Day 49

Heading back from Salt Spring via two ferries to Vancouver, it was time to return Jaffa to Mini Canada and prepare for our respective flights home to New Zealand and Montréal.

Nancy and the canola crops through Jaffa's rearview mirror.

As I've noted previously, showing a car regular TLC sometimes sounds a bit airy fairy if you think of it as just another inanimate object. As someone who's divested himself of virtually all his material possessions, it's ironic that those who possess a lot of them seem to treat them with the least respect. I on the other hand, am not only happy to have Jaffa washed and vacuumed out of respect for her, she was also still the property of Mini Canada who had lent her to us in the first place. Thus, returning her in as near new condition as possible is just common courtesy.

As a Kiwi, making a mobile outdoor fireplace from an old washing machine drum and a lawnmower base, really struck me as great "do it yourself" ingenuity.

But whether you concur with my philosophy or not, Jaffa had taken us over 19,000km's without incident and threaded us through a window in the great weather diversity of a Canadian summer with a 99.3% roof down record. We did in seven weeks what most people do in a year, me driving on the unfamiliar side of the road, and completed our voyage all in near perfect condition. Was it due to statistically quantifiable (but incredibly long odds) luck, or was it due to karma, protective angels or the hand of God?

Jaffa getting in good with the Big Guy.

The one advantage I have over those who believe I live in a fantasy world is that in my world, anything is possible. Don't believe me? Watch the children around you laugh and play their way through life if ever you need convincing that there are greater things at play in the machinations of this world than we know.

Thank you Mini, thank you Canada!

In March and April of 2011, Nancy and I will be touring New Zealand to meet the people and view the country from a great Kiwi (New Zealand) icon, the deck. Kiwis love the outdoors, love to have barbeques and love to entertain. And what better place to do that than the open alfresco nature of a deck (terrasse).

Until then, I hope some of you take up the opportunity to see the amazing country that is Canada. Remember tomorrow never comes, love and laughter - Shaun