justbenme

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..

↑ ↓

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. )