Prince Rupert and ferry home
Tuesday, November 3:
We had another nice day in Rupert with Nyah and Michelle. The ferry we were to catch for Port Hardy was delayed 5 hours due to the storm on Monday, so we had to be at the terminal at 11 pm instead of the 6 pm departure. Rather late, but it gave us the chance to have another dinner with Nyah and Michelle..
The view from Grandpa Boyle's deck
We had a cabin booked on the Northern Expedition... comfy enough, with two small beds, small bathroom with shower. The hum of the engines would have been OK, but there was a very strong vibration that would come and go... it felt like cavitation of the propellors, but might have been the engines. I am wondering if it was the same in all cabins, or maybe ours was positioned badly.
The other facilities on board were quite nice... very comfortable reclining lounge seats, nicely appointed cafeteria and decent ferry food. They even had a movie theatre, which we did not use.
Wednesday November 4:
After breakfast we noticed a gorgeous sunrise, so headed outside.
In late morning we slowed and crept into Bella Bella for a stopover. It was especially good to see because our late friend, Bradley Hunt, grew up here, and later met and married Karen to live in Bella Bella for some early years before moving to Gibsons.
The waves got pretty big as we crossed into the open water, probably 2 to 3 metre swells, but the ferry is equipped with very effective stabilisers.
We arrived in Port Hardy at 6 pm. We had originally expected to arrive at 1 pm, and thus planned to drive 2.5 hours south to stay the night with Pat's cousin, Brenda. We decided to stick to that plan, but the drive was much more challenging... dark, rainy, winding two lane road and ferry traffic. Luckily Bill doesn't mind night driving too much.
We arrived at Brenda and Charlie's about 9 pm, for a cup of tea and to bed in the van.
Thursday, November 5:
Had a relaxing breakfast with Brenda and Charlie, to catch up with much family gossip. Brenda is Pat's closest cousin, being the same delicate age. Charlie is a charming Aussie native (and still sounds it) who has been with Brenda for some 25 years bow. Both have kids from previous happy marriages. By coincidence, before meeting Brenda, Charlie lived in Hopkins Landing, near Gibsons, and Bill knew his two daughters and one son.
This will be the last post of this adventure, as we return the van, and resume our usual somewhat less eventful lives.
Here's to the next adventure, whatever that may be!
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