Monday 10th October 2016.....Canada welcomes me with Thanksgiving Day!!!

I said my fond goodbyes to Janet and Malc and I left for Manchester airport at around 6.30 am it took us three hours as there was a small hold up on one of the motorways but it still left me with lots of time as I had pre checked and and had my boarding pass and I had paid an extra 75 dollars for a seat in the exit row with extra leg room well worth it for the 9 hour flight.....

No mess at the airport and boarded the flight only to find my seat was in the aisle as I had ordered and it was at an exit row but it was also right next to the toilet and I mean right next to the toilet...I could only imagine how many people would use this door over a 9 hour period and the smells that would be emitted I was not a happy camper...I talked to the chief stewardess as there were other seats available and she told me no problem and escorted me into a seat in the Business section of the aircraft, will my luck ever end???

Amazed how the 9 hour flight went by with me watching a couple of movies, reading two newspapers, reading my book and eating the food Janet had got for me....an easy flight which arrived on time!!!!

No delays at Immigration and Customs and picked up my bag and walked I think 75 yards to the area where the shuttle bus stops to take me to the sea plane terminal about 2 miles away and I arrived at 2.00 pm in time for my 2.30 pm flight.

I knew my bags were overweight as they are really strict on the float planes and I was prepared to pay a few dollars but was surprised when the lady told me there would be no extra charge she also gave me a free voucher for lunch in the pub next door which I graciously  declined.. as I had been failed to be notified that the 2.30 pm flight was stopped last week as they went into their Fall schedule and the next flight was at 3.50 pm....There was no point getting upset about it so I asked to use the phone and called Heather and told her what had happened and for her not to come to the terminal down town Nanaimo till 4.10 pm and I went for a nice walk on the river bank it was sunny and a tad cool but nice to stretch my legs....

I do enjoy the 20 minute flight
 to the Island and a quick way to get home and also very scenic!!!

.........Heather was there with  huge smiles and hugs and we drove to my Canadian "home" and had a great home coming.....

My bedroom....

 The view from the bedroom..

For new readers a bit of history....I have know Heather and Kirby and their three fabulous boys, Ben, Alex and Zach for many years now and we are like family.....I always have a home with them and it is one of those friendships that is secure and easy and special......
Unfortunately Kirby is away for the month working and Zach the youngest is in his third year at Washington University in the States on a golf scholarship.....but Ben who has just finished college was home with his beautiful girlfriend Mia...Alex who will finish college this December was also home and with other close friends totaling 12  and Heather did her usual 5 star dinner and as today is part of the Thanksgiving weekend it was my favorite Turkey with all the trimmings and then some!!!

Many tales were told and good to start to catch up.......the time difference here is 8 hours behind England so around 9.00 pm I had to put my old and weary bones to bed....

So another part of my journey has begun and I have been so lucky and blessed!!!

A wonderful Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends!!

Yashi Kochi!!