Surprise! Something went wrong with the bus.

Last day of the tour and we were due to start loading the bus at 8am.  Around 815 we were told there was a problem with the hydraulics.  The bus had been lowered for easier access, and could not be raised again. We were assured there was nothing wrong with the bus itself, it could still be driven, but that it would be a very bumpy ride and they did not want to risk lots of whip lash injuries. Y'think?

Mike and Chris took it off to the shop and promised an update at 930. Sam and I were lucky as we had not yet checked out of our rooms so had somewhere to wait. Nearly everyone else haunted the lobby, or went for a walk. No word at 930, 945 .... at 1015 Chris phoned the hotel and had the poor hotel staff give us the news that we were stranded till noon.  

Happily checkout time of 11am coincided with the bar opening, so we repaired to the pub for refreshments and an early lunch. I don't think we will be bothering anyone with Poutine orders again. That tradition can remain in Canada. (Chips, cheese, gravy)

At the start of our wait

Back on the bus, and delighted we would make all our scheduled stops.

The bus arrived around 12 and all the bags were loaded in record time, thanks to the passengers taking charge. Before we could really hit the road, we had to drive to Walmart for Mike to purchase a plastic step so passengers with mobility issues would be able to climb in and out of the now permanently raised bus.  So not exactly fixed, more a different problem. It hadn't occurred to Chris and Mike to purchase the step before coming back to load the bus, which of course meant several people had great difficulty getting onto the bus, or had to suffer the indignity of being half-hoisted in by fellow passengers. 

We were delighted to hear that despite being four hours behind schedule and having 450kms to travel, we would be making all four scheduled stops.  I asked if we could skip some stops as we were running late, and Chris agreed to ask the group at each stop if they wished to skip it or stop.  Forty-five minutes later, Chris announces "we are now stopping at Lake ? for 20 minutes". Cue me marching down the aisle asking what happened to asking the group.  Chris said as it was a scheduled stop already published in the itinerary, we had to stop.  I pointed out that the day before we had missed the scheduled stop at a winery, as when Chris phoned them that morning to say we were coming " they didn't sound too welcoming".  Chris thanked me for my input.  

At Lake Whatsit, we realised we were in the town where flights depart for Vancouver. Made mad enquiries, but couldn't make the times work.  Back on the stinky bus. Those in the back being gassed by fumes so the roof vent was opened. This allowed those right at the back some relief, but those directly under the vent had to pile coats and hats and scarves on to keep from freezing. Even so, the very good natured man sitting there asked to swap at the next stop as he was "as cold as an Eskimo's tool".  

As compensation for our late start, Chris advised Nexus would pay for our dinner.  A three course dinner at 745pm which we would stop at before going to our hotel. Sam and I decided to forego the treat and went directly to the hotel.  And that's where the next story begins. ....