CALGARY & THE STAMPEDE

ALBERTA, CANADA

Day 57 - Saturday 6th July – Vancouver to Calgary

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So a lot of today was spent travelling from Vancouver to Calgary. We got the shuttle from our hotel to the airport, checked in and waited for our flight - which was delayed a bit. The flight was about an hour and a half, but we also lost an hour as we entered Alberta - a different time zone. Then we got a taxi downtown to our hotel in Calgary.

We weren’t really sure what there was to do in Calgary, apart from The Stampede - which we have tickets for on Monday and Wednesday. So we were looking at options and found an evening City Tour- which runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday, and we were able to book for this evening.

Calgary tour was a really good trip around the city - just 9 of us with the owner of the company being our Driver/Guide in a mini bus. The tour lasted well over the 2 hours it was supposed to be, and we visited lots of different areas of the City - many that we wouldn’t have got to see otherwise, two with great views looking down.

Our guide was interesting in the information he gave us about the founding of the city in the late 1800s, and how it has rebuilt and expanded a lot during the late 70s, 80s and 90s. Lots of building still going on today as well.

It was a really worthwhile tour and has given us a much better understanding of Calgary. Looking forward to looking around the downtown area more tomorrow and seeing the sights.

No of Miles Driven- 0

No of steps walked today.... 9584

Day 58 - Sunday 7th July - Calgary

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We set off this morning to walk down Stephen Avenue, the pedestrianised area. There weren’t many people around, and we went into the large store selling all things Western - in preparation of going to The Stampede tomorrow. We managed to find a hat each, and remembered to use the discount voucher on the map we had!

We continued down and got as far as Olympic Plaza, the area where medal ceremonies took place at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics - those of Eddie the Eagle fame! Some of this area was obscured by a stage and screen set up for Stampede events, but it was good to look around.

We went on to the National Music Centre, an unusual building, that we had seen last night, and also passed the new Library, another different building. Then we made our way to the River front and walked along for quite a while, under the Centre Street Bridge, which has replicas of the Lions at Trafalgar Square at each end. Eventually we ended up on Prince’s Island, in the Bow River. It had gone very black by this time so we went into the River Cafe for brunch - very nice.

Leaving here we continued off the island, and as far as the Peace bridge, which we visited last night, and then slowly made our way back to our hotel.

This evening we had booked a table at the revolving restaurant at the top of the Calgary Tower. So we went along a bit early so we could have a look around first. Only one of the lifts was working so it took a little longer than expected to go up, but once up we had a good look around the Observation deck, and watched a brief film about the building of the Tower in 1967. At the time it was the tallest building in Calgary - now it is 7th tallest. It still holds the record for the highest Olympic Flame - and it is still lit for Olympics and Canadian winners.

We then went down a level to the revolving restaurant and had a lovely meal, with great views. It takes 1 hour to do a complete circuit, and we were there nearly 2! Then we strolled back to our hotel.

No of Miles Driven - 0

No of steps walked today.... 14677

Day 59 - Monday 8th July - Calgary - The Stampede

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Well we’ve had a fantastic day at the Calgary Stampede..... full of excitement, noise and colour. The ground opens at 11am, and we were there not long after, having caught the C Train - their version of the underground - only its over ground!

It was quite bizarre walking through a full scale operational fairground at that time in the morning! And there were people already doing the rides, and shooting for prizes, and buying fried food. The number of food stalls is massive..... and each one is replicated a few times in different parts of the Park. And what you can buy to eat is all the usual suspects of burgers, ribs, pulled meats, corn dogs, fries, etc. Etc. Plus deep fried onions, squid, all sorts of chocolate bars, Oreos and a whole lot more. Then there’s all the drink stations and ice cream and of course donuts, and candy floss and popcorn and so the list goes on, and on, and on!

Having walked down through the rides and side shows, we reached a large building and went into see what was going on..... just in time for the mini chick wagon races..... this was great fun. Two sets racing in each heat, a small chuck wagon pulled by 4 small horses. The competition seemed to be very dominated by one family - a dad, his two daughters, his son in law, his grandson and one other!

Then we stayed to watch a bit of the Stampede riders exercising their horses - 14 girls aged between 14 and 21, who auditioned last August and have trained and performed since. These are the riders that accompany the winners around the ring carrying flags.

Then lunch - a pulled pork sandwich - before heading for the grandstand for the Rodeo. We had bought our tickets when they first came out, months ago, and we thought we had chosen great seats..... but when sat there we realised we should have gone for higher up the stand - and Phil discovered we could try and change them - which we did. So have done that for all the tickets we got.

Had a fabulous afternoon watching the Rodeo - lots of different events:

Bareback, Tie-down Roping, Junior Steer Riding, Steer Wrestling, Novice Saddle Bronc and Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, Wild Pony Race.

