I’m beginning to sense a motif here on Vancouver Island. Rain. And not a leitmotif either. No, this one just keeps droning on and on and on. So I’ve had enough. I’m off this sorry, soggy little island and over to the bright lights of Vancouver City.
Before I left I had to go to Coombs. Sadly no one seemed to notice my surname and therefore I was denied the usual fanfare and keys to the city that usually accompanies these coincidences. But the most important thing was to witness the Goats on the Roof. Some killjoy had told me that health and safety had removed them and now it was just a plain old Roof. But no! They were there and I have the proof…
There! Goats on Roof! In the rain.
After another 40km of busy, rain-soaked highway, I found the Nanaimo to Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) ferry. And a brief hour and a half later I was on the mainland and struggling with the bike rack mounted on the front of the bus. To be fair, the bus driver was far more helpful than a London bus driver would have been, but I was still made to feel like a cretin for a few minutes. An improvement on my personal best. After the ride into town it was a quick, but wet cycle to the nearest hotel (I know, I know. I’ll make it up later when I don my hair shirt) and a gloriously hot shower. Now I hesitate to mention this, but it turns out that I stayed right in the heart of the Gay Village. It was fabulous! Not that I took much notice, as I was comfortably holed up in my warm and dry room watching the thunderous rain sweep down Davie Street.
I’ll leave you with a photo of Horseshoe Bay in the rain…
Love
Pete
Patagonia Pete 
That’s an awfully long way to go to get lovely scenery, cliffs, sea, sky, gulls wheeling – and continuous rain! I’ve just spent the weekend on the North Devon coast near Lynton (Lea Abbey). We had just enough sunshine to tempt you out too far to reach shelter before the rain returned. I’m not sure if it’s sympathy or envy that comes to mind – yours or mine!
Will you be going to Seattle? Have you still got the email address of Angus MacGregor?
Tell, me, is civilisation of the Cassiar Highway the more dangerous? Or is that like comparing apples and oranges?
How is the knee?
I like Billy the Bike. It appeals to the Welsh in me, I suppose – Jones the post, Evans the shop……..
Take good care.
I’m sure you realised I meant ‘Civilisation OR the Cassiar Highway’? Yes, of course.
Are you sure you’re not in Ireland? All that rain, more rain and even more rain. Plus the rolling hills and lush, verdant countryside. The goats on the roof are a big giveaway too. Sounds a lot like County Mayo to me. Mayoans are famous for keeping goats on the roof. Have a look around in what you think is “Vancouver” — if you see a big Guinness factory, then you’re definitely in Ireland.
So glad you’re still posting blogs, this is the only thing I’ve read in the last million days that isn’t ranting on about phone hacking, bent coppers and Rupert Murdoch. So I LIKE your rain commentary, please keep it up.*insert Sid James guffaw*
Cycle safely,
Nx
looks wet and steamy….strikingly similar to Cape Cod in fact, minus the great white sharks which are still lurking in these parts, awaiting the return of Steven Spielberg with a film crew. Anyone for a dip?
Enjoy the hot showers while you can, I say.