November 26, 2018

Men's Walking Group

"Just walkin' in the rain."  Five of us took the plunge (pun intended) to visit Kinsol Trestle today - and yes, we got wet.  About a 4 Km walk from Renfrew Rd, across the trestle and back.  Coffee at the Old School House in Cobble Hill and back home to change and dry out.  Map and photos below.  --  DeNNis.




Parked on Renfrew Rd where the Cowichan Valley Trail crosses the road (bottom right).  Walked from there to the north side of the trestle (top left) where we took a respite from the rain and then back to the cars.




This sign and carving is between Renfrew Rd and the Kinsol
Trestle parking lot.

Had to avoid a few very large puddles.


Very poor focus on this but still readable.

Onto the trestle.

Looking up stream.  Lots of water in the Koksilah now.

A little respite from the rain before heading back.

Looking across from the viewing platform on the north side of the trestle.

Reflections.

November 19, 2018

Men's Walking Group

Another cool, crisp day.  Temp sitting around zero.  But we have sunshine.  Off we go, eight of us, to Cowichan Bay for a stroll on the dock and to check out the noisy sealions.  Finished our walk with lunch at the Rock Cod CafĂ© where we were joined by Brook and Denis L.  Map and photos below.  --  DeNNis.


Parked by the Market next to the Kokailah Firehall (bottom left).  Only a single trace from there down to Cowichan Bay as our drivers walked back to pick up the cars while the rest of us strolled around the town.  GPS and pedometer say about 6 Km for us who stayed in the town area.


Great Greens Farm Market.

Down the Wilmot Rd trail.

This derelict boat has been laying here for some years.

Down the hill above Cow Bay.  Note the low fog over the water.


Onto the public wharf where all the noise is emanating from.

Sealions everywhere.

But the Sea Gull doesn't care.





A new piece of artwork added to the main street.


Looking north from one of the dock areas.

House boats.

A close up of the frost on the railing.

"Jack Frost" has been working on this glass panel.

Appropriate punishment!

Looking across the bay.

Reflections.

Taken from the east side of the Ocean Front Hotel.



November 12, 2018

Men's Walking Group

Cool morning - Nice day for eight of us to take a brisk walk down behind the Legion and along the old Bamberton-Haul Road.  We covered about 8 Km and stopped for coffee at the Shawnigan Coffee House.  --  DeNNis.


Follow the trace starting at the Legion (right) in a counter-clockwise direction.


   

Looking south along the power line from the trail behind the
Legion just before getting onto the Bamberton-Haul Road.

Heading north along the Bamberton-Haul Road.

Lots of maple leaves in places.

Looks like a second teepee frame has been erected along the road.

This one has been there for quite some time.


Talking nicely to the guard dog at the alpaca farm on Peerless Rd.


We always check out this sign - varnish starting to show age.

Of course we had to check out the weir down behind the
Black Swan Pub.

A little early in the day to check out the Pub itself.

Entrance to William Rivers Community Park.

Coffee at the Shawnigan Coffee House.

November 5, 2018

Men's Walking Group

Weather is quite pleasant.  Probably a good day for a stroll up to Rat Lake.  Eleven of us braved the elements - walked about 8 Km to Rat Lake and stopped at Serious Coffee for a beverage on completion.  Map and photos below  --  DeNNis


Parked off Frayne Rd behind Serious Coffee (top left).  Took the trail off Benko Rd and did a clockwise loop around the back of  Rat Lk, then down the Bamberton-Haul Rd and back down the trail to Serious Coffee.

We took the high road where the trail split.


Looking across to the east side of Rat Lk where we will catch the
path to the Haul Rd.

Not even a ripple on the water.

The viewing bench on the west side of the lake where the
above pictures were taken from.

The living forest -- mushrooms, moss and rotting wood.

The taller walkers had to duck here.

The dead stuff provides nutrients for plant growth.

There are ups and downs to every walk.

And also overs and unders.

The viewing platform at the south end of the lake got shifted
a bit by the roots of this tree that fell.

Lots of dead fall at the south end of the lake.

Time for a break and a little chatter.

The water in the lake is up a bit but still not normal.

A close look reveals a bit of natures artwork.

Down the Bamberton-Haul Rd to the trail back.

Shadows.

The cars are still where we left them despite the warning sign.

Noted on the rear of the
Serious Coffee building.

Time for a coffee - or whatever.