Timeline 5th Jan 06 to
13th Jan 06

And so onto Canada, the final country of our trip.

Canada unfortunately suffered in this final position. As it was to be our last stop, we would, at points along the way when time was an issue, 'steal' a day or two from Canada. And so, from over two weeks on the original itinerary, it went to just under one. As a result we could only visit Toronto and Montreal despite having our hearts set on Quebec City.

As with a surprising number of other countries visited this year Canada was in the midst of elections. In November 2005 the minority Liberal government was brought down in a vote of no confidence. The eventual outcome saw the Conservatives regaining power after a 12-year absence.

Toronto is Canada's largest city in terms of population, wealth, industry and sheer size. It is justifiably referred to as the country's engine room. Because of this the region is known as the Golden Horseshoe -- it is an entirely flat, industrial looking landscape and is not the impression many people have of Canada.

The city itself is very modern and very clean, without many points of interest. It was freezing during our three days there, actually freezing, with temperatures reaching minus 13C (9F) Incredibly, there were a substantial number of homeless people sleeping rough.

As we were there the hot topic was the alarming rise in the number of gun crimes and shootings, a issue once believed to be halted at the US border.

An hour or so from Toronto are three large waterfalls, each with its own name but collectively know as The Niagara Falls. These straddle the US-Canadian border, the longest undefended border in the world.

Unfortunately the urban surroundings, constructed for the American day-tripper market and which bares a striking resemblance to Blackpool's Golden Mile, subtracted somewhat from the natural beauty of waterfalls. Another sight to chalk off the list nonetheless. And due to the sub-zero temperatures, the famous mist from the Horseshoe Falls was freezing as it rose and so resembled a huge, ghostly, beehive.

Although Toronto is one of the most ethnically-mixed cities of all those we have visited, it is principally English speaking. Something I gave little thought to until we arrived in Montreal where everyone, almost to a person, speaks French. Signs, menus, conversations are all in French, even the subway is called the "Metro".

In 1774 The Quebec Act recognised the French language and the Roman Catholic religion in the colony. Then in 1791 Quebec was divided into Lower Canada (present-day Quebec) and Upper Canada (present-day Ontario).

This is the duality of Canadian life, the "Twin Solitudes" as it is known. Traditionally, Toronto is English and Calvinist while Montreal is French and Catholic. Anglophones and Francophones. It's more than just a rivalry. There is a large movement and belief within the state of Quebec that it should declare its independence from the rest of Canada.

Thousands of immigrants from Scotland, England and Ireland arrived each year throughout the 1800s. The flag of Montreal features the Thistle, Rose, Shamrock and Fleur de Lis.

We arrived into Montreal during a heavy snowstorm which persisted for well over a day. This gave the city a magical, fairytale look. Especially in the Old Town, where we were staying, down by the old port. Old stone buildings, narrow streets and tasteful lighting together with the snow was all very charming.

Due to the harsh winters where temperatures can drop off the scale, the city above ground is mirrored below. Ride an escalator down and you'll be in "La Ville Souterraine", an underground world of hotels, stations, shops and restaurants existing in a controlled climate. There was never one master plan, instead it all gradually joined up and came together so now, despite plenty of signage, it is like one huge, confusing maze.

AFTER 365 DAYS…SO TO HOME
As Montreal's snow began to melt and disappear so too did our time. It had been the most incredible year and now it was almost finished.

From the moment we stepped onto the plane back to Glasgow, it would be just a memory, but at least we had achieved what we set out to do.

After exactly 365 days, 21 countries, and goodness knows how much money, it was all over!