April 27, 2016

Women's Walking Group

April 25th women's walk.

Photos and captions complements of Doreen Parker.                                               --  DeNNis.

Seven ladies had a lovely day walking Honeymoon Bay Ecological Reserve and then stopped at Gordon Bay Provincial Park For a few pictures at this lovely beach and then to the Senior Centre for lunch where we were entertained by lady line dancers.  Thanks to Lynn driving all seven of us in her van.

The Group.

Fairy Slippers.

Lenore's hand holding lily for picture.

Neat fungi.

Large stump - you could see the trees on the other side
through the perfect round holes.

Fawn lily.

Ornate root we thought interesting.

Trillium with pink and white stripes .. a little different.
(Note: Trilliums are white early in the season and eventually
become a pinkish-purple as the season ends.)

Fairy Bells
(I think that is what Dianne said the name was.)

Beautiful scene at the lake and yes Dianne did bring the
log to shore.

Helen - showing us how to stand to take pictures.


April 25, 2016

Men's Walking Group

We had a great day for the 8 of us to trek a tough 10Km up to Oliphant Lake from Spectacle Lake.  We find exiting Spectacle Lake North on HWY 1 to Mill Bay is treacherous, so we took the route South to Shawnigan Lake Road about the same travel time to have coffee at the Shawnigan House.  Thanks to Dennis for his GPS navigation and photos of the trek.  Next week plan is a road trip to Matheson Lake with lunch at the popular My Chosen CafĂ©. --- Brook

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My map and photos of todays walk to Oliphant Lake  --  and the GPS helped us stay on the right trail for the return part of the loop.  The weather and company were great as usual.    ----    DeNNis.

The map tells the story.  We parked at the Spectacle Lk parking lot, started on the Spectacle Lk trail, then off onto one of the Bamberton Motorized trails (as they are called - the green and white traces).  Without the GPS there were quite a few wrong turns we could have made  --  but the "Yellow Brick Road" shows we made it back to where we started.


UP and OVER.

What did this tree have to
get around on its way up?

A few large puddles to get around.

DOWN and UNDER.

Nice viewing platform - but no ladder.

Next time we will bring cushions.



A section of the dam at the south end of the lake.


Another nearby section of the dam.

Looking north on the lake.

A couple of metal mysteries.



What kind of plant is this?

"Maybe they are lost - could be tasty."

The beginning of a bush which produces small blackberries
                                                                    - according to Larry.



An interesting building.

The Malahat Fire Hall  --  "We made it!"


April 21, 2016

Women's Walking Group

Old Mill Park  --  April 11th 2016

Seven ladies walked on that beautiful day.

Photos compliments of Doreen Parker.


Entrance to Old Mill Park.
The ladies crossing the nice new bridge.
Shawnigan Shaman
"Old Happy Face - looks like he was happy to see us, eh?"



Toadstool.

Lots of wildflowers everywhere.

Doreens favourite  --  "Red Neck Wind Chimes''  --
made from beer cans and an old rope.


Women's Walking Group

Bright Angel Park  --  April 4th.

Five ladies had great weather for this walk.  Thanks to Claudia for driving.

The Dogwoods were just opening and there were lots of trilliums, wild bleeding hearts and daisies blooming.

Photos complements of Doreen Parker.


Washed up debris from past stormy weather.

Are Wendy and Claudia holding this thing up??  --  Or just
demonstrating its large size?

Lots of lilies in full bloom.


Ladies leisurely lollygagging along Lily Lane.

What type of critter vandalized this tree?  No bears or cougars spotted.

A lonely lovely trillium.

A snail on the move with both head and "tail" exposed.
Watch he doesn't bit your finger, Dianne.

Dogwood tree just coming into bloom.

Lots of little wild daisies, too.


April 18, 2016

Women's Walking Group

The women walked the Cowichan Valley Trail today to the Kinsol Trestle and Hume Rd covering about six kilometers.  Then back to the Village for coffee.

Photos are complements of Margaret Jones.                                      --  Dennis


A snake soaks up the sunshine.

While a snail takes a leisurely stroll across the trail.
"Ride 'em Cowgirl!"  -  Lenore tackles the hobby horse.
The women inspect the Trestle while enjoying the view from the viewing platform.



Men's Walking Group

Great day for 9 of us to trek 5Km over the challenging trails along the Koksilah River of Kingburne Park followed by coffee complimentary of Denis Lainchbury at the Shawnigan House.  Next week plan is to visit Oliphant Lake walking from Spectacle Lake. --- Brook

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Below are pics and map of todays Kingburne Park walk.  This summery type weather is a pleasant bonus.  And good company, too.  ---  DeNNis.


For some reason my GPS did not record todays map.  However, I pulled up an older, almost identical one from about this time last year.  Kingburne Rd is on extreme right.  Follw the "Yellow Brick Road" counter-clockwise from where we parked at the bottom of Gray Lane.

 

A long steep descent to the river - a few laddered sections.

 

 

A unique way to store your golf balls until the weather is
better.  Two trees beside each other with ball storage.

 

Still some downhill ahead.

 

Down by the riverside.

 

Koksilah River

 

 

The river from the trail above.
The old mine shaft entrance.  Who goes first???

 

He  --  who has the light - obviously!
From the inside - looking out.

 

 

The End - about 40 ft. inside.  Thank god for flash lights and
flash cameras.

 

 

Fiddle head ferns.

 

Quite a few trilliums.