Step back into 1999 with a richly preserved chapter of our travel archive—packed with authentic stories, photos, and memories from life on the road. This page brings the year to life with vivid detail, capturing the spirit of adventure that shaped our journeys. Explore a nostalgic slice of travel history and rediscover the moments that made 1999 unforgettable. 1999 Travel Blog & Guide Canada 1999 – Detailed Route Map (Sequential Waypoints) 11 August – 4 September, 25 days Vancouver → Vancouver Island → Inside Passage → Highway 16 → Vancouver → Rockies → Edmonton → Calgary. 1) Arrival & Vancouver Area Vancouver (Downtown) Burnaby West Vancouver Cypress Provincial Park Capilano Suspension Bridge Grouse Mountain (Canopy Bridge & Lumberjack Show) Granville Island North Vancouver Harbour (Seaplanes) 2) Ferry to Vancouver Island Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal Through US waters & Gulf Islands Swartz Bay (Vancouver Island) 3) Southern Vancouver Island Loop Sidney North Saanich Cordova Bay Thetis Lake Regional Park Esquimalt Millstream Victoria (Empress Hotel, Inner Harbour) Sooke Shawnigan Lake Duncan (overnight) Crofton Cassidy Chemainus (Wall Murals) 4) Central & Western Vancouver Island Nanoose Bay Port Alberni Beaver Creek Cathedral Grove (Giant Sequoias) Pacific Rim National Park Long Beach Tofino (Whale watching / Orcas) Gold River Campbell River Strathcona Provincial Park Port Renfrew Lake Cowichan 5) Northern Vancouver Island → Inside Passage Port Hardy (B&B) Inside Passage Ferry Queen Charlotte Sound Glacial fjords Prince Rupert (Tall Trees B&B) 6) Highway 16 Across British Columbia Travelling east from Prince Rupert: Gitnadoiks River Provincial Park Hazelton (Art Ksan) Seven Sisters Provincial Park Burns Lake Fraser Lake Vanderhoof Prince George Quesnel 150 Mile House 100 Mile House (overnight) 70 Mile House Lillooet Pemberton Mount Currie Whistler Squamish (overnight) 7) Back to Vancouver → Swap Car for Motorhome Vancouver (vehicle changeover) 8) Rockies & National Parks Loop Kamloops (camping) Nicola Lake (fishing) Kelowna Aspen Grove Glacier National Park Rogers Pass Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk Yoho National Park Radium Hot Springs Kootenay National Park Banff Banff Gondola (Sulphur Mountain) Banff Springs Hotel Lake Louise (water tank incident!) Moraine Lake Columbia Icefields Athabasca Glacier (Ice Explorer) Jasper National Park Athabasca Falls McBride Robson Bight 9) Alberta – Final Leg Calgary (brief visit) Edmonton (friends, West Edmonton Mall) Calgary (return to drop off motorhome) Calgary Airport → UK 99 Route Visuals Route Summary Vancouver BC Burnaby BC West Vancouver BC Cypress Provincial Park BC Capilano Suspension Bridge BC Grouse Mountain BC Granville Island Vancouver BC Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal BC Swartz Bay BC Sidney BC North Saanich BC Cordova Bay BC Thetis Lake Regional Park BC Esquimalt BC Millstream BC Victoria BC Sooke BC Shawnigan Lake BC Duncan BC Crofton BC Cassidy BC Chemainus BC Nanoose Bay BC Port Alberni BC Beaver Creek BC Cathedral Grove BC Pacific Rim National Park BC Long Beach BC Tofino BC Gold River BC Campbell River BC Strathcona Provincial Park BC Port Renfrew BC Lake Cowichan BC Port Hardy BC Prince Rupert BC Gitnadoiks River Provincial Park BC Hazelton BC Seven Sisters Provincial Park BC Burns Lake BC Fraser Lake BC Vanderhoof BC Prince George BC Quesnel BC 150 Mile House BC 100 Mile House BC 70 Mile House BC Lillooet BC Pemberton BC Mount Currie BC Whistler BC Squamish BC Vancouver BC Kamloops BC Nicola Lake BC Kelowna BC Aspen Grove BC Glacier National Park BC Rogers Pass BC Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk BC Yoho National Park BC Radium Hot Springs BC Kootenay National Park BC Banff AB Sulphur Mountain AB Banff Springs Hotel AB Lake Louise AB Moraine Lake AB Columbia Icefields AB Athabasca Glacier AB Jasper National Park AB Athabasca Falls AB McBride BC Robson Bight BC Calgary AB Edmonton AB Calgary Airport AB CANADA 1999 CANADA IN A MOTORHOME 1999, British Columbia & Vancouver Island Plus Alberta to Edmonton to stay with Friends. This Family Trip is also replicated on the motorhome-travels blog as BLOG 166 INTRODUCTION This page covers our trip to Canada in 1999 11 August to 4th September, 25 days in our hired All Drive Classic 3000 3 berth motorhome and initially a hire car, we started in Vancouver, went to see the Rockies, also across on the ferry to Vancouver island where we went to Tofino to do some whale watching, actually saw a pod of Orca's just magical, also saw the magnificent Pacific Rim National Park, then back to see more of British Columbia eventually travelling up to Edmonton in Alberta to visit our pals David & Cathy & family, magical times with Doug who was 15 at that stage, fishing and chopping logs for our wild camp fire cooking was a true highlight. We stayed in some very remote campsites and managed to avoid the bears! 