This Mount Gambier Outbound Journey (alias Exchange) was strongly supported by Adelaide (4 members) and Gold Coast (3 members).

I met the Cropleys & Robilliards in Bangkok and we enjoyed a few days there seeing the sights and shopping. On boarding the plane for Istanbul we were joined by the Barhams. The few days in Istanbul were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Enroute to Ottawa we put down in London and there Julienne and Marcia joined us – total of 9 for our journeys. We were very thankful that the hosting clubs agreed to host such a low number of ambassadors.

In Ottawa we went through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police stables and learned some of the history of this police force. We were fortunate to view the full dress rehearsal of the RCMP Musical Ride.

We were hosted at a welcome dinner at Robbie's Restaurant where we had our photos taken with our hosts and were presented with a lovely handmade bag containing information on sights in the city.

Other activities included visits to the Experimental Farm in the city, the Good Companion Centre, the Vintage Wings Museum, Victoria Island for the 'Taste of Native Spirit' program, Parliament Hill and the Museum. We enjoyed a lovely farewell dinner where Mayoral letters were journeyd.

Unfortunately Heather C broke her arm early in this journey and the Cropleys decided not to continue on with us to Niagara Falls but stay on in Ottawa to give Heather a chance to heal a little more.

Lovely, relaxing train trip to Niagara Falls via Toronto brought us to this wonderfully scenic area of Canada.

We had a full day at the Falls – Amax Theatre, Skylon Tower and Maid of the Mist – what a great day! Our hosts also took us all to Niagara on the Lake – pretty little town – and on the way back to Niagara some of us visited market stalls, the aerial ride over the rapids, the whirlpool water walk, and the floral clock. Our farewell dinner was at an hotel overlooking the lake and on this beautiful evening we could see all the way to Toronto.

Early train took us to Toronto where we had a day to ourselves. No program, no timetables and everyone had a marvellous day.

We were joined by Heather & Keith in Toronto airport for our flight to Denver for our 2nd journey. We saw a completely different landscape here. Snowcapped mountains! We were hosted in 3 different areas of Northern Colorado.

Some of the highlights of the NC journey included the model railway museum, a free day which most of us spent in the mountains, and a day in Cheyenne (Wyoming) where we saw a huge bison herd and the State Capitol building. The area is renowned for its' sculptures and we went to a foundry in Loveland to see the processes for making them. We then went through the sculpture park, which is magnificent!

Another free day saw most of us in Rocky Mountain National Park. Most went to Estes Park and then further along the trail in the park – heavy rain and light snow had some turn for home early!

On a day trip to Boulder we went through the "Leanin' Tree" headquarters and there we saw some of the original oil paintings used for the first cards and calendars made. Also in Boulder we went through Celestial Seasonings, which is a factory where tea is processed and put into tea bags. Wonderful gift shop! We were hosted to a wonderful roast dinner for our farewell – live music entertained us throughout the evening.

The flight from Denver to Calgary was relaxing and our hosts from Medicine Hat met us and we all set off in a minivan for the long drive home.

Our Medicine Hat experiences included a visit to a Farmers Market and a welcome dinner where we had our photos taken with ours hosts. We all visited the interesting Winifred Hutt rite community and also had great fun at the Chuck Wagon Races we went through the stables after the races and met one of the riders.

The Stations of the Cross brick carvings were fantastic and we were fortunate to be able to meet with and learn the process from the sculptor, Jim. At the City Hall, we met the Mayor and he unveiled a plaque on the wall of plaques showing other FF visits.

After the fun picnic at Rattlesnake Dam we all took part in a horseshoe throwing competition eventually won by Jo and partner. Medicine Hat is renowned for its pottery and we toured Medalta Pottery & Brickworks. Echo Park is where the tallest tipi in the world is situated. It was brought from Calgary after the Winter Olympics.

From Medicine Hat we were driven to Lethbridge by cars. The Medicine Hat folk joined us all in Lethbridge for a welcome BBQ.

I really enjoyed the time in Lethbridge renewing friendships formed late last year then we hosted them in Mound Gambier.

We were taken to Waterston Park in the mountains and many of us saw wildlife much the same as in the RMNP in Northern Colorado. On our way home from the mountains we went to The Great Canadian Barn Dance & Dinner. It was a fun evening with participation from Keith who turned out to be quite a musician! Many enjoyed the barn dance and it was great to meet up with Marlies and Jim who called in to see us there.

Our next exciting experience in Lethbridge was a trip to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. It was fortunate for us to be there on National Aboriginal Day and so we saw the Native Indians drumming, dancing and erecting tipis. Once again Keith came to the fore and took part in the audience participation in erecting a tipi in a team competition against others.

On leaving Lethbridge we all eventually made our way home.

Thanks to all the hosts, day hosts and dinner hosts in all phases of the journey – you made us very welcome and you are invited to our club so that we can return your hospitality.