Butchart Gardens September 9, 2010

We're starting to see that soft, autumn light.

It's dahlia time.

A 'snail.'

Gladiolus (this surpises me) Acidanthera. Don't ask me the name of this plant in an hour because I'll have forgotten.

Ditto the 'Rudbeckia Nitida.'

Saanich Fair

Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010

Horses

I focused on the horses this visit, although the horse show is a far cry from what it was a few decades ago.

English riding.

Western riding - there isn't much of it at the fair any more and here it was done in a bit of an English style. Overall, this nearly could have been called The Arabian Horse Show.

But then there were the draft horses. Above: Clydesdales.

I am intrigued by the lively Gypsy Vanner breed of horse. This one became quite cantankerous after the other horses were taken out of their stalls. He tried everything he could think of to escape and, as if out of frustration, knocked over a table outside the stall with his nose. But inside the ring he was like a different animal. As feisty as these horses are, I suspect they have a pleasant disposition and would be fun to be around.

Other sights

Scottish Highland dancing seems popular these days. It didn't stop during the 5 hours we were at the fair.

We didn't see all the events or go into all of the barns this year.

New to us was the duct tape contest. People make all sorts of things with duct tape - jeans, shoes, a purse, vase, photo album, even a 'toaster'.

In the flower section was this arrangement with an interesting plant on the right. We were told it is a cardiocrinum, a plant in the lily family. Why 'cardio'? Apparently it has heart shaped leaves.

Another thing I'd never seen was a mobile bank machine.

Abkhazi Garden - September 3

Above: These berries or pods that look like purple bell peppers are really only the size of a penny or dime. I had never seen this plant before and had to ask what it was. The name is Billardiera longifolia - or purple appleberry (or mountain blueberry or cherry berry). Native to Tasmania / south eastern Australia.

Alas, that might have been our last visit to Abkhazi Garden. We joined The Land Conservancy this year with the clear understanding that dogs were not allowed in this small garden. It was disappointing then to discover that the rules had been changed before we joined and although they say dogs are to be under control, they clearly aren't. Eating lunch while a large dog barks on the restaurant patio isn't our idea of a relaxing time.

August leftovers

As Glenn dismantled his N scale model train layout (in order to start a new one), he took part of it outside to take photos in natural light. This layout was based loosely - very loosely, on Summerland, BC (orchard not shown in this view).

An appaloosa we spotted in a field up-island.

Back to Butchart's - I may have shown this view before but it's one of my favourites.

It always surprises me how much trimming goes on by hand at Butchart Gardens. Even lawns are edged by hand. I have never seen a weed eater or a leaf blower used there.

BC Aviation Museum open house

August 7, 2010

I have some catching up to do!

The BC Aviation Museum open house in early August was a disappointment. After weeks of dry weather, it rained so hard the fly-in was grounded. Planes weren't even flying in the circuit at the airport next door. Too bad because the fly-in is my favourite part. We could go to the museum any day.

This Sabre was in town briefly and sat outside the back of the hangar. Years ago, Glenn taught airframe mechanics on Sabres at Camp Borden.

Norseman. (Glenn had the job of putting new fabric on these planes at 10RD Calgary - hence, he's very good at needlework.)

I like this little Lincoln Sport!

The second Auster I've seen this year.

A Harvard and a Link Trainer in the restoration room.

A 7/8 scale replica of a Nieuport 17.

A jaunty Pietenpol hangs from the ceiling.

Viscount.

A lousy picture in a cramped area of a favourite airplane. Barney Boe, the owner of this Fleet 2, took Glenn flying in it at Williams Lake in 1949. Some might remember this plane hanging in the BC Museum and at the airport. Now it lives here.

Magic Slice cutting board

One last addition to the trip report - I must mention the Microthin company. Since excellent customer service seems a rarity these days, it stands out when it happens.

In a kitchen store in Lake Chelan, Washington, Glenn bought this little cutting board. He really liked it but unfortunately it got a crimped corner after we shoved it in a cupboard back home. I emailed the company (that also makes mousepads, by the way) in Illinois just to ask if there was a way to straighten it. 'No,' they said, but they would mail out a new one, which they did! They certainly didn't have to since it was our fault it got damaged, but it was very much appreciated. Bravo, Microthin.

Last day - heading home

Friday July 16, 2010

We had another nice breakfast at the inn. Upon checking out we were given a bag with bottles of water and some mint chocolates (if I remember correctly) inside.

We've stayed in some nice places in our time but for the combination of peace and quiet, comfort, lovely decor, relaxing atmosphere, good food, friendly people, superior service and an outstanding view, the Stephanie Inn might top them all.

We stopped up the road and had a last look at Haystack Rock...

... and The Needles. It was probably just as well it was overcast, otherwise it would have been harder to leave.

After a brief stop at a stationery store in a small outlet mall in Seaside, we carried on to Astoria. I wanted to drive up the coast of Washington part way because I haven't been in that southern corner of the state for a long time.

The 4.1 mile long Astoria-Megler Bridge connects Oregon to Washington over the mouth of the Columbia River.

Once into Washington the scenery almost immediately becomes ugly. In place of soft sand there was dark, boggy looking mud. It looked as if the ground had been gouged by something huge and it felt kind of creepy. I don't remember seeing any birds around and we didn't stop to take a picture. Eventually we veered inland and connected with the I-5. At Maxine's in Marysville we stopped for another inexpensive turkey dinner.

We had to cross the border by midnight because that's when our medical insurance ran out. We were well in time and amazingly got through the border crossing in a mere six minutes!

The End.

Stephanie Inn - another room

Thursday July 15, 2010

Now it was time to go back to the inn and see what our 'new' room looked like since our wonderful beach view one was booked for the night.

This was like a condo suite. Add a fridge and stove and we could just live here.

I've always liked fireplaces between two rooms - here it was between the living room and bedroom. There were two TV's as well, but we didn't turn on either one.

This was the bigger of the TWO bathrooms. These pictures don't convey how big the main one was. There was a huge amount of floor space. This was the bathroom with the telephone beside the toilet (?). I liked the night-light which constantly changed colour.

I believe the 2nd bathroom also had a bathtub but I didn't take any photos of it.

As nice as this room was, what a tragedy it didn't face the ocean! It was hard to let go of the fabulous view we'd had the night before. This room was on the corner, main floor so at least it was an easy trek straight down the hall to the coffee and cookies in the lobby. That evening we stopped by the wine gathering and took a tray of cheese and crackers back to our room.