We set off for Salt Spring Island, the largest and most populous of British Columbia’s Southern Gulf Islands, renowned for its vibrant arts community, organic farms, and natural landscapes. The ferry was late in arriving but we were happy waiting…sun shining, birds singing! The only thing interrupting my serenity was the ichiness on my arms, and back. Called my hotel to discuss whether there could be a bed bug issue…’I’ll call my manager’ was Irena’s response, from reception.

A 20 min journey by ferry and we soon driving to Baynes Peak (on Mount Maxwell), which involves 4kms of bumpiness – on a steep, narrow, and unpaved logging-style gravel road featuring large potholes and rugged stony terrain. Us brave ones, with Jacqui driving the dependable Subaru Crosstrek, made it ….to see the amazing vistas.

Saltspring Island Cheese was our next stop – to sample goat cheeses, as you do. Jacqui loved a truffle chevre (she had sampled previously) and I loved a soft-washed rind cheese called Romalia, paired with onion and thyme jam – delicious. So we got some of both to take home.

We lunched @ Wild Cider on a terrace with a delightful view of the picturesque farm, overlooking mountains. Jacqui and I sampled a float of ciders, she loving the Happy Apricot and I, the Saskatoon Berry. Jack tried Fentimen’s Cola. And we had a delicious lunch from the tapas menu – mushrooms, pesto on brioche; cauliflower bites and chicken karaage – yummy.

Arrived at the ferry half an hour before its scheduled departure, as had a lot of other cars, trucks and RV’s. We were one of 2 last cars that were squeezed onto the back of that ferry – so we luckily didn’t have to wait in a queue for another hour or so for the next to arrive. Just as well, as there drama back at my hotel.

I discovered the hotel maintenance man HAD found a bug problem in my room. And, there was no other available room at the (Buccaneer) Inn. I packed up my luggage and took up Jack and Jacqui’s kind offer to stay with them overnight. Leaving my suitcase on their patio, I took all the clothes out and put them through a double hot wash and dry. Jack drove to the local hardware and got me a can of bed bug killer to spray into, and onto my luggage. Also picked up a couple of pizzas for us for dinner, which we munched while watching Canadian football.

The following morning, journeyed to Ladysmith Old Town bakery for breakfast – I had a jalapeno cream cheese danish and mine hosts had scones. (The scrolls were huge and were dripping with icing – too much for the 3 of us). We love this artwork on the wall of the bakery.

Next, we visited the Westholme Tea Company so Jacqui could buy some green tea (she’s not a coffee drinker). We were offered a sample of the daily ‘special’ green tea, the smoky flavour of which, Jacqui loved. Bargain, tea bought! I loved the rustic Cowichan tea cosy display. And the garden around the tea house was a delight.

Jacqui and Jack wanted to introduce me to another bakery they love at Cowichan Bay – ‘True Grain’. Had to try their apple strudel and energy bar – took them home to share later on.

Last stop was at Chemainus, a scenic seaside town famous as the ‘mural capital of British Columbia.’ Historically a logging town; facing severe economic collapse in the 1980s, the town re-invented itself by progressively painting massive outdoor murals on its buildings, now 50 of them.

A delicious lunch was had, sampling the products we had purchased at Salt Spring Island yesterday. And it was time to catch the Hullo ferry back to Vancouver for the last leg of my holiday. Thank you Jacqui and Jack for a wonderful time as always.