28th February off on our own / Vancouver to Courtenay

Had a slow start to the day today and with John and Lorna's help just made the Ferry.
We were the last ones on and they started retracting the foot passenger gangway as soon as we got off it. We were sad to say goodbye to John and Lorna and will look forward to seeing them again some day at home.
It was a foggy trip over the Nanaimo on the ferry. The captain kept on having to sound the horn to let other craft know we were there. It was another very smooth ride and no need to take anti sea sickness tablets.
We managed to get a taxi to the train. The train was very crowded when we got on and David and I couldn't sit next to one another so we were able to talk to some of the locals. I chatted to a girl who was a tree planter who liked to travel. They can't plant during the winter so she saves up her money during the summer and travels the world in winter.
Half way through the trip a school group got off and we were able to sit with each other again and enjoy the scenery in a window seat.

Our lodging for the night was the Shantz Haus Hostel in Courtenay. There was a resident black cat who took a liking to us.
I must have sat in it's spot next to the fire as it kept on head butting me until I moved. Courtenay is a charming little town on the water where many people seem to go to retire from some of the colder Canadian Provinces.
First night cooking for ourselves, we had Stagg chilli and eggs on toast. What a gourmet cook I am while travelling. LOL.