Inside the Calgary city limits the roads were wet, but once we reached COP (Calgary Olympic Park) in the outskirts the higher areas were dusted with snow. Along the Trans-Canada the fog/cloud was thick & the fields were caked in fresh snow. We wondered whether we'd left the Canadian leg of the trip a bit late in the year.
Oddly, as we drew closer to the mountains, the fog started to clear. Maybe there was hope. We made a pit stop at our favourite Muffin (and coffee) shop in Canmore (below). The muffins are the best if they have the right ones on the day. No luck that day (just the heavy chaffy bran muffins). 
By the time we reached the Banff National park gate, it was apparent there'd been a solid dump of snow overnight.
Through the breaks in the cloud we could see the high peaks were caked in snow. They are so much more interesting that way. In summer they are dull grey & dusty. 
It would appear that the construction crew on the Trans-Canada had made some progress since our last visit two years ago. The animal crossings (below) had increased from two to about 5 & the fencing alongside the highway was nearly the entire distance from Banff to Lake Louise. It's all about protecting the park animals from the crazy drivers. 
The initial 70 kms of the Icefields Parkway were shrouded in cloud & the roads lined with snow. We didn't even stop at a couple of our favourite lakes (Bow & Peyto) because of the conditions.
All the way along, the trees had a beautiful frosting of snow.
We arrived in Jasper late afternoon where we met Shawn (our friend from Grande Prairie). A few ales & dinner later it was time to turn in for the night. The stars were out, the sky clear & the temperature had already plummeted down around the zero mark. It was a sign of what was to come the next day.
Through the breaks in the cloud we could see the high peaks were caked in snow. They are so much more interesting that way. In summer they are dull grey & dusty. It would appear that the construction crew on the Trans-Canada had made some progress since our last visit two years ago. The animal crossings (below) had increased from two to about 5 & the fencing alongside the highway was nearly the entire distance from Banff to Lake Louise. It's all about protecting the park animals from the crazy drivers. The initial 70 kms of the Icefields Parkway were shrouded in cloud & the roads lined with snow. We didn't even stop at a couple of our favourite lakes (Bow & Peyto) because of the conditions.All the way along, the trees had a beautiful frosting of snow.
The cloud cleared somewhat at Waterfowl Lake (below). The summit of Mt Cephren was obscured by cloud when we pulled up.
By the time we'd taken a few snaps, the cloud had lifted. The sun lit up the yellow leaves in the trees & the turquoise in the lake. Things were starting to look more promising.
Late September the berries are all ripe to entice the bears & other animals. Wild raspberries (below) are just as enticing to people (including me). They may not be as big as the farmed ones but are packed with flavour!
Sunwapta pass (near the Athabasca Glacier) was enveloped in cloud but as we continued north, the cloud broke up again. The white peaks & blue skies made for some nice photos.
By the time we'd taken a few snaps, the cloud had lifted. The sun lit up the yellow leaves in the trees & the turquoise in the lake. Things were starting to look more promising. Late September the berries are all ripe to entice the bears & other animals. Wild raspberries (below) are just as enticing to people (including me). They may not be as big as the farmed ones but are packed with flavour!Sunwapta pass (near the Athabasca Glacier) was enveloped in cloud but as we continued north, the cloud broke up again. The white peaks & blue skies made for some nice photos.
We arrived in Vancouver to miserable wet conditions although still quite warm and humid. A two hour stop over was all we had before hopping onto one of Air Canada's Embraer E190's (above). They're great little planes. New, comfortable &, being a small aircraft, little waiting time to board or leave the plane or collect baggage. When we arrived in Calgary an hour or so later, the temperature on the ground was +4 C. It was overcast & miserable. What had we done?!
Back at the house, we sorted our gear out & caught up with Shane & Laura. We also met their cat Chloe (above). Chloe has a neat trick. She plays fetch with her stuffed toys. Clever Kitty!
Koala's (above) are always popular with the international visitor. 
The Fennec Fox (above) is from North Africa. 
Now for some real cats. The Sumatran Tigers at Taronga are easier to photograph than their Perth Zoo cousins. This one (above) was posing for us!
The Fishing Cat (above) is not scared of the water at all. Their enclosure is large & even has a stream running through it with fish for the cats to catch. 
Saturday morning we piled into my cousin Lauren's car & made tracks for Bulli which is on the coast about an hour or so south of Sydney. My cousin Scott lives down there with his family. 
After checking out their new house we all wandered down to the beach and had fish & chips on the grass overlooking what was quite a decent surf break that day.
It was all very pleasant & civilised. Scott's little ones (Leroy below), were having fun running around & climbing the hills. 
After lunch we headed back to the house where stacks on uncle/cousin Mark was the main game for the afternoon. 
We left them mid afternoon to catch up with yet another of my cousins, Dave who lives a little further north of Bulli with his tribe. For some reason there are no photos from that part.
When we arrived we caught the train to North Sydney where we were met by my aunty Janet.
After settling in, Janet took us out for a sightseeing tour of the Manly area. We saw some of the sights that are a bit off the tourist trail such as St Patrick's College (above) and some of the national park areas out on the peninsula (below). 
Later in the evening we had a few drinks with some of my relatives at the Wharf Bar (Manly). 
The coast near Albany had the usual suspects (Seagulls & Pelicans) but we also saw Petrels (below).
The Denmark area has many small birds such as the white breasted Robin (above) and the Splendid Wrens (below). The bright blue one is the male & the white, the female..JPG)
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The garden of our B&B was full of flowers that attracted all manner of small birds including the splendid wrens, Firetails (above), and New Holland Honey-eaters (below).
The garden also attracted Western Rosellas. They were mainly juveniles (above) but I did see one adult male (below).
The garden also attracted the larger parrots like Twenty-Eights (Australian Ringnecks). There were lots of them at the Berry Farm 'Sampling' the local produce. I think they're my favourite parrot. We do see them around Perth but I haven't manage to catch them with the camera. I love the photo below because they have the red berry juice all over their beaks. Caught in the act!