😉 In summary some of the highlights and places visited were Victoria, Vancouver Island, Vancouver City, West Vancouver, Cypress Provincial Park, Inside passage by ferry, Prince Rupert, Highway 16, Prince George, the BC ferry Tsawwassen thru US waters and various Islands to Swartz Bay, on Vancouver island we visited Nanaimo, Sidney, Cassidy, stayed in Duncan, Crofton, Swartz Bay, Lake Cowichan, Port Renfrew, Nanoose Bay, Port Alberni, Beaver Creek, Sooke, Long Beach, Tofino and then returned to the Islands Capital Victoria which is just such a lovely place with the historic Empress Hotel (by 2022 known as the Fairmont Empress), plus Patricia Hotel, North Saanich, Cordova Bay, Thetis Lake Regional Park, Esquimalt, Millstream, Squamish, Whistler, Banff, Pemberton, Mount Currie, Yoho National Park, Radium Hot Springs, Ice Explorer on the Columbia Ice field, Athabasca Glacier, Lillooet, 70,100,150 mile house, Quesnel, Fraser Lake, Burns Lake, Gitnadoiks River Provincial Park, Hazelton, Seven sisters provincial park, McBride, Jasper National Park, Kamloops, Kelowna , Vanderhoof , Moose Highway 99, Capilano suspension bridge, Sulphur Mountain, Calgary and a whole lot more. PLAY williams lake BC wildlife just outside banff 1/93 1999 25 Days Between 11th August & 4th September 1999 Canada 1999 Mostly British Columbia , Some Alberta to Edmonton and back. Summary: We spent 25 Days in British Columbia and a bit of Alberta We took 185 Photos, all of which are included in the summary slideshows. Our trip to Canada in 1999 was from 11 August to 4th September, 25 days in our hired All Drive Classic 3000 3 berth motorhome combined with a hire car at the beginning for use to get around Vancouver Island and do the Inside passage loop from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert and then back down to Vancouver to swap the car for the camper van, when we had the car we stayed in B&B’s mostly and some motels, clearly once we had the van we stayed at campsites. Initially we started in Vancouver downtown in what was definitely not a nice area but was cheap and afforded us the opportunity to see the City of Vancouver quite easily, then across on the ferry to Vancouver island where we went to Tofino to do some whale watching in the Salish sea, actually saw a pod of Orca's just magical from our boat that left Telegraph Cove, after returning from Victoria, Vancouver Island and picking up the motorhome we went to see the Rockies, then much more of British Columbia eventually travelling up to Edmonton in Alberta to visit our pals David & Cathy & family, magical times with Doug who was 15 at that stage, fishing and chopping logs for our wild camp fire cooking was a true highlight. We stayed in some very remote campsites and managed to avoid the bears! We then drove up to Port Hardy staying in this old house B&B there before getting up very early to travel on the ferry up to Prince Rupert , this was the famed inside passage, we headed up the coast having set sail from Port Hardy through the magnificent glacial fjords of the Inside Passage to the stunning and wild destination of Prince Rupert. It passes through the Queen Charlotte sound but for us the weather sadly was appalling so we were a bit restricted in what we managed to see. We stayed at the Tall Trees B&B in Prince Rupert run by the lovey Kathy Butterfield who was so welcoming and told us quite a bit about the local area. Travelling back down to Vancouver in the car we stayed at a B&B in 100-mile house having had a quick look around Prince George after leaving Kathy. On the 22nd of August we made our way back to Vancouver having seen Whistler the previous day , remember mountain bikers coming hurtling down the now snow clear mountain sides, frightening, even in my hey day I would never have had the bottle to travel quite so fast, overnight we stayed in a B&B in Squamish, we then swapped the car for the motorhome before heading off to Edmonton. In the motorhome we visited Banff, Lake Louise which is where sadly our water tank came detached from the underside of the hire van, a very kind Canadian stopped and applied a rope he had to it to strap it up enough for us to get back into the town of Lake Louise where we took it to a garage having rung the hire company and had it welded back on, we kept the receipt so we could claim back later, on route we also saw Kootenay, Waterton, Roger’s Pass National Park, Skunk Cabbage Boardwalk, Seaplanes over Vancouver North Harbour, Spray Can Art, Bungee Jumping (not us just watching) near Nanaimo, Yoho National Park where we visited and went for a swim in the Radium Hot Water springs pool, it may have been chilly outside but in the water was heavenly. We also saw the Columbia Icefields Park where we travelled on a snow mobile / coach called the ice explorer out to the Athabasca glacier one of the ice fields 5 toes, do remember them specifically telling us all to stay within the perimeter rope for our safety, folk had died falling down the many crevasses, a foolish tourist in our party didn’t follow this advice and hoped over the fence to get a better picture, he was lucky. In summary some of the highlights and places visited were Victoria, Vancouver Island, Vancouver City, Burnaby, West Vancouver, Cypress Provincial Park, inside passage by ferry, Prince Rupert, we drove much on the fab remote Highway 16 thru BC back down through some fabulous scenery to Vancouver swapped car for motorhome and then across to friends in Edmonton, plus we saw at various stages and in no particular order, Prince George, the BC ferry Tsawwassen thru US waters, and various Islands to Swartz Bay, Tsawwassen terminal is a 36 km drive from downtown Vancouver and is located at the southwest end of Highway 17 in Delta. Sailings departing from Tsawwassen provide service to Swartz Bay (Victoria), Duke Point (Nanaimo) and the Southern Gulf Islands. Visit the Tsawwassen Quay for shopping and a range of food and beverage options. On Vancouver Island we