Clocks

 

The Swiss have it covered !

Always on time... Rolex, we think it is the best 

I live an exciting life  

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When someone comes into your "world" even briefly, it is no mistake

Logan came to our front door on Wednesday morning
            I had heard the news
            Then I heard the music
             Christian music I was familiar with
So I asked Alexa

             Was Dolly Parton a Christian?
                Alexa said " Dolly Parton was a born again Christian"

I admit I knew her name, I recognized her face and I thought I would
know her voice. 

BUT there is much more to Dolly Parton

And "you" probably know much more about her, too.

Most of what I am reading is  good. So many people loved her.

Well, back to Logan

He introduced himself, he was coming to pick up a key 
I smiled and said     "I have been listening to Dolly Parton music"
He smiled and said he was sad

I said, " She was a born again Christian, did you know that, are you
 a born again Christian?"

Logan said... Yes I am, since my childhood.

He came back to return the key
He came back the next day
I had some treats for him
He shared a little about his life

BUT
the most important, and what I will always remember ?

   Logan is a born again Christian 

And, so am I

Are you?

A little note.... I have never asked that question to any stranger who came to my door.
But, what I had heard that morning, prompted me ... I should do it again. 

I live an exciting life 

 

           

 

Starting from the beginning

An invitation to join our friends for a week at their time share in Victoria

How could we say no to that?

We boarded the Clipper on Monday morning,

and the excitement began

Yes, right on the Clipper,
there were three ladies sitting in front of us.
Before leaving the harbor one of them  turned around and asked if she could
buy us a cup of coffee..
Since I had already had 2 or 3 cups, I said   "no thank you" ( Darrell does not drink anything hot)
Throughout the 2 1/2 hour trip Elizabeth turned around and chatted.
I wish I had taken notes, or had a tape going. 

 She is a very amazing lady.
She had worked for the Mafia.   She had done some counseling. She grew up in a "dysfunctional home".       We encouraged her to write a book.

Meet Elizabeth

 We arrived at 11:00 in the Victoria harbor

Our friends met us and took us to their Time-share

Meet Art and Nancy 

soon Nancy had prepared grilled cheese sandwiches.

Unpacked, rested.... drove around the area a bit.

6:00 dinner... A brief walk down to the Wharf 

 their favorite fish and chips 

What?   My sister, Barb's Fish and chips.... their favorite 

And my grandson's ice cream... 

Great end to our first day.

Day two.. The Butchart Gardens

 I have been to Victoria several times but I have never seen the gardens... very memorable
Pictures are available on line so I will just post a couple favorites

Our first stop was the Cafe... and were concerned by the fall of another customer. Soon help arrived and carried her away.
 ( didn't involve us, but it was a "concern")

Lily pads

Fountains 

Color, and more color 

And just about to leave the gift shop and..

Yes, Elizabeth found us 

Now.. have you been to the Butterfly Museum?

Check it out.

More than butterflies

Yes  more than butterflies...

Hope this video comes through..ants doing their work 

Tonight we dine at the Old Spaghetti Factory 

The menu is always the same, and delicious, but tonight, they were out of Spumoni ice cream 
  (kind of a hiccup, but vanilla is tasty)  

Then came home to an amazing sunset

The view from our 6th floor veranda.

Wednesday we head north to visit and dine with some friends we have known for a long time

Meet the Batemans

A delicious meal, and always room for dessert 

We stopped at Tim Hortons for "dinner", not special but very Canadian.

Thursday.. 

We stopped for breakfast at a favorite bakery.
BUT no cooks showed up today.   
But, plenty of coffee, sweet rolls, and yesterdays sausage rolls.

The Museum 
The best part for me was the hotel and kitchen...old but so interesting and authentic 

Then a photo shot..and...it works

There was a large animal display too

Then just around the corner..

This was no mistake.... unplanned, a huge building, and there, together again.

Elizabeth says she will connect with our email. She is going to write a book. We shall see 

We said our goodbyes --- the ladies head home today.
Nancy and I had plans for tea at the Pendray 

 

all so pretty, even the powder room...

The men were at home eating chips and drinking coke..

and watching activity in the harbor

We all walked into town to eat dinner at the Days Inn.. outside with a view

Great chowder... no room for dessert

Home again and even talked Darrell and Art into playing a few games.

Friday, our last full day in Victoria.

Nancy fixed bacon and eggs and off we went to 

Pictures that do not need words..

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Final "view"

And this will be my happy place when we come back next time.

An easy ride home for a rest and then a celebration dinner at Harbor House.   We wanted to treat our host and hostess to a special meal in thanks for their hospitality (and love and friendship, etc. )

Preparing Caesar Salad

The other side salad

Our final picture... Our great server, Julie, is telling us that our bill has been paid.  The couple behind us saw us praying and paid for our meal.

They had already left... no name... such a gesture of love that honors the Lord.. so blessed..eyes swimming. 

Another night to play a game or two and enjoy the lights of the cruise ships in the harbor 

Saturday.. 

We headed north and as the road seemed longer than anticipated, we changed our destination. 
The beach...yes..

Then heading back we stop in Shirley
Everything Shirley

Music and casual dining

Tastes as good as it looks

Back in Victoria Nancy and I stopped at the Empress hotel ...just to walk through the lobby and surrounding garden 

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back to our room, pack up our bags, say our goodbyes

↑
I am waving at Nancy
Nancy is filming me
↓

and truth be told

I  live an exciting life

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