After a few days of relaxing back at the apartment in Comox Richard and Karina both started working again – evidence that summer is coming to an end. In an effort to prolong my own job hunting I decided to take a bit of a trip down the west coast of the mainland. My goal would be to make it to Yosemite – to hike Half Dome which was closed for the winter when I was last there.
My first stop was Vancouver. I took the Greyhound / ferry and Richard's uncle Roy was very generous in offering to put me up while I was in town. My last trip to Vancouver was during the wet and cold winter so I was Continue reading →
Ever since I saw Richard and Karina's photos of the summer they spent in Jasper National Park, going there myself has been the number one thing on my to-do list for Canada. It turns out that I am friends with the right people because as soon as I arrived in Canada a little over a month ago a trip to Jasper was already being discussed. The guide books recommend booking campsites for the trip several months in advance as numbers are very limited. However we lucked out and a cancellation meant we were able to secure a spot for a canoe/hiking trip less than a month away!
The drive to Hinton in Alberta Continue reading →
Since moving into the apartment in Comox I have been continuing the holiday theme with a combination of taking it easy and cramming in the activities! It has been really hot here with not a drop of rain since I arrived, therefore I have slowly been trying to built up a base tan so I can handle the sun a bit better. This has been going well except from an area on my back which I missed when applying sun cream and got burnt quite badly 🙁
I have still found some time to sort out a few things, like a Canadian bank account and getting some transport sorted...
This is my 1973 Top Rider Japanese Continue reading →
Starting off my trip as I mean to go on we have just returned from a four day hike of the entire Juan De Fuca coastal trail. The hike was pretty technical, and very up and down at times covering 48km of stunning coast. With Richard and Karina as my guides we borrowed Taz, Richard's parents dog and hike/camped for four days and three nights. Passing other hikers rarely it felt as though we had the trail to ourselves, until we arrived at one of the remote beach side campsites where we shared the beach with a few other hikers. Who like us, just wanted to make dinner, light a campfire and relax to Continue reading →
Being a bit of a jet lag wimp, five days after I arrive in Canada I am only just getting over the affects (and the 26 hours straight with no sleep it took to get here)... but that hasn't stopped me from having a great time and packing in the activities! Which include - going to the beach (lots), skimboarding (badly), relaxing in the sun, a road trip (sort of), a busking festival, whale watching, running, Batman watching (7.5/10 IMHO), driving on the right ...
^ Victoria harbour during the busking festival
^ I borrowed a dog and took a stroll down to the beach one evening
^ Continue reading →
Goodbye UK! See you again soon. After a couple of months of organising and running around I am finally on my way to Canada. I am writing this on the train to Gatwick airport. From there I fly direct to Vancouver, then hop on a Greyhound and a ferry to Vamcouver Island where I will meet up with Richard and Karina. After being so busy it is strange to sit still!
Cardiff peoples at my leaving Ploughmans - going to miss you all!
As I prepare to leave I have realised two things 1/ I am not very good at saying goodbye to the people I care about 2/ the fact I am moving to Canada REALLY hasn't Continue reading →
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