A Trip to the Islands

Denman and Hornby, to be exact.

It was a memorable adventure for many reasons, including Sheldon, the kind, gentle and talkative hostel owner, whose one eye drifted so far to one side that we weren't sure which eye to look at. Why is speaking to someone like this always so awkward? The hostel itself was quirky and old, like the kind of old where it was built before electricity was available on the island, and now has electrical wires duct taped to the walls and ceilings. The kind of old where Sheldon advises us that the water is safe, but smells really, really bad, so it's best to drink out of this here blue container only. The kind of old where the decor is nearly back in style again, after two or three rounds of being in and out of style already.

How quirky? Well, the cafe attached to the hostel had a homemade crokinole board (cool quirky), and the coffee they served was roasted in the barbeque in the backyard.

Add the heavy-footed Korean couple also staying at the hostel, who changed into their silk pyjamas at four in the afternoon and closed off the kitchen door so they couldn't hear my strumming on the cheap guitar.

Our time was also spent checking out the lives of painters, potters and other artists alike. We drove down long forested driveways not knowing what we were coming upon except what was indicated on the old, worn sign "Pottery: Open".

There were some interesting cafes and stores on both islands including the Cardboard House Cafe and The Koffee Klatsch Kafe, where we discovered our new favourite menu item of all time: The Squat and Gobble.

Fun trip, overall, except maybe the ride home, where Little Bean decided he didn't like the car seat again.