visited Sidney, Cassidy, stayed in Duncan, Crofton, Swartz Bay, Lake Cowichan, Port Renfrew, Nanoose Bay, Port Alberni, Beaver Creek, Long Beach, Tofino and then returned to the Islands Capital Victoria which is just such a lovely place with the historic Empress Hotel. We returned via the fabulous Shawnigan Lake, we also visited Sooke on the island where our B&B landlady told us a about the replica Captain James Cook ship the Endeavour on its re-enactment voyage, just wonderful especially as Captain Cook is our hero and we have tried on our travels to visit many of the places he went to , from Middlesborough to 1770, big tick, plus we remember the sordid Patricia Hotel, North Saanich, Cordova Bay, Thetis Lake Regional Park, Esquimalt, Millstream, Squamish, Whistler, Banff, Pemberton, Mount Currie, Lillooet, 70,100,150 mile house, Quesnel, Fraser Lake, Burns Lake, Gitnadoiks River Provincial Park, Hazelton, Seven sisters provincial park, Chemainus and all the wall murals, bit like the place in New Zealand called Kati Kati, Giant Sequoias, McBride, Athabasca Falls, White Water Rapids, MacMillan Provincial Park , the Canopy Bridge at Grouse Mountain and the Lumberjack games display there, The Fraser River, Gaslight Jack and Granville island, ferries galore, Moraine Lake, Robson Bight, Banff Springs Hotel, talk about posh, Jasper National Park, We camped in Kamloops where despite the time of year one of the residents in a caravan had their Christmas decorations up, bizarre but very festive, Kelowna , the pacific rim national park on Vancouver island was spectacular, we camped at gold river and visited Campbell River (later we discovered Annie has current rellies living there, shame we didn’t know at the time, Strathcona Park. We also saw Aspen Grove, Art Ksan at Hazelton, the wonderful Butchart gardens, so loved that what an experience, Cathedral Grove, lots of wildlife along the roadways edge especially in the Rockies National Park, fishing on Nicola Lake outside Kamloops, Glacier National Park, Sulphur mountain which we took a cable car known as the Gondola to the top of , amazing views looking back down at Banff, Keef of course got his Hard Rock Café T-shirt from Banff, why not, smile, we also took the van into Calgary but it was just so busy we decided not to stay long and headed off to Edmonton, remember David clearly saying when we camped some 300 miles down the road, hey you were so nearby, Canadians have a different view of distance, their country is just so huge in comparison to the UK. Also visited West Ed Mall, amazing what was in there, Annie going down the hugely deep-water slide is one memory, the other is denting the side of the van on a bollard in the car park which I didn’t see, oh dear. We eventually drove back to Calgary to hand the van in there and did a deal on receipt against busted water tank and dent in van, so quits no charge for either party, result. All drive hire company gave us a lift to Calgary airport, part of our one way hire agreement and we flew back into Manchester I think via Keflavik in Iceland (but that may have been on the way out, can’t remember) but what I do remember is buying the Reykjavik T-shirt from the Hard Rock Café in the airport tee-hee and then home to Nottingham. A lovely trip with some great memories and shared with Doug in his teenage years, Craig was in Spain with his mates. That’s all folks, I think its quite enough. Poor Doug who often said "are we there yet" was only 15 and a better imitation of "Kevin" by Harry Enfield I have not seen 😉He did love fishing and making real campfires however. Family Time in a Motorhome with Doug aged 15 August 1999 calendar created by KeefH Web Designs colourful calendar to show 1999 month of August Canada 1999 trip plan for August mostly British Columbia created by KeefH Web Designs Day by Day August 1999 travels with Doug Canada 1999 trip plan for September mostly British Columbia created by KeefH Web Designs Day by Day September 1999 travels with Doug August 1999 calendar created by KeefH Web Designs colourful calendar to show 1999 month of August 1/4 1999 25 Days Between 11th August & 4th September To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Explore Ontario through a motorhome adventure packed with big lakes, wild drives and classic KHWD humour. This 2010 Ontario travel blog covers Nipigon, Wawa, Elliot Lake, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Toronto, Niagara Falls and more—372 photos, real diary notes and unforgettable routes across Canada’s central province. Perfect for RV travellers, road‑trip planners and long‑haul adventure fans. 2010 Ontario Travel Blog & Guide ONTARIO - HOLIDAY in 2010 A Travel Blog Experience DIARY During 2010 we have now been from one side of Canada to the other in a motorhome, British Columbia to Labrador, we loved it, it is a fabulous country and quite an achievement with memories we shall treasure forever. For Ontario the following were some of the highlights, nipigon, wawa, elliot lake, new liskeard, musselmans lake, Toronto which we are glad we visited although in reality were not that impressed by (along with Montreal in Quebec province, maybe as travellers we prefer being away from the big cities I suspect that is the answer, anyhow we did see the CN tower and surrounds and walked along the river’s edge to see all the restaurants, note the G20 conference was due to be on in Toronto whilst we were in Canada that year, getting up early to watch