The day before Dominion Day at Barkerville.

We actually are staying in a campground for the next two days while we visit Barkerville. Bad news is that our site (the only one left we could get into with our size rig) has 15amp power. Ideally we need 50amp, but can happily run most of our appliances and electronics on 30amp. 15Amp meant 1 thing on at a time, and as we have been dry camping for over a week, the one appliance running non stop was the washing machine. Poor Madi was so excited to have power so she could play her video games – but they flipped the fuse box outside almost immediately so, it was full hookup - ¼ power. No internet either. The lack of internet in campgrounds in BC is a real issue for me. Oh well, luckily there information centers scattered around that provide a free service to us tourists passing through.

We bought a two day ticket for the price of one for Barkerville, in anticipation of the Dominion Day special events tomorrow.

We arrived around lunch time at Barkerville. We were just in time for "school" (cant be tardy) with Mrs Hall. So Madi and I attended the 45minute lesson which included late 1800's etiquette, girls wearing bonnets (which madi flately refused), standing up to answer in a complete sentence ending with "mam". Madi was a little intimidated, but did raise her hand and answer a question towards then end. I think home schooling would be the go in the 1870's!



We wandered up the main street, of what once was the capital of BC! It has a number of functioning stores and restaurants. We admired the food in the bakery, and plan to eat there tomorrow. Tonight we chose to go the to chinese restaurant. Barkerville had a heavy chinese influence as they were integral in the Canadian goldrushes too.

Madi wanted to use chopsticks, she had tried a few times on the cruise ship, and she did admirably, feeding herself steamed rice and picking up any vegetable i put on her plate (picking up and returning to my plate) using only chopsticks. I have to say I am impressed. She has been watching a kids show, Ni Hau, Kai Lan - so can now speak chinese (well one word but that wont stop her adding it to her known languages). So she proudly said Ni hau to all the chinese shop owners and restaraunt owners.

Denny was more interested in Horse Poop and the stagecoach that continually did laps of the town. He didnt want a ride on it however, he was happy to watch it go past.

We have the schedule for tomorrow's canada day events so we are looking forward to that.


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