As today here in Calgary is Sunday the tribe which has now grown to include; John, Margaret,Catherine,Will,Reid,Emma-lee,E rnie,Leellen & Merrilyn dutifully heard off to West Hills and the First Alliance Assembly (FA Church). However it was not to mass nor services that they were attending but a great Calgary tradition- The Stampede Breakfast. Originally held during the Stampede they grew in number so it was Stampede week and so we decided a free breakfast on Sunday would kick off the 10 well now 15 days we have extended the celebrations. The Stampede breakfast must include pancakes with lashings of syrup preferably Maple but could be others as even in the home of Maple Syrup it is not cheap. Also sausages, fruit juice and coffee are the staples. Others will include bacon or ham and when you get invited to private corporate breakfasts the menu will include steaks,wieners of many varieties, fruit and may be even a hand shake from the hand of The Premier complete with pancake mix attached.
Arriving exactly at the advertised start of 8am the band struck up so I made a grand entrance. Must have been one of those days.First they were running out of pancakes at the beginning? Then newly cooked stock arrived burnt? The coffee must be good as it had run out-later found out was actually late in arriving.Looking for orange juice Sorry we have run out (well it was for seconds). Must not know the huge number of volunteers as really it was all edible and an enjoyable time. They also had a petting farm,face painting and trampolines for the kids and much later the Fire Dept arrived with colouring in books and parked really close. Gee Stu sounds just like what happens at home.A band was also playing non stop while a bit on the loud side you did know the songs. After a visit to the toy shop (to assist Reid not the adults) where the two greeters soon insisted to learning Aussie customs after being unable to find the "requested"gender neutral dolls. The adults were able to demonstrate to Reid the method of playing totem tennis and how other toys worked, which was really thoughtful of them. They were however unable to conquer the 4 dimensional jig saw called the Calgary Skyline but then it is too bulky and expensive to bring back home (my excuse anyway).
at 11am the food stopped so faced with little alternative we packed into the cars and headed onto Glenmore Trail and home. Part way home I got a sharp dig in the ribs from Ernie which was excitingly pointing to a roadside bill board. It advertised The Grey Eagle Casino and "topless". Ernie said to Leellen lets go the well rehearsed reply was "Not likely Boys".Well on the way back we suddenly diverted from attending Church and Ernie 7 I found ourselves deposited outside the house as the car sped off in the opposite direction. What were we to do as neither of us knew the address of the church but we did have the Mustang in the shed and yes the roof was still down so topless we drove to see what The Grey Eagle Casino "topless"was like.
Boy if you thought roundabouts in either Australia or England took care come with me on the right hand side of the road to the Grey Eagle exit a quick RH turn onto the roundabout watch traffic accelerate turning left onto another roundabout again turning left and crossing over another road and accelerating all the time and exit left in a LH driver car. Well if you are lost don't worry I manage it fine every time.
Into the car park only to be confronted by many topless models some weathered and other quite young. In fact the whole car park well actually about 20% as the park is immense was cordoned off.Ernie & I were in auto heaven.Not only were many of the models topless others were modified. Hands up anyone who has seen a 1969 Toyota Corolla fitted with a 427 Chevy motor and 26"rear tyres and carrying road registration!
Not to be outdone one could participate in PSA testing (males only over 40), train rides (for kids) and listen to a singer who covered from the stars of the 50's to the late 70's which was probably 90% of the audience. The Casino spirit was alive and well with a 50/50 lottery operating but no profits for the Casino as all non winnings were donated to the charity of the day Prostrate Cancer.
The vehicles were not the only visually interesting aspect as many had number (licence tags) plates that told a story as shown in some of the photo's. Now remember the title used the word "butts"I have complied some butts for you to ogle over catering both for the not so young at Riverside Gardens up to the youngest Hi Wyatt,Reid & Emma-lee.
What next well keep looking because on this trip everyday dawns as an adventure!