Decided to go and visit a new park today – Westlake Park in Nanaimo. Can’t believe there’s somewhere we haven’t already been! Lovely morning but could only walk half way around the lake as there was tree felling going on. Did manage to see a few turtles though. 

Weather still seemed fine so went to the Morrell Nature Reserve. Unfortunately as soon as we left the car it started to bucket down so we got drenched. Never mind, we will go back when the weather’s better. Of course we needed to have a warm up in the hot tub before going to a pub in Qualicum for some pub grub and beer.

Another perfect day. Started off (after breakfast of tea and coffee cake) with a quick trip to see our eagle family, with a walk on Duke Point. Lovely weather and we were lucky to see a sea lion off the beach. We then did a walk around Nanaimo harbour after an iced latte and ended up with a large vodka tonic overlooking Parkesville beach – it’s a hard life!

Forgot to post the pic of the otter!

It is so good to be here again and we had a perfect day. It was warm and sunny and we started the day with one of Karin’s scones – who could ask for more. We had to make our first stop the beach park where we first met our bald eagle family. They didn’t disappoint as Mum was there guarding the nest (apparently just one chick this year) and Dad was over the other side of the bay trying to ignore her. On the way back to the car we met  a group of four people who were all originally British and had a heated discussion about music, immigrants, Politics and wildlife.

We then made our way to Moorcroft Provincial Park (catching sight of 2 female deer with 3 of the cutest fauns ever) and saw 2 more bald eagles, 2 seals and an otter. We felt the day wouldn’t have been complete without a walk around Neck Park followed by a coffee overlooking Nanaimo Harbour. We’re now sitting relaxing  trying some Guinness Blond Ale (thinking of you Amanda!)

Another travel day. Taxi to the bus station in Vancouver, bus to Twasswasswen ferry terminal, ferry to Schwartz Bay, bus to Victoria where we picked up our car and then drove to Parkesville. Took eight and a half hours but it was worth it. It feels like we’ve come home – helped, of course, by being met by the wonderful Karin who let us in and left us lots of goodies including three lots of homemade scones- so yummy!

After unpacking went to Lefty’s for dinner before having a drink sitting in a bar overlooking the beach and the mountains beyond. Perfect.

Well – they do call Vancouver the Rainy city and, oh boy did it rain today! We enjoyed it though and spent the day binge watching Chicago Fire. Managed to pop out for a meal during the one break in the rain though and forced down some beers and burgers. I had a lovely tuna burger (the tuna cooked rare and with avocado) and Paul had a burger with peanut butter, bacon jam and chipotle mayonnaise which he said was amazing. Early night tonight as we’re up early tomorrow – off on our travels again but this time at least we’ll be in one place for a month! Keeping my fingers crossed the taxi turns up on time.

Felt we ought to try a journey around Stanley Park again. The first time we tried it on a tour bus – it was raining and the condensation was so bad that we could hardly see anything. The second time we decided to walk – it started raining about half way around and we got absolutely drenched Paul’s pockets were swimming in water and so we’re my trainers. The third time we decided to cycle – the rain started the minute we picked up our bikes and didn’t let up the whole way round. Today looked promising so we decided to try again and we were in luck – it stayed dry the whole time. It was so enjoyable that we cycled right around the park and then to the science centre at the end of False Creek, passed Granville Island, to the Maritime Museum and back over  the bridge to the park . Paul reckons it was about 30 kms. We was really enjoyable and didn’t seem very far at all.

Managed to have breakfast at Pure Bread before leaving Whistler -mm. Wish they’d open up an outlet in Felixstowe. Or maybe not! Not sure how I could resist visiting every day. Beautiful drive down the coast – only saw a red legged hawk unfortunately.

Arrived in Vancouver about 11.30 – just in time for the rain. They’ve been waiting for us to arrive I think. No rain for quite some time so they’re glad we came. It has stopped now thoug and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s dry tomorrow – it would be so nice to visit Stanley Park without getting drenched!

The flat we’re staying in is fab. In Coal Harbour with a view of the harbour from the balcony.

Had an easy day today. Breakfast at PureBread – the selection is incredible! Then it was up the mountain and across the Peak to Peak. Beautiful weather and managed to see a bear on the way up (although the pic isn’t too good – sorry). Sitting in the sun and drinking a cup of tea at the top watched two marmots playing to the crowd and saw the bobcat that we caught sight of last time. 

Other than that we did a short walk and drank a few beers. A hard life!

Had a chilled out day today although Paul managed to put in some complaints. First of all we got woken up by a phone call to our room at 8am. An automated call trying to sell activities! Then Paul had a shower which turned cold half way through. Never mind, reception gave us 60 dollars off our room bill.  We had a lovely coffee and scone at a coffee shop we used last time we were here. Their cheese scones and lemon basil and blueberry scones are to die for. Decided to do a walk as it was very cloudy over the top of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and wasn’t worth doing the ride to the top. Nice walk around Lost Lake and then back to the hotel for a jacuzzi and sauna before heading off for a bite to eat. Paul was very impressed with the crispy sprouts but not so much with the turkey pot pie – 3 very small pieces of turkey in total. Complained and didn’t have to pay for it. Grumpy old man??