Vancouver Island or Bust PT 3: “My itinerary is full the way I like it.”

[For example, The Canadian (train) cuts the duration of the trip in half, thereby forcing my wife to cancel several house parties and celebrations in honour of my absence. Vancouver Island or Bust PT 2, March 29]

I leave for Vancouver Island in 16 days, on Saturday, April 21. Train tickets, hostels, money for souvenirs - check, check, check. All preparations, except for the packing, are complete.

My itinerary is full, and not overflowing, and I feel it’s a wise move on my part to keep things that way. After all, I want to be in a relaxed mood while drinking in fresh scenery, flavours and experiences. I want to walk, not run, upon new pathways I encounter.

Already I know I will enjoy my first breakfast upon the train, on Sunday, April 22. Freshly squeezed orange juice in a crystal glass, a lovingly prepared ham, cheese and asparagus omelette upon fine china and linen, coffee and refill from carefully selected and roasted beans flown in from Nepal... or west-end Montreal... fantastic.

I know too I will settle in easily at the downtown Victoria hostel the following Wednesday and enjoy my first bike ride along the harbour front pathway. Hundreds of breath-taking and unique photos within the first hour, are almost guaranteed.


["I love the water!": photo of L. Superior by GHarrison, 2007]

The next day, I will enjoy pedalling to the Esquimalt Naval Museum to see WWII Canadian Navy artifacts and I’ll do cartwheels as the curator escorts me to a side room where a hammock from the SS Silver Walnut will be on display, upon my request.

About the hammock: It's from my dad’s ship, and 1943. Though it belonged to Stoker W. N. Katanna, it bears my father’s name along with those of the 16 other crew members that journeyed aboard the Walnut from Liverpool and Wallasey, around the tip of South Africa and on to the Suez Canal, Port Said, then Sicily. I’ll take 100 photos. I’ll offer to buy it. The curator will shake her head. I’ll double my offer. I’ll laugh and cry. I’ll really want to take it home with me.


[Photo courtesy of Esquimalt Naval Museum]

Already I know I’ll pedal back to Victoria empty-handed but not empty-hearted, and on the way I’ll stop at Spinnakers Brew Pub at 308 Catherine St. to have a cold pint of west-coast India Pale Ale and write a note home.

“The beagle has landed...” it will begin. “Every old dog has his days, and today will go down as one of mine.”

Oh, there will be other highlights too, a full itinerary of them.

More to follow.

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Please click here to read Vancouver Island or Bust PT 2: “Yes, I can afford Paris. You can’t?”

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