Trip Blog & Members Section

February 2008

Blog by Jarvis with highlights from the MCN London Show 2008

February 21, 2008

Through seven plus years of touring with Rocky Mountain, there’s no escaping the fact that the ‘London Calling’ was getting rather clear. Really, there are only so many excuses a Canadian guide can come up as to why he hasn’t been over to the homeland of the overwhelming majority for so many of our guests and believe me, I may have used them all.

Well say goodbye to the old, untraveled homebody, this winter it was off to England for the MCN Motorcycle Show at the ExCel. And what a show it was! Bikes everywhere, inside and out of the complex, and now the countdown over in Western Canada til the big thaw is on.

The show itself was a great experience, thanks mostly to the huge number of riders that stopped into the Rocky Mountain booth. Some showing sincere interest in booking a holiday, some just looking to chat, and some - past guests that is - looking for an opportunity to exact revenge on three unsuspecting Canucks by way of copious amounts of food and beer the second our shift for the day ended. You all know who you are!!!

First there was the pub crawl through downtown London followed by a stop at an Indian restaurant. Next night, Chinese at the Lotus (and I don’t know whether it was the gin making that place float or the Thames itself). We also hit up an amazing Thai restaurant, a Sushi joint that would make a few Vancouver restaurants jealous, and we wrapped up the show with a Sunday picnic right at our booth (thanks Julie!). Last but not least, our London tour guides, Paul and Jan, took us to the Ace Cafe for lunch and followed it up with home cooked Sheppard’s pie.

Peter’s famous sloe gin was dessert for that night, and yes, I’ve secured the recipe!

Now if it seems like I spend a lot of time focusing on food, just spend a week or so out touring the Rockies with me and it’ll all become clear.

The ultimate highlight of the trip that I simply must mention was on the final day when Jan tossed me the keys to her bright, shiny red Cooper and told me to, “Put my toe on the floor.”

First time driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road for me, and let’s just say that in the future I’ll be much more understanding of the challenge guests face leaving Whistler on Day 1.

It was really great seeing everyone and it was awesome getting a chance to see what makes London so famous. Hope everyone’s looking forward to the summer. Cheerio!