The sun was shining in a blue blue sky with a few whispy clouds. We got up early, had a quick breakfast and were in Victoria by 10.15am. What’s the best way to find out about a city? Jump on an open top, hop on hop off, tour bus the tour started at 11am

The tour took an hour and a half through the old town,China town, harbours, parks and round the marine drives via a couple of historic sights inland. It was cool and windy on the bus but that was great on a hot day of 32c ! 

   We took a walk around the marinas and along lower walkway and up to government street. There were majestic buildings and Totem poles .We had a delicious lunch in a restaurant looking straight on the harbour and we would have been happy just staying there all afternoon but we had more to explore. The  

   We travelled round the harbour to Fishermans Wharf (where the eagle star whale watching left from) and wandered around the floating homes and floating harbour. It is colourful and very busy.  

 We chatted to a 70 year old Canadian lady who described her childhood in the logging stations up to Alaska. She described arriving in areas and starting from scratch to build their homes. As a child she saw masses of salmon seals and orcha whales swimming right into the inlets. She talked about black bears being shot and Cougars under her wooden school hut. She described being in a flimsy boat she and another child had built themselves and sailing out to sea only to find themselves in the middle of a pod of whales and having to be rescued. They got into much trouble for this. What a different childhood from ours!

We walked on and saw children feeding a seal and a sea otter with fish. The seal was fat! His stomach was so full, he laid on his back in the water and looked as if he was going to pop! …. So comical

     Then we followed the marine drive stopping to view the tallest totem pole in North America. It was made out of one tree from the far north of Vancouver Island. You can see how tall it is as I look so tiny next to it ! 

127 feet 7 inches tall

  

 Further on there were lots of activities to see. Kite flying, Wind/kite surfing, boats coming back from whale watching all in a choppy ocean.

  The journey back was easy once we got through the city. There is a fabulous view point over the islands and to US. We took a detour down to the bay below the mountain and then back up to the highway again. 

 Back in hotel now tired but had a great day and happy memories of Victoria. Our ferry leaves for the mainland at 5.20pm tomorrow, then it’s Canada Day Wednesday and celebrations, and then Thursday we fly to St. John’s from Vancouver via Calgary. We fly over night and lose hours so we will not get much sleep xxxx pics later

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Last night we went to take our last view of the carvings…they are brilliant and this morning as we passed by they were busy staining and varnishing their master pieces.  

     There are many more but I liked these best

We set off early from Campbell River and took a leisurely pace on the Ocean View highway 19A. First stop was after Comox Valley and Cumberland at Deep Bay.

Deep Bay was a great place to have breakfast outside,watching the geese, kayakers, and people on motor boats and in the harbour. The reflections in the water were good to photograph as there was very little breeze.  

    We continued along the pretty coastal road passing long bays and shores full of driftwood and pebbles. The countryside was very like British countryside with pastureland and fields with cattle in and arable land growing vegetables. There were lovely wooden houses of all sizes and businesses and artists shops like painters and potters. The whole way from Campbell River south is inhabited with people.

We stopped at Qualicum beach for a walk in the sunshine and this is the first beach on the East side of the Island that we have found that is mostly sandy. This is the nearest grandad has got to a paddle as yet

   We stayed there quite a while and Grandad was pleased that for one of the first times he can remember I did not take any shells stones or driftwood off the beach! Well we can’t take any extra weight on the plane can we😎😎 

 French Creek was the next town along and then we were on familiar ground again. We went down to Nanaimo Port and Vince took photos of the bastion. 

We sat in the bay watching boats, seaplanes, and people walking by. There was a small pier stretching out into the bay and people were fishing from it and also throwing in lobster pots to catch big crabs. We went to have a look and saw a seal bobbing up and down near the boardwalk. We chatted to a mother and daughter who had just been to stay in England with relatives.  

   All the way here I counted how many Eagles we saw and it came to 16 only 2 weren’t bald headed Eagles.🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞 

 Now we are back in the same best western hotel we were in before and planning to go to see Victoria tomorrow. These are vinces and some of my photos and his are beautiful xxx

Missing you but will be home soon xxxx it’s VERY HOT here 

Today we called in at a craft fare and bonsai tree exhibition. We saw some lovely polished stones, shell ornaments and ideas using driftwood. The bonsai trees were made to look like miniature forests and some were over a hundred years old!

