Penticton: Saturday 13th - Sunday 14th

Here starts our exploration of Canada's wine region. The long deep blue strip of Okanagan Lake runs from Vernon in the north to Penticton with Highway 97 tracing its shores through Kelowna, Peachland and Summerland. As the names suggest, this region boasts 2000 hours of sunshine a year with orchards and vineyards everywhere, peaches the size of houses and the wine ain't running short either. We based our camp (yes, the Tugwells do proper camping, albeit with hot showers nearby and not the sort Ian does) in Penticton: a town with a bit more of a vibe and nestled between two lakes. There's an 'historic' steamer on the north beach, an (uninspiring) arts centre and some great restaurants but the best bit is the drive up the eastern side through the arty winelands. This is our favourite place so far: the weather was hot, the wine was yummy and the little beaches to land on and sober up were gorgeous!