We spent two months in Victoria enjoying what most said was the coldest winter on record. We left at the end of January just before "the Blizzard of 2017" hit the city dumping over a foot of wet snow. It didn't last long, not like the dump of snow we experienced here in Calgary last week. Still, the sun is warm so spring mustn't be far away.So what did we do in Victoria? Glen worked most days doing emails, reviewing grants and papers, conference calls and Skype sessions. However, there was plenty of time to enjoy fun with our friends.
Diane and Tony: We had a few lunches with these friends from Edmonton. First, we had a pizza lunch at their home. We brought jelly doughnuts as a Hanukkah gift as Tony is proud of his Jewish roots. Unfortunately, he'd never heard of the custom. I guess it wasn't something the Jews of Manchester indulged in. We did discover that doughnuts freeze very well and although the chocolate glaze ones are not aesthetically pleasing, they are tasty.
A week later, we had Christmas lunch at the University Club. They always put on a nice buffet with turkey, salads, and Christmasy desserts. After Christmas, we hosted a chili lunch for Diane and Tony at our place. I had done some baking so dessert was Christmas cake and cookies.
As their lives got busy after the holidays, we didn't meet up again until mid-January and that was at Smuggler's Cove Pub. Glen and I walked along the beach at Cadboro Bay before enjoying fish and chips at the pub.
Janet and Iain: These Scottish-American friends have family in Victoria but we still enjoyed several visits before they left for Hawaii. The first was meeting for lunch at their favourite pub, the Bard and Banker. Iain is a fan of oysters and they serve good seafood. I like their calamari which is what I ordered with a bowl of chicken soup. Glen enjoyed halibut and chips and shared some of my calamari. We both drank Hoynes Dark Matter beer.
Between Christmas and New Year's, Iain called inviting us to a simple supper. Spontaneous is not something we usually are but we jumped at the chance. We met at their apartment then went across the street to the Chateau Victoria Vista 18 for pre-dinner drinks. What a view!!!! Almost a 360º vista from Mt Baker to the BC Legislature building and Victoria Harbour. The Christmas lights on the Legislature sparkled. Back at their apartment, Iain served a hearty soup which warmed us on this cool winter's eve.
Before Christmas, we bought a frozen haggis and I suggested we eat it on Glen's birthday, Jan 23rd. Robbie Burns Day, Jan 25th is the traditional day for haggis but I wasn't up for all that entails. And it would require Glen wearing his kilt which we didn't have with us. We wanted to golf in the afternoon (Glen could not miss with his putter so the golf gods smiled upon him) so put the haggis in my slow cooker. It came out perfectly. Iain could not let a haggis be served without reciting the Robbie Burns poem, an Ode to the Haggis which made it a memorable moment. I also served tatties and neeps (potatoes and rutabaga) which is traditional fare. We finished off with Christmas goodies. Sadly, no shortbread, another Scottish favourite, as I didn't get around to baking it this year.
Janny and Robbert: We have developed a wonderful coffee culture with our Dutch-Canadian friends. They invited us to their wonderful hillside home mounted on a huge slab of granite. I knew Robb loved sweets so I brought them a tray of Christmas goodies. I was happy they set these aside and served us traditional Dutch Christmas baking. The ginger cake was my favourite.
Over the course of our time in Victoria, we also met Janny and Robb for coffee at Murchies. I had always thought of this teahouse as just that, a purveyor of fine teas but their coffee is good, too. J&R have spent every Saturday since they retired having coffee here and we joined them in this tradition. Never has two hours passed so quickly. We have lively discussions on all topics.
Monica and Ole: In our days in Edmonton, Monica and Ole were famous for their Schnapps parties and Indian food. Monica is an incredible cook. Our kids enjoyed their dogs and swimming pool as all were invited to their parties. They moved to Europe so we lost touch socially but picked up where we had left off when they retired to the home on Salt Spring Island. We agreed to meet them at their favourite pub, Moby's, doing our usual tour of the island first (more on that later). We enjoyed good conversation and food. Ole and I had gyoza (see photo) while Monica and Glen had duck wings. Our view of Ganges Harbour was amazing. The pub is tucked in a tiny cove outside the normal tourist zone so its diners were mostly locals.
Cynthia and Ray: Our floor neighbours (Slitherin rules!) are a wonderful New Zealand couple and their daughter. Carolyn always hosts Christmas dinner with Cynthia helping out. We are invited for pre-dinner drinks. It works out well as we get to enjoy family fun and still monitor the cooking of our own dinner.
Just before we left Victoria, we went to Christie's with Ray and Cynthia. The pub was busy with made conversation difficult but we had some good laughs and the food was great. Glen had the biggest Yorkshire pudding stuffed with roast beef I've ever seen. I had vegetarian flatbread while Ray had a steak sandwich and Cynthia enjoyed curried prawns. Vancouver Island's Sea Dog beer was on special so Glen and I drank that.
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