Tomorrow we pack up and move to Pedder Bay RV resort for a week. The park is literally just around the corner, less than five miles.
See you there.
Tuesday Jul 1 - Saturday Jul 4 Metchosin, BC
Yesterday we drove down the hill from Malahat Mountain RV into Langford, on our way to our young Czech friends, Jarda & Petra's place in Metchosin.
It's been a while since we've visited the Victoria area and we were gobsmacked at the development!
We parked in the large parking lot by the YMCA / YWCA. Just take a look at what's happening.
The trail around Langford Lake is just a short walk from where we parked. Let's go!
Here's a stately old Arbutus tree overlooking the lake...and flowering lilypads in the shallows.
Jarda & Petra (above) and Jarda's custom-built smoker. The black pipe is the chimney from the fire inside a re-purposed small propane tank. What an amazing creation! Pretty talented guy!
The next day, Canada Day, Jen & I walked along the road to the Sea Bluff Trail. This trail skirts the edge of the bluff overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Not sure how long the trail was, we were pleasantly surprised to find a bench just when Jen needed to take a break. Typical July 1 - cloudy and cool - what's happened to summer, eh?!
We continued along the trail.
Jarda had asked a few days ago if we were interested in meeting some of the neighbours when we arrived. We said "You Bet!" So over the picnic table that evening, we shared some smoked trout Jarda had caught the day before.
As we walked back the rig, well...nuff said.
But, look what's happening on the other side of the lake.
As I mentioned it was cool, but when we walked to the fence, there was a warm breeze coming up from below.
At the point the trail turned away from the bluff, there was another bench. We gazed at the view - the clouds looked upside down.
On the way down the hill from the bluff, we noticed this - Mother Nature's "bonsai"?
Walking along the trail back to where we started I noticed this growing on a dead tree.
Later in the afternoon, I went with Jarda to view some tiny houses on wheels. He's building a deck on the one (below left) Yup, it started life as a fire truck. The tiny house looks out on the ocean - just a beautiful site. Johann and Katie own this one (above right). Johann converted this small "moving" van and drove it from Ontario some time ago.
And west with Race Rocks just beyond the point...
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What a difference a day makes!
Today, Saturday Jul 4, dawned sunny and warm. Wow! This is what we've been missing.
Jen wanted to walk the Sea Bluff trail in the sunshine so off we went.
The clouds obscured the distant shore of Washington state, but the sun was shining and the water was blue. Looking east towards Victoria in the distance...
We took our goodies and drove to Saxe Point Park and devoured the savoury and one chocolate croissant each. So much for the diet! A stop at Cascadia Liquor on the way back to Metchosin rounded out the afternoon.
We cooked Butter Chicken for dinner with J&P.
The next day (Fri Jul 3) we drove into Sooke. Hard to believe we almost bought acreage on Sooke Harbour a few decades ago. Where would we be now if we had?!
The only road to Sooke - Hwy 14 - snakes its way from Langford out to Sooke. Two lanes, no real passing areas. The traffic was heavy but it moved along quite nicely. But boy, I would not want to have to deal with that every day! There was a sign at the side of the road saying that some part of the road was scheduled for "improvement." I just can't imagine what traffic will be like when there's single lane, alternating traffic around the construction area.
Dinner this evening was one of my favourites - Jen's Pasta Salad: spinach, ham, green onions, baby pasta shells tossed with a delightful garlic dressing. YUM!
Petra made crepes with strawberries for desert and coffee. Both of mine (Mr. Piggy!) were scrumptious. Yarda noticed the coffee grinder needed some work.
The next day (July 2) we drove into Fry's Bakery where Petra works. We'd met Byron, the owner, at dinner the night before. He said that Petra's chocolate croissants were the best. I picked up 4 and a couple of savoury items - figured my 20 bucks would cover that. When I went to pay, I was told my pastries were "on the house" and that I "had friends in high places." Thank you Petra!
Walking back down the trail back to the rig, Jen thought this was a nice picture...
