20 May - Our first day of just 'being'. After a breezy night which had me sleeping for a time in the cockpit (first time on the hook nerves!) we woke to a day of sunshine and rain. Following a leisurely start we dinghied across to the city, dodging planes on the way, and then caught a bus over to 'the largest shopping centre on Vancouver Island' - Woodgrove plaza. We wondered around for an hour or so and then, realising there was nothing we really wanted, we headed back downtown. We dropped into "The Harbour Chandler" to pick up a few small items and then headed back to the boat Later in the afternoon we headed to Newcastle Island and went for a stroll for a half hour before cooking diner and settling down for an early night

21 May - a very restful day, we lounged around in the morning and then headed went for a walk around Newcastle Island. We more or less had the island to ourselves. In the late afternoon we went over to Nanaimo Yacht Club . Dave at the club was incredibly welcoming and showed us around and also invited us to Friday drinks at the bar which we're planning on taking him up on.  On returning to the boat the weather had really brightened up and so we had snacks and opened our celebratory champagne as we really started to feel like we were off now!

22 May - Another day of drifting around on the hook by Nanaimo.  High points were going food shopping (yippee!) and getting out the paddleboard for a quick trial - a bit unsteady to start but soon got the hang of it again.

23 May - Moved the boat over to  NAaimo yacht club to take advantage of their reciprocals - allowed one free night on the dock.  Great admin day sorting things out on the dock as well as being able to explore Nanaimo a little more easily.  Had diner at a Food Truck Jamboree in MAffeo Sutton park; a great park right in downtown and down by the water.  The dock was very exposed causing the boat to move alot through the day and overnight so we will aim to head on tomorrow.