We just wanted to say a big thank you to Oliver and the people of the town.
My wife and I were first time visitors to Oliver recently as she was racing in the Half Iron event. We stayed at a local bed and breakfast called Global Village B & B and the owners (Corrie and Steph) are some of the nicest people we have met on our travels and made us feel completely relaxed and at home. The food Corrie rustled up each morning was stunning!
On the Monday (June 6) we were about to drive back to Vancouver and noticed the battery light was on in our car. Steph went out of his way to find a local mechanic to do a quick scan of our vehicle.
We said our goodbyes and headed to Shade Tree Repairs; they quickly squeezed us in (free of charge) and identified that the alternator was not working and as a result was not charging the battery, basically meaning that the car would break down at any moment and we would be lucky to make it another 5 km, let alone 450 km to Vancouver . . . not ideal!
However, Shade Tree Repairs were amazing and Betty helped us phone tow companies and car rental places. After some deliberation we realized the best option was to leave our car in Oliver and get it towed back to Vancouver later in the week. However, for us to get back to Vancouver our best option (cheapest) was to get a bus from Kelowna. We thought we would have to get a taxi when we met Laura (from Road 13 Winery) who had popped in with her seven-week-old baby to get her car serviced.
Without hesitation, she offered to drive us to Kelowna and drop us off at the bus station, a three-hour round trip journey which was completely out of her way!
After a long bus journey we made it back to Vancouver around 1 a.m. on Tuesday morning; slightly tired and annoyed at our broken down car but incredibly touched by the warm and generous people of Oliver.
I wish more places were like that! We can’t wait to return next year.
Cam and Leah McGimpsey, Vancouver
