Thursday 22nd July
Oky Dokey where we up to?
Ah yes - We left the grey sky's of Tofino and headed East Vancouver (Tofino is West Vancouver) we had literally travelled a few hours and the sun was blaring out almost making us say the ungreatful words we all say after longing for hot weather (it's too hot) - however we did not say them! We heard on the radio on our road trip that a 47 year old man was attacked by a bear in whilst he was sleeping in his tent. He was camping in the forests next to Sproat Lake. The police were looking for the bear to try and find out what provoked the attack. The guy said he had seen the bear a few days earlier. We then passed a beautiful lake which we thought we would have a look at - what was it called? Sproat Lake! I was absolutely fearful that the we would see the bear as we waded through the forest to get to the lake. There was route to the lake and we saw a few people on the way so it wasnt too bad. When we got to the lake it was absolutely spectacular! Fresh water lake - no-one around (well 2 people apart from us) The sun was shining on the water and the 2 people there jumped in and swam and splashed in the refreshing lake! Gutted we havent bought a towl yet! We were hungry so we headed of to Macdonalds for a spot of lunch and update on the old facebook and bought a towl from the local Dollar Mart (pound shop in England) I wanted to go back to the quiet unknown part of the lake but it was approx 45 minutes away - we drove back to the nearest part of the lake where it was quite busy but still nice (not as clear ) and had a swim - GORGEOUS. We spotted a few guys and a girl who were English and spoke to them for a while before they headed off to go wake boarding lucky b*****s! If you know anyone with a boat round here you are laughing - literally! Unfortunately for me and Mike we know....ah yes nobody not one person! We have spoken to various people as the Canadians all seem to make conversation with you and you feel somewhat of a celebrity when you tell them your ALL THE WAY FROM ENGLAND!

We found a little spot near the river off the main road to cook dinner - Eggy Bread! The view was gorgeous sitting with our cups of tea and dinner watching the water shine! Unfortunately the couple who had parked next to us had locked their keys in their hired Wicked Camper Van. We drove the guy round to the sailing club and helped him sort the problem out. Then we said our goodbyes and continued our road trip driving passed lakes, mountains, trees and wild life. We continued in the van and arrived in a quaint little town called Qualicum Beach. The beach here is beautiful and the sun set vivid - We found a little side street / dead end type of street as usual and parked up for the night - god i wish we had curtains the tinted windows dont quite work with the direct sunlight shining through both ends!

The next morning we picked up some milk and had our "fake" cheerios and fruit facing the beach - beautiful! Lovely way to start the day! We had a walk round the town filled up with petrol and decided to move on as there was nothing really to do here - gorgeus cute little place but more for retirement we think... We arrived shortly at Comox and made our lunch by the beautiful Comox Lake - We do feel slightly uneasy about getting out pots, pans, kettle, washing up bowl, stove etc out and making a full meal in the presence of Canadian Holiday Makers! However needs must and we must eat! We made chicken and mushroom soop and a ham toasty (we bought this cool camping toaster you but over the hob where they stand up) When we had finished we sunbathed by the lake and had a swim - It was so hot but the lake was freezing as it is fresh water of the glacier! Completely clear lake though. Swimming in a fresh water lake in the scorching heat surrounded by snow topped mountains was like a dream. You just cant quite capture the colours on camera. They was a diving board / jetty which we swam to and I treated my self to Canadian Hello magazine which i read on the grass whilst Mike tried to find a rope swing - much to his dismay he did not...

We drove to Courtnay and had a walk round the little town which reminded us of Wanaka - Its lovely and hot yet all around you can see snow topped mountains. There is a river here which you can buy a tube / dingy etc and float down. If you go to the starting point it takes about an hour. It gets buys in the afternoon and we saw a huge seal swimming up the river! We thought it was a massive fish and pointed to it! However 2 Canadians said its common to be floating amonst the cute seals bobbing their head out of the water to have a nosy around! We found a patch of grass near the river and made spagetti carbonara on our camping stove - we dont do this camping thing lightly any meal can be achieved! Apart from my favourite! Toast! We simply cannot keep the butter in the van and have to buy the food as we go damn! We have parked up now on a side street and will buy a tube from either Canadian Tyre, Wallmart or somewhere like that. Its Friday tomorrow so we might treat ourselves to a drink - a can or two down the river I think!