Victoria

It is so easy to find places in towns with the 'grid' system. Journey from Tofino was long with intermittent rain and sunshine. Stopped for a break in a place called Coombs. It is a town/village that had a few shops and entertainment for children but the main attraction was goats grazing on the roof of the cafe/bar. We found the hotel with ease and it offered parking around the corner which was a bonus. A further bonus was the fact that it had a bar and restaurant attached and our room overlooked a rooftop volleyball court. The down side was that it also overlooked a rooftop bar which had a party going on on our 1st night. We were close to the main downtown harbour which was buzzing every evening with street markets and entertainers, water taxis and sea planes coming and going all the time. Also lots of restaurants. Our full day started with the open top bus tour of the city and surrounding area with commentary from a local geriatric. Victoria is apparently the place for Canadians to retire which became obvious from the number do disability scooters and walking frames. Mind you not all these were for the elderly, some were for the obese! Victoria was preparing for great celebrations for Canada day which we were going to miss as we were moving on. It was a lovely city with lots of lovely friendly people. Our last morning was spent in the Butchart gardens- gardens that had been created out of an old limestone quarry. Well worth a visit. Driving north to Nanaimo we were actually experiencing our second day of sun and warmth at last. We stopped off in a place called Ladysmith, to visit their farmers market and to watch their village celebrations for Canada day. Everyone was out in the park on the sea front. The CD queen had been picked and the town mayor was making a speech followed by the local First Nation leader. We then stood for the national anthem! Our hotel - the Ramada - in Nanaimo is comfortable with a large bedroom, a fridge - cold gin and tonic at last - and a microwave. We are however a a 10 minute walk from the downtown area. There is however a lovely walk on the seafront