Ok, here's the final blog. It's 8.30pm and I'm still awake, so the fight against jet-lag is one I'm winning (so far). I've spent the day telephoning companies, writing letters and beginning to unpack my belongings from my parents house. Productive!
Also I called into my house and it looks clean and in decent condition. Phew.
What's immediately noticeable? Rolling hills, sheep, the ease of familiarity, the traffic, how people speak to each other, food, English money, houses made of bricks...I could go on. In particular I notice people. I went to town, and felt straight away to be amongst 'my' people. Strangers, yet somehow familiar. And the soft tone of a Mackam voice. Beautiful.
For further reading (of my writing) please visit: dancingbeepoetry.wordpress.com
Thank you for joining me on my journey. I wish you health and happiness, wherever you may be.
I want to sign off but am conscious that once I'm more awake I might have more to say, so I won't end this blog just yet. I think a summation is in order...zzz...later...
Had loads I wanted to say but it's being lost in the 22 hours without sleep. It's 2.30am Canada time.
I forgot to mention the purple bus from Tofino...fab! And the playlist for the plane... Ferryman, I'm going home, don't stop me now, the day we caught the train, gonna fly now, homeward bound, one day in October, Wednesday morning 3am, there she goes, the sore feet song, the only way is up, I think it's going to rain today. Apologies for lack of capitals I just don't have the energy!
Flight passed without incident. Made all connections. Now at Glasgow awaiting the train for the final leg of our journey. And what a journey it has been. Six months. It feels surreal to be back. It felt like this day would never come. It will take a while to sink in. For now, I'm just trying to stay awake. I was excited to buy a guardian but I'm too tired to read it!
Things I will miss about Canada: how clean it is everywhere (very little litter), the friendliness of strangers, the trees, the wildlife, the water, the sunshine, the crossing the road, hitch-hiking, driving on the right, Canadian money, Green Cuisine, funny place names, travelling on the ferry.
Why I'm looking forward to when I get back: lots of baths, mashed potato, my own bed, tv, talking about the weather, new clothes, cheap texting, English money, English humour, and of course, people!
Finally, I'm on the ferry on my way home. I've had breakfast, been to the gift shop :) and taken photos. It's freezing outside but I took a pic of a beach we went to at Active Pass. Ferry horn nearly blew my head off.
Living in a box
The novelty wears off
After a month or so
The box might change
shape or size
With or without
added extras
( like a bathroom)
Or running water.
Colours change too
and views
Yet living in a box
always
makes me feel like
I could be anywhere
but here, living in a box.
Except
when I hear wolves howling
at night
and I know my box
is somewhere new
(and don't miss my box at home
quite so much).
Nurturer of life
provider to our needs
you are a painter of rainbows
and a sculptor of streams
You are sunlight giver
and mountain maker
caretaker
of all creation
from the tallest tree
to the smallest pearl
mother, pregnant with
the bounty of the world
Some things
you can count on.
A grandfather,
sturdy and reliable,
watching the world
with not a frown nor smile
upon his stoic face.
No amount of shouting
will force his hands
Nor can pleading
cause delay, in fact
should you try
you might just find
acceleration,
hurtling head first
with worn out brakes.
Powerless to stop the
old tick tock
Yet surely
there's some comfort
to be found
in knowing
time
keeps on going,
a solidity
that can be depended on
when all around is
moving, fluid
time stands and
watches
from the hall.
Waiting to be called.
It's our last night in Canada and I'm blogging from the bath! My first bath in four and a half months and only my second in Canada. The nice hostel was full so we treated ourselves to a better room at the not as nice hostel. En-suite and a bath :)
Plus we just got back from Green Cuisine. The only thing I'm lacking is a rubber duck!
Packing last night was weird. Like a final pack..no need to think about what I needed for wwoofing. I'm down to one pair of shoes and my bag feels really light :)
Last full day in Canada! Hard to comprehend. Today we leave Tofino and travel by bus back to Victoria. Then it's up early tomorrow (5.50 bus) then the ferry, bus, sky train to Vancouver airport. We leave Canada on Tuesday and arrive in Glasgow early Wednesday morning.
Will all of the rain fall out of the sky?
Asked the shy little girl with the bright blue eyes
Will the rain form a lake outside in the road
can we travel to school in a big rowing boat
Will the teachers teach with their wellies on
Talking away as if nothing is wrong.
Will playtimes pass really really fast
watching ducks out the window, swimming on the grass.
Will work be impossible, far too wet
We'll play all day - the best day yet
Will all the rain fall out of the sky?
Asked the sly little girl with a wink in her eye
We must be the only people in the hostel cooking actual meals. Lasagne, nachos and chilli, spaghetti. People look at us at bit funny sometimes, as they reheat their canned soup or munch on their toast.
I also meant to say that given we've had pretty damn near perfect weather for the last six months complaining about two days rain just wouldn't seem right! Let it rain!
We made the best of a bad day. When we arrived for the hot springs tour we were told it was cancelled, and that they'd rung the hostel who should've let us know. Instead we were all packed and prepared in the rain. There were other companies we could have gone with but we were pretty much out of time at this point. We went back to dump our swimming gear, and had a rest. Then when the rain lightened up we headed to the botanical gardens and also walked to another beach. It was a day heavy with walking and we were tired. To get around here you really need a car. The gardens were ok, but nothing special, the beach was nice but not much better than Seaburn apart from the small islands out to sea. Still it was good to get out, and better than sitting around all day. The forecast for tomorrow is dire, so planning a little more gift shopping, maybe some pool, and lots of relaxing! The hot springs will have to wait till another trip to Canada!
Hot Springs tour cancelled cos the boat is broke. Due to rain all day today and tomorrow :(
Fantastic day at the beach. We had a leisurely start to the day. Went gift shopping then headed to the beach. It was pretty amazing. I'd like to go further and see more of the beaches but don't know if we'll have time. Went paddling - it was cold! And went scrambling on the rocks. Lots of fun :) The sun even shined for a little while.
I've been shopping for presents! My bag is going to be heavier again when I leave Tofino. Found a good animal book for my favourite nephew :)
