2, but one frenzied inspection later and no car had been found.Never mind, we said, we'd just search the next level.Then all the cars started up.Panic set in as I pictured my dad standing beside our car: keyless, frustrated and annoyed, with an irate queue of drivers waiting to disembark behind him.I'm not going to lie: I completely lost it.I pride myself on being a calm person, when things are going wrong I can be relied on to keep my head. Until today I couldn't even remember my last meltdown! However as the gates of the ferry opened and the cars started to give it a bit of throttle I did my best impression of a headless chicken. My sister, who said she couldn't remember seeing me so worked up ever before, spent most of the time laughing at me.Then, as if by magic, another deck appeared. It was like stumbling across Brigadoon!!! At the far end a man walked up and down beside his car. I could have cried I was so relieved and I'm pretty sure my dad felt the same.I've never been more thankful that he has a sense of humour: not even one angry word passed his lips.And so on with our adventure!DeeDee
March 21, 2014
Days 5, 6, & 7 Of The Chant Family's Canadian Adventure!
Hello everyone! And welcome to day 8 of the Chant family's Canadian adventure! We've just arrived at our hotel where we'll spend one night before taking the ferry across to Vancouver Island.
Days 5,6 and 7 were spent on board the sleeper train between Toronto and Vancouver. (No interwebnet, so no blog posts!!!) It was soooooo much fun! The rooms were really tiny and so me and Kit had to choreograph any activities, like visiting the WC for instance!I had the top bunk for the first time since I was about 8 years old. I have a bit of a fear about top bunks, I always worry that the bed will collapse and I'll end up crushing the person bellow me.We saw some truly stunning scenery, the Rocky Mountains were all (and more!) I had hoped. The service was lovely, the attendants very helpful and the food was great!A little too great...I think I may have gained a couple of pounds!I think the waiters thought I needed feeding, because I got dessert whether I'd asked for it or not!I've just been informed that there is a mall attached to our hotel, I think I'd better go and check it out! ;-P
DeeDee :-D xxx
Days 5,6 and 7 were spent on board the sleeper train between Toronto and Vancouver. (No interwebnet, so no blog posts!!!) It was soooooo much fun! The rooms were really tiny and so me and Kit had to choreograph any activities, like visiting the WC for instance!I had the top bunk for the first time since I was about 8 years old. I have a bit of a fear about top bunks, I always worry that the bed will collapse and I'll end up crushing the person bellow me.We saw some truly stunning scenery, the Rocky Mountains were all (and more!) I had hoped. The service was lovely, the attendants very helpful and the food was great!A little too great...I think I may have gained a couple of pounds!I think the waiters thought I needed feeding, because I got dessert whether I'd asked for it or not!I've just been informed that there is a mall attached to our hotel, I think I'd better go and check it out! ;-P
DeeDee :-D xxx
March 15, 2014
Canada: Day Four!
Today we went to see Niagara on the lake
I'm going to be honest and tell you I didn't actually make it to the lake... You see there was a sweet little town next to the lake and I spent most of my time looking in the shops!!!
I found a lovely little shop that specialised in maple syrup products and gourmet sauces. I kind of want to live next door to that shop. I bought one of my most favouritest things: maple butter. I used to be able to buy maple butter in England, but after a year or so the shop i used to get it from stopped selling it! First they got me hooked and then they took away my supply!I also bought two of their award winning sauces, one balsamic salad dressing and one feta cheese and herb pasta dressing... They tasted divine!
It all seemed like a good idea until I tried to get both bottles in my suitcase. I'm starting to wish I'd listened to my dad when he said to always leave your suitcase half full so that you have room for any purchases you make while on holiday.
Tomorrow we start our train journey, I'm really getting excited now!
DeeDee. :-D
March 14, 2014
Canada: Day Three!
Today we had sunshine!
It was -16 and when we walked to the falls and I felt as though my nose and lips might fall off! But it was worth it, the view of the falls was much clearer today and it was interesting to get close and see that the water going over the cliffs was very icy. It looked a bit like a slushy drink, but a nicer colour! After taking lots of pickys we went inside to thaw out with a cup of coffee.
We might also have taken a silly picture that depicted me and my friend Kit throwing my sister over Niagara falls...
But I cannot confirm that such a photo exists... ;-P
Something that I've noticed as we've been walking is that large speakers on the street play the local radio station. I've never been anywhere else that has done that, I like it though. Another thing is that the city is built very differently to anything in England, everything is really spaced out, one block only seems to contain a building or two and there is LOTS of parking!
This afternoon we went for dinner at the Skylon Tower, which looks like this:
The dinning room goes around and round so that you get a 360 degree view of the falls and the surrounding countryside. I'm not sure why but it kept reminding me of this scene from The Big Bang Theory:
My cousin Jac Jac (she's 6 years old) had a sip of her dad's non alcoholic cocktail and said it tasted like a wet one, which was a little embarrassing. Jac Jac's not much of a whisperer, so I'm pretty sure the whole room heard! Kids are lovely, aren't they?!?!? She's very disappointed that none of the restaurants we've been to have Heinz baked beans: thank goodness chips are international!!! ;-P
Night has descended once again and fluffy pillows await, so goodnight until tomorrow.
DeeDee. ;-D
It was -16 and when we walked to the falls and I felt as though my nose and lips might fall off! But it was worth it, the view of the falls was much clearer today and it was interesting to get close and see that the water going over the cliffs was very icy. It looked a bit like a slushy drink, but a nicer colour! After taking lots of pickys we went inside to thaw out with a cup of coffee.
We might also have taken a silly picture that depicted me and my friend Kit throwing my sister over Niagara falls...