Afterwards we called in to see the wood carving …it’s looking amazing and I was given a tiny wooden axe in a tiny log ( because we were English!) 

We travelled South today down to Courtney. It is a small quaint Canadian town and quite unspoilt. We went round the shops and had chowder in the local pub. It is really hot today 30c. Alex tells me you have a heatwave coming too.

We called in at one or two beaches on the way back. The islands seemed so close to the coast here. There is so much driftwood here as we have found everywhere we go. There was the skeleton of a deer on the shore at one place. The sand is grey and gravelly. 

   I haven’t mentioned the wildlife we have been seeing over the time we’ve been in Canada. So far we’ve seen red and grey squirrels, weasel, large blue herons and a small English sized one, many bald headed eagles,deer, elk, buzzards,lizards, fish jumping out of the water,tiny crabs, gulls, martins, jays and other birds we can’t name.

Today we saw deer and eagles and herons.

Tomorrow we move back to Nanaimo and will explore the new coastline as we travel south via the picturesque road 19A

Hope you like my photos and enjoy your hot weather. I wonder how cold it is in Newfoundland? We’ll find out on Thursday xxxxx love to you all 

We had such a surprise this morning as we were pulling out from the hotel onto the coastal road we saw 5 bald headed Eagles swooping down to the pebbles and flying round low. Someone had left fish there and they were all swooping down for it. By the time Vince parked the car, they were flying above the hotel and 3 of them landed on the top of a tree to the right of the hotel. Again we got fab pictures that will win prizes I’m sure. There were 2 babies that looked mostly brown but you could see their white feathers developing.. We sat there for a long time watching them  

 Reluctantly, we left to travel north. We wanted to explore the lakes up there. It isn’t as easy as we thought. There are not many access points to the coast or lakes and most are on gravel road for about 5 to 12 miles. Not good.

So we stopped at a cafe and ate brunch in the shade outside under a large wooden gazebo.

It is very hot today and due to get much hotter over next week. This weather is very unusual for Canada and they have had so little rain since April that they are getting worried about their water reserves.

We headed back to Campbell River and noticed the logging sorter station. We parked high above it. It is so clever how they bring the logs in on huge logging lorries.they then pile them up in sizes and then float them in the sea pulled by small ships to the mills past Nanaimo to be sawn and distributed.( We saw those mills a few days ago)All the little coves were full of logs ready to be towed away on the sea 

     In Campbell River we relaxed by the harbour in the sunshine. We looked on the map and decided to follow the picturesque route 19A south of the town to Oyster Bay. What a cute place! There is nothing there only masses of washed up logs and a grey sand/ pebble beach. 

    A few families were sunbathing and swimming. I had a paddle and saw crabs and jelly fish. Vince watched a fish jump right of the water a few times. We are going back there tomorrow, it’s so lovely. Across the water you can see the snow covered Rocky Mountains on the mainland. 

 We drove passed the carving competition and they are look ing so good. They are judged on Sunday so I’ll photograph them then!

I am so missing you all, please write me a line or two to my hotmail. I need your news 

This morning I got my hair coloured and cut, what do you think? 

 It’s a bit shorter and blonder than I would have liked, but it will grow. We then set out East for Gold River.

2kms from Campbell River is Elk Falls. The locals are very proud of a new bridge which only opened in May this year. It goes high over the river Campbell and has a great view of the waterfall. 

   . It is quite impressive. There were also viewing platforms to see the falls. There are many trails in this park and again there were huge high old fir trees, really wide circumference and oh soooooo tall.  

   Vince walked right down to the bottom of the falls but I stayed at the top, while the mosquitoes enjoyed eating me

 We carried on the 60 miles to Gold River. We passed lakes and high vertical mountains. Half way there we stopped at a centre for education/ duke of Edinburghs award kind of thing.  

 For a fixed amount you helped yourself to soup, salad and pudding. There was a beautiful view over the Campbell River Lake and it was like a lodge. On the wall was a huge skull of a whale and some of its ribs and back bone. The owner of the complex had found it on the far side of the lake on his land. 

 We stopped at viewing points along the road and when we finally got to Gold River, it was a small town from where you could take a ferry right to the West coast of the Island as a foot passenger…. We decided there was no way we could do this.

On the way back the views over the water were much easier to see. 

   then we got back to Campbell River

We went to the river walk by the ferry at Campbell River to see all the totem poles  

 and then onto the wood carving competition. The carvings have really changed and can’t wait to see them finished on Sunday. 