England get knocked out of the world cup football and flying our flag on the motorhome, tee-hee, Niagara falls which was just magical, we did do the maid of the mist boat trip and put on those flimsy pak-a-maks which in reality afforded little or no protection against the force of that water, we got close and also marvelled at some of the history of the fool hardy who went over the edge into it in a barrel, I ask you would you, we also read and saw how the devil’s hole whirlpool in the accompanying Niagara river was so forceful, we loved the Niagara area, 1000 islands boat trip from Gananoque which was just fantastic and covered that really weird Boldt Castle on route and an amazing number of very small but mostly exclusive islands with yachts etc and either Canadian or American flags proudly displayed and sometimes both, when we returned from the boat trip armed with the recipe Keef made 1000 island sauce to go with our salad, see the recipe below, percy lake, ignace, sault ste marie, wabigoon lakes, agimak lake & beach, rossport, terrace bay, pays plat, thunder bay, the great lakes-superior, huron, ontario & dipping my toe in them – I made a point no matter how cold the water was of taking one sock off and dipping my toe in them so I could say I had “swam” in all of the great lakes which along with the Prairie Provinces I remember studying at school with our Geography teacher the somewhat outlandish Rev Rooney who had spent much time in Africa being a missionary and photographing tribes and showing us schoolkids on the big screen – maybe I learnt my interest in travel from him, maybe it’s just in my DNA, the reality is I did do the toe dipping in all of them bar Lake Michegan, we didn’t go over the US border into that State, maybe another time, you never know, Niagara on the lake, the snow goose, Sinclair cove, mounties, ottawa, aguasarbon falls, entering central standard time, lake superior national park, latchford, spanish, temigami, temiskaming shores, bobbie rosenfeld olympian & park, Wilson island, passport, squirrels Canadian style, white river views, cousins in parry sound, a big welcome to Ontario but sadly not being able to meet up with annies cuz Jamie, bottles in the sewage systems at campsites to prevent odours when using the provided triple services, ha-ha, the lovely Ontario capital Ottawa, stouffville, niagara botanical gardens, floral clock, devils hole whirlpool, st Lawrence river, Gananoque town and harbour, rideau falls, river and canal, byward market, haileybury the home of Annie's rellies and all those kid ex school pupils of Uncle Ralph’s who were now either teachers at his old school or worked in the local museum who helped us locate places of interest and aided our family research. Genealogy is fun, fact! Here are a few words and facts in summary about Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls, city in the Regional Municipality of Niagara, south-eastern Ontario, Canada, a port on the Niagara River opposite Niagara Falls, New York. The city overlooks the Horseshoe, or Canadian, falls cataract of Niagara Falls; the crescent-shaped cataract is 54 M (177 ft) high and carries nine times more water than its United States counterpart. Niagara Falls is an enormously popular tourist destination, and it also serves as a major source of electricity for Ontario. The city is connected to the U.S. side of the falls by several bridges, including the Rainbow, Whirlpool, and Queenston-Lewiston bridges. Principal manufactures include processed food, abrasives, chemicals, automotive parts, metal and paper goods, and wines and alcoholic beverages. Logistics, i.e., storage and warehousing and information technology/call centres are also important to the city's economy. Points of interest include Queen Victoria Park, adjacent to the Canadian Falls and principal site of the annual Winter Festival of Lights; the historical museum at Lundy's Lane, site of a brutal battle between American and British forces in 1814; The Maid of the Mist, Marineland, with Friendship Cove which provides interaction with Killer and Beluga whales, an aquatic theatre and a game farm; Skylon Tower and Pavilion, containing a revolving restaurant and an observation deck overlooking the falls; the Butterfly Conservatory at the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens; Canada One Factory Outlets which features brand name shopping And the accompanying Maid of the Mist, America’s most iconic boat ride since 1846, which was its maiden voyage. See the raging currents. Hear the deafening thunder. And feel the refreshing mist of 600,000 gallons of water falling before your eyes every second. Experience it all aboard the iconic Maid of the Mist. It’s the one and only tour boat fleet whose captains have safely navigated the mighty waters of the Niagara Gorge for over 100 years, taking tens of millions of visitors directly into the centre of the swirling mist. Dress code: blue rain poncho optional. But we highly suggest you wear it, or else… 😉 Before this date, rowboats ferried passengers across the Niagara River below the Falls. By 1846, however, entrepreneurs decided a bigger craft could profit by transporting people, luggage, mail and cargo. So, the first Maid of the Mist steamboat, large enough to carry a stagecoach and horses, was christened. In 1848, construction of a suspension bridge curtailed business and the Maid of the Mist was re-branded as a sightseeing adventure that still operates to this day. Maid of the Mist Official Photo Ontario, Canada, Travel Guide for Motorhomers Recipe for Thousand Islands dressing. If you’ve been there (and even if you haven't) you have to try it and we did in the van so here goes, Ingredients List 1/2 clove garlic, minced 1/4 tsp salt plus more to taste 190ml prepared or homemade mayonnaise 60ml bottled chili sauce 2 tbsp tomato ketchup 1 1/2 tbsp minced onion 2 tsp sweet pickle relish 1/2 hard-cooked large egg, pushed through a sieve or finely chopped Freshly ground black pepper How to make Make a paste with the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt by crushing them with the side of a chef's knife. