SEPTEMBER VACATION

Creativity on my blog has been at a standstill for nine months and here I am stumbling my way through on a new laptop computer and finding it difficult to navigate what used to be easy. I am starting from the most recent events and will then share other summer memories in reverse order.

        Our September vacation took us to Vancouver Island for two weeks of relaxing, exploring, and visiting. The evening before sailing across the Salish Sea we enjoyed time with five of my family over supper in Abbotsford.  The two hour ferry took us to Shwartz Bay on the southern end of Vancouver Island to Sidney, a charming seaside town with unique shops and many places to dine. This suited me just fine as I was promised dinners out every night of this vacation. What a treat! The waterfront offered us a scenic walkway with benches and steps down to the seashore to rest and take in the stunning views.

 

Our first evening dining at Jacks On The Water we were interrupted by a loud bell and all staff coming to a halt, and pointing out beyond the seawall to four Orcas dipping and gliding like a ballet performance. On another day Wally was entertained with the curiosity of a seal.

A nice window seat at anther seaside restaurant. 

 

Maggies home was so welcoming with little garden nooks along the entry walkway. Inside, the walls were so interesting with groups of art pieces. The free accommodation came with the task of looking after Becca, a very quiet but playful kitten who warmed up to us very quickly. 

Wally enjoyed a 56 Km return bike ride all the way to downtown Victoria, near the Provincial Parliament and along the  Inner Harbour to see Johnston Bridge span wide open. He also went to the Aviation Museum where he had the rare opportunity to explore the Hawaii Mars water bomber and other aircraft. 

While Wally was on his own adventures  I visited the ArtSea Gallery located along the seaside walkway and thoroughly enjoyed the exhibitions on two Thursdays of different artists at work, and yet taking time to interact with customers. 

Had a fun visit and supper with niece Lyndsay and daughter Kierra, who chose Noodle Box which was new to us. We enjoyed the Beacon Street Market where on Thursdays in summer, traffic is blocked off and vendors set up their wares of farm produce, crafts, entertainment and food stalls where we had to decide on a stand up supper. 

 

I loved exploring the seaside, always looking for little collectibles like beach glass and heart rocks. Not rewarded with those treasures I  spotted the tiniest of blooms tucked in crevices of weather beaten logs and a small bird resting along with us. I love wild blackberries that are to be found everywhere but the ripest were mostly out of reach.

The Butchart Gardens is a 122 year old famous, 55 acre year around display garden. Located in Brentwood Bay BC it is a National Historic site in Canada. I have not seen it in all seasons, but it must be a WOW exclamation over and over again. Perfectly manicured lawns dramatically outline perfuse flower beds in dramatic colour hues and hanging baskets and window boxes draping archways and walls. The sunken garden, once an old abandoned rock quarry was created by Jennie Butchart and remains in her family. It is stunning in its design with mounds of monochromatic beauty. I could share many more photos but this blog would tire you out as was with the 5 hour stroll that we took.

Japanese Garden

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Day trip to French Beach Provincial Park

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We left Sidney after 10 wonderful days and drove north to Comox where we stayed two nights at Kye Bay B&B. Just a few minutes walk away and we were once again at the ocean where we walked on hard sand that stretched far in the distance. So fascinating to see the patterns left in the sand, and mermaid hair, as I called the seaweed. Later in the day we walked to a little cove where the tide had rolled in and was singing its rhythmic tunes.  Our hosts served us scrumptious breakfasts on a large deck where we met another couple who entertained us with their plethora of vacations. Two incomes and no children gave them this sweet lifestyle.  

 

How did that large rock land alone in the midst of this vast sea bed?
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During our time in Comox we drove north to Black Creek to visit with my sister Elvera and John. 

A bonus was a visit with my niece Judy and Rick. 

We stopped in Abbotsford for a last overnight stay and had dinner with our long time, good friends Dave and Shirlee. In the morning we had short sweet visit with sisters Elvira and Evelyn.

It was a perfect  September vacation which gave us time to relax, explore and visit family. 

Vancouver Island will call us to revisit again.