Had a wonderful walk in Saanich with friends yesterday and found ourselves walking through Playfair Park. This park is quite famous in Victoria for its impressive collection of rhododendrons. The rhodos were just at their end stages, but the entire park is worth a visit; a quiet oasis of loveliness. A portion of the park is also being restored as a Garry Oak ecosystem.
With all the trees in full leaf and the roses beginning to bloom, it feels like Victoria is ready for another tourist season. The harbour is bustling with boats and the cruise ships are back in full force. Wishing everyone a happy summer of travel!
The Inner Harbour, just below the Parliament Buildings, home to the BC Legislative Assembly.
Our Inner Harbour is truly multi-use with the Coho car ferry to Port Angeles, float plane service to Vancouver and other BC locations, the Victoria Clipper high-speed ferry to Seattle as well as the harbour ferries, yachts and sail boats, and even recreational users like these kayakers. Around its edges one can find many attractions and restaurants.
The little harbour ferries connect pedestrians with many points around the city.
The cruise ship terminal at Ogden Point; one in and another arriving.
The lush bright greens of spring are in full swing. Took a short walk before dinner to the harbour and back last evening; the air was warm and fragrant with the scent of wallflower. Here are a few photos:
The lawn at the Legislative buildings, an inviting place to enjoy the evening.
A new growth of bright spring-green ivy makes it way across The Empress Hotel.
Another view of The Empress Hotel; beautiful rhododendrons all in bloom.
The cool evening mist beginning to arrive into the Inner Harbour.
Took a short walk across the bridge to Vic West yesterday with friends. The sun was shining and very warm. The blossoms are dropping creating a carpet of pink on the sidewalks and streets, and leaving behind the fresh bright greens of spring.
Victoria BC Inner Harbour.
Beautiful dogwood blossoms just outside Fol Epi Bakery in Vic West.
I’m very excited that Eclectic Gallery, a lovely gallery on Oak Bay Avenue, is now carrying some of my necklaces and bracelets.
Eclectic Gallery, 2170 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria BC.
Some gift boxes and tags for the pieces at Eclectic.
One of 11 necklaces now available at Eclectic. They have many jewellery artisans represented.
This is another piece I’m fond of; fun summery colours with cheeky brass bells.
I was please they took this piece, one of my favourite recent designs.
Here are some shots of our beautiful corner of this magnificent planet…
Big fluffy pink blossoms near the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
The gardens at Government House are more colourful every day.
Little neighbourhood path in Oak Bay.
Very pretty shooting stars.
We walked through Oak Bay in beautiful sunshine down to the beach at Ross Bay. The view to the east was blue skies and warm…
… and the view to the west, cold and stormy!
Camas and bluebells.
A lovely group of yellow tulips growing in the long grass of a Garry oak meadow at Beacon Hill Park.
Mallard duck couple foraging at Beacon Hill Park (she has her head down, just in front of the male).
It’s been a pretty nice spring so far! Some April showers for the May flowers, but a lot of sunshine too. Here are some random pics from a recent walk:
The weather has been mixed this week (today included the most beautiful cloud formations along with sun), but Monday was spectacular. We walked our usual route and even enjoyed some time sitting on the pebbles at the beach.
Koi in the pond at The Parkside; so pretty!
The daffodils are in full glory at Beacon Hill Park.
The fawn lilies are just beginning to bloom.
So peaceful to watch the waves and enjoy the warm sunshine.
All that spring ocean air made us hungry. Jackson’s Ice Cream is already open at Fisherman’s Wharf!
Big juicy magnolia blossoms on Fort Street.
It was such a glorious day yesterday, that we decided to make it a walk day. Our route took us through the neighbourhoods of Fernwood, Jubilee, the edge of Oak Bay and Rockland, where we spent a bit of time in the grounds of Government House.
Later in the spring and throughout the summer, the grounds at Government House will be full of beautiful plants and flowers. Yesterday we were content to see so many narcissus.
Ducks and fountain along a pathway through the gardens.
The view towards the front of Government House, the office and official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
There is a gorgeous rock garden behind the house.
Looking south to Fairfield through the woodlands behind Government House.
Time for a treat: hot chocolates and snacks at Bubby Rose’s Bakery on Cook Street, near Fort.
Cherry blossoms on Meares Street.
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