by visiting Victoria
We spent a lovely weekend staying with dear friends in Victoria on Vancouver Island. It was the first time I saw their recently completed beautiful new home on the seashore. Much talking, catching up with each other’s and our families’ lives, good food and drink, walks on the beach and a huge garden, a birthday lunch, and more meant the time just flew.
I forgot to take photos but thankfully my husband took a few. My favourites are these, taken on our walk around the gardens of Government House, on a high hill overlooking the city. In the distance to the south are the waters of Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains of Washington State.
The extensive lands include a large woodland area with the endangered Garry Oaks, unique to southern Vancouver Island and many of the Gulf Islands, such as on Hornby where I’ve seen them. Their gnarled appearance is most noticeable this time of year without their leaves.
It was too early to see the gardens at their best but we were delighted to see many spring flowering bulbs tucked into sheltered spots throughout. I loved the masses of puffy seed-heads on this clematis. Sadly there was a lot of frost damage to some plants from the extremely cold winter we’ve had, even in this balmiest area of Canada.
February 16, 2009 in Canada and BC by Marja-Leena
Lovely. I’m going to a conference at the University of Victoria in June. Perhaps we can meet up then!
Oh that top shot is magnificent! And the gnarliness (is that even a proper word) is quite nifty. A perfect setting for Märchen and magical tales.
Lorianne, how exciting it would be to meet! You will enjoy Victoria. Are you flying through Vancouver?
Rouchswalwe, yes, especially on a moonlit night!
I love Victoria and can only imagine the gardens in spring time. I was there in summer and it was gorgeous!
Joan, Victoria is called the garden city for a good reason. The latter summer gets rather dry so the locals say the spring is the most magnificent season.
I haven’t made my travel arrangements yet, so I don’t know how I’m getting there, or when. I might fly into Seattle then take the ferry from there, although I won’t know for sure until I get the conference schedule & figure out when I need to get there exactly. I’ll let you know as my schedule solidifies.
Lorianne, yes, do let me know. Looking forward to meeting.
I’ve only been there once, but it was in the spring. Lucky me!