Men's Walking Group

A local walk today.  Denis couldn't join us as he had other obligations.  But he must have had a word with the weather goddess, or whom ever he deals with in that department.  We missed the rain again!!  Ten of us did about eight kilometers, then had a leisurely coffee at Shawnigan Coffee House.  --  DeNNis.

My GPS is getting messy so ignore those solid purple lines. Follow the red arrows on the Yellow Brick Road from the legion (top left) clockwise around through Old Mill Park, down the E&N rail tracks to Masons Beach and back to the Legion.  We dawdled a bit at Old Mill Park and Masons Beach but made pretty good time.

Took a sharp-right here - didn't feel like climbing today.

The "Shawnigan Shaman" by Randy Malone who indicated he was going to join
our Woodcarving Group one day but headed up to the interior to work.  Hope to hear
from him one day soon.

Entrance to Old Mill Park.

Looking across from the beach at Old Mill Park.

Reflections from the Government Wharf on Shawnigan Lake.

WAITIN' FOR A TRAIN!

At Masons Beach. --   This Mobile Lab unit from Quebec is apparently being used to check on water quality in Shawnigan Lake.  The letters  NSERC on the side of the unit stand for "National Science and Engineering Research Council" of Canada which provides funding for University based research.

Fifty shades of gray.

 

Women's Walking Group

On a cool but beautiful sunny morning, nine did a four Km walk along Wilmot road circling through the top of the Cowichan Bay area. We checked out some landscaping and saw many geese and some swans in the fields. As usual, lunch at the Pioneer House was great. Thanks for the tickets, Anne. A thank you to our drivers. Next Monday Dec 8th we will do a local walk. Meeting at the Legion at 10 am.   VM

The geese and swans were quite some distance away today

The two swans join the circle

The swan rests

A happy group we are

The Crab Apple tree

Photography group

Hi,
I thought it was high time that a new post was sent from our Photography group. Today we talked about painting with light using our cameras. Below are some of my efforts. If you do a search "light painting" or some such terms you will get a lot of really good examples and how the images are made.
I am also including 2 pictures taken with my phone on our Men's walking group yesterday.
Ed

The icicles hanging from the rocks and the sun hitting the parts of the scene made for a striking picture.

This should have been a great picture. Unfortunately, it is really hard to not have movement or shake, at least for me - so it is blurry.

This is my version of a 'selfie' and a first attempt at light painting.

Another attempt at light painting or light writing.

The title here could be "Fire and Ice". There is about 2 inches of snow on the picnic table and the flame is burning steel wool..

men's walking group

Yes there was a little frost on the punkin this morning DeNNis, But 8 of us did do 10k (rounded off)and we may have done that in record time.ha. Tks to the drivers Ken & Larry. Next week we have the luncheon for Veterans in Esquimalt so I will not be able to do the walk but behind the Legion or through the village would probably work. Tks and we will see you on the 15th. Also we will go out for our Xmas break walk and lunch on 22nd of Dec getting back by 2 pm Tks

Men's Walking Group

My take on our CHILLY Galloping Goose Trail walk today.  So cold there were no animals or flowers.  WELL - maybe it wasn't quite that bad.  We just walked a little faster to keep warm.  Actually it was quite enjoyable.  -- DeNNis.

Started where the Galloping Goose crosses Sooke Lake Rd (right) not far from Cougar Ridge. Walked north along the trail almost to Butler Rd and back. (The Yellow Brick Road!)

Next to no snow - too dry for snow balls.  But the icicles and little ferns made a nice showing.

NOTICE  --  Ear muffs, toque and gloves!

BUT  --  Sunshine (through the trees) and Blue Sky. 

If you squint, you can make out the Inukshuks made by some artistic soul.

Men's walking group

Well like DeNNis said we got our walk in just before the rain, thats a good thing!!!. Thank you drivers Harry & Ed. We did in the neighborhood of 8 kilometers,right Brook? Next week we can try Mill Bay Park. I looked back on our log and we haven't done it for a couple of years. okay. Tks

Men's Walking Group

Missed the rain again!!!  Pleasant walk through Manley Park and Patsy Granfield Memorial Trail (used to be Eves Trail??).  Here are my photos.  --  DeNNis.

Parked at Manley Park entrance, just beyond the Tank Farm - down lots of stairs to the Beach area, back up along Patsy Granfield Trail to Aros Rd, then Telegraph Rd and onto Hatch Point Rd across the end of the field and down Ratcliffe Rd back to the cars.

Not a lot of water in the creeks yet - remember the wash-out year??

Difficult to chose which part of the waterfalls  show.

Thought this tree made a good picture frame.

The Fuel Barge Dock.

Had to include this colourful residence.

Cobble Hill countryside.

This is about a quarter of the Canada Goose multitudes that were spread out all over the fields.

Mushrooms?  or  Toadstools?

THE END  --  Except for COFFEE!!

P.S.  The lettering on the trailer at the Tank Farm, WCMRC stands for Western Canada Marine Response Corporation.

Women's Walking Group

Ten walkers did a woodsy trail connecting a wider dirt road to Haul Road. Then down to see the Alpacas and Llamas. A welcome to Susan, a new member to our group. Next Monday the 24th the walk will be at the Cobble Hill Quarry. Meet at the Legion at 10 am.   VM
Message by Dianne
Pictures and captions by Joan



Dinner anyone ?

We are not really that cold.

Frosty Vale

Another fallen tree - we didn't do it.

A group of nine plus a new recruit

Where did it come from ?

Another lovely growth - Turkey Tail

Womens Walking Group

Twelve walkers enjoyed a cool, but bright and sunny morning on the Trans Canada Trail. The trees are quite bare now and most of the colour is gone. It is beginning to look and feel a bit like winter. All the more reason to layer and do our Monday walk to warm up. We did find some strawberry plants and may be putting up our U-Pick sign in the future. Drinks and goodies were at the Chippery, Thank you to our drivers. Next Monday the 17th. the walk is from the Legion to Haul Road, to visit Wendy's Llamas and Alpacas. Leaving at 10 am.  VM

The walkers

Interesting gates

The Spider Web

Anne had a bit of a climb for this picture

Bright sun and mossy shadows

The Strawberry

Men's walking group

It was a little cool this morning but not as cold as we expect in the next few days, I think its time to head south for a few days. Good walk and thanks DeNNis for your comments and pictures and driving. Next week I'll be sitting in the sun.ha ha and you can walk where ever. Larry maybe you can keep an eye on things and let me know who all showed up, so I can keep the log up. Tks have fun.

Men's Walking Group

Chilly first thing but a great day for some climbing.  My photos from our Prospecters Trail stroll.  -  DeNNis

Parked where the river goes under the road at the bottom of  what I would call Ice Cream Mountain Hill - crossed the highway there - (took a while for satellites to catch us) -  Up the stairway - along Prospectors Trail - Down the long stairway to Finlayson Rd - Checked out the spawning salmon - back alongside the highway to the cars.  Follow the arrows on the yellow brick road.  The dark trace below the highway is from our last years hike to Niagara Falls - the red box is the top of Niagara Falls.

All members present and accounted for.

Larry, being the TALLEST of the group, gives an indication of how big some of these trees are.

Hold on Brook - don't let that one topple until we are all past it.

Thanks to whom ever cut the steps into this tree.

Archway passage archway for the "Little People".

One of several sections of the lo-n- n-n-g stairway down.

At the bottom of this set we still have more stairs to go down.

Which way do I turn for my next tid-bit??

Lots of seagulls and lots more salmon!