Our timing is perfect yet again. The weather on Vancouver Island has just turned hot after a few weeks of poor weather and we land in time for a bank holiday.
We arrived by boat from Seattle to the wonderful harbour of Victoria (how romantic!??) on a bright sunny afternoon to find a whole flotilla of Tali ships in the harbour as well. We are met by long time family friends Neil and Peggy (well they were !!) and after dumping our bags in their car we head off for a walk to see the ships and get a feel for the place. After a hearty meal of fish and chips on the harbour side we make our presence felt by moving into their home. Bags opened and contents spilt out, the joys of world travel.
So after a few weeks of motel flitting up the west coast we slip off the flip flop and relax on the deck and admire the stunning views. Our first day is spent popping into Victoria and doing a few jobs then take the scienic drive up the eastern side of the Saanich peninsular.
On Tuesday its National Canada Day and we spend the morning messing about on the water in kayaks and the kids in a dingy. AL and I try out the open sea and manage a trip around one of the islands out from the harbour running into the local large ferry after turning the corner and finding the main shipping lane! As we look around we notice that lots of the little island look similar and are unsure if we can navigate our way back to the kids if we venture out any further. So after a moments diliberation we head off into the sunset, no we turn back to the harbour!
We rejoin the gang then head off to Sidney for a picnic on the front. Then after taking a stroll we pop into a small mineral shop where the kids can pan for gold and pick polished stones from various tubs. It takes time and patients to extract R and E with a small bag each of stones, E's is bulging and looking like it may burst any second, more stones to carry back home with us to add to our weight limit.
The highlight of the day is heading down to Victoria at 10pm to catch the fireworks in the harbour (well not exactly in the harbour but you know what I mean) The whole town is buzzing and we are following Neil and Peggy in their car, they try to shake us off several times weaving left and right trying to avoid the traffic but we keep on their tail. We even pass several police cars flying up and down and even through a police roadblock. When we find a spot to park we join the crowds heading down to the harbour and try for a good vantage point. It appears some people have been here all day reserving their places but we push through and are soon in the middle on the front lawn of the Empress Hotel. Lots of people are drapped in flags and or national clothing. The fireworks were wonderful and lasting a good 15 minutes before the national anthem at the end ,where I noted many people joining in with heart felt gusto. I remark to Neil that in England if we did this we would be called the National Front.
So our first week in Canada is soon upon us and we have taken just one trip out to see some of the island, a trip out to Port Renfrew then over the old logging roads to Lake Cowichan where we stop and cool our feet in the cold lake. Our first full weekend finds home alone as all he Beswicks have headed off to the main land for a family reunion and doing nothing much but relaxing and hanging around. We have even thought about work in September and come up with a few plans so if any one out there hears of anything suitable let us know.
Next weeks plans are a trip to Whistler on the mainland for a few days walking in the mountains, I have told E that she can catch the ski lifts up and walk down but she still is not over keen. So we let you know how we get on latter
