September 24, 2018

Men's Walking Group

We expected some sunshine but the weather was warm enough and no rain.  Good enough for 10 of us to hike about 9 Km from the Legion down the Bamberton-Haul Rd and back through the bush trails to the Legion.


Follow the dotted yellow line from the Legion (near the bottom and right) in a counter-clockwise loop.  The undotted yellow is an "as the crow flies" in the car. 





Before we even started we could have had a "turkey shoot" 
at the Legion.  We counted about 7 or 8 of them.
.

Some one left a stuffed toy behind.  It was sitting on a rock
so hope they find it soon.


Down through the bush trail behind the Legion.







Lots of "rock art" along the trail.

Remnants of the old "mountain bike" stunt platforms.

"Wet Coast" natural art.


Scenic trails through the bush.

Onto the power line trail.








The horses always enjoy a pat and a handful of grass.


At the other end of the Haul Road the Llama is always curious
about the funny humans that come to stare.
 This twig teepee we always see has an added ceremonial
rock circle.
Heading back along an unfamiliar bush trail.
Are we lost yet???
Tent caterpillars doing their artwork.

September 17, 2018

Men's Walking Group


Great day for a 10Km walk around the Victoria via the Songees Walkway.  Lunch was at our favorite Fan Tan CafĂ© in China Town.



Parked at the Banfield Community Centre on Craigflower Road.  Counter clockwise down to the Songees Walkway and back up Government.

Stainless Steel pit stop at the start of the Songees Walkway. (Occupied)

Along the board walk ….

Keep going …
 

Still walking


Great shot of the Clipper, Harbour Air & Helijet landing in the distance
  

This has been growing and maintained since 1999 visit
 
Stopped to smell the flowers

 
 

Spinnakers Pub along the Walkway


The new marina for minimum 65 Foot $$$ Yachts


The Marina Club House?

 

The New (Blue) Bridge
 

The gears to lift the Bridge

Almost Lunch time


Lunch Time
 

September 10, 2018

Men's Walking Group

Change of Plans.  Apparent rock slide on the Malahat so the 9 of us decided to do a walk on the newer portion of the Trans-Canada Trail off Stebbings Rd.  Didn't encounter any rain until a few drops as we finished our walk.  Finished with coffee at Shawnigan Coffee House.  --  DeNNis.


North is towards top left corner of map.  Parked the cars off Stebbings Rd (right).  Walked about 4 Km north on the trail and then turned around and retraced our steps back to the vehicles.  Some fairly steep grades along this section of the trail.

Another map showing the area we were in.

Trailhead parking lot off Stebbings Rd.

A very steep start to the walk.

Lots of tall thin trees along the trail.

First bridge - very sturdily built.


This totem met us at the entrance to the bridge.





Shawnigan Creek water level is very low.

A second bridge - somewhat smaller.


Someone has been using some artistic license with the rocks.

And a third bridge - smaller still.
Time to turn around and head back to the cars.


Lots of growth sprouting from this old stump.


A very tall leaning tree.

A couple of these signs
along the way.

 

September 3, 2018

Men's Walking Group

A little cooler today.  Nice day for 9 of us to stroll down through Mill Bay Center then up Partridge Rd and through the Mill Springs area.  A 7 Km. trek.  Map and photos below.  --  DeNNis.


NORTH is top left corner.  GPS took a ways to cut in and then batteries died conveniently as we finished.  Follow the yellow dotted trace clockwise from where we parked the cars (top left) back to Tim Hortons where we had our coffee.



Large house on Seaview Rd at the top of a steep driveway.
Beautiful views obviously.

The street is named Seaview for a reason.

Looks like a good crop of apples.

Probably one of the last telephone booths
in the Cowichan Valley at Deer Lodge.

Sirens just before we crossed at Frayne Rd intersection. 
Two ambulances transferring a patent for Victoria.  Our assumption.

A huge ant hill at the top of Partridge Rd.
Crawling with large Red ants.

Businesses at Frayne Rd intersection.

Lots of apples for the taking.  "This one looks edible."

Quite a few pleasant paths around the Mill Springs area.

Hard to make out - a prop holding up the branch from which
the bird seed platform is hanging.

A very unique tree trunk.  Would make a good bench if it was
a little lower.

However, one of the YOUNGER "TEENIORS" managed to get onto it.

From the other side.

Some pretty steep trails in areas.

This one has quite a slope.

Another tree growing from a
stump.

A pleasant stroll in the sunshine.