Down town Cowtown!As a very generous birthday present, Laura had paid for the flights, leaving after work on Friday night and returning early before work on Tuesday morning (that was to be a long day). After work on Friday I had a few hours to kill and so, I with a few carefully selected work colleagues went for a drink or 4 in a local boozery, and after a good oiling, I met up with the lovely Laura who refused to talk to me because I had shaved my beard off. (Don't worry, it's back already).
We had an easy flight into Calgary and took a cab to the hotel.
Next morning I awoke to silent treatment from Laura as my beard had not recovered overnight. It was not until that evening that a thick enough shadow had developed that she recognised me as the man she wished to spend all eternity with. (isn't that right Laura?)
Anyhow I persevered, and Laura and I went to the Calgary skytower. Again we ascended 100's of feet just to look back at the ground again. The views were very good and it gave us a good perspective of where everything in the city was.
The one thing it didn't do was give us any idea of was, where any one was? Cowtown was deserted all weekend!
Some of this may be due to the major repair works that were being undertaken in the C-train, which meant that we had catch replacement bus services all weekend. Hey ho. Apart from that, we had no problems getting around all weekend.
On Saturday afternoon we went to a Calgary Stampeeders vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders game. I sort of understand the game. Calgary won! There was a streaker and a fight in the male toilets. More like English football than any other North American sport I have seen.
Look closely, and you can see the Streaker. Not even my zoom lens could have saved this one
After the game we went to this very cool pub for dinner. Laura watched this couple on a first date in the corner. She expertly described the psychology behind the moves and gestures. "Why then" I asked, "was our first date such a disaster?
Next morning we got up (Just) and headed to Calgary Zoo. Not only is it a zoo, but is also a prehistoric park and Gardens. Therefore, for our first hour we just saw models of dead animals. It was a relief when we realised that there were also live animals at the zoo.
I'm not usually a big fan of zoo's, but this one really impressed. I have a soft spot for bears after Living in Canada for so long. I also love the lion hat!
The Monday was, Heritage day in Alberta. (BC day in BC) and so we trotted off to Heritage park. Heritage Park is a wild west version of the Beamish museum in Northumberland. It's bigger too.
The Canadian Calvary were out in full dress to entertain us with a great show of horseman ship, in very hot weather. 
A whole pioneer village had been rebuilt, with original buildings being taken down from all over Alberta and reassembled at the park. Each building had a Historian who could tell you all about all the stuff inside and about the history of the house in general. Laura actually gave a lesson to one of the staff by, describing how a turn of the century (1900, not 2000) ice ream maker worked. Laura's Mum still uses one!!! Thinks haven't really moved on all that much in the south!
The really cool bit, is it has a huge old steam train, carriages with three working train stations. 
The train took us to the carnival area, where turn of the century rides, made me feel sick after my corn dog.
There was also an old paddle steamer that took ferry cruises, but we just didn't have time to do it all.
I flew back the next morning. I was up at 3.30 am. I made it until 4pm. Then I had to go home and sleep. I head a really great time. By the end of the trip, I couldn't get Laura to be quiet!
It's a funny old world!
In other news, it's been a great day for the Bull sisters. Laura had an interview with he Education Institute and got instantly accepted. All while Lydia received 5 A*, 4 A's and 1 C in here G.C.S.E. results. Many congratulations to you both.
So I guess this means I am the black sheep of the family now. By the end of the trip, I'll be jobless, homeless, and skint! I know Mum can't wait to have me and my guitars back home!
I'll be back soon! Promise
I have been on the road a lot recently. I was away for three weeks with Mum and My sister Laura, touring around British Columbia, Alberta and then Alaska on the cruise. So what better than the very next weekend to go on a weekend break to Seattle???
Rest and relaxation by the beach in Sunny Vancouver I hear you cry?? Well maybe, but after some gentle persuasion from Girlfriend Laura, I decided to get the bus after work on Friday and join her in Seattle for the weekend.
I got the bus after work and arrived in Seattle about 10.30. The bus dropped us off in a less desirable part of the city near the space needle. Laura met me there with considerable relief that I was now there with her. We got on a couple of buses, packed with baseball fans and headed out to our hotel. My head hit the pillow at 12am midnight.
Next morning we got up for breakfast and went to the front desk to get some change for the bus. The lady behind the desk, saw two impoverished adorable young things, and offered us free tickets to the Seattle Mariners v's Boston Red Sox game. Some guy couldn't go so he just left the tickets at reception. Off we toddled. Laura was able to call the game for me because it is a wee bit different to rounders you know. He has me sort of hooked on it actually.
Back to the hotel for dinner and a fine nights rest.
Back up next morning, and we're off to town to go on an underground tour of Seattle. Seattle is built on a flood plane. Surveyors at the time knew this but had a penchant for wading twice a day. It took only 30 years to realise that this wasn't good for a whole host of horrible reasons.
So, they decided to build the city one floor up. Early photos show pedestrians on the sidewalk 14 feet above the road below with carts and horses. The entrances to buildings were built on the second floor of buildings to accommodate the planned rise in the sidewalk.
This eventually happened, Manifestly an underground city emerged. Bars, vice dens thrived in this darkened environment. The tour itself was made by the guides who took us around. Their blend of History and humor illuminated what in reality was the basements and foundations of buildings.
After that we toured around the Market and saw the first ever Starbucks. Who would have thought that in less that 40 years, Starbucks would be more powerful that Britain.
Then we went up to the Space Needle. The views are very pretty, probably even surpassing the views from our own Harbor centre. I'll leave it for you to decide!
There are as yet, no plans for a DVD.
Well Done Laura!
Laura flanked by Mum and Dad. Don't they scrub up well!
