Thursday 15th June 2023

After Cockerel Gate, the latest challenge was access to Tofino. The problem lay with connections through Port Alberni on Highway 4. A forest fire has caused a lot of damage with landslides and the need for a safety survey of trees lining the roads. We called into the Tourist Information office to get advice. It was rather like approaching one of those guys in B&Q that have 'Can I Help' on their back, when you know full well the answer is most definitely, probably not. Our TI girl fell into that category, so we went to find a Royal Canadian Mounted Police person. They always get their man! Well we found a very nice lady in the RCMP station and she told us we probably could get to Tofino via a 2 hour bumpy ride on gravel roads being sure to keep out of the way of constant logging trucks and queuing for single track creek bridges. Well none of that sounded too attractive and I'm sure Mr Alamo would not approve, so with the only alternative available being to catch a seaplane or waiting a month for the road to reopen, we gave up and last minute booked Airbnb at Sooke thanks to the brilliant assistance of Reese Witherspoon and her team at the Lake Cowichan library. They were so pleased we had found somewhere and they thoroughly approved of Sooke. Fair swap, but disappointed we shall not make it to Tofino.

We felt honoured however to find that we are the very first guests in this brand new Airbnb property and very nice it is too. We have panoramic views across the ocean to the USA.

Our trip here from Lake Cowichan took us through Port Renfrew, which was very photogenic but mainly famous for its pub apparently. It's possible we saw a seal but it equally could have been seaweed. Were this not enough to pull people into this rather remote location, it does have a circular botanical trail through the forest and along the beach. How could we resist the challenge and possibility of a bear encounter! The notice announced that bears have been spotted today!! Very nice walk but no bears so we continued our journey along the south coast of the island to Sooke. We shall have to review tonight what exciting things there are to do here on this uncharted and unscheduled stop. Apparently there are such things as the Sooke Pot Holes. I'm just hoping these are more impressive than Gloucestershire pot holes.

Our host tells us bears have been spotted in their neighbour's garden. We shall keep a look out, although we are beginning to think this bear thing is all made up!

patches is so loved

sammy and patchy

patchy picture from bbh ❤️🖤