October 28, 2019

Men's Walking Group

Eight of us drove down to Victoria where we did about a 10 Km walk from Bamfield Park in Vic West, along the Victoria waterfront to the Fan Tan Cafe where we enjoyed a delicious lunch, and then back to Bamfield Park.  The weather was brisk to start but eventually the sunshine took over.  Map and photos below.  --  DeNNis.


Parked off Craigflower Rd at Bamfield Park (top - near center) and did a counter-clockwise loop down through part of  Esquimalt to the West Bay Marina where we followed the waterfront trail to the Blue Bridge.  Stopped for lunch at the Fan Tan Cafe on Fisgard St where we were joined by Denis L, Harry H and Bob B and his wife Brenda.  Then back up Victoria Harbour Front  to our vehicles.

Bamfield Park entrance.

The "tin toilet" at West Bay Marina.

West Bay Marina has grown considerably over the years.

The beginning of the walkway along the waterfront.

There is a steel walkway up to this building which is about 100
steps so we were told.

Those mysterious painted rocks seem to end up
wherever we walk!!

What is in the crook of that tree??

Couldn't have asked for a better day for a stroll.



Looking back along the walkway.

Very busy in the harbour today as seen in the
next few shots
The Clipper on its way in from Seattle.



The Coho on its way to Port Angeles.


Doesn't bother this guy.

Or these birds.

Dragon Boat crew doing their thing.



Hope they are in their proper traffic lanes.

Question period!


Shadows.

The "New Blue Bridge".


LUNCH TIME!!!

And it was delicious!
(I think it was the cook who stood up on a chair to take this pic.)

The Victoria Harbour Fleet and two tall ships.

Point Hope Shipyard is also busy.  Possibly a small navy ship
under the wraps??

Selkirk Trestle from across the water.

Back at Bamfield Park where we started and the last small
uphill stretch..

 

October 21, 2019

Men's Walking Group

Eleven of us took a chance on the weather - didn't think it would rain too hard - and walked about 5 Km down Briarwood Drive and beyond into the "Beaver" works and back around Briarwood Crescent.  Then off to Shawnigan Coffee House for a warm cup which we drank across the street at the Shawnigan Basin Society office.  --  DeNNis.

Parked the cars on Briarwood Drive just off Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road and walked to the end of the trace shown, then back around Briarwood Crescent to the cars.

Off we go down Briarwood Drive.

Down throuogh Briarwood Park by Hollings Creek.

Lots of  "Bigfoot Maple" leaves on the ground.

Very little water in Hollings Creek.


Not sure if this sign is referring to Chicken, Alaska (the town)
or the eggs for sale in the cooler.

Had to zoom in on the horse .

A well manicured tree in the
ditch between the hedge and
the road.

Quite a few houses at the end of Briarwood Drive.

Halloween is in the air of coourse.

Down the path along the fence at the end of Briarwood Drive.

Where we get into "Beaver Territory" as evidenced by the
copious amounts of water..

Over a foot bridge.

A few large drops of rain coming down.

What is Bill checking out.

The cuts for the "springboards" in this
old tree stump, used for sawing platforms.

The work of the beavers is obvious here.

A mystery - Where is the stump??
Further investigation shows this was  the top of the tree which
was chewed off and used by the beavers.

Another of those mysterious painted rocks -


- Left in the rocky ledge by the trail.


A large bird(?) made of concrete.

A well deserved coffee after our strenuous walk.