Parksville has an annual sand sculpting competition and festival and we were lucky to be able to enjoy it. At least two dozen artists from all around the world interpreted the theme “Wonders of the World”.

On our way to Coombs we stopped at the BoMé Cheese Shop Cafe where we had a delicious piece of Apple Streusel Cheesecake and bought a number of cheeses. (More cheese to come later!)

The town of Coombs is a pretty funky place and one of the highlights is a farm market with Goats on the Roof. Yes, they are real goats and they are grazing on the roof.

There is square with various sculptures and this odd castle next to the goat place.

We visited a couple of other shops including an antique shop that never seemed to end, a clothing store, and a dutch store where we bought some aged Gouda cheese. We’re well stocked with cheese for the next couple of weeks.

Ruth’s former colleague lives in nearby Bowser and she and her husband invited us for dinner at their fabulous home right on the ocean. We couldn’t help but hike through the forest and along the beach by the ocean.