 Now I’m sitting on the veranda outside our hotel room and look an ocean liner has just passed by. The waters must be so deep! 

 I hope the French strikes don’t affect your holiday with school Anona I see Uncle Matthew has had a few problems getting to Paris.

I’m sending you pictures of Totem Poles Lilyana so ask to look in your mummies email. XXXX kisses for Otis and Louis 

Love to you all xxxx photos later

Woke up in Ucluelet to cloud and drizzle. After a nice breakfast brought to our bedroom for the second morning running, ( I could get used to this!) we started our long journey to Campbell River,in the North of Vancouver Island. 

We were delayed for quite a while with road works. You have to stop the car until the road workers let you move along again. 

We got to Port Alberni and stopped at our favourite cafe, for a second breakfast/lunch. I had eggy bread with butter and maple syrup and bacon. Mmmmmm. 

The rain continued with us and there was low cloud obscuring the mountain sides. Eventually after a couple of stops we reached Campbell River and are very pleased with our hotel room. It has a balcony and looks directly over the river. The town is all along the river for a few miles. Lots of walking to do, I can see.

The hotel is on the 59th parallel and so we are level with the Lizard ,Lands End and the North of Newfoundland 

   We noticed that there was a wood carving completion and stood watching very strong men and women with chain saws attacking very huge tree trunks…the noise was terrific and the saw dust got everywhere. We’ve entered a competition to win one. How much will that cost in excess baggage on the aeroplane? The smell of the pine was lovely. The competition is on until Sunday so we will be able to see the finished products. 

   

    

  

  We have a fridge, hob,sink microwave and pots and pans. We can completely self cater for a change. There is a pool and hot tub and crazy golf so we’re all set up for 5 nights.

This is our view… 

   Hope you like the photos I will send more later xxxxx

This morning we went into Ucluelet and wandered around the harbour. We didn’t realise we were opposite to Port Alberni, where we saw the steam train. We had coffee in the sunshine and talked to a couple from Vancouver.

Next we called in at the tourist information office to buy our day pass for the Pacific Rim Park. Vince was busy chatting when I got in there to the officer and it turns out he is the Indian chief of the whole tribe in this area Ucluelet First Nation, Wilson Jack TYEE HA-WILTH (hereditary chief). There are 2 Chiefs below him but he is the top man. Vince shook his hand and said he was very pleased to meet him. He gave Vince his card and gave us a reduction on our fee. He is a lovely man about 40 years old and reminded us of the Tongans we know. I wish I’d taken his photo.

We then headed to the botanical garden at Tofina. It was a bit outdated but enjoyable. It had labels of trees and plants which were there in the rain forest and the odd artwork and cultural pieces dotted around. We were able to walk on boardwalks around the trees and into the estuary. 

   Further along the peninsula we found a beach on the east side (not the surf side) and watched the sea and surrounding hillside over to an island. It was so peaceful. We stayed there for ages watching the birds,eagles and fish jumping out of the water catching flies. 

 Lastly we called at a long surf beach and I had my first paddle in the Pacific Ocean.  

   The water was warm I thought. We walked for ages along the long beach. Suddenly we heard an eagle and a smaller bird fighting over a treetop perch. Look at the photos we got! I’m very proud of mine. Vince took the eagle as it flew off the tree. 

         Today has been warm and sunny and I’ve really enjoyed it xxxx

hi we travelled to the west coast today and saw the Pacific Ocean. We are on what they call the Pacific Rim.

There is a long stretch of beaches collectively called Long Beach . We are in a B&B for 2 nights and it seems ok. I’m sitting in the back garden on a veranda writing this. We have toured the length of this sandy beach. There are surfers everywhere and young people. We feel very old. It is cooler on the West coast and a cold wind. Maybe this is preparing us for Newfoundland!  

 There is a rainforest and small rocky coves filled with beautiful white sand. It is very picturesque. The only drawback I can see/hear is a continual fog horn…oh  dear. There is a long path called the Wild Pacific Trail which we intend to walk. 

 We treated ourselves out for dinner tonight. We had clams in a tomato basted chili sauce (they cooked mine without chili ) followed by halibut wrapped in Parma ham on risotto rice with peas and with asparagus Cherry tomatoes. It was delicious 

Tomorrow we are going to explore this headland some more before we head further North on the Campbell River for the rest of the week.

