Mike Tomkies Canadian cabin

Kevin B · #1 (**permalink**) 23-08-2009, 07:19 PM

I discovered this forum when I did a Google search on Mike Tomkies. My interest in Mike Tomkies is a bit unique as I own his property and cabin in British Columbia, Canada which was the basis of his book "Alone in the Wilderness". In his next book "Between Earth and Paridise" on page 7 he talks about selling the property and cabin to an English professor and his children:

"I'd almost given up hope of selling when one afternoon I saw children stumbling along the beach, followed by a couple and a dog. The man was an English professor at a Vancouver university and he told me he had been looking at a piece of land similar to mine but with no beach or cabin. They were asking $3,500 for it.

"I saw his children looking up expectantly, their big eyes full of hunger for their very own outdoor place by the sea. These children might yet have some of the wonderful wildlife experience I had enjoyed. ...

Well I was one of the children and the couple were my mother and stepfather. I was 10 years old then and we spent summers coming up the property for our holidays. I enjoyed many summers exploring the woods, fishing, and swimming in the ocean. The property and cabin has been left almost the same as it was when Mike owned it. We no longer sleep in the cabin as it is getting quite rotten, but camp in tents instead. Unfortunately Mike's boat is no longer, but the remains of his milk truck are still at the back of the property.

The area is not as wild as it once was, we now have dirt road into the property, but there is still no power or water. Mike left some papers behind, most of them are gone now, but I still have the letters and official documents from his acquisition of the property and some old 8" x 10" glossy movie publicity photos he had. In the cabin is Mike's original driftwood desk and chair he made for his typewriter.

I have not had a chance to read "Alone in the Wilderness" yet, but the library in Vancouver has a copy so I plan to read it. I have heard from my neighbours that Mike made the conditions sound more wild than they were, so I am interested reading his description of the property and his life there.

I have just returned from camping at the cabin and have some pictures of what it looks like now. If anyone is interested in seeing them I could post them here, if this forum allows for that. If anyone has a way to contact Mike it would be great to be able to let him know that his cabin is still intact and his property is still being enjoyed as he hoped (now by a next generation of children from the ones he saw in 1969).

Kevin
Vancouver, Canada

galanthus · #2 (**permalink**) 23-08-2009, 07:25 PM

A lovely story and welcome to WAB Kevin

There was a Mike Tomkies thread a while ago, here's a link for you , may be of use ...........

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...re-he-now.html

May well get the book for my hols in a few weeks, thanx for the inspiration

Kevin B · #3 (**permalink**) 23-08-2009, 07:36 PM

Thanks galanthus. I read the other thread (that is how I found this website). Quite amazing the other Mike Tomkies connections there, particularly the girl he proposed to.

ron1863 · #4 (**permalink**) 23-08-2009, 08:07 PM

That was a lovely read Kevin and welcome to WAB. Is there any chance you could post some photographs of the cabin and surrounding area.

Ron

Kevin B · #5 (**permalink**) 23-08-2009, 09:02 PM

I have posted some pictures of the cabin (with captions) here:

Picasa Web Albums - Kevin - Mike Tomkies ...

Kevin

ron1863 · #6 (**permalink**) 23-08-2009, 09:13 PM

Cracking shots Kevin and very interesting captions. Its in a beautiful setting, are you going to do any renovations to it.

Kevin B · #7 (**permalink**) 23-08-2009, 10:07 PM

No plans to make any changes currently. For now we are happy tenting on the property.

monkey · #8 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 12:34 PM

That is so nice to read and see that Mikes wishes of children enjoying his cabin came true. It looks a wonderful place and I must admit it inspires me even more to visit Canada which has been a dream of mine for a long time and hopefully I will one day
Thank you for sharing your story and welcome to WAB
Linda

ChrisJB · #9 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 06:21 PM

Thanks for an interesting post Kevin. I love Mike's books, but not read 'Alone in the Wilderness'. I'll try and get a copy.

Regards, Chris

Cymbalaria · #10 (**permalink**) 12-02-2010, 01:12 PM

Thanks Kevin for posting the link to the photos. I highly recommend Mike's books, especially 'A Last Wild Place.' Its great to know that his cabin is still being appreciated.