Adopting Betsy the Wonderwagon.

  Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Tuesday, February 12, 2008

In our quest for the perfect new home from home we have criss-crossed Vancouver by hire car, bus and foot and I've now begun to get my bearings. Last weekend we decided to expand our van search and so we hitched a lift across to Vancouver Island with Simon's mum and brother Ben who were heading out there for a visit - a fateful decision as this is where we met Doug and his well loved VW Westy, Betsy, whom we have now adopted.

Doug with Betsy

Thanks to Doug for all his advice and good humour at what understandably was a pretty emotional time for him and for generally being such a star - we promise to take good care of Betsy and take her to the sun again.

So we decided to take the plunge and stay on the island in Betsy (yes in BC on February - potentially on teh cold side but it was a necessary bonding experience). After a short walk around Victoria (very pretty  harbour area and oldy worldy buildings and lots of water and green areas) and a stop for provisions (heater, blankets etc..) we drove out of town. Driving a 30 year old van, which you have only really test driven for 15mins, along country roads in the dead of night (well 9pm but it was vey dark) is quite an experience but hey - bring on the baptism of fire - no major incidents and we are still here. Having only ever owned small cars myself I am glad I am used to manual gears and a lack of power steering! The van was great it was my driving on the wrong (right) side of eth road that was suspect! We stopped briefly at a country pub called 17mile house for a quick beer and plate of nachos and to check out bluegrass renditions of Dylan then decended into teh treees and rain of East Sooke park where we parked up and overnighted in the rain. All went well - we were warmish (with the heater) dry and very happy to have managed to spend time with Betsy so soon.

Betsy our newest travelling family member

The next morning we took the smooth ferry ride back which wiggled through the Bay islands towards the mainland. I was on deck with my eyes peeled for whales, but no luck - I think its a bit early. I did see a sea otter though. 

Jim on the ferry to Vancouver island

We are now back in Coquitlam, Vancouver for another week or so of sightseeing and getting new brakes for Betsy and I hope to fit in one or two days skiing before we head out to Gibsons where we plan to spend a bit of time seeing Simon's Dad and getting Betsy ready for the big trip.