Week One in Victoria

The trip from Seattle was uneventful. We made the border crossing with ease and caught the noon ferry to Swartz Bay. We bought some groceries and prepared for the arrival of our venetian blinds. I'd received an email from the lady at Sears saying they would be delivered via Purolator and after checking the tracking number, we learned they'd arrive in Victoria the day after we did. Good thing, too as it was very hot and having window coverings to block the sun was the best way of cooling the condo.

Glen and I spent Friday in the condo doing laundry and hanging blinds. It was so nice not to drive anywhere. Saturday we walked to Willows Beach. Mt. Baker was the clearest I've ever seen it and the beach was awash of half-naked bodies enjoying the sun and little ones playing in the sand and water. The excitement of our walk was when two young bucks crossed Cordova Bay Road near Safeway and headed into a senior's residence. They didn't seem too perturbed about the traffic swerving around them.

Sunday found us smacking balls at the Mt. Doug driving range. We had to re-learn the clubs we use here and I must say when I connected with one of my irons, it slammed my hand pretty hard. We might have to buy new clubs next year as these are obviously old technology.

Monday, we walked downtown to do some banking and get Glen some cigars. He wanted to try a brand he'd read about called 'Cohiba'. Apparently, they were Fidel Castro's favourite and exclusive cigars. We decided to check out a cigar store on Fort St. called, what else? The Cuban Cigar Store. It is a wonderful place with more than just cigars.

We were meeting our friends, Iain and Janet, for lunch at Pescatores. I've blogged about this restaurant before and suffice to say, it is still good. I had a dozen raw oysters this time (6 different varieties). I have no idea which were which but they all had different flavours and textures.

Tuesday, we were up early to golf at Mt. Douglas Golf Course. We arrived just as Iain and his friend, Richard, finished their round (obviously very early risers). Iain had never played the course and acknowledge the greens were challenging. Our golf partners were two retirees from the prairies, Ted, originally from Regina, and Doug, from Calgary (close to where we used to live when Glen did his postdoc in the '80s). Ted was an excellent golfer but neither man took the game seriously. Doug said they allowed a mulligan on every hole.

Glen's game finally came together but I struggled with my putting. Ted did say I had a lovely swing which was flattering since I've worked so hard to make it so.

Wednesday, we met Diane at Swan Lake for her birding walk. This time there were more men so Glen didn't feel like a fish out of water. We didn't see as many birds but the walk and the talk were enjoyable. We spent the rest of the day enjoying a lovely lunch on Diane and Tony's deck and listening to all their renovation stories. Having 'been there, done that', we could easily relate.

Thursday, we played The Ridge Par 3 course and even though I was still fighting my putter, I had my best score ever. I also plopped it on the green on their signature hole #6, a feat Glen has yet to accomplish. On the way home, we stopped in at Home Depot to pick up two pots. One to act as a pedestal for our small fountain and the other to become a herb garden. After lunch we walked to Gardenworks on Oak Bay Ave and bought basil, chives, and cilantro. It is so nice having greenery in the condo.

Friday, we shopped Sears for clothes so that was a pretty mundane day.

Saturday we were up early to get Diane and Tony then catch the 8:30 am ferry to Salt Spring Island. It was market day in Ganges and the whole island turned out to either buy or sell. We wandered the market buying bread, cheese, and broad beans. And not unlike his Dad, Glen met someone he knew. Well, I knew them, too, so it was a nice mini-reunion with Hans and Sharon in the middle of the market. We then had coffee at TJ Beans before hitting the regular Ganges shops. I bought Xmas presents and stocking stuffers. On the way back to the van, we stopped at a fish store and got a lovely salmon for supper. After stashing our purchases (Diane bought cut flowers that we hoped would not wilt in the heat), we headed to the Oystercatcher Restaurant for lunch. Their Slipstone beers are good and on such a warm day, very refreshing. The service was very slow--add market day to island time and you have a recipe for a very long lunch. The mussels I had were good but not fantastic but Glen and Diane said the lamb burgers were delicious. Tony's fish was dry but he liked his chips so I guess there were pluses and minuses to our lunch.

Afterwards we took a detour on the way to the ferry and drove up Mt. Maxwell, the mountain in the centre of Salt Spring Island. The paved road soon gives way to a very bumpy dirt one but the views at the top are worth the effort to reach the look-off.

We had a quick coffee in Fulford Harbour then boarded the ferry. I was suffering from too much sun so rested in the van while the others enjoyed the sights from the ferry. Diane was thrilled to see an unusual bird called a pigeon guillemot.

Today, we returned to Diane's house as she wanted me to have her old mountain bike. Tony was pleased to get rid of one of their 5 bikes as it was taking up room in his garage. Tomorrow, we plan to buy bike helmets so we can maybe ride the Galloping Goose trail. Afterwards we played 36 holes on The Ridge's putting green. Slowly, I'm improving my short game.