Goats, Eagles and Hot Showers

After three weeks at sea, a hot shower becomes the embodiment of paradise. So it was with great excitement that I grabbed a handful of loonies (Canadian $1 coins) from my loony (erm, I mean from my loving husband) and strode out into the cold armed with towel, shampoo and shower gel. The marina showers cost a dollar for 3 minutes, so I decided to splash out on 6 minutes of delicious hot water, with funds for three more lying glinting on the bench. My dollar coins plunked into the shower timer and I turned on the shower in anticipation of deliciously hot water. What I received was a spurting, irregular gush of liquid just a few degrees off being ice, before turned into a jet of air. I spent three minutes of frustration turning the shower off and on, fiddling with temperature and willing the universe to miraculously fix the only working shower in the marina. Sadly, the universe was otherwise engage. The three minutes were over, my second dollar gone without trace, and I had no option but to rerobe and slink away just as dirty but slightly colder than I was before.  

Thankfully Jim had seen a gym nearby. For $4 I could luxuriate in their showers for as long as I wanted. It was the best $4 I'd ever spent, and half an hour later I felt like I had rejoined the human species. Soon our laundry was similarly fragrant and we were ready to pack for our trip to Coombs the next day.  

Coombs' main claim to fame is 'Goats on the Roof', a great market with eponymous ungulates. Nearby live Jim's sister Lorraine and her husband Tim, on a lifestyle block with two horses, six sheep, a pair of Portuguese water dogs and an aging cat. Evenings were spent outside, barbecuing and sitting by the fire watching eagles and hoping hummingbirds would flit by the feeder. Expeditions into Parksville gave us the chance to see Jim's mum, catch up with our friends Dan and Diane and organise all those essential modern life things like cell phones. There was lots to sketch too- wildlife, mountains and beautiful birds of prey at the wildlife rescue centre.  

The rescue centre is home to animals from all over Vancouver Island. Most of the residents are out of sight- the centre aims to rehabilitate and release where ever possible, so it's vital that the animals don't get too used to humans. Cameras let us spy on the family of black bear cubs, and peepholes into a large aviary allowed us to watch recovering bald eagles who will one day soar the skies again. Two black bears and a number of birds were permanent guests- either too used to humans or too badly injured to be returned to the wild. Owls and hawks looked snootily down upon us, whilst the ravens and blue jays seemed as interested in us as we were in them. Jim's attempts at chatting to the ravens didn't go down well. I wonder if he was swearing by mistake. I made the most of the chance to sketch these birds close up.  

Back in Coombs, the owner of the General Store mentioned that he was looking for a piece of art to hang on a nail by the entry. I showed him my watercolour of a Bald Eagle over Mount Arrowsmith, and it was deemed nail-worthy- so if you're heading to Goats on the Roof this summer, make sure you pop in (the Coombs General Store is in a gorgeous heritage building and owner Dale is lovely).   

We had a wonderful week of great company, fantastic food (thank you Tim and Lorraine!) and hot showers. But we also had the West Coast of the Island to cruise, so boarded the bus for the beautiful drive back to Ucluelet and Island Prism.