January 27, 2020

Men's Walking Group

Twelve members of our walking group got together today and did about 6 Km along the Bob-O-Link Trail.  No rain - in fact there was some blue sky showing through the clouds.  Map and photos below.  --  DeNNis.


Map from Oct. 2019.  Same route except final stretch down Shawnigan-Mill Bay Rd.


Reserved parking only for Bartender??  What
about the President?

Off we go, up through "Cairn Park" past the playground.

On Wilmot Rd. sign says Gibsons Park.

On to Bob-O-Link Trail near
the end of Treit Road.

Necklace hanging from tree branch.

Large water tower for some of Shawnigan area.  Question about
rock wall below house?  Looks the same as in August 2019.

Tree house over wood storage is
still there.

Not a super level trail.

Lots of roots and a bit of climbing.


We come off the Bob-O-Link trail on Elford.

Across from the Cowichan Cricket Field.
 .
We
This last Mondays walking group.


In need of a tow truck??

A pleasant looking stream.

A little further down across the street.

CVRD Wharf.

Lots of colour reflecting from the sky.

More reflections.

And more.  It's amazing what a bit of sunshine can do.

A panoramic shot from the CVRD Wharf.

Part of the new trail along the old E&N tracks.

Shawnigan Museum.

A new painting at the Shawnigan Coffee House?

Sat outside for our coffee stop today - it was reasonably pleasant.

January 20, 2020

Men's Walking Group

Five of us fitted ourselves into Eds' car and headed down the Malahat to Victoria where we met two more of our walking group at Banfield Park.  From there we proceeded across the Selkirk Trestle and downtown to the Legislature Buildings where we enjoyed a delicious lunch in their Dining Room.  Then it was time to head home.  We walked a distance of about 13 Km and didn't even get rained on.  Map and photos below.  --  DeNNis.


GPS battery exhausted.  Parked at Banfield Park (bottom left).  Trace shows us on Bridge St.  Then onto Bay, Government, Pembroke, Wharf to Parliament Buildings for lunch.  Return to cars via Govenment, Bay and Bridge.

It's not raining.  Time to shed the wet weather gear.

Down through Banfield Park.  Gorge waterway in the distance.

This birdhouse located
in Banfield Park.

Onto the Selkirk Trestle.

A boat sinking by the trestle.  Belongings onto a raft while
trying to rescue the boat.

The Selkirk trestle from the opposite shore.

Some modern artwork not far from the trestle.

The walkway near Larrys' place.

Spotted an Otter swimming in the Gorge upper Harbour.

First Nations artwork on the long fence bordering Government
and Pembroke streets.

Eyeing the bicycles - must be tired of walking.

Time for a quick break at Capital Iron Store.

On Wharf Street looking over to the Johnson St. Bridge.

The harbour is busy as usual.

The VtoV boat now retired.  Wanna buy a boat?


Lunch time.  We can almost smell it!

You can see the satisfaction of full stomachs.  Lunch was excellent
and we even had white tablecloths and cloth napkins for the first time on our walks, and the Notka room to ourselves.  Good thing the Legislature wasn't sitting or we could have been bumped by an MLA?

The mens washroom facilities give an idea of the age of the Parliament Buildings.  Sort of like the old railroad stations in the UK?

Back across the Selkitk Trestle to Bamfield Park.

At least they kept the boat from going under as the tide receaded.


January 13, 2020

Men's Walking Group

Five brave souls dared to walk in the below freezing (about -3C - feels like -10C) temperatures for about 5 Km from Tim Hortons down to Mill Bay Marina  and on to the CVRD Wharf on Kier Rd, finishing with coffee at Tim Hortons.  We got our fresh air and exercise for the week.  Map and photos below.  --  DeNNis.


Started at Tim Hortons - Follow the trace down through Mill Bay Center, down Handy Rd then on down Kier Rd and back.

Upon arrival at the Legion, Rick and I found 3 other
hardy souls awaiting us,  Brook, Bill and Ed.

As you can see, winter has arrived.

But we still found flowers blooming.  (in front of Thrifty Foods.)

And Christmas lights still lit up at
the condos at Mill Bay Marina.

We scared up a bunch of water fowl at the Marina.

But we obviously were not too threatening as they soon
settled back in.  Swans, ducks and sea gulls.

he 
Panoramic view of the Marina area.

Where but Vancouver Island would you find a Palm tree
covered with snow?

Looking down on the CVRD Wharf from Kier Road.

A little wave action due to the cold, bitter breeze.

Looking back up from the end of the CVRD Wharf.