Well, and I flew into Victoria, B.C. last night and were picked up at the airport by my cousin and the lovely Caitlyn, who have been extremely hospitable in having us into their home. They have a dog, Divot, and a cat, Sid, who have also been very inviting, yet happily not too inviting, as JVL had a restful sleep here overnight and has not as yet suffered any runny nose, red eye, cat allergy symptoms. Phew. We’re probably going to do a trip “up-island” and possibly visit Althea, mummy of , if she’s amenable to having guests over. Then take the new foot ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver, try to hook up with some of Justin’s friends, and take the skytrain over to Burnaby to make the sacred pilgrimage to the Arc’teryx retail outlet. Still not certain if we’ll be day tripping up to Kelowna to see and her beau Jason, as I’ve just been informed that not only is my Auntie going to be visiting them, but Jason’s mum will be up there as well, so they’ll have their hands full already. Besides which, it’s hardly the most cost-effective thing I’ve ever contemplated to either a) spend almost $500 flying there for what might end up being at most two days, or b) spending $100-200 (depending on rental company, car type, toll highways and gas costs) and taking a whole day of driving time to get there and back, again for a max two days of hectic family bonding. JVL and I are thinking we might take a pass this time round, let the poor bastards get fully unpacked and deal with their respective mother-in-laws, and just take another trip out to visit them specifically a little later on.

Anyhow, for now we’re going to follow up our morning walk along the sea coast with a trip to the downtown so I can trip by Munro’s Bookshop, Murchie’s Tea Shoppe, and a couple of other favorite haunts. I also want to get a few last precious Starbucks tazo chai latte before the October 6th $0.11 per cup price hike due to increasing milk and bean costs.