The skies were dark, rain had fallen yesterday quite heavily and it was threatening again. The smell of pancakes was the lure to another Stampede pancake breakfast. So it was all in the car and a trip to the Green Gate Nursery (plants not kids) in the South West of Calgary just off Macleod Trail and we arrived to be greeted with no Yes empty tables where we at the wrong address or wrong day,then looking closer there were a few (hundred) people waiting in line already behind barriers. Never the less our friends arrived around the same time so Margaret "secured"a table for our disabled group while us strong seniors lined up and soon the line was moving. M o v i n g but s l o w l y. Eventually the two freshly cooked pancakes were placed on my place and then a change I was offered and accepted cooked or fried potato chopped into tiny squares. Then even more was offered baked beans,never did find out if they were Maple favoured. Naturally the maple syrup flowed onto the pancakes and even more was offered bacon slices. All good as red flavoured cordial replaced orange juice why? and Planet Earth (www.planetearthcoffee.com) coffee was given with powdered milk never see fresh milk offered and sugar. Margret's good work paid off and we all got a seat to watch the various activities for the kids like face painting and balloon figures but also the stilt walkers entertained all by roping unsuspecting patrons even the 6'8"Calgary Policeman who came for breakfast.
About now with the immediate hunger at bay it was time to look around and every where some on had Let The Dogs Out! Big dogs wanted to play with small dogs but alas the little ones were not interested in socialisation. Instead they barked or huddled against their owners and you guessed it the spoil sport Nursery Manager arrived and banned the big dog- poor guy only wanted to be friends just his size was daunting. Still the smaller dogs arrived some dressed in costume. One with a muzzle was that to protect other dogs? stop it biting kids? or to stop it consuming the pancakes?
Another dog occupied a stroller and was fed in bed by the owner. Others sat patiently in their owners arms awaiting tid bits of food. Others just dashed around enjoying the atmosphere.us humans also had a music group to listen to and well yes the rain arrived so we offered our seats to those standing and headed out to The First Alliance Church. Yes we know it was Saturday but the reason became evident when approaching the area traffic became denser and we were directed to a space. Crossing over the road and we were at a Show N Shine for any type of vehicle and they had old new and chopped cars,Utes (pick ups for my Canadian and US readers), large trucks,garbage trucks,tow trucks and a crane truck that allowed people into a basket that was hoisted some 65m into the Calgary sky. Gee bet that would not happen in Australia with it's WHS policy. Even motorcycles and trikes were on display.Lunch was a $5 all inclusive deal which gave you a Hamburger bun, a meat patty the sauces etc a can of soft drink (pop) and a packet of potato chips in BBQ flavour. There was green grass to sit on or inside the church seating. Well it was worth while to go inside as this church takes up almost a whole block and includes a school,library two cafe's and a gym as well as well I never went upstairs but a whole heap of different spaces. After the car show it was shopping at Fannie May's a chocolate & ice cream shop, Princess Auto a parts supplier like Repco and at Walmart Superstore (www.walmart.com) like Big W K Mart etc Home in time to watch the Rodeo & Chuck Wagon's replay from the rain affected Stampede on Semi Finals Saturday. Things crowd wise is not good in 2016 with the last two days being a $5 discounted admission and tonight I got a email offering FREE admission on Sunday the MAIN day between 10-12 and halfprice admission to the rodeo finals ($100,000 per event) and the grandstand evening show with the finals of the Chuck Wagons.