5 - Landing in Canada with some adjustment time May 2022

 

Entry 5 – Canada our adjusting time May 2022

It was a happy, joyous feeling to be in Canada. But before we venture into our next description, we need to “set the scene.”

We soon became aware Canadians speak a different language to us Australians. We thought it to be appropriate to speak the Canadian language, recording this in our journal.

When our Canadian friends (Taylor & Ernie) became aware of our planned trip to Canada for our daughter’s wedding they had offered to take us on a road trip, showcasing some of the Canadian highlights. They had offered to drive us in their truck (Australia – utility/ute) and we were to live in their trailer (Australia – caravan) with them. It was a most special offer which we accepted after several conversations with them, including survival techniques with 4 adults living in close proximity of one another.

In the lead up to our departure date from Vancouver airport we thought Ernie and Taylor’s preparations to be more than satisfactorily in order. Ernie had some upgrades performed on their trailer with the inclusion of a solar panel and large batteries as an example. He had some additional maintenance upgrades performed on his truck, including some suspension and electrical maintenance. A mechanical check on his truck showed all to be in good order.

They had spent time camping just prior to our arrival to double check everything was operating as it should.

Taylor was the organiser for preparation of our travel route including some advanced bookings with an example, booking the ferry from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland. Taylor had offered to plan our first week’s route which we gratefully accepted, allowing us to acclimatize to the Canadian way and from there on the four of us (CAM’s) Canadian, Australian, Mob would share an input of ideas.

Taylor & Ernie live about 300 kilometres east of Vancouver. Initial plans upon our arrival were to travel north of Vancouver for about 1,000 kilometre’s exploring the country side, then to head east towards the eastern areas of Canada.

We were perplexed when we were transported from the airport in a flash looking Chevy Transverse by Taylor and Ernie.

In short, their truck transmission imploded on the way to meet us. They lucked out, (Australian – were in luck) securing the services of a transmission specialist to implement repairs immediately. The truck was in the repair shop for four days.

They had hired the Chevy Transverse to collect us from the airport with room for our baggage.

The following day we travelled to a shopping centre, securing phone access for our period in Canada, posted some mail to our daughter and addressed a few other things in preparation for our Canada adventure. The hire car was returned and we collected the repaired truck.

We were enjoying the spacious layout of their trailer. We were guided to our sleeping quarters in the separate bedroom whilst Ernie & Taylor slept on the Settee (Australian – sofa bed.) It had been decided we were in need of some good sleep recovery time. After some discussion it was decided we would swap bed locations on laundry day.

Adding to the current anxiety issues for Taylor & Ernie, their dog, Max, a 7 year old westie corgi mix hadn’t eaten for the last couple of days.

Their trailer’s glass cook top cover had shattered when making their way to Vancouver. En-route they had stopped at a RV Shop (recreational vehicle) about 100 kilometres east of Vancouver and ordered a replacement. It was due for collection on Friday with Ernie & Taylor aiming to arrive at the RV Shop around 9 am. Later in the day they had arranged a Veterinary appointment for Max nearby.

Thus, our initial proposed route travelling north from Vancouver had changed. We were now travelling east from Vancouver with some proposed great scenery locations.

It was 2.15 pm on a Wednesday when our plane landed at Vancouver. Friday morning, we began our Canadian travel adventure.

About an hour later we arrived at the RV Shop. Ernie didn’t stop out front, continuing into the RV Shop yard stopping alongside a new trailer.

As the story goes, when they had stopped at the RV Shop en-route to Vancouver, Ernie was in the spare parts shop whilst Taylor did some window shopping looking at some of the new trailers on display. There were some issues obtaining a replacement cook top cover and Taylor was smitten by one of the new trailers. Taylor guided Ernie into the said trailer and we suspect she whispered a few things into his ear and finished with this might be an easier option for the broken cook top cover.

We were in a state of shock, thinking W-hat T-he F-lip is going on.

The start of our Canada adventure was nothing like what had been planned.

We took a few deep breathes and a few more. Experiencing a Canadian R V Shop visit and purchase of a new trailer hadn’t entered any thought process for our Canada adventure.

It was another one of those unexpected special experiences to add to our Canada adventure.

We estimated there were about 150 R V units on display for sale. Even the trailer preparation area was huge.

It was a rather tiring process, transferring all the contents between trailers. About 5 hours later we were back on the road again. We continued east down the road a bit with a Veterinary appointment later in the day. During this period Max’s demeaner started to pick up. He started to walk about and took a bite to eat. It was decided to cancel the Vet appointment, easing another unplanned expenditure and delay.

About 6 pm we arrived at Sky View campground at Manning located in the Cascades Mountain Ranges. It was cold with large chunks of ice scattered about the campground.

During the night there was a dump of snow. On and off we experienced some snow fall with a bit of rain.

After a couple of day’s, we continued east, stopping the night at a bush campground located on the Similkameen River. We were about 20 kilometres from Taylor & Ernie home and they loaded the truck with some now non-required items depositing them at home. Two of Taylors girlfriends visited late afternoon providing us with a lovely home cooked evening meal.

We were all starting to relax, thoroughly enjoying one another’s company.

More to come.