An Unexpected Delayed Start!

After our “shake down” camping trip to Rathtrevor Provincial Park, we returned home and began to put the final touches for our departure date in the first week of May. We had many little things that needed attention, the landscaping around the house needed to be groomed, flower beds needed weeding, and bark mulch had to be put down.

Debbie was still waiting for more Amazon deliveries and her collapsible tea pot finally arrived. She was thrilled. We also made a quick trip to Victoria to buy pots and pans and a new handheld coffee grinder. It will be great fun sitting around the campfire at night, grinding the coffee for morning. We visited with our dear friends, Graham and Michael, and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at their beautiful condo in Victoria. Thanks Guys!

Many people in our circle of friends and neighbours have been asking when we are leaving and how our departure plans are developing. We have been responding by bringing them up to date and saying goodbye to some of the ones that we won’t be seeing before we leave. Our coffee circles have given us farewell coffees and the same question has to be answered each time…”So when are you leaving”?

On Sunday, May the 5th, our departure date suddenly “got scuppered”! Bill was bitten by a dog in the neighbourhood and ended up in emergency for three hours and received 11 stitches to close the wounds. OUCH!!!!

We thought the wound was doing well, but suddenly on Tuesday his hand was very red and swollen. Back to emergency, (another 4.5 hours), two new antibiotics and a splint. Bill’s hand was damaged and had to be immobilized with a splint making him virtually useless. He was like a lion with a thorn in its foot! Debbie was tasked with driving, shopping, cleaning and cooking while Bill simply watched and tried to give whatever help, (advice) he could – which was very little.

Suddenly we had to change our plans!

We received so much support and sympathy from our neighbours. We think they are tired of saying goodbye to us and wishing we would just get on our way. Our talented friend Wayne took the time to write a poem for us……

Do tell us of the hungry dog in the night
You know the one you were told would never bite
It was just a mistake the light was too dim
Bill`s hand was the mini snack to feed him

So here we are waiting for the healing of the hand, knowing that it is going to be another week. The weather in Nanaimo is absolutely glorious, however, in other parts of our destinations in Alberta, it might be just as well that we stay here in Nanaimo a little longer.