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Sooke and South West
Vancouver Island

Following the drive south to Sooke in a torrential downpour we're glad to reach our next B&B at Whiffen Spit Lodge in the small community of Sooke.  This is one place we did actually expect rain - it's all rain forest here. We've chosen to stay in Sooke for it's easy access to the south west coast of Vancouver Island and the Juan de Fuca strait,  the Pacific rollers blast ashore here and making it a fabulous place to visit without being subjected to too much Canadian wilderness! 

Whiffin Spit. Sooke

From the other side of the estuary at East Sooke, it can be seen  how the Spit forms a natural harbour

There's a road out of Sooke that runs north, crosses the Jordan River and continues to follow the Juan de Fuca Strait for approx 40 miles before stopping at a place called Port Renfrew, there are no more roads running up the west coast of the Island apart from a short section between Ulcuelet and Tofino some 60 miles further north.  Along the Port Renfrew road are scattered some wind torn beaches, most of them strewn with big logs that have probably broken away from the lumber camps in storms.  The Juan de Fuca Strait runs between the south west coast of the Island and the north coast of America's Washington State. It's quite wild up here, and because of the rain forest I would imagine constantly damp

Botanical Beach

Slightly more sheltered at Botany Bay

The end of the road at the tiny settlement of Port Renfrew

From Port Renfrew we take a slow ride back to Sooke, stopping at China Beach on the way to go walk a bit of the Juan de Fuca Trail. We've been told there's a suspension bridge a few kilometers along the trail  so we decide to walk as far as that - it's too damned humid here to walk any further. It's here that we see the warning signs about the bears and cougars and I'd be lying if I said we weren't just a little apprehensive!

The Juan de Fuca Trail

Wee Jim looks a bit lost in all those trees!

Our last look at Sooke Harbour before heading to Victoria tomorrow

Victoria and Ferry  back
 to Vancouver

The Saturday we arrive in Victoria marks the start of a bank holiday to celebrate BC day. Today is the firefighters parade where they fetch out all the vintage engines, there's quite a few people gathering and there's a real carnival atmosphere here.

Hein Gericke shirt and tie......Hmmm nice!

Even the fire fighter boats get involved

"He likes to keep his fire engine clean
It's a clean Machine"

The float planes from Vancouver land here in Victoria's harbour

The Empress Hotel dominates the harbour of Victoria........at $70 for afternoon tea so it should! 

Leaving Vancouver Island on the ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen

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