In July 2019, Julie and I set off for Canada to visit her eldest son, who has since traded his British roots for Canadian citizenship

There is something intoxicating about Canada, it possesses that vast, rugged North American scale while maintaining a level of hospitality that makes you feel immediately at home for anybody from the UK

Our journey began in Vancouver, where we spent a few days playing tourists before hitting the open road

Our route was a scenic masterclass: winding through Whistler, Mount Currie, Lillooet, Kamloops, and Notch Hill, eventually pulling into Revelstoke

The trip was perfectly synchronized so that Julie’s youngest son could also join us, allowing "Mum" the rare joy of being surrounded by both her boys in the heart of the mountains

The "Tartan Paint" of the Rockies

Julie’s eldest son is essentially a professional-grade private tour guide

He has an uncanny knack for finding the perfect sandwich shop, the coziest lodges, and the most breathtaking hiking trails

However, while we were in Jasper, he made a suggestion that I was convinced was a prank: he told us we needed to buy "bear spray."

Coming from the UK, I honestly thought this was a classic Canadian leg-pull, the wilderness equivalent of sending someone to the hardware store for "tartan paint" or a “bubble for a spirit level.”

As it turns out, bear spray is very real, very necessary, and we duly armed ourselves

A Close Encounter

While in Jasper we went for a hike, at the trailhead, Julie's son parked his truck and gave us a rigorous bear safety briefing

The hike itself was peaceful and bear-free

The irony, however, was waiting for us at the end

We arrived back at the car park only to find a bear wandering exactly where we had started

Julie’s son was awesome, he swung into immediate action:

• Evacuation: He efficiently ushered us all back into the safety of the truck

• Reporting: He contacted the local authorities to report the sighting

• Warning: He stayed on-site to alert arriving hikers who were oblivious to the danger, ensuring they headed elsewhere for their afternoon stroll

In terms of the rest of the holiday, after Jasper, we continued our loop toward Lake Louise and Banff

Conclusion

Our Canadian adventure was a perfect blend of awe-inspiring landscapes and cherished family time

From the urban charm of Vancouver to our final flight out of Calgary, the trip reminded us that while the scenery is magnificent, it is the people and perhaps a reliable can of bear spray, that truly make the journey

We left with full hearts, great memories, and a newfound respect for the Canadian wilderness