Expedition Canada

Trees Down Mon Jan 23rd One of the Douglas Firs that had crashed down across the trails. The Holy Grail of wildlife sightings in BC is to see Humpback Whales breaching.  Black Bears are great, but not a rarity; Coyotes are quite common (Jack startled a youngster in Cliff Gilker during the week), Cougars fortunately not so common - and we have not yet seen one - no rush.   During the Summer we enjoyed numerous views of Grey and Humpback Whale tails, fins and  waterspouts, but the sight of a whale fully breaching has evaded us, till Sunday.   I didn't have my camera.  I kept the video running on my iPhone, and every time I stopped filming, they breached, but you get to to see their water spouts! On the final leg of our Sunday sailing race back to Gibsons Marina, a race that had been shortened due to very light, and at times non-existent, winds our skipper thought he heard a distant explosion; a crack and thunderous roar like a loud firework (his words)....

Through Step One Hopkins Landing dock - Sunday morning Sun Aug 22nd Mon Aug 23rd Looking from afar you may wonder about the complexity or security of our presence in Canada.  In some ways it's both though we are taking a three step approach to a continued stay.  It also varies by age and if you are coming to study, work or just visit. Strand one - We arrived on British Passports for a stay of six months and entry to Canada as part of their programme of 'reuniting families' during the pandemic.   It meant an immigration on arrival not just a passport check and stamp. I suspect some friends thought we were mad to do this at the height of the Pandemic - and probably were, but nothing ventured.......   Nick, as a Permanent Resident, enabled us to meet the 'reuniting families criteria' was sufficient to get us in.  Since then he has become a Canadian Citizen.   We are allowed to remain for six months, as all British Passport holders can ...