Yes, I know we're in countries where there's WiFi a plenty, but when you're in the middle of a forest, not so much! And to fill you in, not so much on the running water front either!

So, our last post was us in Whistler trying to source a shop to exchange James 's bobbled Thermarest. Unless you're into skiing or mountain biking, Whistler is a crazy tourist hub, jam packed with people, so we hooded it on out to Squamish, forever nicknamed by Imogen as Sasquatch, of which there is a multitude of ephemera about, wherever we stop. Huge kudos in Squamish, new Thermarest and fab views of The Chief, the world's 2nd largest free standing rock after Gibraltar.

Much hoohah about the route, decided on not going via Vancouver  (another one as a city break for Imogen) but to Vancouver Island instead, with some bonus whale watching on the ferry en route.

The usual shenanigans of finding a free camping spot with the light going down  ensued, eventually we found a rough bit of  ground near a bike scrambling track. All good until you find the smelly carcass of a large black animal (BEAR!) a couple of yards from your pitch. Luckily the only animals in the night where the multitude of bunnies that seem to be everywhere. James did his best bear impression by sourcing blackberries for our breakfast, greatly enjoying the vitamin C boost. Yes, fresh fruit n veg is still so expensive.

It was near Port Alberni that we meet a great family, sharing hummus, carrots (!) beers and fun stories till the small hours.

Some great free camping on Vancouver Island had, washing in rivers, shooing mice out of the tent with Imogen still insisting on having a few rocks in the tent, just in case of any larger night time visitors as apparently cougar are a common sight round these parts.

Some mad riding on an old logging track to Woss, shaking the bike down and causing the starter motor to stop working. At Telegraph Cove, we book onto a whale watching trip, leaving at 8.30am. As the camping was ridiculously expensive, we pitch up in an old quarry, shortly after seeing a bear stroll by. Imogen is now again in panic mode, especially after seeing long reddish "rivers" near the tent, so we've now named it Cougar Quarry. So, the art of free camping is to leave no trace and generally not be seen. With the bike now not wanting to start and stuck in a quarry, with the whale watching trip about to depart, Imogen gives the bike a run so James can jump start it after we'd hidden it in bushes. Not very stealthy. The whale watching was a success : orcas, humpbacks,  Dall porpoises, Stellar sea lions and Rhinoceros Auklets amongst others. Phew.

We then found the loose connection on the bike. Yes, Imogen saw a small wire waving in the breeze, hmm, perhaps that may've been the problem after the previous days off roading shananigans. Hopefully our more ninja like exiting will be a tad more successful.

Back down Vancouver Island, via sand sculpting competitions and to Nanaimo for a bar (for non Canadians, it's a choc biscuit and coconut base, thickish custard and topped with a dark chocolate layer. James is now planning on making said confection to make a killing down the curling rink with the ex-pats. Canadians, you have been warned.

Our last day in Canada was sent scoffing a huge breakfast with James having pancakes, syrup and sausages, so he was happy. We did manage to utilise their shiny bathroom and soap - after several nights camping on logging tracks, a quick wash is quite welcome!

At Victoria, we realised the boat into the U.S wasn't going to be quite the easy jaunt we had imagined, being Johnny Foreigner. Decided to leave the capital madness to head to Sooke (named thereafter as Sookie after our cat, being admirably looked after by foster mum extraordinaire Marianne Taylor).

After swimming in the potholes, which are known by their T'Sou-Ke name of  Kwi-Uchum, or Spring Salmon Place,  we rocked up on the beach for the eclipse, borrowing scopes and welders masks - huzzah for people coming together for these amazing natural events.

Now heading to the Olympic Peninsula, via the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles. Totally loved Canada but time is a-ticking! Pics on Facebook, some will be uploaded in due course.