Limited time for verbal rambling today, so probably a much shorter blog than yesterday.
The famous Butchart Gardens just north of Victoria, on the Saanich peninsula, are conveniently on the way to the ferry. So despite the weather, the time of year and the fact that nobody else is thinking this is a good idea for a wet Wednesday, its time to put on the boots and tramp around another garden with my wife! (I love it really, and the are absolutely beautiful, even in winter)
The positive of our timing is that we virtually have the place to ourselves, the slightly disappointing realisation however is that the whole place is geared up for Christmas lights - and despite it being just about the shortest day of the year, it definitely ain’t dark! But the layout and in particular the Japanese Garden can be appreciated at any time of the year (and in any wether). And there was always the 12 days of Christmas to keep us company on our tour. Here are the 3 French hens - I'll spare you the rest.
Earlier in the day we had breakfasted at the eponymous John’s, a veritable treasure trove of memorabilia from sport and film, and a charming waitress who persuaded me that I really could eat 2 of their wonderful buttermilk pancakes - actually I couldn’t and will probably never want to s see a pancake for the rest of this trip. Always good to get that out of the way though!
So if breakfast at John's Place topped the gardens, then it was tailed with another ferry ride, this time in the light (though still in the rain), through the gulf islands and back to the mainland south of Vancouver. Tonight we head for John and Nancy’s (last seen in a few days in Provence in May) for a cribbage rematch. I say rematch, but no-one can remember who won last time. To be accompanied by cocktails and yet more food. With an early morning flight to Whitehorse, what could possibly go wrong!
Last few pics for today:
A water breathing dragon
A... hmm, perhaps better not!
Eight maids a milking
Five gold rings...