The only thing we had seen before was Bull Riding in the States. - so it was all a bit of a learning curve to find out what was happening. We had a helpful couple sitting behind us who explained stuff to us. To be riding here, you have to be one of the top riders in the world, but also be invited! It was all great fun to watch.

The evening entertainment was the Chuck Wagon Racing, and this was 9 heats of 4. Each team had 4 horses pulling the chuck wagon, a driver and two outriders. It was very exciting and most races were very close.

When that was finished, there was a band playing while the stage was set up for the Show. This was a bit of a cross between a very posh Gang Show and a Variety Act. It was very big, very loud and very colourful, and very well done. The acts included Grouchos from Argentina, tap dancers, a laser show in a huge bubble, and ended with fireworks. A great day - and we’ll do it all again on Wednesday.

No of Miles Driven - 0

No of steps walked today.... 12347

Day 60 - Tuesday 9th July - Calgary

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So today we visited Heritage Park... a large area of old buildings and artefacts. It was quite different to Barkerville which we visited a while ago...which was a Gold Rush Town. To get there we first caught the C Train, and then the bus - all on the same ticket.

There were a few steam trains and old carriages - both Canadian National and Canadian Pacific - and we had lunch in an old Station cafe. Then caught the train for a circuit of the Park.  Next was a half hour ride on an old Paddle Steamer - on a lake/reservoir which had lots of sailing going on as well.

Then we wandered around the streets looking at and going in the various shops and buildings. It was very interesting. The Post Office also had a Telephone Exchange, and there were some places you could phone from on the Park and be put through.

We also went and chatted to the Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman - although he wasn’t mounted! It was a very good place - preserving the different buildings and with a comprehensive programme of activities to do if you wanted.

A bit more relaxing day than yesterday..... building our strength up for tomorrow - another day at the Stampede!

No of Miles Driven - 0

No of steps walked today.... 7795

Day 61 - Wednesday 10th July - Calgary & The Stampede

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Today was Stampede day again....... with tickets for both the Rodeo and Evening Chuck Wagon Races and Show again. So, it was much the same as Monday...... all the same noise, colour and excitement.

What we saw today that was different ...... in the morning we watched the Working Dog Trials - bit like One man and his dog - except quite a few were women. The shepherd and their dog had to work three sheep around a course and then pen them. This afternoon we actually caught the very end of the final as well,  after the Rodeo, just seeing the last couple of runs, one being the winning one.

And then, following that this afternoon, we watched some of the Cowboy Up - where cowboys and girls had to ride a set course of obstacles....... speed and precision were key. Some of the obstacles were jumps, they also had to do rope work, walk their horse on uneven and moving objects, as well as across a narrow walkway. It was really good to watch - very exciting.

Then we moved onto the Grandstand for the evening performance. Everywhere was busier today with more people there, and I guess that will just increase as the week progresses to the final day on Sunday. We’ve had a great time experiencing the Stampede - well worth it.

No of Miles Driven - 0

No of steps walked today.... 9909

Calgary Stampede Videos

Day 62 - Thursday 11th July - Calgary to Heathrow London

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So, our last day in Canada..... eh!

Having sorted our bags etc. this morning, we left them at the hotel for a final look around downtown Calgary. We caught the C Train, it’s free for a few stops along downtown, and got off near the Olympic Plaza, also known as Rope Square. There was a programme of events happening there each morning during the Stampede....

By the time we got there we saw Chinese - we think - performers, a small band, three dragons dancing and a masked man leading the performance. It was very colourful, and the dragons came out of the arena and danced through the crowds, sitting around on the terraces,

Next up was the First Nations Parade. Not sure where they had paraded from, but I think had been going quite some time. They were led into the arena by the elders on horseback, all in their regalia, and then followed those on foot, men, women and children, all dressed in costume.

A small group of men set up just below where we were sitting to beat the drum, and ‘sing’ - it’s not overly tuneful! Representatives from different Tribes performed dances. Some are quite slow and shuffle, others more energetic. There was also a performance from a Hoop Dancer - he was good although wasn’t as slick as the one we saw in the States.

When this was all over we meandered down the main pedestrianised Street, and had some lunch, sat outside in the warm sunshine. Eventually we made our way back to our hotel, and got a cab to the airport - where we are now waiting to check in. 

We’ve had an absolutely fantastic time here..... it will be a bit of a shock having to start cooking again!

No of Miles Driven - 0

No of steps walked today.... 4729 so far final total 7192 following trekking around the airport!

The next 24+ hours will be spent travelling, first of all flying to Heathrow, and then the train back to Nailsea, where Rach will pick us up. A fantastic trip away with so many new experiences.