Saturday July 2, Vancouver BC

Today has been a great one, although finished on a bit of a flat note.

We both slept really well, maybe a bit to do with the wine and the grappa we drank last night! Breakfasted then up to say goodbye to our wonderful new friends, they made us so welcome and we really enjoyed their company. And finally the sun was shining and it was really warm…think the weather may be changing.

Headed south, through Sechelt and onto Morgans, the last town before the ferry. First stop was the Laundromat for the weekly chores, then noticed signs for a quilt show. Ian was very patient and read his book while I took a look. It was a great show held in an ice hockey rink. Lots of trade stalls as well as fantastic work from patchworkers of the Sunshine Coast. There was also an exhibition of work from other parts of Canada. Jennifer you would have just loved it. So enjoyed chatting with people, and could have come home with quite a few bags of supplies.

Continued on downtown to the harbour, and we were overwhelmed by the town, probably one of the nicest we have been into. It had a great laid back feeling, lots of colour and flowers, people wandering around, musicians playing and lots of little galleries full of wonderful “stuff”. And the views down the harbour and onto the snow capped mountains were pretty special. Parked the RV and spent 3 hours poking around, and found a nice spot to have lunch, people watching. Ian enjoyed the marina while I poked around the galleries. There was one exhibition by a photographer, and just loved her impressionist work. www.hilarystephensphotography.ca They looked so good printed big on art paper and framed.

Finally dragged ourselves away and down to the ferry terminal, in time to catch the 3.30 crossing to Vancouver. We were talking last night about where we should head, and got a few ideas, one of which was to stay on the north side and take a ferry across to the city tomorrow. Well that was the plan and we were heading that way until I sent Ian into the wrong lane and before we knew it we were over the bridge and into the centre of town. Oh boy. And it was a Saturday, sort of expecting it to be a bit quieter but there were cars everywhere. Then the brakes started making a noise which added to the tension. Had an address for a Walmart reasonably close to town so headed there, right through town, and then through a rather rough part with homeless people laying around the streets everywhere.

By the time we got to Walmart the brakes were feeling a bit odd and pulling to one side, and the smell wasn’t good. We let them cool down and found there was a campground not too far away, so made our way there pretty carefully and it was with relief that we finally parked in a campsite….mind you at over $60 it was the most expensive we have ever been in, and it is wall to wall campers with no atmosphere.

Realise that we need to sort the brakes out before we head up into the mountains and Whistler, so will have to wait until Monday. Somehow after our experience in the city today, we don’t feel like trying again tomorrow!!