Paul was tired after yesterday and was still in bed when I got up – eventually got up at 9am!! Unheard of. No bread so straight off to Ammonite Falls. This was a walk suggested by the TIC and one we hadn’t done before but was only two kilometres and the info says half an hour each way. Needless to say it took longer than that. Hiked up hill and down dale for an hour to reach the Falls. We then had to climb down using ropes to reach the viewing point but still couldn’t see much. The final part entailed abseiling – needless to say we gave up at that point. At least we can say we tried and won’t be doing it again. Who did she think we were – Tarzan!!

We then drove to Westwood Lake which is much more level (until the last kilometre). Managed to see a fairly large turtle, which was great as he was only the second one we have seen this holiday. Also saw hummingbirds and brown creepers which were far too quick for me to get any pics. Did get pics of Downy Woodpeckers though.

Quite hungry by the end of our hikes and drove down to the harbour for fish and chips at Trollers. Then it was back home for a well deserved relaxing evening – we’d walked over nine miles.

Decided to make our biannual visit to Victoria – the weather seemed promising there and iffy in Parkesville and the parking is free on a Sunday. After the usual two hour drive we parked in our usual Parkade and wandered down Government Street to our usual coffee shop for breakfast – boring aren’t we. We then decided to do something different and walked along the harbour path and promenade to Beacon Hill Park and back via Ogden Point. Beautiful blue sky all the way. Then it was back to normal and lunch at Milestone’s and a wander round the shops before heading home. Lots of construction work going on, including blasting some of the mountainside on the Malahat Highway, but luckily not on a Sunday. Really pleased we didn’t stay in Parkesville and surrounding area as it was tipping it down as we drew near home and, from the look of the roads, had been for some time.Busy harbour. Empress HotelFisherman’s Wharf. These crabs and lobsters were trying to crawl out of the tubFog bank over USA. Mummy Wood duck and ducklingUSADog trying to take a rather large “stick” homeCoot. Ogden Point with one float plane taking off and one coming in to land

Decided, after our over eight mile walk yesterday, we’d take it a little easier today. Had a quick look at the eagle nest on Church Road. One eaglet still there but not easy to see. Then had a coffee at Leftie’s followed by a wander around the shops. Walked around the little forest in Qualicum and heard woodpecker babies but couldn’t see the nest at all.

That was followed by a visit to the Flicker nest – very vocal – and then spent some time watching the eagles at Beachcomber. A little more action than the last few days – Mum in the nest and Dad sitting in a nearby tree. Not sure whether Mum was feeding or tidying up the nest.Not sure who he was talking to.She’s obviously teaching the kids to keep their bedroom tidy.FlickersGive us some food!

Very tiring day. Started off at Beachcomber – absolutely nothing happening there so went off to Moorecroft where it was a little less windy and watched a heron fishing and a seal watching.

Then went to Enos Lake and got lost again. Seemed to walk miles and knew we’d be late at Jeannie’s. Everyone who knows me will realise how I was feeling. Eventually came across someone to ask and were only 10 minutes late so wasn’t a problem. Lovely bowl of soup and homemade biscuits (scones for us English).

A walk on the beach and home. Thank you Jeannie.ChickadeeThe wonderful BrynnThis seal was very interested in BrynnAmerican Goldfinch at Jeannie’s feeder

No disasters today thank goodness. Started off at Rathtrevor Beach to see if the birds would co-operate in a re-shoot. Yes they did themselves proud! Saw the Flicker feeding her two babies and some Brown Creepers feeding theirs.

Then off to revisit Port Alberni and do our usual walk along the creek. Plenty of bird calls but no sightings until the crow decided to do some sunbathing and the Cedar Waxwing showed himself. We were then lucky enough to see another mink along the riverbank fishing and feeding. Never seen one before and then see 3 in a week. Lunch at the Clam Bucket followed by a walk along the Little Qualicum River at the Falls. Saw three Dippers doing their thing and listened to plenty of bird calls.

Perfect day.Flicker feeding her two babiesBrown Creeper feeding her babieslThe only bear we saw todaySunbathing!Cedar WaxwingMinkDipperVery noisy squirrel

Stressful day. Started out with breakfast at Bread and Honey which was, once again, delicious. Then down to Beachcomber Park where the eaglets were not very active and one of the parents was perched in a branch high above us.