Love you all xxx

This morning we both wanted to go back to Nanaimo to spend more time walking around the waterfront. This time we walked past the bastillion and down to the front by the sea. It was sunny and very clear visibility. I could even see a totem pole on the headland on the island opposite! 

 We were chatting and laughing about what some people have said to us. E.g.s  One U.S. Girl said “what state?oh England, is that on the other side where it’s winter now?” On the whale watching boat, an Amish lady said to Vince” can you speak in English” she couldn’t understand him! Oh and no one in U.S. Or Canada understands “2 coffees,one black ,one white”.

There was a long path to stroll along and lots of activity on the sea in the harbour. The sea plane took off for Vancouver and we saw a sailing ship, the ferries, ships of all sizes and lots of private boats. Hope you like the photos I took. 

 2 hours later, after coffee and ice cream we left the town to explore further down the coast heading South. It is hard to get access to the beach as there are logging saw mills and other industries along there. We eventually found Yellow Point and a picnic area called blue heron park. The beach there was different to others we have visited. It is a wide flat rock pavement with millions of tiny shell pieces, gravel and grey sand. 

 The tide was out and there were shallow rock pools. EVERYWHERE there were tiny crabs no bigger than your little finger nail,of all different colours. As you walked they were scuttling out of your way. The whole rock pavement was alive. There were bigger dead crabs around and hundreds of large shells. People were swimming in the sea but there was lots of seaweed in it.  

 Grandad had a lie down so I had to photograph him didn’t I? 

 We kept in the shadow at times as it was hot. There were lovely people there all having picnics and everyone was happy.

On the way back to the hotel we found a fish and chip shop and had very fresh haddock. We got talking ,(well shouting )to the owner who was a bit deaf. He was from Czechoslovakia and had moved here 25 years ago. He thanked us for calling in and talking to him about Prague. This is the best fish we have eaten so far this holiday. 

 And now we are back doing our washing and visiting a fabricland that has a sale! Grandad bought himself  a Carl Minion too xxxx 

We walked up to Neck Point, the headland nearest to our hotel, to watch the sunset on the longest day of the year. It was lovely. As the sky changed we noticed a white mountain and it seemed to get bigger and bigger. A Canadian told us it was Mount Baker over 11000feet actually in U.S. And you only see it well at sunset. It disappeared as the sun set, magical!

 

Saturday came round fast again! All the mosquitoes were sharpening their knives and forks for their tasty Janet dinner…

This morning we drove towards the west coast,inland to the town of Port Alberni. Huge ships can travel inland via  the Trevor river over half way across the island. We noticed a steam train was firing up and went over to the station. Grandad took lots of photos for his grandsons to see (and granddaughters too). 

 We strolled around the harbour and really enjoyed the views over the water.

Back in the car we next headed to Sproat Lake, intending to spend the afternoon there. It was a beautiful place and we both sat on a huge sawn off tree log in the sunshine. Next the peace was absolutely shattered and spoilt by a guy on a high powered speed boat who revved up and went round the lake disturbing everyone. 

This is where the seaplanes were located that carry water to quench forest fires, it was interesting to see them there, but we couldn’t stand the noise so we left.

On the way back Vince stopped at Cathedral Grove, an ancient forest with 800 year old Douglas fir trees. We took a picture of ourselves by the tallest tree I’ve ever seen in my life. 

  

  

 The oldest trees had survived a forest fire 350 years ago.  Also many of these huge ancient trees had fallen down blown over by a huge wind about 10 years ago . I can’t believe the force of that wind to be able to do this. We really loved this forest, Douglas trees can live for over a thousand years and so they will be there for a while yet.

After a coffee to wake us up at our favourite Canadian coffee shops called Serious Coffee ………we went to Neck Point. This is only 3 miles away from where we are staying and we hadn’t realised we had such a nice beach so close. You can see where there was a whaling station. Thankfully not allowed now. 

 You can walk right around the small rocky headland and there are little coves which you can swim in. There are rocks and pebbles and grit though, no sand. We spotted a blue heron,it was huge and we watched it for ages catching an eel and fish. It chased another heron away.  

 We saw Canadian geese and gulls too. A lady was walking her small dog and a ferret on a lead! I took a photo lily but it’s not very good. I’ll show you it when I get home.

Last day in Nanaimo tomorrow and we are going back to Neck point now we’ve found out about it.

Love to you all xxxxxx