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the garlic, mayonnaise, chilli sauce, ketchup, onion, relish, and egg until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 2010 15 Days in Ontario, Canada between 4th-20th June INCLUDES 372 PHOTOS Visiting amongst others dryden, wabigoon lake, nipigon, wawa, marathon, heron bay, elliot lake, lake superior pronivcial park, montreal river, echo bay, lion beachfront walk, espanola, sudbury, lake nipissing, parry sound, wabi bay, french river provincial park, white river, old woman bay, mississauga, hamilton, st catherine, katherine cove, sinclair cove, voyageur trail, new liskeard, musselmans lake, camppark resorts niagara falls, toronto, 1000 islands boat trip from gananoque, 1000 Island dressing, johnstown, percy lake, central standard time zone, ignace, sault ste marie, wabigoon lakes, agimak lake& beach, rossport, terrace bay, pays plat, thunder bay, the great lakes-superior, huron, ontario & dipping my toe in them, niagara on the lake, Niagara Falls and the magnificent Maid of the Mist boat trip, Sinclair cove, mounties, ottawa ontario's capital, aguasarbon falls, lake superior national park, latchford, spanish, temigami, temiskaming shores, bobbie rosenfeld olympian & park, whitchurch-stouffville and a potential parking fine, niagara botanical gardens, floral clock, devils hole whirlpool, St Lawrence river, gananoque town and harbor, rideau falls, river and canal, byward market, haileybury the home of Annie's rellies, MacDonald Cartier Bridge to Quebec Province & all ports in between. We have been from one side of Canada to the other, hey did I mention that? 😉 taken by a kind tourist after 3 failed selfie attempts, smile 120610 camp park resorts niagara falls 1/188 Boldt Castle within 1000 Islands George Boldt’s devotion to his wife Louise became one of North America’s most enduring love stories. A Prussian immigrant who rose to fame as the proprietor of New York’s Waldorf‑Astoria, Boldt set out in 1900 to build a full‑scale Rhineland‑style castle on Heart Island as a grand tribute to her. More than 300 craftsmen worked on the six‑storey, 120‑room masterpiece, complete with tunnels, Italian gardens, a powerhouse, a children’s playhouse and elaborate stonework. Every detail was designed to celebrate the woman who had supported him from his earliest days. Construction stopped abruptly in 1904 when Louise died suddenly, and Boldt, heartbroken, never returned to the island. The unfinished castle stood untouched for decades, a silent monument to their love, before later restoration brought it back to life for visitors.

“Discover the Cook Islands through decades of travel memories — turquoise lagoons, island life, and unforgettable adventures from our long‑running travel archive.” COOK ISLANDS - We stayed on RAROTONGA Raina Beach House, 10-17 April 2017 INTRODUCTION & DIARY We stayed at the Raina Beach house in Titikaveka, right on the beach front and close to the fruits of the sea lagoon, the best places for snorkeling in the Cook Isles. It wasn't so easy to find in the dark. We had a hire car so explored as well as chilled. Loved the lush interior on the inner road, Wigmore's waterfall, the botanic gardens and lemon cheesecake, Muri burgers, Rarotonga brewery lager and the capital Avarua on the outer road. Nice chill time here on the island at our Raina beach house close to the waters edge. Loved snorkeling, sun bathing, reading , kayaking (well some of us), exploring the island both inner and outer roads, Rarotonga brewery, Little Polynesian restaurant, Botanic gardens, Lemon cheesecake, Muri burgers, University, Museum, Outriggers, Church services, Tropical flowers and customs. April 17 Diary Cook Island's Brewery, guess who visited? "Paradise Home by the Sea" Little Polynesian Restaurant, Titikaveka Jack fruit from the wonderful cafe in the Botanic gardens, which was not far from our cottage Avarua market, great smoothies here 2017 Cook Islands with Pals Click to enlarge and scroll thru slideshows gallery images created by KeefH Web Designs for this Travel Photography site with care and love 1/20 Cottage views of our personal reef

