Sunshine Coast

The Next Adventure

A 3D Puzzle



Sun May 2nd. 

The car started ok today, no warning symbols, so packing commenced.  This was something of a challenge and just as well we left the dog crate and one piece of luggage with Nick and two pieces at our first rental for later collection.  Jack had to share the back seat with one large suitcase!

Car packed, we headed off to Horseshoe Bay, the ferry terminal to the west of Vancouver.  Yet again, the auto stop/start was not working!  

All our papers were to hand in case our reason to travel was challenged.  ‘No recreational travel’ was on all the matrix signs driving to the terminal.  

Our dual nationality Canadian/British check-in lady, whose daughter plays for Aston Villa could not have been more helpful.  We had a nice chat with her, 'deck three with the dog, or you can stay in the car' she advised.  The ferry is only 29% full, such is the impact of Covid.  Not sure what Jack was going to make of this!

Unimpressed was the answer, but it was only a 40 minutes crossing.  Early at the terminal, we had 'pole-position' on the car deck.  We were able to sit in our car seats, watch the view as the ferry transported us around Bowen Island and deposited us at Langdale. It was like a mill-pond, so Fred was unconcerned that she could not find her sea-sick pills.  Thank goodness!

As we settled in to the ferry journey the 'Low battery - start the engine' sign came on!  I feel it may be a difficult discussion with Land Rover tomorrow, Monday - not a public holiday in Canada!

Having checked out the location of our accommodation we popped back to Gibsons for bit of lunch overlooking the marina.  It's a town we'd like to explore more, lots of small shops, restaurants, bars and cafes albeit offering a 'Covid' service.  Having a quick wander after lunch I got chatting to one of the co-owners of the BBQ Shack on the marina and got a download of the local information, places to go, where to get fish etc.  So helpful.

Settled in to our new rental, guided tour complete and Jack beach-walked and bathed, it was back to the deck for a glass of chilled Sauvignon in the sun.  This small modern rental home gives us a panoramic sea view from the open-plan Iiving/dining room, easy to foresee how we'll spend hours just looking out to sea..... hang on..... is that a whale, seal, sea-lion or ... sea or river otter.  

What a delight to see an otter for the first time and though at least 100m away, managed to get some reasonable images.  It was unperturbed  by the people and dogs on the beach.  It carried on fishing and bringing its catch on to the rocks.  I feel I can get some closer shots with some patience.  We're not sure if it is a river or a sea otter.  It's known river otters feed along the foreshore and sea otters tend to be in groups, so we need to check it out further.   More to follow.

Horseshoe Bay Departure




Warning!




In front of the house




Sea Otter














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