VANCOUVER ISLAND: day 15
Woke up to find that a tiny monster has eaten my feet and ankles alive. It also looked like it was going to be a pretty drizzly day. Annoyingly, not the weather you want when you just want to chill and enjoy a lush spot. Would be nice to find a sweet place and simultaneously have a few days of glorious weather. Really want to stay put for more than one night. It’s getting a bit exhausting having to find a new spot everyday.
Everything’s a bit annoying today in the van, i.e, the fridge turned off overnight. We haven’t been driving enough to fully charge the battery and the lack of sun means the solar panel is redundant. As I scoop out the dirty fridge juice with loo roll, I wonder to myself if this van life is worth all the fuss.
Did an undies wash in my new found bathtub, packed up and kept moving. Hopefully we’ll find another spot to stay for more than one night (and some sun).
The drizzle turned into buckets on the drive to Elk Bay. A shame because this is another, absolutely excellent spot. Right next to the ocean with misty mountains floating along the horizon. The rain is so outrageous we had to set up the tarp for the first time. Another couple have bagged the spot under the cover of the trees; jealous.
Hung out the undies I washed this morning wherever I could find a suitable hanging space in the van (steering wheel, gear stick, curtain wire etc.) creating a moist jungle of knickers. Went for a walk down to the beach, came back very wet. Changed into dry clothes and huddled under the tarp to cook dinner.
The couple invited us to chill by their fire, under the luxury of a Douglas Fir canopy. They were on a trip heading towards the east coast of Canada, before flying to Estonia. They were super interesting, both chefs, but talked about food like they were scientists. They loved fermentation and foraging; their 24 hour marinaded pork shoulder for dinner really put our pesto pasta to shame.
Called it a night, wrestled through the forest of undies in the van, said a prayer to the universe for some sun tomorrow, then slept.