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canada general

night night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs…

bite. No, bites. All over my left side. And some on my back… and a couple on the right. The bed bugs got me, and I didn’t have a say in the matter.

The high rate of population turnover in Banff make it an ideal spot for bed bug infestations. A lot of people staying in hostels and B&Bs in the area have reported bed bugs. And a huge seasonal population mean that there’s a lot of turnover in rental houses, and a lot of chances for people to come in from other areas with infested clothes or bedding, and spread the pest. Ski bums with no money grab some furniture and a mattress of the street to furnish their new apartment, and bingo, instant bed bug infection.

Bed bugs used to be a lot more common, back when the above phrase was coined – but then man invented DDT, and went round smiting things with it. But in recent years, bed bugs have been making a comeback: they’re cool again! And they like to hide in your things, and in your house, and in your mattress, then come out at night and drink your blood (no really). Oh, and as they’re really good at hiding, and aren’t really tempted by insect traps, they’re also really hard to get rid of. I’m overjoyed.

Categories
canada general

the man in the moon

I feel sorry for the man in the moon when in the Northern Hemisphere. He’s upside down. Here is a basic diagram illustrating things.

The moon as it is supposed to be (in Australia) with the man in the moon outlined:

 
The moon as viewed in North America.

 
I rest my case.

A lot of Northern Hemispherians don’t seem to even realise their moon is the wrong way up. I’m doing what I can to spread the word though.

Categories
canada general travel

roadside views in bc

 

By the highpoint of the Salmo-Creston pass

 

Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park

 

Smoky views near Golden

Categories
canada general travel

hanging out near fernie, bc

Installment one from the roadtrip round BC…

Lazing around in the Lassier Hot Springs
 

The Shack in Wardner
 

Parker
 

Silver Spring Lake, near Elko

Categories
canada general

bc roadtrip

1500 km later and I’m back in the magical land of Banff. Although if it was really magical it would feel warmer, and the squirrels would have fantastical powers, or perhaps wear tutus.

 

We saw two bears. Stayed one night in a Hobo Jungle. Stayed another in a picturesque lakeside shack (where we played a cheap ripoff of Jenga called ‘Jumbling Towers’). Found an excellent bike shop/junkyard in New Denver, where we bought one old bike, and got another plus a frame for free. And lazed around in hot springs.