Day 385
The milk (and honey) of human kindness
We cannot deny that the last few days on Highway 5 had been a bit grim. We were really struggling mentally to keep riding on it. We needed to escape it. Mentally if not physically, but how? We shouldn’t have worried, the fickle finger of fate will provide. We had just had two great stays with Warmshowers hosts and more was to come.
We arrived at Andy and Debs’ early in the day. How do I describe Andy? Well let’s just say he is unique. He greeted us with the words ‘Guess you’d like the tour?’. We were shown around their awesome garden, the chickens have free range so we had to watch where we stepped. We were both particularly taken with the o’clock seating area, slash, stage. They both love blues music, so many a band has played in their garden. They clearly live life to the full and more, and were happy to share it with us. Debs arrived home in time for wine o’clock and with chickens at our feet we whiled the evening away. The following morning, after coffee o’clock, they were heading off but invited us to stay another day. Tom pottered in the garden, I made friends with the chickens and Miles the cat. When he wants food, he simply comes and ‘chats’ to you. He sounds human, so I chatted back as I fed him. I really didn’t want to leave. Just a few miles more of Highway 5 then it should get better.
Finally at Kamloops, ‘where 2 rivers join’ we not only left highway 5 but we also picked up quieter back roads, heaven. First though we had arranged to meet fellow UK cycle tourer, James (Winsey). After a tour of Tim Hortons, we finally met at the right one and talked bike touring for several hours. Hope your trip goes well James!
That night we stopped at Monte Lake campsite. Despite recovering from a serious burn last summer and massive mudslides last week we were greeted warmly. Hot showers, a view of the lake, friendly fellow campers and no mosquitoes, we loved it.
When Tom and I stayed at the Prince of Wales at Waterton we had briefly met a Canadian couple Dianne and Reg. As we cycled away in the wind, they pulled up beside us, handing us a business card inviting us to stay if we ever passed where they lived. Well today was the day. We left the quieter back roads for the very remote back roads and headed up to their home. We were greeted by the smell of honey, it was blissful. We were to stay in the Honey House so it felt absolutely as it should be. Their home is an oasis of calm. High on the hillside, we sat outside eating several tons of freshly picked strawberries and chatted away, soon no longer acquaintances but friends. They were so happy to have us stay and again we felt so welcomed and relaxed. They offered to let us stay longer but we had made plans, we are on our way to stay with Kate, another friend we’ve yet to meet but basically her invite for us to stay sent in January was the basis of our route choice in Canada. First though we had time to eat Reg’s specialty, omelette, the best we’ve ever eaten and a final look at some of Reg’s awesome artwork. We were particularly taken by his ‘virus catcher’ sculpture. Dianne also had time to make me a Ukrainian flag!
On a trip such as ours we are often asked ‘what’s the best bit so far? ‘The answer is easy. It’s the magnificent people we meet. Thank you all.
