Gained an hour last night. Don’t you just love it when that happens.

Slept really well in new cabin after the previous night’s debacle.
Weather very misty but dry so far thank goodness. Time for a coffee and relax in the Crow’s Nest and watch the scenery go by.

Had an early lunch and it’s off to see some whales but first of all the Mendenhall glacier

And a few bald eagles

And then it’s off on the boat with Capn Kyle and Mila the guide.  Fingers crossed we see some. The reality exceeded my expectations by a thousand per cent.

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Continue reading Friday 8th July →

Dreadful night. Thought there was a performance of Riverdance going on. Turns out our cabin is below the restaurant. Noise went on till after 4am. Paul went and saw guest services first thing and they changed our cabin. Same deck but further back and seems much quieter. We’ll see tonight!

Packed up again and unpacked. Could really have done without that!

Next on list – sort out Arrivcan. Very helpful man on desk eventually managed to do it for us. Oh well now we’ll have to get off ship!

Tried to sort out internet. Got it on Paul’s phone so better than nothing although did spend hours trying to sort it so we could change from one device to another. Eventually after google said this blog did not exist we gave up.

Yet another stressful day so far- hope it gets calmer now.

Good night’s sleep and up early. Managed to have our covid tests done early and then got rid of the luggage before doing an early check in. All very smooth so far. Off the Blenz for a coffee before the final hurdle – security and customs. Again pretty smooth. Sent through to another room where they checked our Arrivcan. Had to fill in a new one and had help. Unfortunately it just wouldn’t complete the downloading – just like last time. The lady said she’d have someone on the ship help.

Anyway we got to our cabin. Pretty much the same as on Fred Olsen but far up front. Hope it’s not rough!

Unpacked. Just about found space for everything. Then up on deck for sail away. Luckily the rain held off.

Sailaway

Early dinner booking. So far don’t feel the dining experience is as good as Fred.
Then up to find a comfy bar where we could relax and play Rummicub.

 

The day I’ve been dreading. Leaving Vancouver Island and getting the ferry to the mainland.
Nobody in the harbour said goodbye but we did see this youngster and her brother crossing the road on the way .

Then there was a raccoon crossing the road.

Trusting in the satnav but oh for a map. It would have been much less stressful. Twice she sent us the wrong way.

Reached the ferry in good time for the 10am sailing.

Scary journey to the airport and very glad to get rid of the car. Stupidly thought it would be much more relaxing taking a taxi. Wrong! He was weaving all over the road and kept his foot alternating wildly between the accelerator and the brake. Anyway arrived safely at the hotel but were ignored totally by the staff out front. Much too busy talking between themselves to help until we made it plain we were going  into the hotel.
While waiting to check in found that our friend Jeannie’s dog had died earlier this morning so really not in the best place to deal with hotel staff. Anyway, after a glass of red, we headed of for a nice lunch overlooking the harbour

Paul had his favourite burger with peanut butter and bacon jam.

Now back in the hotel and this is the view.

Weather looking a bit better today. At least it’s not chucking it down.

Off to East Sooke for a walk through the park. Raining a little but more misty than anything.

Back to the flat after lunch at the 17 mile pub.

Did as much packing as I could and sat down to relax.  Then saw this Eagle.

And then

The other Eagle flies off

Wonderful ending to our visit to Vancouver Island.

 

Awoke to pouring rain. Been so lucky so far so shouldn’t really complain. Spent ages trying to sort out more red tape for our cruise. Really beginning to get me down now. Wish I was better at using modern technology. Did what we could so just hope the rest can be sorted out at the port on the day.

Decided to go out for breakfast and see if the weather cheered up later. Back to Mom’s. So popular that we had to queue for a while before we got a table. Worth the wait though.

After breakfast it was still chucking it down so we decided to go to the launderette and get the washing done and hope that the weather would improve tomorrow so that we could do a final walk on the island before heading back to Vancouver on Tuesday.

5pm and it’s still raining but it’s only the second day we haven’t been able to get out  we’re counting our blessings. And it is quite nice to have a chill day.

Even though we didn’t go to the wildlife it still is all around us.

 

Off to Victoria today. Paul has a day off from the driving seat – we’ll he only had to drive to Sooke town centre where we picked up the bus. $5 each for a day ticket. Cheaper than the petrol plus parking. Started off with a coffee in a new place – really good and the pumpkin scone was delicious.

Then walked around the inner harbour to Fisherman’s Wharf.

Next round to Ogden Point

By this time we were ready for a late lunch at Milestone’s before a little shopping and then the bus home. Lovely day.

 

 

 

Canada Day today 155 years old today! 🇨🇦
Really chilly this morning but did see this fella from our balcony before we left.

This was the sunset last night

Up early as fairly long drive up to Botanical Beach and we had to be there around 9.30am for low tide.

On the way  we were lucky to see this gentleman crossing the road!

Parked and this Jay was checking the picnic tables out for crumbs.

Quite a walk through the forest to get to the beach.

Hundreds of rock pools at the beach filled with all sorts of creatures

On the way back through the forest saw these two cuties

Stopped at French Beach on way back. Lots of families celebrating Canada Day.

Boy was that wind cold though.

Back in Sooke in time for a late lunch and then back to the flat.

 

Glorious day and head breakfast overlooking this

Bald Eagle flew overhead and a hummingbird gave me a shock by peering through the bars of the balcony! Very surreal.

Our first stop was Sooke Potholes Park. Walked up through the forest first to a little waterfall

and then back to Sooke river

Then back into Sooke for a late lunch at Momma’s. Delicious and good value as always.

Needed to walk some of it off so a short stroll down Whiffin Spit.

Now back at the apartment with a Kingfisher flying around. Sounds like he’s having an argument with someone!

Sitting playing cards and these guys come to see us

A short post today. Finished packing and drove to Jeannie’s to say goodbye before heading off to Sooke. Stopped just outside Sooke at 17 mile Pub for a drink and something to eat. Unfortunately they don’t serve Shock Top any more! The first place we tried and fell in love with it. Never mind – plenty more beers to try.

The suite is small but with a beautiful view across the water. Now unpacked and stocked up on the necessities – beer and cheese! – and relaxing. Seems to have been a long day.