Flying Fish in Nanaimo had a great way of displaying their colouring books. Customers are invited to colour in a page of a sample book. I’m sure many new colouring book addicts have gotten started in this store!

Laughing Oyster in Courtenay is simply lovely, as is its owner, Evelyn. She graciously invited me out for an evening of sushi and musical theatre. Not pictured: me atrociously singing along to “Take back your mink” from Guys and Dolls.

My new favourite island spot is Weinberg’s Good Food in Buckley Bay. They are right by the ferry and full of surprising gift and foodstuffs. A little hipster heaven!

Did you know that Mulberry Bush in Qualicum Beach just celebrated its 40th anniversary? Most of these pictures are from the Parksville store, but only because I love both locations (and I kind of forgot to take pictures in Qualicum until I left). Congratulations Barb and Tom!

I bought a really pretty wooden pen at Blue Heron which was made by a local artist. Did I do it because it reminded me of a Harry Potter wand? Maybe!

My last stop on my trip was at Salamander Books. Frieda and I gabbed about our mutual love of scifi and fantasy. A bookseller after my own heart!