Saturday 22nd April – Bailey’s departure day

'Alan!'

It was probably a bit of a kick in the teeth for the Baileys to wake on their last day to a blue-sky morning after the rain and cloud we have experienced over the last couple of weeks.  But we agreed to make the most of it, just like our ground squirrel neighbours who were out and about early today.  They weren’t drinking until 1am though… 

The view from our campsite this morning

We’d received a recommendation for a town called Canmore which was on the way to Calgary so this seemed like a good stopping point to break up the drive.  The stunning scenery continued as we made our way to the Grizzly Paw Brewery and pub! 

 

The perfect picture for our 'RV life on the road' brochure....

Canmore looked radiant in the sunshine - the wooden posts on the right surround the Grizzly Paw pub garden

It was warm enough to sit outside and the food was great. But, as the time to take the Bailey’s to the airport approached the atmosphere eerily changed as the sun disappeared and the temperature dropped.  

 

The drive into Calgary was uneventful and we successfully dropped the Baileys off at the airport about 5pm.  They seem gutted to be going home…. Which I suppose could be considered a good thing as it means that they had a good time?!  Simon and I agreed that it would feel strange going back to just the two of us on the RV again.  

Si getting to know Jess

However, we wouldn’t have to worry about that now!  Having left the airport, just like after we dropped Becky at departures in March, we were lucky enough to have some friends to go and visit.  Mark and Yvette Hall live roughly half an hour from Calgary airport in the sticks near a town called Cochrane.  Mark used to work with Simon in the UK and he and Yvette emigrated over here about nine years ago for a new life.    They have an amazing house down an unmade road in the countryside where they live with their two dogs, Axel and Jess.   

The Hall's beautiful home

They were all so welcoming and offered to put us up for as long as we wanted to stay.  Having been given the tour including the hot-tub, quad bike, cinema room and gym, they may live to regret this offer!  Mark currently works for Calgary Police at the airport and unfortunately our timing was poor in relation to the fact he had just started four days of early turns in a row.  Yvette made us a delicious curry dinner and we chatted about our experiences in leaving the UK behind, whether temporarily or permanently!  As you’d expect, they have found both positive and negative aspects to their new lifestyle, but the overwhelming feeling was that they have no regrets in making such a huge life decision.

As Mark was working at 6am again tomorrow we all had an early night, which we were also thankful for after not getting much sleep due to Friday’s social.  We are staying in the guest suite downstairs with en-suite bathroom, next to the cinema room.  How many nights did we say we planned to stay Simon?!