Stay-cation part 2
While my previous day in Victoria was focussed on some of the well-known Victoria tourist attractions my most recent visit with my friend Rike explored the more hidden treasures in and around our capital city.
Our first activity off the ferry is often a walk on Island View Beach Regional Park to marvel at the views to the islands, enjoy the tranquility of the rocks and logs and let the dog “Felix” run free.
Lunch at Tonolli’s cafe run by two Hungarian sisters was next. Our Versailles panini -warmed in a sandwich press and filled with French brie, caramelized walnuts, sliced pears on a ciabatta bun – was delicious and kept us going on our search to find a hay-bale. The hay is being used in composting – a fact I learned that day – and is rather hard to find at this time of the year since they are the leftovers from last year’s grain harvest. We eventually found one and felt like being in a hayloft for the rest of our drive as it was liberally dusting off in bits and pieces getting stuck everywhere.
We started our Sunday with a scrumptious waffle and fruit breakfast and then headed off to Craigdarroch castle, a Victoria landmark I had heard about, but never seen until a week ago when we visited friends who bought a house adjacent to it. Into Scottish Westcoast history we were immersed while walking through the rooms. The Castle had been the family residence of the Dunsmuir family, then a military hospital, a college and a music conservatory until it was taken over and partially restored to the family home it was around 1900 by a non-profit organisation.
Next was a visit to Knotty by nature, a yarn and fibre store close to Oak Bay and the only one I had not visited, yet, in my many visits over the years. The owners organize Fibrations, a fantastic fibre and wool festival on the 3rd Sunday of August. I managed to be in town in 2015 and loved the location in a park and the variety of vendors, mostly from Vancouver Island and a few from the Lower Mainland. Check their website later this year to find the date. Anyone needing Caterpillargreen Yarns and finding it difficult to buy online: you may find them at this festival and at Knit City.
On our way to the ferry via the Butterfly gardens in Saanich we grabbed a vegetarian sandwich at the Parsonage Cafe which serves coffee from Fernwood coffee roasters. A quick and yummy lunch in the Fernwood area of Victoria close to downtown.
The Butterfly Gardens were a treat for us: warm and full of butterflies, birds, fish and tortoises. Interestingly, we had the most fun with little “E”, an Eclectus Roratus parrot, who took a particular liking to my friend. He landed on her arm and did not want to move off her for many minutes. Talking and chirping as if he had missed her. Shadow, the big Macaw parrot, was less interested in us than in his seeds and fruits.
Closing time is early in the winter at 3 pm with viewing time until 4 pm which gave me just enough time to leave on the 5pm ferry back to Tsawassen/Vancouver.
I have created captures for some of the photos. Click on one and have a look! More about knitting, spinning and fibres next time.
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