There is a God.

D-1.
Well just a wakey to go. Don't know what a wakey is? Ask anyone that's been in the services. Helen and I are packed, and the nerves are setting in. For days now we have been making sacrifices to the Qantas God, chickens have been sacrificed, prayers incanted to the A380 deity, and donations made to every flying related charity in town. I am pleased to report at 0845 this morning our prayers and sacrifices were rewarded. Yes we have been upgraded to Business Class for the long haul flight. Yes, the wide seats that become futons in the sky, a choice of three courses for each meal, thicker blankets, light cancelling eye patches, better wine, access to the Business Class Lounge at Sydney airport for the 5 minutes we will have spare after passing through customs, oh joy oh rapture unforeseen! Using the 'special' boarding lane, Mixing with the hoy palloy. Oh yes our prayers have been  answered in spades. We will be able to dine out on this for years, might even frame the Boarding Passes. We will be able to look people in the eye and say " of course we flew Business Class when we went to...... It was so quick to board in the special boarding lane."
Wonderful. 😃😃✈️✈️✈️🛫

Last Day of paid Work

8th of the 8th.

Red letter day today as Helen retires after the Board meeting tonight. She had a fantastic farewell on Saturday, over 100 people turned up  to bid her goodbye. Some lovely words were said and there were many tears.

Today we started the day with a wonderful walk through Belair National Park, the wattle  is starting to burst open, Spring is in the air. The fruit trees buds are starting to swell, and the bloody magpies are singing at 4.30 am looking for love. Wont be long and the native Orchids will be popping up.

Life is good.

Phase 3 East Coast

Poquoson, Va

Poquoson is 275 km south of Washington DC, home to Matt and Chris's Husson. Wonderful town on the Virginia tidewater. 

Charlottesville Va

Hoping to take in a UVA game with Fred and Katie

Maine, New Hampshire 

Going leaf peeping in New England for 10 days.

Phase 2 The Train

Itinerary

Day 1	Vancouver Arrive in Vancouver and spend time exploring this scenic city on your own. Overnight in Vancouver.
Day 2	Vancouver To Kamloops Travel onboard Rocky Mountaineer from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops. You will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser Valley, through forests and winding river canyons surrounded by the peaks of the Coast and Cascade Mountains, to the desert-like environment of the BC Interior. Highlights include the rushing waters of Hell's Gate in the Fraser Canyon and the steep slopes and rock sheds along the Thompson River. Overnight in Kamloops. BreakfastLunch
Day 3	Kamloops To Jasper Your rail adventure continues north and east to the mighty Canadian Rockies and the province of Alberta. Highlights include Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Pyramid Falls, and the climb over the Yellowhead Pass into Jasper National Park. BreakfastLunch
Day 4	Jasper Today you will have an entire day to spend exploring Jasper National Park on your own. A wealth of optional activities (not included) abound: taking the Jasper Skytram to the high alpine of Whistlers Mountain, enjoying a nature walk on nearby mountain trails, cruising on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island, or playing a round of golf at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Overnight in Jasper.
Day 5	Jasper To Lake Louise Travel to Lake Louise via the Icefields Parkway. Visit highlights along the way, including Athabasca Falls, Bow Summit, Peyto Lake and Crowfoot Glacier. With sightseeing stops, we recommend allowing at least eight hours for today's drive. Overnight in Lake Louise.
Day 6	Lake Louise To Banff Drive the scenic journey from Lake Louise to Banff, watching for deer and elk crossing specially constructed wildlife bridges over the highway. Alternatively, drive along the Bow Valley Parkway for views of Castle Mountain and Johnston Canyon (requires a short walk). The remainder of the day is yours to explore Banff. Overnight in Banff.
Day 7	Banff To Calgary Travel through Kananaskis Country and the western ranching regions of Alberta at your own pace before arriving in Calgary. Overnight in Calgary.

The Rocky Mountaineer

Jasper

Lake Louise

Banff

Calgary

Phase 1 The Cruise

The Ship Nieuw Amsterdam

Vancouver -> Inside Passage (Cruising) -> Tracy Arm ->Juneau -> Skagway -> Glacier Bay -> Ketchikan -> Inside Passage (Cruising) -> Vancouver

Ocean View Suite

 One of 14 Restaurants

The photo ops

                                                         The Itinerary