Richard was in shock mode this morning when he looked at the map of Canada and saw the distance we had to drive from Calgary to Toronto. He was ready for the Graylands Hospital and home. Thought it would be like Australia where you put the car on the train from Kalgoorlie across the Nullarbor to Adelaide. Asked at Reception and the lass said no, but we thought we would ask downtown.

Thought we would check out Coal Harbour where we stayed last year when we went on the Inner Passage Cruise and Alaska.

The harbour may be busy with a lot of people but it is so peaceful sitting there watching the world go by. Lucky there are so many lovely people who will take a photo of you. Took one of us with Stanley Park and floating planes in the background.


Watched the people getting ready to go on they cruise to Alaska two cruise ships were docked ready for the next voyage.

Went across the road to the Fairmont Pacific Rim to the BC Ferries Tour Office to get a Timetable. Young Lucas was very helpful with tips on what to do on Vancouver Island and also informed us no trains carry cars from Calgary to Sault Ste Marie. It is a long drive across the Prairie and he said it takes about three days. He is starting to come around with different people we talk to who have done it.

Made a couple of ham rolls including the hotel apples and walked down to the Granville Island. Took a video and photos. Caught the Autobus from Hornby Street Ferry across False Creek to Granville Island Markets.


There are a lot of quaint old wooden buildings consisting of arts, crafts, woodworks, clothes, different fine foods. Outdoor Markets of fresh product some you can sample, we were watching two older ladies that were going around sampling everything I think that is how they had their lunch. There are buskers there as well. A very entertaining afternoon looking at all the different cheese, bakery items, chocolates, seafoods. People watching again as we ate our lunch. Tell you what going everywhere at Seniors is saving some money. Caught the Autobus back to Hornby Street.  There are a lot of cyclists in Vancouver Glen would be at home.

Did all the washing at the hotel tonight getting ready for Vancouver Island.

Tell you what it is hard finding accommodations on Vancouver island it is a long weekend in the high season and prices are high for vacation rentals with kitchens.

I have managed to book the upstairs section of a renovated old manor house in Mount Tomlin a suburb of Victoria. On the web site it is called "Classic Victorian 30's Mansion goes Modern" 1960 Argyle Ave. Darryl the owner sounds nice had a last minute cancellation lady in hospital and can't make it for another week. So this was handy for us.

Thank god for laptops and mobiles as that is all I have been doing and time gets away from you when you are meant to be enjoying yourselves. But that is part and parcel of an unplanned holiday when you don't know how long you are staying in one place