Page 27

Unexpected Boating

This weekend is the Labour Day Bank Holiday, the last good opportunity for the owners of caravans and big “Recreational Vehicles” to take them out before winter, it is also the last week of school holidays so all the accommodation is booked up. After two nights camping we thought we would try a night in a hotel so last night on my phone I looked up Port Alberni for somewhere to stay. There was one room available, the review score was OK and it was right in town so without much thought I booked it.

When driving to Port Alberni (named after a Spanish soldier) Google maps put the hotel location just off shore! Somehow I had not realised I had booked a room on a ship, our room has a sea view through the porthole and the boat rocks a bit but it is great fun.

Even better it is the middle of the harbour where there is a big (big by Port Alberni standards) festival going on based on salmon. All the locals have been out in boats today trolling for salmon, the biggest caught so far is 26lbs, the person who catches the best fish over the three days wins $10,000 so it is serious stuff.

The Port is a major hub for the timber industry, the logs are floated down the river shepherded by funny looking tug boats which seem to be like corks in the water and about to capsize. There is one in the right of the picture At the port the logs are hoisted onto big ships and taken away, presumably they are a bit soggy after a few days in the water.

Tomorrow we head over to the east coast where we hope it will be less misty, fingers crossed we can find space to camp.