Outside the B&B they had some really cool substitutes for down pipes, called a rain chain. Looked very sculptural. We shall have to see if we can have some for the garden back home.
Stopped to check the surf at Incinerator Point as there had been reports of a 7m swell. It was very rough because of the onshore winds and certainly not very good for surfing, but it didn't look to be quite as big as we had been told.
The rain had eased and we headed back over the mountains with the sun trying to make a breakthrough. First port of call was Old Coombs Market, which we had missed on the way up. Here, the must see attraction is the goats on the roof (it is grass), they even merit their own tourist sign on the main highway. So how on earth did we miss it before?
Picked up some picnic provisions as the sun was out by this time. Drove onward to Qualicum Beach to find a suitable picnic spot, calling in the tourist info place on the way. By the time we came out of there the rain had caught up with us again. Pah!
Looked for a wet weather attraction to visit. Found the Vancouver Island University Marine Station, which was open to visitors. Plenty to keep us amused for a while and even a gift shop to extract a few more dollars from us. The building is extremely 'green' and has won awards. The favourite fish in the display had a red and white end - it was called a Grunt Sculpin - what a great name for a weird looking fish.
This one looked very sad.
A variety of anemones, starfish and nudibranchs were in another tank.
There were also feely tanks, where you could 'play' gently with the exhibits.
This one looked a bit too prickly to pick up.
As we finished there the sun came out long enough for us to have a picnic in the grounds overlooking the sound between Vancouver Island and mainland Canada. A brief glimpse of a large raptor during our now rather late lunch break - no positive ID but very large and very brown - we'd like to think it was an eagle!
At last, a sign warning of animals crossing the road where we actually saw the mentioned animals crossing the road; and browsing in people's gardens.
This area is called Lighthouse Country, and many of the local houses have miniature lighthouses in their gardens. I want one, I want one.
On our way back we stopped at Qualicum Bay - a busy marina, a Goosander, and a Tundra/Bewick's Swan.
Rain again, so back to Qualicum village and the Old School Art Gallery - lots of lovely things to buy, but resisted as we understand that there was customs duty to pay on the last lot of gift type stuff we sent home. Not sure why and an expensive mistake somewhere in our calculations.
Rain desists so a walk along the promenade is in order. Find a 'beach book library' - what a lovely idea.
Sun is out again but still enough rain in the air to create a splendid rainbow.
Eric wonders where the pot of gold is.
Eric shows no fear of crustaceans, especially dead ones.
To end the evening, we drove along the Oceanfront Route to Parksville and had a lovely dinner at the Chameleons restaurant.