Drove to see a little of Kananaskis country on the way through to Calgary, and stopped off at the photogenic Barrier Lake.

Got to Calgary and rendezvoused with Canadian friends, Frits and Janice. They have put me up in their lovely apartment and check out the day and night view …..incredible!  A walk by Calgary Tower at night was pretty spesh! 

This is the Famous 5 sculpture by Edmonton sculptor Barbara Paterson in Calgary’s Olympic Plaza.  Paterson captured the five women at the moment they reunited over a cup of tea to celebrate their victory in 1929, in the British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, where they succeeded in having women legally considered persons so that they could be appointed to the Senate. 

A lovely catch up over dinner and then entertainment at the Jack Singer Concert Hall – a high-energy trans-Balkan musical extravaganza with the Goran Bregović Wedding and Funeral Band. Lauded worldwide for his fusion of rock and Balkan folk music, Goran and his band brought us a raucous Balkan party. It was a lot of fun. 

The next day, took myself to downtown and visited the Calgary Tower, with sweeping views over the city. A grey day but still a great view, especially of one section of the amazing “Plus 15” pedestrian skywalk system, with a total length of 18 kms and 62 bridges. The skywalks are 15 feet above street level and provide Calgarians with a warm and safe system for accessing shops and business locations when the temperature outside is -30 degrees.

Next, to the Bow Building has an art installation outside called “Wonderland” – a 12 metre bent-wire head of a young girl created by Spanish sculptor, Jaume Plensa. It has an entrance in the neck area, so viewers can wander through and look at the city from different vantage points.

On my way to the Glenbow Museum, I passed by the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer who had displayed over 7,000 knitted and crocheted poppies outside its church building to commemorate the 100th anniversary of WW1 armistice. 

After a sumptuous dinner and opportunity to catch up with mine hosts’ lovely relatives Mark and Wendy – Janice drove me to Scotchman’s Hill for a pic over Calgary at night, with the extraordinary curve of the stadium in the foreground; then to the illuminated Peace Bridge, and then to North Hill for a different city perspective….a good night’s work, all in all.