Archives for posts with tag: west coast

Spring with hints of Winter

February 14, 2022 //

We are very lucky here on the Canadian south coast to receive the gift of Spring much earlier than our neighbours in the rest of the frozen country. On February 13, 2021 we woke up to a reminder that it was still technically Winter – a beautiful blanket of snow. This February however – at least so far! – has been lovely. Flowers are popping up all over and we have had a good number of sunshine days.

The other day I saw some early cherry blossoms delightfully teasing the last little bit of downtown Winter festive decor. (I do love that the greenery baskets were left up around the city!)

As much as I love Winter, I am happy that the days are becoming longer and warmer.

Here’s a photo of the Inner Harbour from February 13, 2021:

Tags cherry blossoms, spring, Victoria BC, Victoria Inner Harbour, west coast

Categories Uncategorized

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

Announcing our new Art Tours!

June 10, 2016 //

We love our neighbourhood and the fact that it is filled with other artists. So, we thought we should share our experience with visitors from around the world. Check out our website avantcrossingguard.com or go straight to tickets at our online store.

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Tags Art, art galleries, art tour, artists, historic, historic Chinatown, travel, vacation, Victoria artists, Victoria BC, walking, walking tour, west coast

Categories Art, Travel, Uncategorized

View of Fairfield from Moss Rock Park

March 22, 2016 //

Victoria BC is a small city with lovely neighbourhoods. We are blessed with tree-lined boulevards and many small parks for nature and recreation. Moss Rock Hill is a rocky, and mossy, outcrop with a fantastic view of most of the city. A great place to watch a sunset or fireworks display in the Inner Harbour.

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Tags morning walk, Moss Rock Park, spring, Victoria BC, west coast, west coast spring

Categories Travel, Uncategorized

Early autumn colour

September 23, 2015 //

The first signs of autumn were visible as I walked through downtown and into Beacon Hill Park. A few trees are turning colour and even shedding their leaves already; and, the air is cool and almost foggy. My favourite time of year!

Tags autumn, Beacon Hill Park, fall, Victoria BC, west coast

Categories Travel

Foggy September morning

September 9, 2015 //

Tags Chinatown Victoria BC, fog, foggy morning, September, Victoria BC, west coast

Categories Travel

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

Highlights, birthday trip to Vancouver BC

July 10, 2015 //

This week we had a short, but sweet, vacation in Vancouver. It had been much too long since we were there. I love the vibrancy and diversity of this beautiful city; to see so many people, locals and tourists, out enjoying themselves – cycling, walking, swimming, eating. So many opportunities to experience art, culture, and amazing natural beauty. Dark side? Sure. It’s a large, expensive city, with a substantial divide between rich and poor. Overall, however, a gem in a beautiful part of the world, our Canadian west coast. Highlights: staying at the Sylvia Hotel; taking False Creek Ferries to Granville Island; delicious dinner at Vij’s; dessert at Bella Gelateria in Yaletown; seawall walk at Stanley Park; Vancouver Art Gallery and Gallery Café.

The view of English Bay from our beautiful 7th-floor room at the Sylvia Hotel which is perfectly situated in the West End, near Stanley Park.

Snacks from Ayoubs and coffee in our beautiful room at the Sylvia Hotel.

Pre-breakfast walk along the Stanley Park seawall.

Smokey skies from many nearby forest fires.

The patio at the Gallery Cafe, Vancouver Art Gallery.

The patio at the Gallery Café, Vancouver Art Gallery.

City view with starling.

My birthday cake treat at the Café.

The beautiful Vancouver Art Gallery. There are several interesting shows on right now. Big changes are happening for the VAG, with a new facility well into planning stages.