h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Redwoood Meadows, 14 June

Have just had two great days out when we've been very lucky with the weather. Before I arrived in Calgary, they'd had six days of torrential rain and quite bad local flooding, and the weather was a bit changeable over the weekend, but we finally decided we couldn't keep waiting for it to improve, so off we went.

Yesterday: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Louise is the one in all the pictures - aquamarine water (glacial runoff) surrounded by mountains, but the view is rather spoilt by the most hideous hotel at the end of the lake. It was pouring with rain when we got there, so we looked at all the over-priced gift shops in the hotel and then went back to the village for a sandwich. Wondered whether it was worth driving on 12km to Moraine Lake but were very glad we did - the sun came out on the way and the mountains were just spectacular. There is still quite a lot of snow on them (apart from the glaciers) and the lake, while smaller than Louise, is even prettier because the mountains are closer and more dramatic. Apparently the water is that colour because the minerals in the glacial silt absorb all colours of the spectrum except blue and green.

Today: we left my friend's two year-old daughter at home with her dad and had a girls' outing, which was really great - much as Little Miss Friend is adorable, she is a bit of a distraction on long car journeys! Went to Grassi Lakes, near Canmore, and climbed up the track to the lakes - again, the most beautiful colours. Friend has been on a 'bear awareness' course, so kept giving high-pitched yells at bends in the track, so we didn't surprise a bear ... however, I was glad to hear she didn't see any signs of bear activity. We climbed down parallel with a fantastic waterfall. Then went into Banff for lunch (steak sandwich and frites, Cotes du Ventoux) and a browse round the tourist shops.

On the way back we saw people practising cross-country skiing, using sort of skis on wheels - this is what they do in the summer here to keep in training.

Saw some mountain goats and a chipmunk - no elk, despite the many warning signs that they might be on the highway.

That's all for now - off to watch Dr Who (last Saturday's eppy I hope)!

just want to say how much I'm enjoying your Canadian travelogue both here and in The Bull. It's cough-cough years since I was in Canada and went to many of the places you mention but lovely to hear about them again. Banff and Lake Louise were wonderful in the snow and they didn't convert me to liking maple syrup.

Jane

Annie, it sounds wonderful.

I wasn't sure if Lake Louise was the one I had an image of in my head, so Googled for it. Yep, you're right, it is the one in all the pictures! Then I found a picture of the hotel - what were they thinking?

Glad the 'bear awareness' worked - guess that must mean bears attack when startled, not just because they're hungry or permanently aggressive.

Annie - delighted you are having such a good trip - and your accounts of Canada make great reading.

When you get back - please look me up in the Lockin (I think I am Romola there) - and get in touch. Son-in-law, who lives in Trumpington, has just come back from a visit to Banff (working one from computer lab at Cambridge) - and is very enthusiastic about it. It would be great for you to meet up with him and my daughter (his wife) - who is a Mustardlander too (She is the one who went to Newnham) - and me too! Perhaps we could arrange something.

Meanwhile - enjoy the rest of it : )

Prue

Well, some people have all the luck, Annie! 'S not fair!
Son and dil were enthusiastic about Lake Louise and Banff. The poster is still in their flat.

Hi Prue/Romola

I'll certainly get in touch when I get back - it would be nice to meet and swap impressions of Alberta.

Haven't bought the poster, but did get a few postcards in case my photos don't turn out well. Also nice to have a picture of Louise in sunlight, since my photos were taken in the rain!

Apparently the black bears generally avoid people - the problem with both them and the grizzlies is when they get too used to humans. And yes, they may attack when surprised. The 'bear awareness' course tells you that if they charge you defensively, the thing to do is stand still - not sure if I'd be able to do that!

[Note to Martine: 'grizzly bear' appears to be translated here as 'un grizzli' - is that how you would say it too?]

That's a pity (for you, I mean)! I love it and may have to buy some to bring back.

Yep.