Algonquin

We have to move site today. When rebooking the holiday, no camp site had any pitch available for two days over the weekend. So we are moving a couple of kilometres east along highway 60 to the Lake of Two Rivers site, which is still in Algonquin Park 

After a leisurely breakfast of omelette with bread, we pack the van and head off. Our initial aim is the Hemlock Bluff Trail, a walking route through some of Algonquin's hardwood forest. 

There is a parking area at the start of the trail, where we boot up and set off. We have barely entered the woods before I have three mosquitos on me, sucking my blood. We decide that long trousers and long sleeved tops are the answer. So back to the van to change. Vera's wardrobe choices are limited by the fact that she has left a drawer full of clothes back at Mike's flat. Luckily she does have some trousers, borrowed from Camilla.

So we set off a second time. There is a very informative guide that we pick up at the start of the trail. The woods have a wild feel to them, with lots of fallen trees and timber on the ground, and young saplings struggling upwards towards the light. Trying to walk through here off the path would be hard going.

There are lots of rustling noises in the undergrowth, the ubiquitous chipmunks and red squirrels. 

Also frogs

Lots of interesting fungal growths

Hemlock Bluff is a cliff overlooking Jack Lake and gives great views over the water and the endless trees. There are over 1,500 lakes in Algonquin Park.

The rock here is part of the Canadian Shield. At 3.9 billion years old, these are some of the oldest rocks on the planet

An unidentified bird

A beaver's dam. It is impressively large, the water level on the upstream side being a metre or so higher than the downstream side. Mr Beaver did not appear to be in, probably having a daytime snooze

There was a mysterious noise echoing across the water. It was like the twanging of a giant elastic band, and further research has not yet identified it.

After the walk we head to The Two Lakes Diner, in the hope of getting WiFi to upload blog pictures. They have WiFi, but it's for staff only. They suggest going to the Algonquin Park visitor centre. We follow their advice, I do my uploading while Vera looks round the exhibits at the centre.

Then to the Lake of Two Rivers campsite, and we pull into our pitch. It's big, and the easiest so far to reverse into. Tonight's dinner is going to be steak, plus jacket potatoes and chicken drumsticks cooked in the fire.

My jackets come out charred and blackened. Next time I will cover in oil and place in embers rather than burning wood, but this needs longer term planning. It is fluffy and tasty in the centre, so not a complete disaster.

My chicken comes out charred and blackened. Next time I will halve the cooking time. It is just about edible.

Vera's steaks come out perfectly, as usual 

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