Exclusive Lunch Fraser Gallop Winery, Margaret River

Lunch at Fraser Gallop at Wilyabrup is at the heart of the Margaret River Wine Region was the start of a wonderful journey enjoying red wine. I fell in love with their Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon and it is still my favourite red. A boutique winery that showcases Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay and Semillon Sauvignon Blanc.

Their winemaker Kate Walker, spent time with us explaining their vineyard practices and also the winemaking process.

I think this was the first time I forgot to take photos of what we were eating. Our lunch was set up in with the barrels on a very elegant, highly polished timber table and our guide from Margaret River Discovery Tours had organised a lunch of local produce, condiments, cheese, smoked trout, and cold meats. With each course we tasted our wine, from a fresh Parterre Chardonnay and my favourite Fraser Gallop Cabernet Sauvignon.

Fantastic

Kamloops to Banff - Rocky Mountaineer Journey

As we leave Kamploops and are eating our beautiful breakfast, the scenery gradually changes from dry ranges to the lush Douglas fir trees on tall mountain peaks closer to Banff

Breakfast

Atlantic Salmon

Desert

Rocky Mountains

Rocky Mountains

Farm buildings Thompson Vallery

Vancouver to Kamloops - Rocky Mountaineer Train Journey

It is all aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in Vancouver for the first day of our journey which stops in Kamloops for an over night stay.
The scenery in the Fraser Valley as we start our long planned for and anticipated trip of a life time is lush and green with farms of blueberries, strawberries and animals. We are following the Fraser River, and we have a lot of lakes and wetlands. During the course of the day, the countryside gets drier and we climb higher and higher.  The  rocky cliff faces of the valley are heavily timbered early during the day, the glacial gorges are steep and the river is strong, torrential and the green colour, evident of a glacial river. During the afternoon the scenery changes bare clay rock and soil, with very little vegetation.

The river as it approaches Hell's Gate

Hells Gate

Hells Gate

 Lunch of ribs and mash

 At Kamloops, the North Thompson River and South Thompson River merge and continue south as the Thompson River. At Kamloops the River is held back by a weir to create a man-made lake for recreational purposes.
Our hotel the Sandman is located across from the local park it is situated on the  Thompson River and the park is the centre of cultural and recreational activities for the town.  Every evening during the summer the local council have organised a show, or music for the entertainment of the locals and tourists.  The band on our night in town was a country rock band and after having dinner at the local surf club, we wandered over, sat on the lawn and had a very relaxing evening, tapping our toes and singing along with the band.

 Our room at the Sandman Hotel, one of the best spots we have stayed during the whole trip so far.

 The beach at Kamloops

A very proud Canadian town