Five Countries Four Marlboroughs: Off to Nanaimo

Yesterday was a fairly relaxed day – we had set a cracking pass through the Rockies and unfortunately it was time to leave. We left our world of luxury and drove 1.5 hours to Calgary for our flight to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. I am so glad that we flew out rather than drove – the drive into the Rockies was so spectacular and driving out would have taken two days and would not have been as scenic. We are also down to 5 nights left in Canada and we are nearly halfway through our trip. The time is going so fast and none of us are missing home!

We flew in a much smaller plane to Nanaimo, a Dash 8, with the flight taking 1.5 hours. Terry and I caught up on some much needed sleep! We were heading to Nanamio, known as the ‘Harbour City’. We needed to arrive in Campbell River the next day for the start of our bear tour to Knight Inlet. Rather than have a big day travelling straight to Campbell River, Nanamio seemed like a good a town as any to stop. We were staying at a B&B, the Pine and Picket and after our last B&B we were all regretting my decision to choose another B&B. We gained an hour on the flight and as it was only 2pm we decided to look around town before we could check in at 4pm.

The whole drive into town from the airport, Terry was trying to pronounce Nanaimo. Nan-emo…..Nana-inimo….Na-neemio. In the end Na-nai-mo – he got it right!

We went to the local supermarket to pick up some fruit and then drove down to the harbour for a look around. We have had a taste of bad weather over the past two days – it was blustery with light rain. This didn’t worry the kids though and they burned some energy at the big waterfront park.

We arrived at the B&B and a sign had been left on the door – the owners were out but we should go inside and head upstairs. We were greeted with the cosiest two bedrooms and living area you could imagine. It was a big difference to the last B&B. We made ourselves at home and a few hours later Ingvar, one of our hosts, greeted us by bursting into song. He was such a character and we immediately felt at ease being in his home. Ingvar was calling through and was heading back out as he was practising for a concert. Ania, his wife, was at a party and would be home later. We headed down to a restaurant on the water, a short walk away, and noticed there were bunnies everywhere. James could not believe it! We then headed back to the B&B and Ingvar later brought me a glass of his home made sherry – delicious! It was an early – much needed – night for the Marlboroughs.