Introduction

Canada had never featured as a potential destination for me, being a log way away and with so much available on my doorstep in Europe. My mental picture of the country features endless trees, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. A relatively sparsely populated country with few towns and cities, all separated by vast distances. 

I have a vague  recollection of history lessons detailing battles between French and British forces vying for control back in the day, but know next to nothing about how the country has developed. I know this has left behind French and English speaking regions, but as to their different cultures and identities I am completely ignorant.

I couldn't name any Canadian dish that features in world cuisine, but am aware that Maple Syrup is a thing - important enough for the maple leaf to appear on the Canadian flag.

This all changed when Vera and I got together. Despite living in Scotland for most of her life she has strong Canadian roots and sounds more Canadian than Scottish. Her dad, Mike, lives in Hamilton which is on the shore of Lake Ontario, near the city of Toronto. There are also a large and to me unknown number of other relatives, collectively making up the Vesich family. They have an annual gathering, known as The Vesich Picnic, which sounds likely a fabulous event though I may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who's names I will never be able to remember and link to the correct face.

I must also point out that while planning this trip I have spoken to more Canadians than in the whole of my life before. And they seem to be an amazingly friendly and engaging bunch of people!

So we're going to Canada! 

Primarily to see Mike, Vera's dad. But while we're there we will meet other friends and family and take the opportunity that only having a local guide offers of seeing and learning loads more about the place. 

The broad outline of the four week trip is:

Arrive, spend a few days in Hamilton and the surrounding area meeting lots of people, a visit to Niagara and various other local waterfalls

Pick up our camper van, or RV as it is termed over there - Recreational Vehicle

Spend two weeks travelling around the Provincial Parks in the Georgian Bay, Algonquin, and Peterborough areas

Back to Hamilton for a family party - whether this qualifies as the famous Picnic, we'll have to wait and see

Take the train to Montreal, where we spend two nights, and then another train to Quebec City 

After four nights in Quebec we have an epic train journey back to Hamilton, final family visits and fly back to sunny Manchester a few days later

Previous

Next