There is a place, 20 minutes or so from downtown Victoria, called Butchart Gardens. I can be inclined to cynicism when it comes to touristy attractions, but every time I visit this beautiful place I am awestruck. We headed out with K and R last wednesday, a fantastically warm late September day. The gardens were spectacular. Every time I go, which is seldom (once every four to five years), I have amazing memories of being there as a small child when my grandmother would visit us from The Bahamas. I’ll let the pictures say the rest.

http://www.butchartgardens.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

I think I love the Japanese Garden best.

Lovely stream in the Japanese Garden.

Even the lowly Chrysanthemum is spectacular when grouped in large numbers.

More Mums.

The wall of dahlias.

One of the typical tourism shots, I really love the layers of colour and texture.