Took the route on the yellowstone highway through the mountains and next to charging rivers of clear water. Stopped for the obligatory cafe latte (which despite being a truckers stop had to be rated at least a 9 out of 10).
Down to Kamloops and then took a left to Vernon and onto Kelowna which is on the north side of the magnificent Okanagan lake.
We had lunch in Vernon at A&W - the home of the 'family of burgers'. So this means you chose a 'mama', 'papa' etc burger. On the Ross scale the mama burger rated a 10 - but on the basis that he only has a bun and patty and a bit of ketchup, his scale is very subjective.
We met up with old family friends of ours, the Williams family and spent the night at Penny and Ian's beautiful house at the lake. Ross went swimming despite the wind and choppy waters and in the morning made good use of their kyaks.
We were treated to a great South African feast of bootie and boerewors and I have come away with some of Penny's delicious recipes, it is always such a gastronomic treat to sit down at her table as all the jams, chutneys etc she could proudly say 'I made it myself'
We had a tour of James Williams (my childhood friend) and Jill's house which they have gutted and await the start of the building work. Really look forward to our next visit to see it completed.
We said our fond farewells and made our way around the lake, down to Penticton at the southern to of the lake and then up the east side to Naramata. We are staying with my school friend Polly and her family who live on a farm, they grow grapes for Mission Hills winery. How lovely to see them again - the family are Bud (Dad), Polly (mom), and Will, Ben and Emily.
The house has the most superb wrap around verandah with views over the lake. Hung along the verandah ceiling are hummingbird feeders and it is fascinating to watch their frantically flapping wings, whilst we relax in the sun with a glass of cold and crisp Okanagan white wine.
From the following pics you will see that we are not starving, so will also go home with a few of Poll's recipe.
Polly and I planned some girl-time in Penticton so left all the boys at home. Ross and Ben were working on an old bicycle which they were combining with an old chain saw. So while Polly and I were enjoying the first thing on our list, a latte, we got a call from Ben to say that Trevor was rushing him to A&E as he had sliced his little finger with the grinder. We all met up at the hospital and Trevor and I concluded that the Canadian A&E is way more luxurious than the UK, with fabric chairs and a coffee bar. So after a 2 hour wait he was all x-rayed and cleaned up. Trevor took him off for a milkshake and Poll and I resumed our shopping. No more bike/chain saw, this holiday.
posted by the Krige family
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