Explore our 2019 motorhome guide to the Faroe Islands and Iceland—routes, ferries, campsites, tips, and stunning Nordic landscapes for an unforgettable adventure. 2019 Travel Guide - Faroes & Iceland 🗺️ 2019 FAROES & ICELAND — COMPLETE MOTORHOME ROUTE MAP Trip No. 38 — 5 May to 3 July 2019 Total distance: 5,257 miles • UK → Holland → Germany → Denmark → Faroe Islands → Iceland → return via Denmark, Germany, Holland → UK. 🇬🇧 UK → 🇳🇱 Holland → 🇩🇪 Germany → 🇩🇰 Denmark Derby → Hull Harwich Port (DFDS ferry) Rotterdam / Hook of Holland Northbound through Germany (A7 corridor) Hirtshals, Denmark – ferry port for Smyril Line to Faroes/Iceland 🇫🇴 FAROE ISLANDS (Outbound stop on Smyril Line) FULL ROUTE (20 day stopover on the ferry route in May 13-27th) Tórshavn (port) Transit through the Faroes en‑route to Iceland BUT not until we have explored the Faroes and its many islands for 14 days, details coming up 13 May - Arrival in the Faroe Islands Tórshavn – arrival from MS Norröna at 6 a.m. Parking by sports stadium Walk around harbour, marina, back streets of Tórshavn Police station (parking disk fine) Tórshavn Campsite – overlooking the sea 14 May - Local explorations, Kaldbaksfjørður & Kirkjubøur Kaldbaksfjørður – waterfalls, salmon farms Kirkjubøur – Roykstovan (oldest inhabited house) St Magnus Cathedral (roofless, under repair) Domkirke (being repainted) Views to Kirkjubøhólmur Return to Tórshavn via Highway 54 Drive to Vestmanna (Streymoy) via: Hoyvík Leynar Kvívík Valur Bay Vestmanna Campsite – tie‑down hoops, run by sea‑captain’s wife 15 May - Vágar Island Day Return via Leynar Vágatunnilin (toll tunnel) to Vágar Island Sandavágur – church, village walk Miðvágur Sørvágur Sørvágsvatn / Leitisvatn (lake) Buttercup Route 452 – coastal drive with views of Tindhólmur and Gáshólmur Tunnel to Gásadalur Walk to Múlafossur Waterfall Return via tunnels Kaldbak – ancient church, village Back to Tórshavn Campsite (night stop) 16 May — Tórshavn Day Tórshavn town Parliament buildings Return to campsite (sea view) 17 May — Return to Vestmanna Mountain road (instead of tunnel) Vestmanna (craft shops, harbour, bridges) Vestmanna Campsite (second stay) 18 May — Streymoy North & Eiði Oyrareingir Hósvík (harbour walk, wildflowers) Hvalvík Saksun (museum, church, coastal walk) Haldarsvík (sailor’s memorial, church visit) Tjørnuvík (Giant & Witch sea stacks, village walk) Bridge to Eysturoy Road 62 → Eiði Eiði Campsite (football field) 19 May — Funningur & Gjógv Funningur (village walk, bridges, river) Road 662 → Road 632 Gjógv (2‑night stay) Clifftop motorhome area Views to Kalsoy Facilities block Village walk (chain-haul system, old school, harbour) 20 May — Gjógv Day Breakfast outside Long village walk Watching MS Norröna pass Relaxing at campsite 21 May — Funningsfjørður → Fuglafjørður → Æðuvík Funningsfjørður inlet Skipanes (tulips) Road 10 → Gotueiði Road 70 → Syðrugøta Gøtugjógv Norðragøta (harbour, Blásastova museum, Joannis K. art) Fuglafjørður (harbour lunch, whale‑bone‑style arches) Skálafjørður (views to Skála) Æðuvík Campsite (heated room, Faroese TV) 22 May — Leirvík → Klaksvík → Kalsoy Faroes football stadium Viking parliament site Leirvík (Viking settlement) Norðoyatunnilin to Borðoy Klaksvík (2nd city) Ferry to Kalsoy (£44 return) Sydradalur (arrival) Húsar Mikladalur (Kópakonan statue) Two long, dim tunnels Trøllanes (end of the world) Kalsoy United Campsite (car park with EHU) 23 May — Return from Kalsoy → Klaksvík → Skálafjørður → Hósvík → Tórshavn Early ferry back (snow on Kunoy) Klaksvík (town walk) Tunnel back to Leirvík Drive full length of Skálafjørður: Skála Strendur Bridge to Streymoy Hósvík Harbour (lunch, sunshine, boat repairs) Return to Tórshavn Campsite (4‑night stay) 24 May — Tórshavn Day Ferry terminal (Nólsoy) Oldest street Costume shop Community buildings Return to campsite 25 May — Kirkjubøur & Sandoy Attempt Kirkjubøur (clear weather this time) Queue for Sandoy ferry → abandoned (risk of not returning) Relax at St Magnus Cathedral viewpoint Views to Hestur Island Return to Tórshavn 26 May — Rest Day Tórshavn campsite Coastal wall walk Castle Relaxing 27 May — Departure for Iceland Tórshavn → Ferry Terminal Board MS Norröna (both allowed to stay in van) Cabin on Deck 15 Evening meal Overnight sailing to Iceland 🇮🇸 ICELAND — MAIN ISLAND CIRCUIT (A Standard Ring Road approach) & THEN OUR ACTUAL ROUTE Arrival & Loop Suggestion Seyðisfjörður (arrival port) Eastfjords → North Iceland Egilsstaðir Borgarfjörður Eystri Vopnafjörður Húsavík Lake Mývatn region Goðafoss Akureyri Siglufjörður Ólafsfjörður Dalvík Blönduós Hvammstangi (seal peninsula) Westfjords West Iceland → Snæfellsnes Borgarnes Snæfellsnes Peninsula Arnarstapi Hellnar Kirkjufell / Grundarfjörður Stykkishólmur Golden Circle → South Coast Þingvellir Geysir Gullfoss Selfoss Hella Hvolsvöllur Seljalandsfoss Skógafoss Vík Reynisfjara Kirkjubæjarklaustur Skaftafell Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Höfn Return to East Iceland Djúpivogur Breiðdalsvík Fáskrúðsfjörður Return to Seyðisfjörður for ferry 📍 28 May — Arrival in Iceland (Seyðisfjörður → Seyðisfjörður Campsite) MS Norröna docks at Seyðisfjörður (snow flurries, very cold) Drive through town to Seyðisfjörður Campsite (near old church) Hook up, heater on Long walk around: Lake Old streets Church Ferry terminal Craft shop School Town hall Supermarket (Skyr!) 