Good to Go

Wednesday we headed off back down to Vancouver for our appointment with customs. We borrowed a covered in trailer from Fountainview with us in case we needed some extra room for our stuff. We didn't think we would be able to find a parking spot in downtown Vancouver so we swung by Connie's and left it there.

After a 5 hour trip to Vancouver (there were road works), it took all of 4 minutes at the customs office for them to look at our inventory list, passports and give us the stamp of approval. It was great that it all went well, but it did seem a waste of time and effort for 4 minutes!

Anyway, we are very greatful that it got cleared so quickly and easily.

So we are good to go, the container will be ready for us to collect on Friday morning. We have booked a truck for Friday so will be off to load everything into it. Mitchell and Aaron are going to come and help us load it, so that will a big help.

Today (Thursday), we have spent the day in the shops - we are all very 'over' shopping - never thought I would say that. We managed to get quite a bit of the things we need to set our wee house up though, so that was good. Still haven't done the big 'first' grocery shop yet, not sure what we will eat, may have to keep eating in the cafeteria.

We did get a rude shock today. We came out of the bike shop to discover that our van was gone - it was a pretty 'seedy' part of town and a guy had been hanging around it. I had been watching it, but obviously took my eyes off it for longer than I should have.

Well it turned out it had been towed away - not stolen - which was a relief, even though it was a pain. Alistair had to catch a ride with the tow truck driver who was there towing the next vehicle and went to retreive it - paid his $150 and then came back to collect us.

We had parked there at 2.30 not realizing that it became a clearway at 3pm. We came back at 3.07 and it was gone. They sure didn't waste any time. We watched them as they towed away about 6 other cars. They didn't even leave a note or anything to say what had happened to the cars, it was just a God send that we saw the tow truck man and asked if he knew what had happened to the van and he took Alistair to get it.

Lesson learned - check all signs before parking!

After getting our van back we headed off to the airport to bid farewell to Carol, Sarah and Katie. They were heading back to NZ. Was nice to see them - I am sure the rest of their family are very much looking forward to them returning home.

My sister-in-law Connie which had the brain surgery 3 weeks ago, is doing much better. We saw her yesturday and she was looking a lot better than last time we say her. She still has a ways to go before she will be 'running marathons' or anything like that. It was nice to see her with a smile on her face rather than 'pain lines'.

Well I better go get some rest so I have lots of energy for tomorrow - I have the feeling it will be a long day. After loading everything into the truck we will be driving the 5 hour trip back to Fountainview.

Wish us luck - actually on second thoughts pray for us, I think we may need it..........