Our last few days in Canada.

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(Once again, apologies for the lack of photos! This internet cafe hasn't got access to plug in the camera!)

Friday we spent a fab day cycling around Stanley Park in Vancouver and we even managed to have our first relax of the holiday on the beach. This was topped off with a very quick dip in the Pacific Ocean!

The following morning the coach picked us up for our trip to Vancouver Island via the BC Ferry. After a smooth crossing during which we saw more bald eagles and a few seals, we arrived at the bus station in Victoria.

We were entertained by the Dragon Boat racing in the harbour that afternoon. The world is truly a small place and while having an iced coffee that afternoon, we met four people from the Lake District and discovered that Terry Geer went to Penrith Grammar school at around the same time as Di & Pete!!!! There was much reminiscing!!!!

We left and had something to eat and then bumped into Betty and Kevin that we met on the Rocky Mountaineer!!!

Yesterday we went whalewatching and saw a pod of Orca (Killer Whales) which included a calf. It was great to see them although we weren't allowed too near so on the photos you can only make out the fins! We also saw a sea otter which is apparently quite rare so that was a bonus!

Yesterday afternoon we managed a quick trip to Butchart Gardens - well worth a visit if you ever get out here.

After that we got on the bus to go and meet the lady who Di's mum was maid of honour for back in 1942 - Joyce Sharpe. We got all the old photos out and spent ages going over them and the old times and tales and places. It was quite a moving experience and a bit unbelievable for all of us. We also discovered that Joyce's late husband Norman actually served as a Mountie!

Now we come to the sad bit - we are leaving for England today. We have really enjoyed our time out here and met some very friendly and interesting people from all countries and found that our Canadian hosts could not do enough for us. We hope to be back but if we do we will not be living out of suitcases again!!

Last of all, the reason for the trip was to commemorate Geoff and to visit some of the places he visited. This has created some very special memories for us. We hope you have enjoyed this blog and we do intend to create a website about Geoff so maybe you'll catch up with us again. On our return to England we will post some of the photos we took and hope they recreate a little of the experiences that we had over here!

See you soon

Lou & Di xxx

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Comments

[Simon Welsh]

The return of the travellers
Somehow your last two journals have only just appeared.Thought you have been snatched by a grizzly or perhaps two virile Canadians !. Latest news sounds terrific.Hope you have a good journey home-it will be a bit cooler here . Luv, Simon.