2026 Canada Take Two

July 16 – last day together as a group of 8

Six of the eight made the trek to Paddington’s Pump at the St Lawrence’s markets. Donna and the group were abused by a random who screamed that he was sick of #*+#* tourists.

We split up to walk back with some of us wandering the markets first. Wayne and I saw another random throw his drink over an Uber car because no one was giving him anything.

Despite the haze, Wayne and I went to the Toronto Tower. Walked there and got the subway back.

Our group met up with Zoe, whom Wayne, our kids and I met when we went to Vietnam at the end of 2017. Zoe was the hostess with the mostest and wanted to do so much with us. We just loved catching up with her after all these years. Can’t wait for when she visits Australia.

We did ‘The Great Race’ to get back to the hotel. Zoe gave Donna and me a lift back to the hotel (1st). Danny, Madonna and Mark walked back (2nd) and Wayne, Dave and Jo got the train (last).

The night before, we each received the responsibility of deciding an award/s for someone in the group.

I gave Jo a number of minor awards including the Cowgirl award – I loved the comment as we’re entering the stampede ‘just letting you know Dave, I will be buying merchandise’ and didn’t she rock those shorts and Spicy award – from jalapeños to chilli soup to cocktails to fiery chicken wings. Not only is this girl nice, she is spicy and can handle anything spicy. The spicer the better! My main award for Jo was the Up for anything award – whether it being a hike, shopping or staying out late. Jo fitted into this group so beautifully but still brought her own spark. Loved travelling with her. 

Jo gave Donna the 2026 Canadian crew MVP award. Donna is the glue of our group. From organising places to stay, to events to attend, to creating and ordering team shirts, we couldn’t do these holidays without her.

Madonna gave Mark a number of awards with first being the English language award. His comment, ‘Get the flock out of year!’ surprised bystanders and us. He also received the Christopher Columbus award. What is east and what is west in the northern hemisphere, Mark? Finally he received the English literacy award with his comment that the plural word of moose must be meeces (goose – geese being his reasoning).

Donna used the analogy of birds for Dave. The Owl award for his wisdom and nocturnal habits. The Ibis award for cleaning up everyone’s leftovers. The Bowerbird award for collecting pretty things. The Parrot award for seeking attention and finally the Pelican award. He needs to use his big beak to drink the root beer and not spill it all down himself.

Wayne commended Madonna with the Toughness award. At the very beginning of our trip, Madonna injured her foot at Grouse Mountain. Wayne not only acknowledged Madonna’s comical, acrobatic, slow motion fall but also the fact she never whinged once and kept doing things, despite the injury. He then gave her the Back seat sniper award particularly when comments to the front seat driver and front-seat passenger reached a crescendo at the servo on the Banff to Calgary drive. 

Danny stated that Wayne didn’t quite make a number of awards including Most uncoordinated (many trips and the fall down the steps), Most unfriendly (collected randoms everywhere), 48 award (repeating a story at within 48 hours), Switch-on (saying something that someone had just said), Most generous (paying for everything), Public transport award (loving the trains, buses and trams). What he did win was the Most Fashionable award.

Dave gave me the Synonym award. He acknowledged the challenges Danny would give me to use particular/specific/exact/distinct words in the blog.

Finally, Mark awarded Danny the Rip van Winkle award for sleeping on our excursions. He also achieved the Sprinting award (always way ahead of the group), Mr Magoo award (slow and cautious driving) and The Boss award – always following his own navigation and not trusting anyone else. His main award was the Just One Beer award. He went to the saloon for one beer and ended up with all of us down there for the night.

This Take Two trip nearly didn’t happen. When our trip was cancelled in 2020, we thought visiting Canada was off the list. We are so glad it came to fruition. Canada and Alaska are incredibly beautiful. The people are lovely and very courteous and I would recommend visiting this part of the world to anyone.

Our group now splits up. Jo, Dave, Wayne and I fly back home and Danny, Madonna, Mark and Donna continue to explore the east side (Mark) of Canada.

It has been another great trip with a fantastic bunch of people. Until next time…who knows where?