But I cannot confirm that such a photo exists... ;-P
Something that I've noticed as we've been walking is that large speakers on the street play the local radio station. I've never been anywhere else that has done that, I like it though. Another thing is that the city is built very differently to anything in England, everything is really spaced out, one block only seems to contain a building or two and there is LOTS of parking!
This afternoon we went for dinner at the Skylon Tower, which looks like this:
The dinning room goes around and round so that you get a 360 degree view of the falls and the surrounding countryside. I'm not sure why but it kept reminding me of this scene from The Big Bang Theory:
My cousin Jac Jac (she's 6 years old) had a sip of her dad's non alcoholic cocktail and said it tasted like a wet one, which was a little embarrassing. Jac Jac's not much of a whisperer, so I'm pretty sure the whole room heard! Kids are lovely, aren't they?!?!? She's very disappointed that none of the restaurants we've been to have Heinz baked beans: thank goodness chips are international!!! ;-P
Night has descended once again and fluffy pillows await, so goodnight until tomorrow.
DeeDee. ;-D
March 13, 2014
Canada: Day Two!
Morning has arrived!!!
I woke up to snow, which was very pretty and we immediately decided to go and see the falls (Niagara) as soon as we'd had brekky.
It was COLD!!!
I repeat COLD!!! Frostbite claimed our extremities and it was quite difficult to see where we were going because the wind stung our eyes so much. A word of advice: don't wear mascara, just, no. Everyone keeps telling us that this is the worst weather for 20 years; it snowed ALL day!!! ALL DAY!!! I'm used to a few hours snow here and there (on special occasions) so it was incredible to see it continue for HOURS.
It was also incredible to see how little affect it had on Canadian drivers! In England a light dusting of snow produces mass panic. Supermarket shelves empty and everyone stays *snowed in*. I have a feeling the Canadians would laugh so hard they cried if they saw an English *snow storm* and the mayhem in causes on our roads.
Snow on the road and yet the buses are still doing fifty!!! And the trucks just strap a snow shovel to the front of their bumpers and carry on business as usual!
Then we took my baby cousin swimming... no, not in the falls!!! It was a bit weird sitting in the hot tub and watching the snow pile up outside, but it was a good weird. And no: you're not having a picky of THAT!!!
;-P
Now it's night time and I'm settling down for bed, jet lag is starting to kick in, telling me it's midnight at home. I have a few new episodes of my favourite series to watch before sleep has its way.
DeeDee. ;-D
I woke up to snow, which was very pretty and we immediately decided to go and see the falls (Niagara) as soon as we'd had brekky.
It was COLD!!!
I repeat COLD!!! Frostbite claimed our extremities and it was quite difficult to see where we were going because the wind stung our eyes so much. A word of advice: don't wear mascara, just, no. Everyone keeps telling us that this is the worst weather for 20 years; it snowed ALL day!!! ALL DAY!!! I'm used to a few hours snow here and there (on special occasions) so it was incredible to see it continue for HOURS.
It was also incredible to see how little affect it had on Canadian drivers! In England a light dusting of snow produces mass panic. Supermarket shelves empty and everyone stays *snowed in*. I have a feeling the Canadians would laugh so hard they cried if they saw an English *snow storm* and the mayhem in causes on our roads.
Snow on the road and yet the buses are still doing fifty!!! And the trucks just strap a snow shovel to the front of their bumpers and carry on business as usual!
Then we took my baby cousin swimming... no, not in the falls!!! It was a bit weird sitting in the hot tub and watching the snow pile up outside, but it was a good weird. And no: you're not having a picky of THAT!!!
;-P
Now it's night time and I'm settling down for bed, jet lag is starting to kick in, telling me it's midnight at home. I have a few new episodes of my favourite series to watch before sleep has its way.
DeeDee. ;-D
March 12, 2014
The Grand Canadian Chant Family Holiday!!!
So we've finally arrived at the hotel! We've been up for eighteen hours by now so I'm going to sleep like a baby.
We had the usual airport scares: did we all have our passports and luggage and then, my personal favourite, someone lost their cards!
My dad is usually the one to age us all prematurely by declaring a loss of credit cards about half an hour before we're due to board. However on this occasion it was my Uncle Graham that induced mass hysteria, and everyone split up in an effort to locate the missing items.
About five minuets after everyone had disappeared (in different directions) Uncle Graham 'found' his cards... In his trouser pocket. Relieved, we set about calling the others mobile's to tell them all was well and that our gate had just been announced.
The thing is, us Chant's are selectively deaf: we don't recognise our own ring tones!!! Panic once again ruled as those of us who had remained with the hand luggage while our intrepid fellows searched Heathrow for the missing articles, wondered what we were going to do.
After fifteen fruitless minuets of calling every family member I could over and over again, a new and dangerous idea was put forward: more people would have to leave the safety of the huddle to find our stray comrades!!!
This is a VERY risky strategy and was not undertaken lightly.
Somehow we managed to locate all of our number and board the plane, enjoying the peace of mind that comes with knowing there is very little hope of anyone getting lost on an aeroplane!
I indulged in a movie fest that totalled three an a half films... I'm still a little miffed that I don't know how the last one ended!!!
Unfortunately in the scramble to get off the plane another item went missing, this time a phone...
Dear reader, it was mine!
So if you get any weird texts from me...
On the way to our hotel near Niagara we stopped at a diner and discovered that Canadians have a real sweet tooth. Also, no gluten free option, much to my friend Kit's dismay. She had to make do with a salad while the rest of us chowed down some sweet carbohydrate goodness...
I kind of feel mean about that... But such is life! ;-)
So now I'm in my hotel room, all bed time ablutions at an end and its time to put down my pen. This Cinderella has a date with the fluffiest of pillows and I'm gonna give sleeping beauty a run for her money!!!
DeeDee.
