I Updated my Passport for this  ......

So, I'm just back from a long weekend in Ottawa and I am shocked and appalled at what a cranky and miserable traveller I was!

Granted, the stinking hot temperatures and life-sucking humid wasn't Tourism Ottawa's fault.

And judging by the length of the lines and the enthusiasm of the crowds, the fact that I was underwhelmed by the Medieval Armour and Impressionists exhibits at the War Museum and National Gallery respectively, may actually have been my fault.

And I suppose it's really not fair to state categorically that Buskerfest was boring since I really only watched a total of four partial performances.  The aforementioned stinking heat and killer humid combined with the noisy, interminable construction on Sparks Street may have had a little something to do with my crankiness.

And I know that it only seemed like all of the Neanderthals were out on a day pass the same day I walked across the river to the Museum of History in Hull.

What was my fault, though, was all the moaning and complaining I did to any and all of the voices in my head that would listen!

Have I become one of "those" old fogey retired travellers?

The ones for whom it is either too cold or too hot, who complain there is no sweetener for the coffee, and they have a nerve calling this coffee, and the shower controls are stupid and why isn't the electricity normal, and if I wanted to sit in traffic all day I would have stayed home, and it was all your mother's idea anyway.

We all know one.  That relative or "the one" in the tour group that you would really like to ditch at the next corner but a conscience and good up-bringing forbids.

..... so, hands up, everyone else who put "travel" on their retirement to do list.

New retirement rule.

You only get to put "travel" on your list if you are planning to expand your horizons, to learn something new and exciting about the world and yourself.  Only if you are planning to actually enjoy yourself.

You only get to put "travel" on your list if you are planning to run the young 'un tour guide ragged, if you are going to try at least one new dish, and go to at least one museum.

You don't get to put "travel" on your list if you are only going to complain about that god-forsaken job you just retired from, your hip replacement, the weather, or if you are just going to stand in front of spectacular medieval architecture and answer texts.

As for me - attitude noted; attitude adjusted.

A fit travel companion once again!

(I'd better be, because very soon, there are going to be three of us trapped in a car on a road trip to the east coast!)