As We Loved It

Bard on the Beach was booked up months ago as a birthday present for Sophie. We happened to be researching things to do in Vancouver when Mum happened to come across this Shakespeare Festival and knew Sophie would like it. After a long wait, we weren't disappointed.

We went earlier in the day to collect our tickets and to see what a lovely setting it was in. It was raining in the morning but by the evening it was lovely and warm. The man in the box office warned us to bring warm clothes and blankets as it got chilly in the evenings.

Dad and Sophie stood at the entrance. Believe it or not we were very excited!

Advertising banners across the bridge for Bard on the Beach (the first signs we had that we were in the right area).

Random beaver cookies (how did this picture get in here, Mum?)

This was the opening set for As You Like It with the open air background that showed the Vancouver skyline and the mountains in the distance. The actors came up some stairs, through the gap and onto the stage

This was taken in the interval and the stage shows the beginning of the second half. The trees on stage are full of colourful paper flower love notes from Orlando to Rosalind.

Mum and Dad were pleasantly surprised at how much they ended up enjoying As You Like It. We were tempted to go and see Merchant of Venice on our way back to Seattle at the end of the holiday.

Mango Tango

We were looking forward to getting to Vancouver for the Canadian leg of our road trip! Even though it was only 70 miles, it took us all day to drive from Burlington. There were so many tempting places to stop and look at.

Having had BBQs for the last four or five nights we decided to stop at a very unlikely looking bar/grill/wok place and we were delighted not only with a lovely dinner but with Sophie's first road trip cocktail. This has set such a high standard that all other cocktails will have to live up to.

How to make:

Mango Tango

Lychee liqueur

Mango puree

Frozen citrus juice (Slush Puppy stylee)

Plus one essential straw and one non-essential bay leaf.

We giggled all the way back to the hotel.

We found a hotel on the North Shore of Vancouver. When we actually looked at a map we realised it was completely the wrong direction to Bard on the Beach where we are going tomorrow (but if we hadn't found this hotel, we wouldn't have found the gorgeous cocktail!)

This is our room with the car parked outside.

Saying Goodbye to the Sea

The coffee shop called The Doctor's Office that overlooks where the ferry the comes in. They did great coffee, the best so far in America. Sarah's is still the best ever.

As we left on the ferry we waved goodbye to Friday Harbour and wondered if we'd ever see it again. We had a lovely time on San Juan and would highly recommend it.

We got a little lost on our way to the next location and we ended up at a little beach park which had lots of these birds with their babies; the grass was thick with them.

Looking along the suspension bridge at Deception Pass which had brilliant views in both directions. This is on our way to Ana Cortes (which, by hearing someone official, we realised we'd been pronouncing wrong)

Life's a Beach

We went for a picnic on the 4th of July beach where there were signs up that said no fireworks, no parties and no fires which we thought was funny considering it's namesake. It's no wonder no one uses these beaches; the water is soooo cold!

The beach was covered in driftwood which made a handy place to sit.

The works! You may think Sophie didn't manage this but she so did.

This is Sophie whale watching.

We thought about going kayaking while we were on San Juan Island but then we saw the waves!

When we ran out of logs for the fire that evening, Mum, Dad and Sophie went on a fir cone hunt. Whoops, didn't know how smokey fir cones could be. But so pretty though..

First Day of Summer!

Last night we had a camp fire at our tent.

Dad had bought giant marshmallows and some forks which we had fun toasting!

They were very messy.

Today we drove to the south end of the island to Camp America where we were told yesterday that the Orcas rest and start their day. Unfortunately we didn't get to see them there as they'd already started heading north but we saw lots of California Poppies.

Whale watching on the rocks or sea creature? Mum says Sophie looks like the mermaid that is by Medina river.

Cattle Point on the south end of the island. It's very beautiful there!

We went back to Lime Kiln State Park where we saw the orcas yesterday and waited for them to arrive. In the mean time we got to see some lovely porpoises and this Harbour Seal.

This is very Sarah's style of Stampin' Up!

Sophie walked to the lighthouse ahead of Mum so Mum took the opportunity to snap a picture of her in front of it. There was a lot of arm waving to try and get Sophie in view.

That seal is so lazy! Here he is sunning himself on the rocks where he spent a lot of his time.

We went back to Roche Harbour for an ice cream after a bit of whale watching. We looked around the gardens there and saw this beautiful butterfly fly past and land on a hanging basket. It's a good job Sophie hadn't seen it's sibling land on her back earlier in the day.

Lakedale and on to spot the Orca

Welcome to our resort home for the next few days.  This is the view over the lake from our canvas cabin towards the resort Lodge (from which this blog is currently being composed).

And this our resident lady of the house outside our cabin taking the rays before we start on our quest for the Killer Whales.  Talk about a relaxed way of life.  Mum and Soph prepare to leave the cabin for the day.

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First stop Roche Harbour - or is it Harbor?  Time to find an early morning coffee.

Still looking, but this seemed a lovely spot to rest awhile.

The Roche Harbor chapel in it's own special setting.

A visit to the local general store gave Dad a brilliant idea for a new Isle of Wight beer product.  This one will be called Kala Slobber - not sure if it will be a brown ale, but whatever it's colour it will slip down easily.  Wadda you mean.....yuk!

At last, our coffee treat.  Very nice they were too ( and the cinnamon donuts weren't bad either).

Homemade jewellery stands were of the order here - this lady made all her own glass beads.

An alpaca farm - for wool, not meat.  This little lady wanted to meet Dad but ended up actually wanting a drink.

And then reminded us again of Kala as she dribbled all over the place.

As we were in the shop full of fantastic alpaca wool products this "Bambi" alpaca was born.  At 15 minutes old it was just about able to find its feet.  It's Mum was wondering what the heck it was being a first timer.

Neither too sure about the other! Mum was keeping her fingers to herself just in case.

On our quest again we stopped at Snug Harbour and couldn't resist this snap of a blue heron.

Mum and Dad getting snug  in a rocking bench seat - no coffee though.

And here we are - first stop at the west coast park reknowned for orca sightings - and we get this showoff swimming by upsidedown and slapping it's tail on the water.  Talk about exciting.  We were told that as the boats were gathering offshore it was likely that the whales would be passing soon, and so as Mum and Dad tried to keep up with Sophie we all hurried down to the cliff side.  We saw some fins out to sea but were not quite prepared for the show just about to unfold right in front of us about 10 yards off the shore.

This is the lighthouse marking the edge of the coastline at this point around which the killer whales pass about 10 times a day.

Back to Friday Harbour for some shopping and up to Lakedale for some blogging.  A full and satisfactory day all round (and its not over yet with the prospect of a BBQ and some giant marshmallows they sell in the campsite shop).