Decided to visit Rathtrevor beach for the first time this holiday. Busy with lots of people wandering along the beach and groups of school children making their way back to their buses. Heard a lot of squawking coming from a group of bushes and presumed it was a nest of babies but couldn’t see anything. Went a few steps and saw a Flicker which then flew down to it’s nest where it started feeding a baby. I then saw something out of the corner of my eye and presumed it was a squirrel but when I looked again it was a mink – the first time I’ve ever seen one. Tried to get a pic and then took a few of the Flicker trying to scare it away. I looked at the camera to see if I’d been lucky enough to catch the mink and managed to delete all the photos on the memory card- devastated as you can imagine. Luckily I’d put most onto the iPad but had deleted some to make sure I had room for the new ones. My wonderful husband managed to undelete all of them for me so very few were lost – except for the ones of the Flicker feeding her baby. Never mind. Now just got to work out how to transfer the photos from the iPad to a memory card!

Still beautiful sunny weather so decided to get the ferry to Protection Island today. Popped in to see the eagles on the way but no sign of anyone. Lots of people on the ferry – many residents. Lovely as it is not sure I’d like to live there and have to depend on the ferry. Definitely not sure I’d like to depend on Paul ferrying me backwards and forwards if we lived there and had a boat! Had a lovely walk around the island and then a meal at the Dinghy Dock Pub – with a couple of beers as it was so hot!

Back to the Nanaimo for an iced latte, some shopping and home.Nanaimo marinaDinghy Dock pubHeronery but no herons – must have been out on a Playschool outingNot sure this is the best place for takeoffCrab trying to hide

What a perfect day. The weather was glorious so we decided to travel to Sydney on the Saanich peninsular. We caught the ferry so that we didn’t have to drive so far and just got on. Very busy today. Did our usual walk along the promenade and had fish and chips at the pier Bistro. Still as good as ever. Watched two Killdeer parents showing their two babies how to look for food. Was in plenty of time for the return ferry so we were the first car on board. Lots of cars didn’t get on.

On the drive back up to Parkesville dropped in at the Morden Colliery Trail to see if the babies were still there and oh boy were they! That poor Mummy Sapsucker – those babies (or baby) never stopped shouting for food. She was run ragged. Paul then noticed that there was another woodpecker going in and out of a hole further up the same tree – block of apartments!

Views from the ferryInquisitive sealBeautiful flowers along the walkwaySydney marinaThe heron has found something for lunchKilldeerBabyTwo babiesMum and BabyDog paddleboardingSeagull Very noisy SapsuckerMum just fed himAnd off she goes for moreShe has a breatherBaby is still shoutingShe’s trying to persuade him to be quiet

Off the grid for the past couple of days which was quite refreshing. Drove up to the north of the island on Friday. Four years since we’d been so lovely to familiarise ourselves with it again. Checked in and unpacked and then went outside for a look around to find a bear busy munching on the grass by the waterside. Probably a couple of years old and looked a bit dishevelled but this was because he was still losing his winter coat. Saw him again on the other side of the water after dinner.

Next day we revisited Telegraph Cove. Wonderful weather – hot and sunny. Walked up the hill beside the Cove and managed to spot a pod of orcas meandering by – magical! Back to Hidden Cove to while away the afternoon reading, sitting in the sun and watching the hummingbirds. That is, until Sandra told us to come in off the deck very slowly as there was a bear – very close. Decided he wanted to read my kindle!Saw this Momma Californian Quail trying to get her ten babies safely across the road! So cute.This bear was very busy uncovering yummy goodies across the other side of the Cove.This crab was really weird.Beautiful jellyfishPurple Martins feeding their babies.Orcas off Telegraph Cove. There were five in their pod.This bear was beside the road near Hidden CoveThis bear really wanted to get close to us.We’d been sitting in these chairs minutes earlier.And off he goes.Not sure what he caught but it took him ages to eat as it kept wrapping itself round his beak.Qualicum Beach.No tv so after our meal each evening we played backgammon. Paul has to teach me the rules again each time we play as it’s so long between games.

Hope we manage to go again next time we’re on Vancouver Island – it’s so peaceful and stress free with Dan and Sandra being the perfect hosts.

Back to Parkesville today. The weather is even hotter – the car tells us it’s 31 degrees. Got a bit red yesterday and it was definitely too hot to do much walking today. Had a meal at the Shady Rest in Qualicum Beach – food much better than last time but absolutely packed as it was Father’s Day. Lovely to watch the families making the most of the beach on this fine day.

Lovely day with Jeannie watching mostly water fowl. Those babies are so cute.

Then a quick visit to see if we could find the robin’s nest. Found it this time but unfortunately no babies in it – can’t believe they’ve fledged so soon! Then we dropped in to see the eaglets but not much action – just a little wingercise.

After all the fun it was back to the flat to get ready for our trip up north tomorrow.FlickerSo many happy parents and babies Heron sitting on a beaver lodge.