Saturday, February 24, 2007

My trip to Victoria

With my special Air Canada "Welcome Abroad" Ticket I took a few days to visit some friends and family at Victoria.

I visited my Uncle Jack and Aunt Hilda. They have a lovely home in Colwood now. When David and I first moved over to Victoria the kids and I would drive to see them in Saanichton. Aunt Hilda carded wool and she helped me make a real sheep's wool quilt. I still remember that.

While I was visiting with Uncle Jack and Aunt Hilda, Uncle Jack told me many stories of when he was stationed on the Queen Charlotte's during the war. It was great hearing about this from his perspective. I enjoyed hearing about the Charlotte's as that is another place I've always wanted to see.



Wally and Donna took me out for lunch at the golf course in Metchosin - mmmm good. And such a lovely view. It is always great to connect with my friends again. Wally is my buddy! Donna says that we're cut from the same cloth.


I stayed with Jim and Denise. I enjoy my conversations with Jim and to gather his perspective on things.

Bryn is attending UVic and Kaitlin is going to college. So...for now they were both still at home and it was great to be able to hang out with them a bit and to share in Kaitlin's news.
Just a few days before I arrived her boyfriend purposed to her and this is her ring. We are very excited for her and wish her and Zach all the best. Zach has recently purchased a duplex to fix up and rent but I forgot to take my camera when Denise and I went to see it. It will be a great start for Kaitlin and Zach. All the best - we're cheering for you.


I was able to stop in and see Bob and Bonnie and Catherine (I don't know if I spelled her name right). Visiting with such good friends is always a heart warming time of sharing joys and life. Friends are such a treasure to me.
I couldn't go to Victoria without going to my beloved ocean. I love the smell of the ocean, the sound of the ocean, the sight of the ocean. I guess you can tell that I love the ocean. So...Denise says "Do you want to go for a walk down to Tower Point". I look at her with this blank look as if she is speaking Chinese. "You know down by Whittey's Lagoon", she says. "Oh, you mean "Huzzey's Cove"", I say. And we laugh. Because to me this location will always be Huzzey's Cove and I will have to write to the Park's board and tell them they have the wrong name on the sign.

This little walk to the beach is packed full of memories of picnics with the kids, Bryn's spring allergies and warm summer days. We used to call up the Huzzeys on a Saturday morning and just say "Hey you guys want to go for a hike?" Or they'd call us and we'd pack a lunch and all the kids and head off for the beach somewhere. Wonderful, wonderful memories. OK I'm getting teary eyed....


As we came around the corner we say this person just lazing in the sun. A perfect thing to do on a day like this.


Life is not lived in past memories but is completed and enriched as I live each new day and add new memories to the fabric of my life.

And what better way to add texture and richness to my life than to spend a warm sunny day at the beach with my friend, Denise - sharing about our lives now.

Huzzey's CoveThere used to be a rope swing on this tree that the kids used to swing on.




Stunning beauty!
Alf picked me up and we went over to visit Cindy and her little boy. He is SOOO cute. She has a very westcoast house with a lot of creative artistic character.Megan came home from UBC for the weekend so it was great to be able to squeeze in a little visiting time before I had to head back home.
OK - here is Kaitlin and Zach. They're just heading up to the duplex to do some painting.
Alf & Patty and Denise and Jim took me out for a wonderful evening at the Chemainus Theatre. The Chemaninus Theatre is just about 45 min up island and they serve a wonderful meal and then you get to go into the theatre and enjoy a play.

I very much enjoyed the play and the quality of the performance. My only wish is that David could have been with me. I missed him.Before I left I was able to pop over and visit Marie Harbour. This is a bad quality picture because I've done it on my timer and too far away. But it was great to visit and look at all her pictures of all her children and grandchildren.

Thank you all in Victoria for you continued friendship and love.