8th July 2008 Woke up in Pacific Sands resort, Cove Bay looking out at the Pacific Ocean on a very misty morning. After a coffee (we failed to finish rice salad for breakfast!) we delivered Richard to Surf Sisters for his lesson (Amy had run all the way!) We headed back to try and load the blog on the slowest connection ever and managed to get back just in time to see them finish up their lesson but they were so tired I didn't get a picture of them standing up on their surf boards, but lots of just falling as they were now so tired!Try not to talk about the luminous pink tea shirts which were compulsory for identification by the instructors as Richard was not amused!! I think the activity was very much enjoyed ... read more

6th July 2008 This morning we checked out of the hotel around 9-15am to catch the train from Victoria to Ladysmith.When we arrived at the station we were very glad Amy had booked our tickets as the train was full , all tickets sold. It was full of two large parties of Japanese and the train only had two carriages. It left promptly at 10.00 but the guard did not seem to mind stopping at odd intervals along the way out of Victoria to pick up stragglers. It was a very scenic journey high up on the hillside overlooking lakes and thickly wooded trees. The small stations we stopped at had seen better days and most were falling down or boarded up. We pulled into Ladysmith Station, which was boarded up, at 12.15 and were met ... read more

4th July 2008 Yesterday after our trip to Peele point we were all hungry and Amy had spotted Shermans resturant almost next to the Ramada Inn where we where staying. Despite our original misgivings it turned out very well. I managed to get a roast beef dinner with a salad (bar) starter for $11-75 (less than six pounds) and also had apple crumble and ice cream. The others all manged to find soups and salads. We then returned to the Ramada where I loaded up our blogs whilst Amy wore the exercise machines out in fitness room before joining Mum and Richard in the swimming pool. This morning we enjoyed a free breakfast in the hotel before setting out for Detroit to catch our plane. We were worried about the potential traffic delays at the border ... read more

2nd July 2008 Up early this morning to catch the 9am boat from Tobermory to Flowerpot Island on the glass bottom Blue Heron boat. Amy and I had already done exercises on the deck as the sun came up. After egg bread for breakfast we set off and caught the boat despite Amy's delaying tactics. The boat goes out of the small harbour and into the big harbour where there are two sunken wrecks, which you can see through the glass, bottomed boat. These lakes are so large that you cannot see the other side, and they look like a sea because as far as you can see on the horizon it is just water. There are no tides of course but you can get large waves. Then we carried on to Flowerpot Island, which is ... read more

30th June 2008 After a very late night catching up on the diary while Amy and Richard tried out the first drive in movie of the season ( back at 2.00 am!) we got up quite late and then set off to see the Blue Mountain (ski resort) which is an extension of the Niagara Escarpment behind Wasaga Beach. Unfortunately it was raining so we could not even see the mountain ( I think we would call it a big hill!). So a change of plan and back to Wall-Mart for sandals and sunglasses for Bob and more clothes for Amy! We had a walk on Wasaga beach which goes for miles and was beginning to fill up with people despite the wind and drizzle ( Did they know something we did not?) Back to collect ... read more