On Thursday we embarked on the long drive to Uclulet - a First Nation's word that means 'safe place to land a canoe'. This is a small fishing town tucked on the 'inside' of a spit of land that runs out into the Pacific Ocean on the Western side of Vancouver Island. There is no doubt that this side of the spit would indeed be a safe harbour compared with the wild Pacific. The drive was long but mostly through beautiful countryside. We made a quick stop to admire the view across to USA at Malahat and then a longer lunch stop at Qualicum Falls. Walking round the falls Dave's sandals - yes the multiple-repaired ones - broke yet again so it should not have been a surprise that super glue was once again on the shopping list!

We arrived at our accommodation - "Shore Cabin at Birds Bay Retreat' - with about an hour until the Liquor Store would close so we dumped bags and headed into town to shop. Mission accomplished - beer and super glue as well as breakfast and lunch provisions for the next few days purchased. All pretty usual except we had to make way for the deer and foal walking up Main Street - Dave may have a photo on his phone but we were probably too taken up with getting out of the way so that the deer didn't walk onto the road junction that he may not have anything other than pavement to show.

Dinner was at The Floathouse which is well, a floating restaurant! You'd maybe imagine there'd be fish on the menu - sadly not. But Dave enjoyed the pulled pork and Jill the chicken burger. And for the first time in Jill's life a fellow diner said he'd "drink what she's drinking" - promise this was NOT a 'When Harry Met Sally' moment! And so early to bed in our cosy cabin ready for an early start tomorrow morning.