Travel: Towards Toronto

Last day on the train and it will be an extended day as, due to VIA Rail not owning the line, our train has to wait for the numerous freight trains, and even a stalled train meaning we are approximately 10 hours behind schedule. So arrival time in Toronto will be around 6 pm. Sadly we will lose a whole day from our schedule in Toronto.

Some curious things we have learnt – under the Canadian Constitution The Canadian train is required by law to stop for anyone who waves it down. This apparently happens quite often – rural folk, hunters etc can stand by the tracks (with maybe a dead elk over their shoulder), hail the train, load elk into baggage car and jump on board. This is because all coast to coast rail travel must be available to all sectors of the community. Our travel companions have included a French Canadian couple from Quebec, who work in foreign affairs and have had many overseas postings, Brazilian sociology teacher (think Borat and you will get an idea of how controlled we have to be). He also has a heavy metal radio show at home. A young Canadian lady chartered accountant returning home after a year travelling the world and doing her job remotely by computer. Also a recently married husband and husband who had honeymooned canoeing down the Yukon. An elderly deaf couple using sign language, Australian couple from Perth, and an American sign language interpreter who needs to be home in time for a C-section delivery where she will be interpreting for the mother to be! Also a portly English barrister currently living in Bemuda, and his mother from Cheltenham, characters befitting an Agatha Christie novel.

The Rockies melted away as agricultural land took over through Alberta and Saskatchewan (the wheat bowl of Canada), lots of harvesters out making the most of the late summer weather. Then the Manitoba prairies to the lakes and forests of Ontario. They go on for miles and miles – over 250,000 lakes in Ontario!. This pic - Mt Robson, highest peak in the Rockies, hiding in the clouds.

There is an activities programme on board and Darcelle is our activities lady. Pam has enjoyed both chair yoga and wine tasting. Sadly Bingo was cancelled, Pam most upset, and we both attended “Railway 101” telling us about the various signs, lights, track movements etc.

We have been keeping our eyes peeled for wildlife. Some people have seen moose, elk and a bear. We have seen a bald eagle and two deer, but there have been beavers busy at work and we have seen numerous beaver lodges.

Food – The food on board is excellent and promotes local cuisine to a very high standard. Some things we have had include “hot cereal”, prawns and scallops, pulled pork, roast duck, local salmon, pan-fried halibut, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, lamb rack, bison burgers, butter tart, lemon pot pie, brownies, and lemon and raspberry torte, plus plenty of salads. There are always muffins and biscuits and fruit, juice, and hot drinks to graze on. Although we do get a bit of exercise walking to and from our cabin it is fair to say our physical activity is pretty minimal and we relish the opportunity to get off the train when ever possible. So far we have stopped at Jasper, Saskatoon, Melville and Sioux Lookout varying from 20 – 90 minute stops. Mountain resort of Jasper:

This country is vast and it makes you appreciate how difficult it is for locals to get around and to see their country. For Pam it is like a school project coming to life sitting in the domed top car, the train disappearing around bends or into moody darkness. One memorable moment was sitting in the domed car skies heavy overhead, light rain falling and a complete, brilliantly coloured rainbow forming an arch for the train to go through, which of course it never did – magic.

PS: Now in Toronto, train kept getting later and arrived a hotel finally at 10.30 pm!