My mind is still realing from the infinitesimal probibilty that yesterday's events would have unfolded in the manner they did. But they did, so let me break it down for you.

Yesterday I got I lift from Nelson to Banff courtesy of the lovely Eleina who I met at the hostel. It was good karma really (or should that be car-ma) because I was cooking on Wednesday night and offered her and her friend some of my special Chorizo Risotto. They gladly accepted and as we talked it turned out that Eleina was going home to Red Deer on Saturday and would I like a lift? Oh yes - trying to get to Banff by bus from Nelson was a terrible prospect. Once we had worked out that we could get my skis into her car the deal was done and I was a happy hosteller.

We set off on Saturday morning and the first stop was Kaslo to drop off Eleina's friend Ebony. Then it was off under a clear blue sky through wooded valleys, past glassy lakes reflecting the glittering glaciers and snow capped mountains. North and East we went, through Nakusp and Revelstoke. We could have taken a couple of other routes but this turned out to be a beautiful drive. And our timing was perfect for as we arrived at the Arrow Lake ferry it had just started loading so we drove straight on and we off at once. We stopped in Revelstoke for lunch, turning off the Trans-Canada highway in search of somewhere slightly more salubrious to eat. The Three Bears Bistro looked good. As we walked in I almost said to Eleina that 2 friends of mine from Vancouver were meant to be in Revelstoke - I bet we see them.

There they were!


The only other patrons were Kynan and Laura - founders of ace frisbee powerhouse Pyrammus and Frisbee, and their friends. I should have been more stunned; I mean of all the gin joints in all of Revelstoke, we had to walk into their one. But part of me really was expecting it. Looking back now it seems such an impossible fluke. What if we had chosen the other route? What if we had been late for the ferry? What if we had stopped on the highway for lunch, or chosen another diner, or they had chosen another diner? It was all absolutely amazing but so nice to see them!

After a BLT and quick talk we had to get back on the road. Eleina very kindly dropped me off at the Banff hostel, a place I last stayed at in 1989!

I am now in Banff. Two interesting facts:
1. It is nearly 40 degrees warmer than when Lucy and I were here in January!
2. I am staying in Room 101. What does room 101 contain - a stereo playing nonstop Sonia records? Rats? The screams of the opressed? No - none of these. It contains a bloke from New Zealand, a charming lad from Lincolnshire and a slightly drunken Japanese guy whose wondering why I'm sleeping in his bed. Who knew!