📍 29 May — Seyðisfjörður → Egilsstaðir → Reyðarfjörður Heavy overnight snow Decision: clockwise around Iceland Highway 93 — Seyðisfjörður Mountain Pass Driving snow, zero visibility Frozen lakes on both sides “Most frightening drive of the trip” Pass Heiðarvatn Egilsstaðir Museum visit (moose, winter survival) Supermarkets, petrol Highway 1 south Reyðarfjörður Campsite Hard standing Waterfall, river, mountain views Ducks, clean air One of your favourite campsites 📍 30 May — Reyðarfjörður → Eskifjörður → Neskaupstaður → Djúpivogur Drive around Reyðarfjörður Highway 92 to Eskifjörður Stop at Stromholmi viewpoint Wild lupins everywhere Campsite too hilly Helgustaðir Spar Mine Nordfjardargöng Tunnel → lush valley near Hólar Neskaupstaður (tip of fjord) Return to Reyðarfjörður → Highway 1 Fáskrúðsfjörður Craft shop Chat with local woman Stöðvarfjörður (rock lady’s garden) Breiðdalsvík (volcano, brewery, post office closed) Djúpivogur Harbour walk Campsite behind café Fish & chips with curry batter (loved it) 📍 31 May — Djúpivogur → Höfn Eggin í Gleðivík sculpture walk Waterfall between Hnaukar & Hvalnes Lónsvík grit bowl (sandblasting winds!) Lunch stop Höfn Museum Harbour walk Ice‑breaker ships Beach Campsite (hard standing, windy) Dutch couples struggling with awnings Keef nearly blown off cliff taking photos 📍 1 June — Höfn → Jökulsárlón → Vík Fill water Highway 1 south Views of Vatnajökull glacier Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Blue icebergs Crowds → then peaceful Ice breaking off Hjallanes memorial Long drive to Vík Campsite Skaftafell views Lakes, mountains, glacial landscapes Big campsite, limited EHU Backpacker‑heavy kitchen → cooked in van 📍 2 June — Vík → Reynisfjara → Skógar → Hvolsvöllur → Stokkseyri Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach Sneaker waves (tourists ignoring warnings) Basalt columns Dyrhólaey arch Reynisdrangar sea stacks Katla Geopark Lava fields with moss Skógafoss (magnificent waterfall) Hvolsvöllur Lava Centre museum (volcano history) Stokkseyri Campsite Icelandic ponies behind pitch Beautiful sunset 📍 3 June — Stokkseyri → Golden Circle → Grindavík → Sandgerði Walk around Stokkseyri harbour Golden Circle (190 miles) Haukadalur (Geysir, Strokkur eruptions) Gullfoss Þingvallavatn Selfoss Þorlákshöfn Stampar Crater (lost mudguard!) Grindavík (loved it) Sandgerði Campsite Electrical chaos Helpful lady → working socket found Attendant unconcerned 📍 4 June — Sandgerði → Keflavík → Reykjavík Visit Keflavík Airport Reykjavík Campsite (large gravel site) Hop‑On Hop‑Off bus (2‑day ticket) First loop around city Opera House & harbour photos Views to Viðey Island (Imagine Peace Tower) 📍 5 June — Reykjavík Day Old harbour area Maritime Museum Dry dock Gullborg Icebreakers Warehouses → craft shops Murals, chain‑bike art Greenpeace ship Art Gallery & Craft Market (closed) Heritage boards (Viking & Scottish links) City centre (restaurants, puffin & whale menus) Steam engine display Tjörnin Lake Doctor’s visit (antibiotics for Keef) Last HOHO bus → local bus back to campsite 📍 6 June — Reykjavík → Hvalfjörður → Varmaland Dump station near cruise terminal Hvalfjörður lunch stop (lupins) Borgarnes (provisions, craft shop) Varmaland Campsite Lumpy field Muddy track Cash‑only payment 📍 7 June — Varmaland → Stykkishólmur → Snæfellsnes → Tröð (Tradir) Campsite Highway 54 → 56 Hraunsfjardarvatn viewpoint (volcanic landscape) Stykkishólmur Harbour Lumpfish catch Music performance Heritage area Modern church on hill Snæfellsnes Peninsula loop Grundarfjörður Ólafsvík Rif (lighthouse, tourist office) Tradir Campsite (near Búðir) Shower boiler failure → Keef “Tourette’s moment” Hotel showers granted Great views 📍 8 June — Tröð → Búðir → Borgarnes → Bifröst → Laugar Explore Búðir lava fields Highway 54 → Borgarnes (provisions) Highway 1 → Bifröst (lava hotel) Turn onto Highway 60 (mountain road) Laugar Campsite Very poor facilities Uneven ground Worst campsite of the trip 📍 9 June — Laugar → Flókalundur (Westfjords) Attempt gravel road to Flókalundur (17 miles) Extreme shaking, slow progress Fire fell off wall Flókalundur Campsite Beautiful coastal views Decision: do NOT continue gravel loop, worried about puncture 📍 10 June — Flókalundur → Reykhólar Slow return along gravel road Highway 60 → 607 Reykhólar Salmon farms Herring factory Green dredger Reykhólar Campsite Farmer’s field Hot tubs filled with seawater Lovely facilities One of your favourite campsites Dinner outside in sunshine 📍 11 June — Reykhólar → Westfjords → Ísafjörður Highway 61 Long, spectacular fjord drive Reykjanes (diesel stop, geothermal pool) Mjóifjörður Skötufjörður Litlibær Heritage House Walk to seal colony (binoculars provided) Multiple waterfalls Arrival in Ísafjörður Campsite Annie later gets Keef’s cough → hospital visit 📍 12–13 June — Ísafjörður Region Hospital visit for Annie (antibiotics) Explore town, harbour, tunnels, fjords Relax and recover 📍 14 June — Ísafjörður → Súðavík → Hólmavík Súðavík Arctic Fox Centre Long fjord drive Hólmavík Campsite (quiet, remote) 📍 15 June — Hólmavík → Laugarbakki → Blönduós → Sauðárkrókur Highway 61 → 1 Laugarbakki Blönduós (river island church) Sauðárkrókur Campsite 📍 16 June — Sauðárkrókur → Hofsós → Siglufjörður → Dalvík → Akureyri Hofsós Infinity Pool (views to Drangey) Siglufjörður (herring town) Ólafsfjörður Tunnel Dalvík Akureyri Campsite 📍 17 June — Akureyri Day Town walk Harbour Church Shops Relaxing 📍 18 June — Akureyri → Goðafoss → Mývatn → Reykjahlíð Goðafoss waterfall Lake Mývatn region Pseudocraters Lava fields Hot springs Reykjahlíð Campsite 📍 19 June — Mývatn → Húsavík → Ásbyrgi → Dettifoss → Egilsstaðir Húsavík (whale‑watching town) Ásbyrgi Canyon Dettifoss (Europe’s most powerful waterfall) Long drive back to Egilsstaðir 📍 20–21 June — Egilsstaðir → Reyðarfjörður (Return) Return to favourite campsite Relaxing, walking, enjoying scenery 📍 22–23 June — Eastfjords Slow Days Short drives Fjord walks Photography Preparing for return crossing 📍 24 June — Reyðarfjörður → Egilsstaðir → Seyðisfjörður Final mountain pass (this time clear weather!) Return to Seyðisfjörður Campsite Final Iceland walk 📍 25 June — Seyðisfjörður → MS Norröna (Departure) Board ferry Cabin