Archives for posts with tag: summer

2017 in Review: Summer

January 17, 2018 //

The summer of 2017 was perfect in Victoria! Lovely weather, and the city was alive with events and festivals of all kinds. Work life kept me very busy, but I made some time to enjoy the season.

We were honoured to be invited a second year to join friends for a big birthday party on Saturna Island. We had an amazing time! We rode our bikes again this year which was definitely part of the fun. Breezy Bay BnB is amazing!

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On the next weekend we had a quick day trip to Vancouver followed by the Victoria Pride Parade, which was so joyous and colourful.

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Of course, there were many long walks and some beach time with Annie. Another high fire season again this year in British Columbia, and more locally on Vancouver Island, brought some smokey days and eerie sunsets.

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And, of course, we rode our bikes! We had a few rides with friends which always includes a packed snack of tea and cake, and participated in the Tweed Ride which raises funds for Bicycles for Humanity.

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Tags beach, bicycles, bike ride, Pride Parade, Saturna Island, summer, summer time, sunset, Victoria BC, west coast

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Our new vintage bike club’s inaugural ride

August 28, 2016 //

We’ve just started a new club for fellow vintage bicycle enthusiasts in Victoria. In spite of the only rainy day of the summer, a few of us braved the moisture, and had a quick ride in Fairfield. We stopped in Beacon Hill Park for a leisurely repast of tea and cake, plus lemon currant shortbread cookies delivered to our starting point by a member who didn’t want to ride in the rain, but still wanted us to enjoy the cookies! We ended at The Drake Eatery for a drink. A very lovely day and nice to meet new friends and connect with a dear friend we don’t see enough of!

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I must recommend this recipe for French Apple Cake…

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Tags rainyday, summer, summerbikeride, Victoria BC, vintagebikes

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

Celebratory Maccha

August 14, 2015 //

Our friend Annie is embarking on a whole new life. We spent part of the day yesterday celebrating in the sun: watching a Flamenco performance at the Victoria Flamenco Festival, fabric shopping at Gala Fabrics, and enjoying iced Maple Maccha Lattes at JagaSilk. The daifuku was delicious and my favourite latte was even better iced.

Tags Flamenco, JagaSilk, maccha, summer, Victoria BC, Victoria Flamenco Festival

Categories Food, Travel

Garden still life with chicken

August 10, 2015 //

Tags backyard chickens, chickens, garden, summer, tomatillos, vegetable garden, Victoria BC

Categories Uncategorized

A rare stormy summer day

August 10, 2015 //

For our walk last week, we were treated to a lovely stormy day. In spite of all the clouds, the day remained quite dry – it was wonderful weather for walking, and very dramatic.

At this early stage of our walk, we were wondering if we would be able to stay warm and dry.

A window of blue above the Empress Hotel.

Float plane landing on the harbour.

More blue sky peeking through.

On Dallas Road looking towards Metchosin.

On Dallas Road looking toward Metchosin.

Someone added some art to this sign on Dallas Road, near Ogden Point.

Tags clouds, storm clouds, summer, Summer Storm, Victoria BC, Victoria Harbour, walking, west coast

Categories Travel

June Purples

June 26, 2015 //

So many pretty flowers, and happy bees! Summer is in full swing on the west coast.

Phacelia and bee.

Fragrant lavender.

Lovely alliums at Playfair Park.

Tags allium, bees, flowers, lavender, phacelia, purple, summer, summer flowers, Victoria BC, west coast

Categories Travel

Sunset from Peacock Hill Park

August 29, 2014 //

We were privileged to sit atop some warm rocks and watch a beautiful sunset a few nights ago. Peacock Hill Park is a small, rocky outcrop in the District of Saanich, about a 40-minute walk from downtown Victoria.

Gorgeous. One night earlier and we would have seen a much pinker sky, say our friends who visit this spot regularly at sunset.

This is the nightly sunset fly-past of crows traveling from their daytime haunts to their nighttime roost.

Looking east towards Mt Tolmi.

The final moments.

Tags crows, District of Saanich, Peacock Hill Park, summer, summer sky, sunset, Victoria BC

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Summertime in Victoria: bike ride to Mattick’s Farm

August 2, 2014 //

On the last day of July, I rode my bike along the Galloping Goose Trail to Mattick’s Farm, a collection of shops and services in Saanich, about 15 km from downtown. The ride is marvelous, mostly on trails. Another time, I would go a bit earlier and have breakfast at Adrienne’s Tea Garden and Restaurant, or a bit later for ice cream! There were a lot of cyclists – the perfect stop for a ride to or from Sidney.

My beautiful Ritchey.

View across Blenkensop Lake from the trestle.

View across Blenkinsop Lake from the trestle.

There is a pretty good amount of bicycle parking available. As well as the restaurant, there is a Red Barn Market for purchase of snacks and beverages if you didn't bring enough in your panniers.

A good amount of bicycle parking is available at Mattick’s Farm. As well as the restaurant, there is a Red Barn Market for purchase of snacks and beverages if you didn’t bring enough in your panniers.

As well as the shops, there is a nice bit of green space and garden to enjoy.

Tags bike ride, cycling, Galloping Goose Trail, Mattick's Farm, Ritchey, Saanich, summer, Victoria BC

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Summertime in Victoria: Beacon Hill Park

July 25, 2014 //

Had a wonderful walk yesterday with our friend M. She lives very close to our beautiful city park. We walked all around the gardens admiring the plantings this year, saw some turtles and baby ducks, and ended our visit over delicious beverages at Heist Coffee Co. on Courtney Street.

Tags Beacon Hill Park, ducks, flowers, gardening, gardens, Heist Coffee Co., pacific west coast, park, ponds, summer, Victoria BC, waterfall

Categories Food, Travel, Uncategorized

Out and about: Fairfield

July 18, 2014 //

Our long walks in the summer often include the neighbourhood of Fairfield. It’s a quiet, pretty part of Victoria with some very nice beaches, shops and places to walk.