Nanaimo – Day 2

I had to get up for a wee at 6:45 this morning and decided it was too early to get up so I went back to bed – bad move. Had such a relaxing time as I dropped off completely I didn’t wake up until 9:30 – oh bugger, I had meant to start my day a little earlier than this. No matter, I will make the most of it.

I rang two more dive places – sorry, fully booked – and then decided to shower and get coffee. I will try some of the forums later as I did have a cursory glance yesterday.

Procured coffee and returned to hostel. Got online to post this up to date and check mails, etc.

My Internet Explorer homepage is the BBC so I was rather delighted to see the sports headline “England stun Aussies to reach semis”! Bloody hell, swing low you sweet chariot! I thought they would ream us new orifices after the performances so far – how wrong I was (and pleased to be so). I am beginning to harbour thoughts of possibly reaching the final ......long way to go yet!

Anyway, as it is all rainy and miserable outside I thought I would get completely up to date with the blog in preparation for the next leg of the journey.

I have booked my ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert (no it is not an invitation to a gay party) which will sail overnight on Wednesday arriving Thursday. This is BC Ferries “Inside Passage” (ok so it does sound like a gay party) running past Queen Charlotte Island and up to the north Yukon area of Canada. From there I can get another ferry to Alaska – well various parts of Alaska, as it is quite big.
The bus leaves Nanaimo at 8:30 in the morning and should get me there with a few hours to spare. This is the plan so far.

Oh wow, I have been following the New Zealand – France match online and the Frogs have done it! Good on ‘em as it should wipe a load of smug smiles off the southern hemisphere supporters. It now seems like I can hope realistically for England to reach the final! If so I fancy they will face South Africa again.

Now that I have got this as up to date as I can I think I will relax and have the rest of the day off. As one might have guessed I decided not to go for a walk around Newcastle Island.

I must offer thanks once again to any of my old work colleagues who may read this. My leaving gifts have all been put to very good use. The torch is brilliant (literally) as it will adhere to a screw head (handy for the wooden constructions in the Victoria hostel) and I have used the pliers, screwdrivers (both types) scissors and knife attachments of my multi-tool. I am very grateful and do spare you a thought every time I use them – with the same fondness of anyone who has escaped the Russian gulags (I wonder if they are still alive? I wonder if they will ever get out. I wonder if they will achieve a “normal” life afterwards.) – it almost makes me feel guilty for enjoying life so much.