December 19, 2016

Men's Walking Group

It was a testy walk for the 10 of us to skate the 6 Km around Mill Springs followed by hot beverages at Tim Hortons.  This year we covered 362Km in 50 of our Monday walks. We start the New Year walk on January 2, 2017.  -- Brook

 

A brisk, slippery walk through some trails and streets in the Mill Springs area today.  A couple of slips and falls at the end as we headed for coffee but no damage done.  So, a pleasant and healthy outing for us old (???) guys.  -- DeNNis.

Parked the cars near Tim Hortons (bottom right).  Up Deloume Rd - then do a counter-clockwise figure eight (sort of) - and back to Tims' for coffee.  Some of the purple traces are from previous walks.




This Arbutus tree grew until it bumped into another tree and
then branched off to the left. 

Looking out towards the water.

The occasional uphill climb.  The stairway helped.

A skim of ice on some of the streets.




The ducks don't mind the cold as long as there is no ice.





New growth out of
an old stump.

A nice little skating pond  --  but the ice looks a little thin.

It's amazing how a little snow can brighten up the
landscape.

Seen in passing.

Going incognito - the
perfect spy.

A miniature of the actual house.

Yes - they are actually reroofing this house in this weather.


Another unique tree.  Good place to sit and rest.

Walking in a winter wonderland(?)

Natures art - frozen water droplets on the limbs.


December 12, 2016

Men's Walking Group

We did a two part walk today which turned out very well.  The weather cooperated so we didn't get soaked or buried in snow.  Finished up with a pint and a full stomach.  Below are the highlights.   ---   DeNNis.


First part -- Explored Mill Bay Park and then down to Whiskey Point and back.

Second part - Parked at Cobblestone Pub and walked up to Alpine Stable to check out horses and alpacas.

Swans at Mill Bay Park .

Checking out the view from Mill Bay Park.



Ferns growing from the moss.

Some human art - notice the stone
perched on top.

Not much snow in the park.


A very steep set of stairs at Whiskey Point Beach.



Charley Brown was here.
Swans at Whiskey Point.




Looking at Brentwood College from Whiskey Point.



The Cormorant and the Gull - which is top bird?

The Arbutus seems to have a
habit of wrapping around and
taking over.

Spotted in driveway
on Whiskey Point Rd.


The Alpacas by Alpine Stables always have to see what is
going on.

Larry, Rick and "Mr. Ed" (if you remember him) sharing a joke.

The snow on the trees certainly brightens up the landscape.


The best part of the walk.


December 5, 2016

Men's Walking Group

Another brisk day for the 6 of us to trek 5Km through the bush trails behind the Legion followed by coffee at Shawnigan House.  Next week will be an easy walk around the lower level of the quarry followed by our Christmas luncheon at the Cobblestone Pub. --- Brook

 

 

The hardier members of the group braved the wintery weather this morning to do a little shorter walk down behind the Legion.  Below are a few photos and a map complements of Brook.   ---   DeNNis.

We did a clockwise loop from the Legion, down the trail to the Bamberton-Haul road, then a narrow trail through the bush back up to the Legion.. 

As you can see it was a pretty tough slog through the deep snow.



We had to keep our heads down so as not to disturb Mother
Natures fancy art work.

Slippery walk across the little bridge - unless you were
wearing heavy duty Alberta gum boots.

Somebodys creation that we had seen previously on this trail.
Very unique.

A closer look at some of the stones.



We were not about to try any of the old mountain bike platforms.



A big ugly fungi on the root of a fallen tree.

Looking south - we saw the light.



Looking north - not quite so bright.

Bambi was obviously in the neighborhood.

Another nature show.



Guarding his territory - with
wagging tail.

Another of those slippery bridges.

A warning to trespassers  -- the skull --

-- and the jawbone.

Somebody left a trinket behind.