As much as I love the prairies where I live, the arctic where I occasionally work, there is something about the Pacific coast and Vancouver Island that can get into your soul. Ocean, wind, milder climates, and brisk autumn   bike rides in November.  On a very brief 5 day trip, spent my first day with ran aunt and uncle, who have retired to Sidney by the Sea, BC. The name says it all. A smaller, quaint community perfectly wonderful for just exploring. Never could afford to buy or rent here but on a borrowed bike …found many interesting cul-de-sacs, marked NO EXIT but perfect for viewing passing boats.  sea side views with curious gulls and cormorants, a fish market at the end of the main pier where salmon purchased for later dinner, new iron sculptures of an early explorer looking out to sea or dog walkers of which there are tons. Rain has threatened but not hit and cooler and more humid than Alberta definitely found the need to layer but still abit chilled.