Evening meal Overnight sailing 📍 26 June — At Sea Relaxing Reading Watching waves 🇫🇴 FAROE ISLANDS (Return stop) Tórshavn (return stop on Smyril Line) 📍 27 June — Arrival in Denmark (Hirtshals) Iceland leg complete Continue Europe return journey 🇩🇰 Denmark → 🇩🇪 Germany → 🇳🇱 Holland → 🇬🇧 UK Hirtshals (arrival) Southbound through Denmark Germany (A7 → Netherlands route) Hook of Holland / Rotterdam Harwich (ferry arrival) Derby (home) Map, Postcard, Video SUMMARY Derby Harwich Hook of Holland Germany (A1/A7) Hirtshals Tórshavn Vestmanna Gjógv Klaksvík Tórshavn (return) Seyðisfjörður Reyðarfjörður Höfn Vík Reykjavík Snæfellsnes Peninsula Ísafjörður Akureyri Seyðisfjörður (return) Hirtshals (return) Derby Explore our 2019 motorhome guide to the Faroe Islands and Iceland—routes, ferries, campsites, tips, and stunning Nordic landscapes for an unforgettable adventure. Dive into our 2019 motorhome adventure across the Faroe Islands and Iceland—two wild, weather‑shaped worlds of cliffs, fjords, volcanoes, and unforgettable roads. From ferry crossings and remote campsites to dramatic coastlines and geothermal wonders, this guide captures every twist of the journey. Perfect inspiration for anyone dreaming of a rugged Nordic road trip with breathtaking views at every turn. Icelandic views, a fish smokery The write up is coming......

Explore our 2010 Upstate New York motorhome adventure—state parks, small towns, lakes, history, and scenic drives across one of America’s most charming regions. 2010 USA Upstate New York Travel Blog UPSTATE NEW YORK (USA) - HOLIDAY in 2010 A Travel Blog Experience DIARY During 2010 we have now been from one side of Canada to the other in a motorhome, British Columbia to Labrador, we loved it, it is a fabulous country and quite an achievement with memories we shall treasure forever. For Upstate New York the following were some of the highlights, a fraught crossing at Lewiston into the states because of the hired motorhome, they impounded it for a while, presumably thinking we had stolen it, amazingly officious handed us a form to complete which we did but when I tried handing it back to them they purposefully ignored me, not nice, we were there for hours. On return to Canada it was via wellesley island Annie was greeted with "mam I've told you to remove those sun glasses, I want to see the whites of your eyes" (smile), kind and welcoming eh? not! I can only conclude as old hippies we look dodgy ha-ha. Anyhow we also visited Niagara falls (both canadian and us sides), stella Niagara, US highway 18 better known as the lake ontario state parkway, towers corners, roosevelt beach, wilson, olcott, somerset, 4th july flags everywhere, Braddock bay wildlife area, syracuse, rochester with its zoo and museum of play, banal local tv about geese "sh***ting on boardwalk", we took interstate highway 490 onto the 90 out of Rochester along to syracuse, via Farmington, clifton springs, Montezuma (fab name) , Weedsport and Jordan , oh and the trash can episode at the very nice campsite on the lake edge near Syracuse, we were camping by Oneida lake shores, this lake is named after the Iroquois tribe, its 21 miles long by 5 miles wide and is the largest lake in NY state, it feeds into lake Ontario via the river Oneida I believe but could be wrong, we had some nice paddles and walks along the lake shore whilst camping there, then it was onto watertown, back to canada via cicero & pulaski on state highway 81 (sometimes referred to as the great indian warpath) , apples & cherries, country stores, hummers plus crossing back to Canada near Wellesley island, Youngstown & the boss was special one of my fave tracks. It also famous for & 3 times Superbowl winner Dallas Cowboy Daryl "The Moose" Johnson who was born here. So glad we popped over the border despite the hassle of getting there and back, travelling along Lake Ontario’s shore on the Stateside was special. Nice Memories. Upstate New York, USA, Travel Guide for Motorhomers about to cross back into canada at collins landing oneida lakes , onondaga county, ny state 1/14 2010 2 Days in New York State USA 14th-15th June INCLUDES 28 PHOTOS We visited amongst others a fraught crossing at lewiston into the states because of the hired motorhome, and on return via wellesley island Annie was greeted with "mam I've told you to remove those sun glasses, I want to see the whites of your eyes" (smile), kind and welcoming eh? not! niagara falls (both canadian and us sides), stella niagara, US highway 18 better known as the lake ontario state parkway, towers corners, roosevelt beach, wilson, olcott, collins landing, somerset, 4th july flags everywhere, braddock bay wildlife area, syracuse , rochester with its zoo and museum of play, banal local tv about geese "sh***ting on boardwalk", we took interstate highway 490 onto the 90 out of Rochester along to syracuse, via farmington, clifton springs, montezuma (fab name) , weedsport and jordan , oh and the trash can episode at the very nice campsite on the lake edge near syracuse, we were camping by oneida lake shores, watertown, back to canada via cicero & pulaski on state highway 81 (sometimes referred to as the great indian warpath) , apples & cherries, country stores, hummers plus crossing back to canada near wellesley island, youngstown & the boss & 3 time superbowl winner Dallas Cowboy Daryl "The Moose" Johnson who was born here. We have been from one side of Canada to the other and in the states a few times, FACT